I UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES CABALA: S I V E MYSTERIES O F State & Government: LETTERS Of illuftrious Perfons,and great Agents^in the Reigns of Henry the Eighth, Queen Eli^jbeth, K: fames, and the late King Charts. IN TWO PARTS. In which the Secrets of Empire, and Publique manage of Affairs are contained. With many remarkable Paflages nowhere elfe Published. LONDON, Printed for G. Bfdtl^md T. Ccltim, and are to be fold at their Shop at the Middle-Temple-gate in Fleetftreet, 1654. Cabala, Myfteries of State^ LETTERS of the great MINISTERS of K.^awef and K. fflarles. WHEREIN Much of the publique Manage of Affaires is related. Faithfully CoUeBed bj a J^oble Hand. LONDON, Printed for M. M* G. Bedell, and T. Coffins, and arc to be fold at their Shop at the Middle-Temple Gate in Ftectftreet, 1654- The Preface to the Reader. En is publijhed a Piece, not to be matched in Anti- quity; a Colleftion, riot r o much of Letters, as of the myfleries of Govern- ment, the wifdom, and manage of Public^ bufinefles in the late Reigns, where the great Miniftcrs of State areprefentednafyd, their Confultations > De- figns, Policies^ the things done by them, are expofed to every mans eye y as they were brought forth by tbemfelves. The moft famous of all Modern Hiftorians glories in the helps and advantages he bad above all men elfe to write ; A 3 464354 The Prefaced He came (fo be tells vi) prepared and furnished from the Gabinets of Princes, be badferi* oufly ferufecl , and fifted their Letters and Orders ; the Letters of the Illuftriow Per fins imfloyed by them, the private Commands, Dispatches, and Inftru&ions 0/Embaffies ; Debates^ and Refolutions of Councels, without which all Hiftory muft.be lame and imperfeff* This was the way to mafy the caufes of actions as vifible as their effetts, and with- out which all Diligence and Faitbfulneft elfewitt do little. areexaftly Related : with the Praffifes of our borne-Roman Catholicks^W growth of thofe who were here catted Puritans then ; the Secrets of the Court and State; without any falfe glofle to writhe, or flreigbten, to deprave or extenuate, with more truth and pncerity y then all the Annals canfloow^ where Paffion tf^Intereft jway oftentimes too much, and the cleaned hand mafys blots and ftain^ car- ried away with Love or Hatred, to the fide or man. Here are no (hares jet to catch or inveagle any mans judgment, all things are left clearly to their own worth and Refutation. A 4 A TABLE OF THE LETTERS Contained In this Colleiftion. Arl of Sommerfet to King James, Page i Lord Chancellour Bacon to the Ki*g t 31. July, 1617. p. 8 Lord Chancellour Bacon to the Ki*g t 2. Januar. 1618. % Lord Chancellour Bacon to the Lords, 5 - Lord Chancellour Bacon to the Mtrqueffe of Buckingham, 25 March, 1620. 10 Lord Chancellour Bacon to the King, the 25. of March, 1620. p. 10 Lord Chancellour Bacon to the Dnke, 122 ^agdibeg to the King* 1 1 A Letter by King James to the LordKeefer, Bifloff of London , Win- ton, Rocbefter, St. Davids, ^Exeter, Sir Henry Hubbard, tmd othert, 30,0&ob, 163.1.- 12 : Ttf* A Table of the Titles of the Letters? A Letter from Spain concerning the Princes arrival there , 30. Ssptemb. 1623. Madrid. , 17 The Eft of Briftol to the Prince touching the Proxies, l Madrid. 24 The Earl of Briftol to Secretary Cottington, April the 15*. 16*3. 28. The E&1 of Briftol tt the Bi/bopof Lincoln, Auguftffo 20. 1623. p. 20. The Earl*/ Briftol totfaBifiopof Lincoln, 24. Septemb, 1623. Ma- drid, ' 22 The Earl of Briftol to the Prince, September 24: 1623. tJMadrid page 26. TbeEttlof Briftol f* the Duly, the 6. of December, 1623. o%- */, 28 !Tfo Earl o/ Briftol to King James, ^27. 0/July, 1624. ^W*. 30 King Charles to the Ear/of Briftol, Jan. 21. 1625. 17 3T& Earl / Briftol to the Lord Conway the 4. o/ March , 1625. Sherborn. 19 The Lord Conway to the Earl of Briftol, March 2i 1625. 19 Sir Walter AttontptbtD*kf, 30 Sir Walter ARontotheDukf, ij.Novemb. 1623. 34 The Duke ^/Buckingham to Sir Walter Afton. 34 The Duke of Buckingham^ Sir Walter Afton. 36 Sir Walter Afton to the Duke of^ Buckingham, December 22. 1623. 37 A t-Memorialpt 'effing for the Palatinate, &c given to the King of Spain . b) Sir Walter Afton, 1 9, Jan. 1623. 38 Sir Walter Afton totheDukf^Zi Jan. 1623. 40 Sir Walter Afton to Secretary Conway, the 22. of January, 1623. 40 Sir Walter Afton to the Lord Conway. 44 Sir Walter Afton tothtLord Conway, S.June, 1624. 46 Sir Walter Afton to the Lord Conway, 1 7. July, 1624* S^ Sir Walter Afton to the Duke, 20. o/Odob. 1 624. 5 z Sir Walter Afton to the Duke , the 10. of December , 162 4. 165 Sir Walter Afton totheDu^ lO.o/Decemk 1625. 55 &r. Williams** ffaZ>*tf, 54 The A Table of the Titles of the Letters. Williams Lord Keeper to the Duly, 27. July, 1621. 55 The EM of South-bamptons Letter to the Bijkof of Lincoln , The Lortf Keeper to the Dukf,22.}M\^^ 1621: 6 r The Lord Keeper hii afwer to the Mart ef South-hzmpton, 2. Auguft, 1621. 58 The Lord Keeper to the Duty concerning the fame Earl of South-hamp- ton, 2, Aug. 1621. 59 The Lord K ee per tot be Duly concerning the Lord of St. Albans, Octob. 27. 1621. 60 The Lord Keeper to the Duke concerning the Earl Mar /halt place, I. Sep. tembcr, 1621. 62 The Lord Keeper to the Duke, i6.Deccmb. 1621: 6$ The Lord Keeper to the Dttkf *bwt Mr. Thomas Murrayes Diffenfa- f, &c. 23.Febr. 1621. 66 The Lord Keeper to the Duke About the Liberties of Weftminfter, the 6. May, 1 621. 68 The Lord Keeper to the Duke, Aug. 23.1622. 69 The Lord Keeper to the Duke about the Lord Treafurer, September 9, 1622. 70 The Lord Keener to the ~Duk$ of Buckingham, the 14. tf Ofto- bcr, 1621. 82 TheLordKeepertotheVuksfi.Aug. 1623. 83 The Lord Keeper to Jfe Duke , the 21- of September, 1,6-2 2. 93 The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 12. Oc^ob: 1622, 7S The Lord Keeper to the Dub. 7^ The Lord Keeper to the ttke, 22. Aug. 1624. 95 The Lord Keeper to the D*ke t 1 1 . Odob. 1624. 95 The Lord Keeper to the Wake concerningthe Counttffe of South- hamp- ton, 17. Novemb. 1624: 9 6 The Lord Keeper to the Dttke> 24. Decemb. 1624. 99 The LordKteper totbe Dkf concerning Dr, Scot, the 4 rf -Jan.. 1624 I GO A Table of the Titles of the Letters? The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 2. March, 1624. ior The Lord Keeper to the Duke about Sir Robert Howard, xi; March, 1624. 103 The Lord Keeper to the Duly, 13. March, 1624. 1 04 The Lord Keeper to the Dukti 22. March, 1614. 106 The Bijhof of Lincoln to the Duke, the 7. of January, 1625. 107 The Bifljop of Lincoln to hi* Majepie, i e8 The Lord Keeper to the Vifcottnt Annan, the 17. / September, 1622. 109 The Bijhof of St. Davids to the Duke, the 18. of November, 1624. "3 The Bij&op of St. I) wife to the Duke- 114 The Bifliop of Chichefter to the Duke'. 1 14 The Bi/hofs o/Rochcfter, Oxford, avdSt. Davids to the Dttkf, concern- jgMr.Mountague, 2. Aug. 1625. 116 Dr. Field TH/bopofLznfaffc to the Duke, 118 Bijhof ^LandafFe to the D*ke. 119 Dr. Corbet to the Dukf. 121 Iztr/etof Worccfter , Arundel And Surrey, and Montgomery to the King t 121 The E*rl of Suffolk to tii cMajeftie, 122 The Earl of Suffolk to the Dtt^e. 123 The EarU/ Suffolk to hi* Majeftie. m 124 The L*dj Elizabeth Howard to the King, . 126 The Lady Elizabeth Norris to the Duke. ibid. Sir Edward Cecyl to the Duke. 1 28 Sir Ed ward Cecyl totheDttkei 129 Sir EdwardCecyUo/^Xs>r^ of Buckingham: IJ9 Sir George Carie to the M*rq*effe o/Buckingbam, the 8 . of Dccera. 1619. 162 To King James f ab ignotOi 1 63 Arckhfbop Abbot] fo Secretary Nanton, 12. of September, 1619. 169 TheLordfttooktothe'Dttkf, u.Novemb. 1623. 170 Dr. Belcanquel to Secretary Nanton, 26, March. 1 7 3 Sir William Beechcr to hit Majeftie, 4. Febr. 176 To King James ab ignoto. 178 Sir Ifaac Wake to the Secretary, the 27. of September, 1619. 180 Sir Ifaac Wake to the Secretary, the 5 th . of Odober, 1619. 184 Sir Ifaac Wake to the*Duke t 13- Fcbr. 1621; 188 Sir Ifaac Wake's TropofitioHfor the King of Denmark. ipo Sir Henry Wotton to the Dftkty 25. Jan. 1619. 1 92 Sir Henry Wotton to the 'Duke, 29. July, 1622. 193 Sir Henry Wotton to the Vttk$ , the 2 d . of December , 1622; 1 94 Sir Henry Wotton to the T>uk$. 1 96 Sir Henry Wotton to the Duke. 1 97 Sir Richard Wefton to the 7)nke, 26. June, 1622. 200 Sir Richard Wefton to the Duke. Bruxels 3. of September, 1622. 201 Sir Richard Wefton to the Duke. 17. July, 1623. 202 Sir Richard Wefton to the D*kf, 20 May, 1624. 203 Sir Richard Wefton to the Dnkf. Chelfey,thc 23 of July, 16,24. 204 Sir Richard Wefton to the Duke. Chelfcy, 12. of Auguft. 1624. 206 Sir Francis Cottingfon to the Duke. Madrid, i. October, 1616. 206 Vifcount Rochfort to the Dttke of Buckingham, 209 King James to*Pepe Gregorierk 15. the to. of September, 1622. 211 Pope A Table of the Titles of the Letters. Pfffe Gregory the 15. to the Trince of Wales. Rome, 20 of April, 1623. 212 The Prince of Wales bit Reply to tie Popes Lett en 2 1 4 The P of e to the Duke of Buckingham. Rome, the 19 of May, 1623. 216 TV King James ab ignoto. 217 To King James ab ignoto. 222 Mr. Ch. Th . to the Duke. 228 To Count Gondomar. 233 CondcdeGondomar/0 theDukf. 13. Febr. 1625. 237 Paare Maeftre at Rome to the Spanifti Embaffadottr in England. 12, June, 1621. 238 Don Carlos to the Lord, Conway. 3. Septem. 239 MArqtteflt Ynoiofa to the Lord Conway , 5. of September, 1623. 242 Collections of 'Paff ages- and Difcourfes betvtixt the Spanifh Embafttiours *W Sir Arthur Chichefter, 18 Jan. 1623. 244 Sir Arthur Chichefterfarta Z)//^, 2 5. Jan. 1623. 243 f*S*g ts betftixt the Lord Nithifdale tttcheffeof Buckingham. From Bulloign, 9. June, 1625. 253 Dr. Sharp to King James. 255 Dr. Sharp to the Duke of Buckingham. 257 The Lord Gromweli to the Dttke, 8. Sept. 1625. 262 Sir Robert Philips** the Duke of Buckingham, 21. of Aug. 1624. 264 7/tf 4r/*/Middlefex totheDuke. 266 The E Mr I of Middlefex to his (Jlfajeftie , the 26. April, 1624. 267 The E*rl of Carlile to his Mtjeftie , 1 4. Febr. 1623. 269 7*Jje Lord Kenfington to the < Dukf. 273 The Lord Kenfington to the Prince, the 26, of February, 1624. . . 276 The Lord Kenfington totheDnke. 274- The Lord Kenfington to the Prince, 26 Febr. 1624. 2 7 6 Tht Lord Kenfington to the Duke. 278 The Lord Kenfington to the Prince. 280 TjstLord Kenfington to the Dnkf> 4- March, 1 924. 2$ 2 The ' A Table of the Titles of the Letters. ' ?he Lord Rcnfington to th* Seer ttarj Lord C6t\my, 284 The Lord iKenfington to the Duke. 288 Tke^LordKenfingtontothe Duke. 291 The Lord Kenfington Earl of Holland to the Dukf. 292 The Earl c/HollandVo hit Majeftie. Paris, 13 March, 1625. 294 The Earl of Holland to the Dukf. 296 Mr. Lorkin to the Duke^ 30. Auguft, 1625. 299 Mr. Lorkin to the Dttkf, 17 Sept. 1625. 301 The Lord Herberts bis Mtjefic. FrwwMerton Caftle, 13 O&ob. 1623. 304 Mr. Edward Clerk to the Duke. Madrid, 6. Sept. 1623.' 305 Mr. Edward Clerk te the D*kf, Madrid , the i. of Oftober. 1623. 307 Sir Anthony Afliley to the Duke, izMay. 1621. 307 Sir Walter Rwleigh totheDuke, 12, Aug. 308 Sir Henry Yelverton tt the Duke, the 15. of March, 1623. 310 Sir John Eliot totheDuke^ S.Novemb. 1623. 311 The Earl of Oxford to the Duke. 311 The Lady Purbeck to the Duke. 313 Dr. Donne to the Marqueffc of Buckingham, 1 3 . September , 1 621. Dr.JDonne f f ta Duke. 315 Sir John Hipflcy to the Duke. London,thc i . of September, 1623 . 316 Sir Dudley Carleton to the Mxrquefte o/Buckingham.Haguc,24.Febr. 1616. 317 Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke of Buckingham. Hague^ i o. June, 1620. 321 Sir Dudley Carleton tothtVukf. Hague, 31. of January, 1622. 325 Sir Dudley Carleton totheD*kf* Hague 23 i of Auguft, 1622. 327 Sir Dudley Carleton totheDuke. Hague, 9. of December, 1623. 334 Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke. Hague, 13. Dccemb. 1623. 334 Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke. Hague, 18 of December, 1623. 337 Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke. Hague, 24. of January, 1625.' 340 Sir fs Table of the Titles of the Letters. Sir Dudley Carlcton to the Dkf. Hague, 16 of February, 1625; 34* Sir Dudley Carleton to the Duke. Hague, 16. of April, 1624. 343 Sir Dudley Carleton to thi Dnkf> Hague, the io, of June, 1625. 34S Sir Dudley Carlcton totfa Dftkg. Hague 20. of Aaguft, 1625. Litters ttccordfog tothf Order ef this Table. Earl E. of Sommerfet to K. JAMES, Y this Gentleman your Ma jetties Lieutenant I underftand of fomc halt you made, and the Caufe of it, at fuch time as he offered to your Majcftie my Letters. But foon aftcr,your Ma- jeftie could refolve your felf and behold me nothing fo diffident of you, but in humble language petitioning your favour for I am in hope, that my condition is not capable of fo much more mifery, as that I need to make my felf a paflage to you by fuch way of intercefiion. This which followes after, I offer your Majeftic, though not as to your felf, for upon leffe motive you can find favour for me : Now I need onely move, not plead, before your Majeftie, as my Cafe doth ftand, for what I feek to have done, followes upon what you have already done, as a Confcquencc and fuccccding growth of your own ad. But to the effed, that your Ma jefrie may fee that there 1$ enough to an- fwer thofe (if any fuch there be) as do go about to pervert the excr- cife of your Power, and to turn it from its own clear excellency, for to minifter unto their paffions : I have prefumed ro this end to awake your Majefties own Conceipt upon this fubjed, which can gather to it felf better, and more able defences in my behalf upon this view j for though the ads of your mercy which are not com- municable, nor the Caufes of them with others, as derived from thofe fecret motives, which arc only fcnfible and privie to your own heart,and admit of no fearch or difcovery to any general fatisfadion, and that under this protection I might guard my particular fufficient- lyj yet my Cafe needs not hide it felf, but attend the difpuce with any, B that . ef Sommcrfct to K. fames* that would put upon it a monftrous and heavy (hape. For though chat I oroft acknowledge , that both life and eftate ape forfeit to you by Law, yet fo forfeited, as the fame JLaw gives you the fame power to preferve, as it doth to punilh, whereby your Majefties higher prerogative doth not wreftle with it , nor do you infringe thofe grounds by which yeu have ever governed; fo as the refinance is not great that your Ma jeftie hath,for to give life,and which is leffe,in the gift of eftate, for that theLawcafts wholly upon your felf, and yields it as fit matter for the cxercife of your goodnefle. Once it was your Majeftiesguift tome, foitmay be better not taken then a fecond time given ; for it is common to all men for to a void to take that which hath been once their own. And I may fay farther, that Law hath not been fo fevcrcupon the ruine of innocent pofterity, nor yet Cancelled, nor cut off the merits of Anceftors, before the politique hand of State had contrived it into thofe feveral forms, as fitted to their ends and government. To this I may adde, that that whereupon I was judged, even the Crime it felf might have been none, if your Majefties hand had not once touched upon it,by which all acceffe 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 fo far forfook my felf,and myCaufe, as* that it may be aqueftion whether I was more Corv demned for that,or for the matter it felf which was the fubjed of that dayesControveiffie' Then thus far nothing hath appeared, wherein your Ma jeftie hath extended for me your power beyond thereafon- able bound, neither doth any thing ftand fo in the way of your future proceedings^ but rather make cade the accefic of your Majefties fa- your to my relief. What may then bethecaufe, that Malice can pitch upon,where- fore your Majeftie (houid not proceed for to accompli(h your own work? Afperfions are taken away by your Majefties letting me become fub ject to the utmoit power of Law.with the lives of fo many of the offendours , which yieldeth the world fubjeft of forrowr rather then appetite to more b!oud,but truth and innocency protect themfelves in poor men, much more in Kings. Neither ever was there fuch afperfion ( God knowes) in any pofiibility towards your Majeftie, but amongft thofe who would create thofe pretences to raiflead your Majeftie, and thereby make m?mifcrable. If not this (whereof the virtue, and ufc, was in the former time and now deter- mined^ jthere is not any but your pleafurc. It is true; I am forfeited sO'yourMajcftie 3 butnotagainft you by any trcafonablc or unfaith- ful E. tf Sommcrfcc w jr. $ames. _ , ful ad. Befides, there i$ to be yielded a diftindionof men as in faults ; fnwhich-I am of both under the neereft degrees of excepti- on ; yet your Majeftie hath pardoned life and cftate to Traytofs, and to ftrange'rs, foraetimes the one, fometimes the other ; Nay to fome concerned in this bufinefle wherein I fuffer, you have pardoned more unto, then I deiire ; who as (it is reported) if they had come to the teft, had proved Copper, and ftiould have drunk of the bitter Cup as well as others. But I do not by this envy your favours to any per- fon, nor fcek I to draw them in thcyoak with my felf, but applaud your Majefties goodncfie, being in that refpecl: in a neerer pofiibility Mt to come at me. Befides this, to Etvijb your Majeftie hath given Sir w/ eftatc, which is a greater gift then life, becaufe it extends to pofteri- (& ty,who was the worft deferver in this bufinefs ; an unoffended inftru- mcnt might have prevented all after- mifchief, who for his own ends fuffcredic, and by the like arts afterwards bewrayed it. To this I may adde Trefiam in the Powder Treafon, upon whofe fucreflburs I s!r do not caft any of his infamy, yet he preferved himfelf to pofterity, Trejk*m. foas what he, or others fuch as he, have defrauded by the arts of Law, and whom their own unfaithrulnefle made fafe, I have much adoc to hold by ingenuity, and Confidence. How may it be that be- caufe I diflrufted not your Majeftie, or becaufe it returned in your power from whom I had it, it is in danger to be broken or difmem- bred. Let me hope that there is nothing which by favour may be ex- cufed, or by induftry might have been avoided, that will fail me, where your Majeftie is to determine. It is not I who thus put your Majeftie in mind importunely : It is he that was your Creature, it is Sommerfet, with all your honours, and envious greatneffe, that i* now in queftion. Kings themfclves are protected from the breach of Law by being Favorites and Gods anointed, which gives your Ma- jeftie the like privilcdge over yours; As I took from Dr. Dftmte in rj r , his Sermon, that the good netfe of God is not fo much acknowledged by us in being our Creator, as in being our Redeemer; nor in that he hath chofen us, as^JMb^othing can take us out of bis hands, which in your Majefties reHinbrance let me challenge, and hope for : For the firft accedes of favour, they may be afcribed to ones own plea- fing themfelv Majefties grace and pardon for all that is paft. And fo,&c. Your Lordfhips, &*;. Fivc Bacon to tfo King. ..Five Letters more of my Lord Btcon totbe King^ July 31. 1617. Lord Kee- -^ are not P r efume any more. to reply upon your Majeft-ie, but re per Bacm ^ erve ^Y Defence till I attend your Majeftie at your happy return, co his M*- when I hope verily to approve. my felf not onely a true fervanc jeftic. to your Majeftie, but a true friend to my Lord of Buckingham, and for the times alfo I hope to give your Majeftie a good account, though diftance of place may obfcure them. But there is one part of your Majcfties Letter, that I could be ferry to take time to an- fwer ; which is that your Majeftie conceives, that whereas I wrote, That the height of my Lords Fortune might make him fecurc; I mean that he was turned proud, or unknowing of himfelf. Surely the opinion I have ever had of my Lord (whereof your Majeftie is beft witneflej is far from that : But my meaning was plain and fimple; that his Lordfhip might through his great fortune, be the lefle apt to Caft,andforefee,theunfaithfulnefTe of friends, and the malignity of enemies,and accidents of times. Which is a judgment (your Ma- jeftie knowcth better then I) that the beft Authors make of the beft, and beft tempered fpirits, Vt funt res human* ; Infomuch as Guic- W*W maketh the fame judgment (not of a particular perfonj but of the wifeft ftatc of Europe, the Senate of Vtnice, when he fayeth their profperity had made them fecure, and under-weighers of perils. Thercforel bcfeech your Majefty, to deliver me, in this, from any the leaft imputation to my dear and Noble Lord and friend. And fo expecting, tba.t that Sun, which when it went from us, left us cold weather, and now it is returned towards us, hath brought with it a blefled harveft,will when it comcth to us difpel and difperfc all mifts, and miftaidngs. ,1 am, &c, Lord hancellour to his Majeftie, 2. Jan. 1618. 1 ft mtjptetifc your wft excellent M/tjefie^ I Do many times with gladnefle, and for a remedy of my other It- bours,.revolvc in my mind the great happinefle which God (of bis fingular goodnefle) hath accumulated upon your Majefty every way, and how Compleatthc fame would be, if thcftate of your mcanes were once rectified, and well ordercd,your people militaric, and obe- dient, fit for war,ufedto peace, your Church illightened with good Preachers, as an heaven of Stars, your Judges learned, and learning from you, juft, and juft by your example, your Nobility in arighc diftancc between Crown and People, no ppreffori of the people, no overftiadowers of the Crown, your Councel full of tributes of Care, faith, and freedom, your Gentlemen, and Juftices of Peace, willing to apply your Royal Mandates to the nature of their feveral Counties, but ready to obey, your fervants in awe of your wifdomc, in hope of your goodneflc ; The fields growing every day by the im- provement and recovery of grounds, from the defert, to the garden; The City grown from wood to brick, your Sea-walls or Tomerium of yourlflandfurveyed, and in edifying; your Merchants imbradng the whole compafle of the World, Eaft, Weft, North, and South ; The times give you Peace, and yet offer you opportunities of adipn abroad : And laftly,your excellent Royal Iffue entayleththefe blef- fingsand favours of God, todefcend to all poftcrity. It refteth therefore, that God having done fo great things for your Majeftie, and you for others j You would do fo much for your felf as to go through (according to your good beginnings ) with the rectifying and fettling of your eftate and means, which onely is wanting. Hoc rebus defttit unum. I therefore whom oncly love, and duty to your Majeftie, and your royal line, hath made a Fintncier^ do intend to prefcnt unto your Majeftie a perfeft book of your eftate, like a per- ipeftivc glafleto draw your eftate necr to your fight j bcfceching your Majeftie 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 clement, I (hall make your Majeftie amends in feme other thing in which I an> better bred. C io The LtrA ChtmlloHr t* the King. The LordChwcelhun* the ^MMrqttefle ^Buckingham, 27. March, 1620. ^Mj very giod Lord, 'VT'Efterday I know was no day ; Now I hope I (hall hear from your JL Lordfhip, who are my anchor in thefe flouds. Mean while to cafe my heart, I have written to his Majeftic the inclofed, which I pray your Lordfhip to read advifedly, and to deliver it, or not to de- liver it, as you think Good. Cod ever profper your Lordftiip. Tours ever fthat I am Fr. ,$. Man. Cane. The LorAChAncelleur io the King. March 2 5 . id It m*j flftfejour mof excellent Majeflie, HpIme hath been , when I have brought unto you gemit JL ColHmb* from others, now I bring it from my fclf. I flie unto yeurMajetVie with the wings of a Dove, which once within thefe fc* ven daie$,I thought would have carrried me a higher flight. When I enter into my felf, I find not the materials of fuch a tempeft as is come upon me. I have been, as your Majeftie knoweth heft ( never tuthour of any immoderate Ceunfel , but alwaies defiredtohave things carried futvibw modi*. I have been no avaritious opprefTor of the people. I have been no haughty, or intolerable, or hateful man in my convcrfationjOr carriage. I have inherited no hatred frotu my father, but am a good Patriot born. Whence (hould this be . ? for thefe are the things that ufe to raife diflikes abroad. For the houfc of Commons, I began my Credit there, and now it muft be the place of the Sepulture thereof. And yet this Parliament Upon the Mcffage touching>Re1igion, the old love revived, and they faid I was the fame man ftill, onely honefty was turned into ho- nour. For the Upper Honfe, even within thefe daics, before thefe trour Ife, they fecmcd as to take nit into their arms, finding in me inge- nuity., Magdibcg tt fa iMtjeJltc. XI nuity, wljich they took to be the true ftreight line of nobJenefle With- out Crooks or angles. And for the briberies and guifts wherewith I am charged; when the books of hearts (hall be opened, I hope I fhall not be found to have the troubled fountain of a corrupt heart, in a depraved habit of taking rewards to pervert Juftice, howfoever I may be frail, and par- take of the abufes of the Times. And therefore I amrefolved, when I come to my anfwer, not to trick my innocency (as I writ to the Lords) by CavillationSjOrvoi- dances, but to fpeak to them the language, that my heart fpeaketh t* me, in excufing, extenuating, or ingenuous confeffing ; praying God to give me the grace to fee to the bottom of my faults , and that no hardnefle of heart do fteal upon me,under (hew of ore n eatnefle of Confcience, then is Caufe. But not to trouble your Majeftie any longer, craving pardon for this long mourning Letter j that which I thirft after,as the Hart after the ftreams,is,that I may know by my matchlefle friend that prefent- eth to you this letter, your Ma jeflries heart (which is an tiyfffu of goodncffe, as I am anabjfu* of mercy) towards me. I have been ever your tnan,and counted my fclf but as an ufufru&uary of my fclf, the property being yours. And now making my felf an oblation to do with me as may beft conduce to the honour of your Juftice, the honour of your Mercy, and theufe of your Service , refting as Clay in your Majcfties gracious hands, Fr, S*. Alb**. *, J-I 7 . /J- Magdibcg t* htt iWwflte. it pbtff jour mofl exceKent (JWajeftit, I Make bold after a long filence, to proftratemy felf before Majeftie, and being the Ambaffadour of a great King, that coun- tcth it an honour to ftilehimfelf your friend, I do bcfeecb .you to afford me that juftice, which I amfureyou will not refufc td the meaneft of your Subje&s. At my firft arrival into this yonr happy^Kingdome, I was. infor- med by the general relation of aH that had recourfc unto me that one here (whd bad the title of Ambafladouc frof& my Ivlaftef ) did C 2 vainly i a Tbe Cyy tfa LttUrwittttt ly tlf Mtjeflh, &c. vainly brag that he had married the King of Perfta's Neecc, which kindled in me fuch a vehement dcfirc to vindicate my Matters honor, from fo unworthy and falfe a report, that at my firft interview with him, my hand being guided by my dutie, I endeavoured to fatten upon him a Condigne difgrace to fuch an impofture. But the caution that 1 ought to have of my own juftification, when I return home, biddeth me the more ftridly 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^ well as by a general voice. Therefore I humbly bcfcech your Majeftie, that out of your Princely goodnefle you will be pleafcd to give fuch order, that this point may be fully cleared. Wherein for the manner of proceeding, I wholly and humbly remi^my felf to your Majeftie: And this being done, I {hall return home with fomc meafure of joy to ballance the grief which I have, for having done ought, that may have clouded your Majefties favour to me. And fo committing your Majeftie to the protection of the greateft God, whofc (hadowes, and cleft inftru- xncnts , Kings are on earth, I humbly cake my leave, and reft, &c. Ike Copy of A Letter written fy bit Majeftit to the LordKeefer^ the Bjftips- of London, Wynton, Rochefter, St. Davids, And Exeefter, Sir Henry Hubbert, Mr. Juftice Dodderi'dge, Sir Henry Marti n t aneHy. Steward,^ Any fix ofthem^ thereof the Lord Keeper ^ the Bijbops of London, Wynton^rf^S'. Davids to be four*. IT if not unknown unto you, what happened the laft Summer to our trufty and welbeloved Counceljour, the Lord Archbi(hop of Can- terbHry^ who (hooting at a Deer with a CrofTcbowe in Bramf.il Park, did with that (hoot, cafually give the Keeper a wound, whereof he dyed. Which accident (though it might have happened to any other man) yet becaufc his eminent rank and function in the Church hath (as/wf are informed) miniftred occafion of fome doubt, as making ite Gawfe different in his perfon, in refpcft of the fcandal (as is fup- pofcd, ) we being defirous (as it is fit we (hould/to be fatisfied there- in, and repofing efpecial truft in your learnings, and judgments,have made choice of you to inform Us concerning, the nature of this aufe,and dos therefore require you to take-prefently into your Con- idbratiolxs,ihe Scandal that may arife thereupon, and to certifie Us whae The ArMfitp of York/0 King James. what in ypur Judgements the fame may amount unto, either to an irregularity, or offierwife. And laftly, what means maybe found for the rcdjrefie thereof (if need be) of all which points, we (hall ex- ped to have your Reports, with what diligence and expedition you may. DatedatTW*/*//, OAob. 3 d . 1621. The ArckbijhofofYmkto King James* M*y it fletfejour Afajefiie, I Have been too long filent, and am afraid that by filence, I have neglefted the duty ot the place it hath pleafed God to call me unto,, and your Majcftie to place me in. But now I humbly befcech, that I may difcharge my Confcience towards God,and my dutie towards your Majeftie. And therefore I befeech you Sir, to give me leave freely to deliver my felf, and then let it pleafe your Majeftie to do with me as you pleafe. Your Majeftie hath propounded a Toleration of Religion, I bc- feech you to take into your Confideracion, what your Act is, and what the Coniequence may be. By your aft, you labour to fet up that moft damnable and heretical dodrincof the Church of Rome, the Whore of Btbjlon. How hateful will it be to God,and grievous to your Subjects ( the true profeffoars of the Gofpel) that your Ma- jeftie who hath often defended, and learnedly written againft thofe wicked herefics, fhould now fhew your felf a Patron of thofe do- ctrines which your Pen hath told the world, and your Confcience tells your felf are fuperftitious, idolatrous, and detcftable: Alfo what you have done in feirdingthe Prince without Confent of your Councel, and the privitie and approbation of your People : For although Sir, you have a large intereft in the Prince, as the Son tf your fle(h,yet have your People a greater as the Son of the Kingdom, upon whom (next after your Majeftie) are their eyes fixed, and their Welfare defends. And fo flenderly is his going apprehended, that believe Sir, how ever his return may be fafe, yet the drawers of him- unto that aftion, fodangerous to himfelf, fodefperatc to the King- dome, will not paffc away unqueftioned, and unpunifhed. Bciidcs, this Tolleration you endeavour to fct up by your Prpcla- mation> it cannot be done without a Parliament,unlc(Te your Majeftie - will let your Subjects fee, that you now take unto your felf a libertie to throw down the Lawes of the Land at your pleafure. What dread- ful I4 Tfa Copy if * Letter fent from Spain, fill Conference thcfe things may draw after, I befeech youc Ma jeftie to Confidcr. And above all, left by this Tolleration, and difcountenance of the true profcflion of the Gofpel (wherewith God hath bleffed us) and under which this Kingdome hath flourifhed thefe many years; your Majeftie doth draw upon the Kingdom in general, and yourfelf in particular, Gods heavy wrath and indignation. Thusindifchargeof my dutie to your Majeftie, and the place of my Calling, I have taken the humble boldneflc to deliver my Con- fcience. And now Sir, Do with me what you pleafe. Next of all,in order, follow the Letters that pafled between the King and his Agents, about the Spanijk Tranfadions. The firft Letter written, per twujmum, brings newes of the Princes arrival. of 4 Letter fent from Spain, concerning thi Princt$ arrival there, &c. I Prcfume his Highneffe being now returned, you may by Confe- rence have fuch choice, and free relations of his proceedings in Sp*itt, that I may well hold my Pen, (it being not priviledged with that freedom that the tongue is) yet to comply with that conftant obligation I purpofe ftill to owe you, I will write fometh ing, and point at fome paffages, where others perhaps may not fo punctually inform you. The Prince's coming hither feemed not fo ftrange, as acceptable, and pleafing unto all. The Common fort cxprefled it by extraordi- nary (houts, and acclamations of joy, offering, and marrying the Infant* (as it were) prefcntly, by publique voice, as having wonne and truly dcferved her, by fo brave an adventure. The King and State ftudicd how to do him all the honour that might be : Thefirft decree that the Councel of State made, was, that at all occafions of meetings, helhouldhave the precedence of the King. That he (hould make cntrie into the Palace in the form of State, as the Kings of SpM'at do in the firft day of their Coronation. That he fhould have one of the chief Quarters of the Kings Houfe for his lodgings, one hundred of the Guard to attend him, all the Councel to obey feim,a$thcKing$ownperfon. Allprifoncrs were releafcd, the new Proclamation itnecrnivg tie Princes arrival there, &c. 1 5 Proclamation againftexcctfe in apparel revoked, and fundry other arguments of jof. Buc a wonder laftcth not but for nine daies. This univerfal joy was grounded upon hopes, that the Prince came not onely'to fetch a wife, but alfo to make himfclf a ^tholitjne. The Sajyonfo? Pope incited him hereunto by Letters, which his Nuntio delivered. He fent a charge to the inquifitor general, to ufe all pofiible diligence herein. Many procefiions, and (hewes were made to ftirre him. But theyfoon faw how improbable it was to win him, how amongft all For hisfervants there was not one Catholique about him: what flight God be efteem they made of the Churches, and Religion here ; fome com- mitting irreverent, and fcandalous actions in the Kings own Chappel, fo that they began to behold the Engliih with an ill afpect,to inveigh againft tiui.Co*dedeGH*dom*r, thathe {hould inform the King and State, that the Prince had a difpofition eafie to be wrought upon to be made a Catholique. Adde hereunto the ill offices that the Irifb do, who to prcferve themfelves in the Spanifb penfion did prejudice the bufinefle, by cafting afperfions upon the Englify, the mis-information* of the pcrfecution in their Country, and in Jiw^/Wnotwithftanding being here, and the abufe of the Ambafladours lervants in London. When the Prince came,there wanted nothing for the final contam- ination of all things but the difpenfation, which came twomoneth* after. And whereas it was expected to come abfolute> and full; it came infringed with Cautions and limitations.^. That the Infanta {hould not be marritd till matters in Engird were in perfect execu- tion ; that in cafe the King of England could not give fufficient fccu- rity,the King of Sp*i himfelf (hould fwcar, and undertake the oath for him. Hereupon a Jtmt oof Divines was appointed to determine hereof, Whether the King might do this with a fafe Confcience or no. Thefe Divines went gravely and tedioufly to work j which put the Prince upon that impatiency, that he was upon point of depar- ture. When at laft the bufineflc came to a refolution, and fo the Match was publiquely declared. The Prince had then often (though; publiquely) acceffe to the Infant*, the King being ftill himfelf pre- fcnt, and in hearing. Afterthts a Ratification was fent for from Rome, but the Pope dying in the interim, and the new Pope falling fuddenly Tick, it could not be fpeedily procured. For want of this Ratification there was no Contract made, and the Prince himfelf feemed not to defire it. A little before his departure, the King and the Councel of State, with the Patriarch of the Indies, the Prince- Prelate, after the Bifhop of Toledo, (who is under age) fwore to- all the Capitulations, fo that the Prince feemed to depart well fetisfiedl 1 6 The Ctpy &{ A Letterfent from Spain, &c. The King brought him to the /cw*V, and a little before his depar- ture, the King and he went into a clofe Coach, antf had a large dif- courfe together, (ray Lord of Briftol being in another Coach hard by to interpret fome hard words, when he was called.) And fo they parted with many tender demonftrations of love. A Trophy of Marble is erected in the place where they parted. Many rich Pre- fents were given on both fides. The Prince beftowed upon the Queen the biggeft Crown Pearl in the world between two Diamonds. He gave the Infiwt* a rope of Pearl, and an anchor of great Diamonds, with many other Jewels. He hath been very bountiful to every one of the Kings houfe, and all the Guard. Never Prince parted with fuch an univerfal love of all, He left every mouth filled with his Commendations; every one reporting him to be t truly Noble, difcrcet, and vrell deferving Prince. I write what I hear,and know, and that without pafiion , for all he is the Prince of my Coun- trey. My Lord of Buckingham at firft, was much efteemed, but it lifted little; hisFr^garb,withhisftouthaftineflein negotiating, and over-familiarity with the Prince, was not liked. Moreover, the Councel of Sf*in took it ill, that a green head,(bould come with fuch a fuperintendent power to treat of an affair of fuch Confequence, among fo many grave Minifters of State, to the prejudice of fo able and well- deferving a MinifterasmyLordof n[/?c/,who laid the firft ftonc of this building. Hereupon his power was called in queftion, and found knperfed: in regard it was not confirmed by the Councel. Thus the bufmefie began to gather ill bloud between Otivartz., and him, and grew fo far out of fquarc, that unlefle there hid been good beads to peece them together again, all might have fallen quite off the hinges. He did not take his leave of theCeuntefie of Olivare*,* and the farewel he took of the Conde himfelf was harlh ; for he told him, he would be an everlafting fervanttothe King of Spat* , the Queen, and the Infanta, and would endeavour to do the bed offices he could, for the concludingof this bufineffe, and Strengthening the amity between the two Kingdomes ; but for himfelf, he had fo far disobliged him,thac he could make no profeflion of friendship to him at all. The Conde turned about,and faid he accepted of what he had fpoken, and fo parted. .Since his Highnefle departure,my Lord of Briftol negotiates clofely, he is daily at the Palace to attend the Infanta, and he treats by means of the Countefle of Olivtre*. There is a new Junto appointed for the difpofing of the Infanta's affairs, r.T i # Mtjejtles 16 the E4rl of Briftol. affairs, aijd we hope here, that all things will be ripe againfl the next Spring to bring het over. And fo I reft, &c. Prow Madrid. 30. Scptcmb. 1623. Hit iJMtjefits te the Earl 0/BriftoI, Jan. 21. 1625. WE E have read your Letter addrefled to us by Buckingham^ and We cannot but wonder that youfhould through for- getfulneffe make fuch a requeft to us of favour, as if you flood ea- venly capable of it, when you know what your behaviour in Spain deferved of Us, which you are to examine by the obfervations We made, and know you will remember, how at our firft coming into Spain, taking upon you to be fo wife as to forcfee our intentions to change our Religion, you were fo far from difTwading us, that you offered your fervicc, and fecrcfie to concur in it, and in many other open Conference* preffing to (hew how convenient it was for us to be a Reman Cathcliqtte, it being irnpoffible in your opinion, to do any great adion otherwife j how much wrong, difadvantage, and dis- fcrvicc you did to the Treaty, and to the right and intcreft of our dear Brother, and Sifter, and their Children ; what difadvantage, in- convenicnce,and hazard you intangled us in by your artifices, putting off, and delaying our return home. The great eftimation you made of that State, and the vile price you fet this Kingdome at, ftill main- taining, that we under colour of friendfhipto Spain, did what was incur power againft (hem, which (you faid) they knew very well. And laft of all , your approving of thofe Conditions, thatour Ne- phew fhould be brought up in the Empcrours Court, to which Sir Walter 4fto* then faid, he durft not give his Confent for fear of his head ; you replying to him, that without forne fuch great aftion,nei- thcr marriage nor peace could be had, &c. Lord Lord Conway to t&e March 21. 1625. b) CMy Lord, 1 Received a Letter from your Lordfliip dated the 4 th of this month, ^written in anfwer to a former, which I directed to your Lordfhip by his Majefties Commandment. This laft Letter (according to my du- ty) I have (hewed unto hisMajeftie; who hath perufed it, and haih commanded me to write back this unto you again. That he finds himfelf nothing fatisfied therewith j the queftion propounded to your Lordfhip from hisMajeftie was plain and clear, Whether you did rather choofe to fit ftill without being queftion'd for any crrours paft in your negotiation in Spain, and enjoy the benefit of the late gratious pardon granted in Parliament, whereof you may have the benefit; or whether for the clearing of your innocency (whereof your felf, your friends, and your followers are fo confident) you will be contented to wave the advantage of that pardon, and put your fclf iato a legal way of examination for the tryal thereof ? His Ma- jetties purpofe hereby is not to prevent you of any favours the Law hath given : but if your affurance be fuch as your words and letter import, hcconccivcthit ftands not with that publiqueand refolute pfofefiion of your integrity, to decline your tryal. His Majeftic leaves the choyce to your fclf, and requires from you a direft anfwer, without Circumlocution, or bargaining with him for future favours beforehand. But if you have a defire to make ufe of that pardon which cannot be denyed to you, nor is it any way defired to be taken from you ; His Majeftie expeds, that you fhould at leaft forbear to magnifie your fervice, and out of the opinion of your own innocency caft an afperfion upon his Majefties Juftice, in not affording you that prefent fulnefTeof liberty and favour which cannot be drawn from him, but in his own good time,and according to his own good pleafure . Thus much I have in command to write unto your Lordfhip, and to require your anfwer cleerly and plainly by this Mcflenger fent on purpofe for it, Andfo,&c. Zfc. / 19 > we Lord Conway, 4. March, 1625. My Lord, T Received your Letter of the 25. of February , and therein a Com- ^mandment from his Majeftie, and in his Majefties name to make a cleer and plain anfwer, Whether I defire or reft in the Security I am now in, and to acknowledge the gratious favour of his late Ma jeftic, and of his which now is, who have been pleafed not to qncftion my actions, &c. Hereunto I have laboured exactly to obey, but find that a plain and clear anfwer cannot pofiibly be made,untill there be a cleer undcrftanding of the thing propounded fo that I may crave pardon if my anfwer be not fo cleer as I could wifh it: for I rauft freely acknowledge, that I no way underftand what is meant by the fecurity I am now in, whether it be by the prefent eftate I am now in, or not : If it be fo, I conceive a man cannot be under a harder Con- dition; for your Lordftiip knoweth, that by order myperfonis rer ftrained , and you were pleafed lately to fend me word, that you would notadvifemetomakeufcof the liberty which his late Maje- ftie had given me of coming to Lon&on, although that were onely to follow my private affairs, and for the recovery of my decayed health. I ftand likewife prohibited to come to the Court, or to the Kings prejencc, ( I pafle by my being removed from all my places, and offi- ces, and wholly depending upon his Majefties royal pleafure.) But being a Peer of this Realm, I have not onely by Commandment,been formerly ftayed from the Parliament, but of late, my writ hath been detained, as though my honour were forfeited. And this is truly the Condition I am now in, but I cannot imagine that this is the fecurity intended I fhould reft in ; but am in hope, that the fecurity intended is, that I may for the future enjoy the liberty of a free Subject,and the priviledges of a Peer of the Kingdom. Which being fo, I (hall with all humility acknowledge his Majefties grace and favour, and be rea- dy to ferve him with all fidelity even to the laying down of my life, not thinking it to ftand with the duty of a Subject to prefle his being queftioned, fince fuch being the pleafure of his Soveraign, it were not in the power of any fubject to avoid it. But in cafe his Majeftie (hall be pleafed to bring me to any legal tryal , I fhall moft willingly and dutifully fubmit my felf thereunto, and doubt not but my inno- ccncy in the end will be my beft Mcdiatour for his Majefties future favour. And in that Cafe I am a fuitor that my Writ of Parliament as 4 Peer of this Realm may be fent unto me, and chat my prefent re* Da The E< 0/Briftol to the Li. B'ijbof of Lincoln, pair to London may not difplcafe his Majeftic ; As for the pardon of the 21 . Reg. l*cobi t which you mention, I fhould renounce, but that I know that toe jufteft and mod cautious man living, may through ignorance or omiffion offend the Lawes 5 fo that as a Subject I (hall not difclaim any benefit which comcth in the general as it doth ufi> ally xo all other Sub/efts in the Kingdom : But as for any Crime in particular, that may trench upon my imployments in point of Loyal- ty, fidelity, or want of affection to the King or State, I know my in- nocency to be fuch,that I am confident I fhaUnot need that pardon. I (hall conclude with a mod humble fuit unto your Lordfhip, that out of your noblenefTe, and that friendship that hath been betwixt us, you Will ufe your bed endeavours both with his Majeftie and the Duke, that this unfortunate bufinefle may be pad over, by the re- newing whereof I can fee little ufe that can be made but the adding to a mans misfortunes already fufficiently humbled ; For I am ready to do all that a man of honour and honeftie may do j but rather then to do any thing that may be prejudicial to me in that kind , to fuffer whatsoever it (hall pleafe God to fend. And fo with the remem- brance of my humble fervicc unto your Lordfhip, I recommend you. unto Gods holy protection, And reft Skerborn Lod ge, , Tow Lordfiips kumblefervant, &c. Briflol. Here next follow the Letters of my Lord of Briftol concerning the bufinefle of the Match. ibe E. of Briftol to the Lo.d Bijhop of Lincoln, Aug. 2.0, 1623, M) very Worth} Lord t IGiveyou many thanks for yourLettcr of the 23 d .of 7/;,by which I underftand your great care of me, by fecondinga former mo- tion it pleafed your Lordfliip to make, of having me reconciled to my tord Dukes favour, (A thing which I have infinitely defired ) and have cirecmed the good offices you have been pleafed to do therein, as a very high obligation your Lordfhip puts upon me. But I con- ceive your Lordfhip will find chat any motion you have made in that kind: The E. of Briftol to the Lord tiifhof of Lincoln. 2 1 kind untp his Grace hath been defpifcd, rather then received with any thankfulnefle^ or that he hath returned you any anfwerof his inclination thereunto. For the truth is, my Lord doth look down upon my poor Condition with that fcorn and contempt, that I con- jedure the very moving of any fuch thing, efpecially under the term of reconciliation, hath not been pleafing unto his Lotdfliip. But thereof your Lordfhip can make the beft judgment by the anfwcr you received from him. I do but guefle thereat, by what I have heard he hath been pleafed to fay,and the manner wherewith he hath ufed me. Which hath been fuch, that the Spaniards thcmfclves (which moft afflided me) have out of companion pitied me. Yet I may with much truth affure your Lord (hip, that I have not omitted towards him either any refped or fervice that was fitforme to perform, ei- ther towards his perfon, or the high place he holdeth in my Mafters favour, or unto his prefent imploymcnt ; well knowing how unde- centandfcandalousa thing it is fortheMinifters of a Prince to run different way es in a ftrange Court, but have attended him in all his publique audience, and ufed in all kinds that refped and obfervance towards him, that I think malice her felf cannot charge me with an omifiion. And my Lord, this is the truth, whatsoever may belaid or written to the contrary : It is true, that fome four moneths fincc in a bufinefTe that no lefle concerned his Majeftie and the Prince's fervice, then abruptly to have broken off all our Treaty^ I was far differing from my Lords opinion ; And thereupon happened betwixt us fomcdifputein debate of the bufinefTe, but without any thing that was perfonal , and there was na creature living at it but the Prince, to whofe Cenfure I (hall willingly refer my felf. In me I proteft it unto your Lordftiip, it made no alteration, but within half an hour I came to him with the fame reverence and refpeft that I was wont to do,the which I have continued ever ftncejb that I have much wondered how it cometh to be fo much fpoken of in EngUnd^ that my Lord Duke and my felf fhould live here at too much diftance. And I cannot find any other reafon for it, but that every body hath taken fo much notice of my ill, and contemptible ufage, that they think it unpofiible for any Gentleman, but to be fenfible of it. But if any one difrefped, or omifiion from me towards my Lord Duke can be truly inftanccd in by any man, I will be contented to incur his Majefties high difpleafure, and your Lordfhips Cenfure. For the prefent Newcs here, it is, that the ninth of this Monctfr,., the Prince intcndeth (God willing) to begin his journey for England. And the day before, I conceive the Contrad will be, The Inf**M is V The E. 0/Briftol to the LwdBifttp ^/Lincoln, to follow in the Spring, and the Prince hath commanded my flay here. I know not how things may be reconciled hefce before my Lord Dukes departure, but at prefent,they are in all extremity ili,betwixt this King, and his Minifters, and the Duke, and they ftick not to pro- fefle, that they will rather put the Infanta headlong into a Well, then into his hands. I write unto your Lordfhip you fee with much freeneffe, and I intreat you let it remain with you. And fo in much haftc I onely intreat your Lordfhip to believe, that you have not living an honefter, nor a true hearteder a friend, and fcrvant, then Your Lordfhips ever to be commanded, BrifoL E of ftti&oltetfa Lord Bi/bopef Lincoln, 24. of Septemb. 1623. My ftngnl*r Lord, I Have difpatched this Bearer my fervant r/Z? with the draught of the temporal Articles, which I hope will be to the King and Prince his fatisfadion, and he will let your Lordfhip have a fight of them. Since the departure of the Prince , there have every day parted Letters of extraordinary affection between the King, and the Prince; and the love that is here generally born unto the Prince is fuch , as cannot be well believed by tbofe that daily hear not, what paffeth both from the King and his chief Minifters. And to fay the truth, his HighncfTe hath well deferved it; for in the whole time of his be- ing here,hc hath carried himfclf with the greateft arTability,patience, and conftancie > and at his departure with the greateft bountie, and liberality, that I think hath been known in any Prince in our times* And I proteft unto your Lordfhip as a Chriftian, that I never heard in all the time of his being here, norfinceany one exception taken againft him, unlefle it were for being fuppofed to be too much gui- ded by my Lord Duke of Buckingham, who is indeed very little be- holding to the Spaniards for their good opinion of him,and departed from hence with fo little fatisfadion, that the Spaniards are in doubt, that he will endeavour all that (hall be poffible to croffe the Mar- riage ; Wherein certainly they are very much miftakcn ; For my Lord TfaE. 0/BriftoI U tfa lord Btfoptf Lincoln. Lord cannot but be obliged a fervant for any particular diftaftes of his own to cfolfe toe advancement of his Ma/cftie, and the Prince's fervice, efpecially in a bufincfle of fo high Confequence as this. It may be yourLordlhip will hear many Complaints, and that the Match never was, nor yet is intended I befeech your Lordlhip to give little belief in that kind, and the effects will now fpeedily de- clare the truth, if the fault be not on our fide. It is true that the Spaniards have committed many errours in thejr proceedings with the Prince ; but the bufineflc is now by the Prince overcome, if we our felves draw not back: For which I confefle I Ihould be heartily forry, and fo I conceive would moft honeft men j for if this match, and the alliance with Spain hath been fo long defired by his Majeftie,and that for it he hath heen pleafed to do fo much, and the Prince to take fo hazardous a voyage, if all the famereafons arc yet on foot, which have ever moved the King and Prince to wiih the match ; if to this may be added, that his Majeftie hath overcome all the difficulties on his part, and that both he, and the Prince do ftand ingagedfor the performance of it, as far as Princes ran be, God forbid, that any particular diftaftes, or misunderftandings (which God knoweth have little relation to the bufinefle) (hould be of power to difturb it, efpe- cially now, when the Match is pad all danger of mifcarrying , the portion, and all temporal Articles fettled, and I hope to the Kings Content, and all other good effects that could be expected by this allyance in a very fair way, I hope there will be no caufe of doubt in this kind ; if there (houidbe, I amfurethat your Lord (hi p would put to a helping hand to keep the bufinefle from being overthrown, fince you have done fo much for the overcoming of former difficul- ties^and the bringing it to the pafTe 'tis now in. If there be no caufe of writing this, I befeech your Lordlhip to impute it to ray zeal to the bufinefle, and my frecnefle wich your Lordlhip, upon whofe true love and friendship I fo much rely, as 1 (hall not forbear to tell you, any of my fears. I hope within 3. daies Sir Franci* Coitington will be able to begin his journey towards your Lordlhip. He will tell you many truths, being on my knowledge, as hearty a fervant and friend as 'tis poftibie for your Lordlhip to have. He hath told me how much I am bound to your Lordlhip for your love, and favour , and truly I will deferve it the beft I can, and that I think will be onely by loving you, for otherwife I conceive I am like to have little means of meriting at any bodies hands, yet at your Lordlhips it may be I may, . by being a man of honcfty, and honour : And fuch an one I will la- bour V 2 4 The of Briftols Letter to the Prince , hour to be, and your affectionate friend and fervant. And fo I kiffe .your Lordftiips hands. Lftladrid, &C. TheE. $f Briftols Letter to the Prince, touching the delivery of his Proxie to the Kingof Spain. it fie nfe jour Highttejfe, JN this Letter I (hallonely fpeaknnto your Highneffe concerning that particular whereof you were pleafed to write unto me after your departure from St. Lorenzo, and haveprefumed to fetdown exactly the cafe as it (lands. In what fort a woman betrothed , and foft - '/ ' 7 ?. 0/Briftolffe trlwettt . upon the difpatches, that arc to be procured from them. I have thefe i o.' dales hkd Grtify iiva readinefle to depart, having every day expe&ed a refolution from the Junto. Firft in point of the portion, and fince In the daics of payment, andatlaft I have received theic anfwer in them both, in fuch fort as your HighnefTe will fee in the paper inclofed, which is an extract of the heads of the temporal Ar- ticles that we have ag-eed, although I have onely confented unto them dtbenecff^ until I (hall receive his Majefties approbation and yours : In the point of the portion, I have had a tough and a knot- ty piece of work, by reafon that not onely the Conde de Otivtre*,, but all the jfcr0were abfolutely ignorant of what had patted in the late Kings time, which I forefaw, and that was the caufe that I moved fo earneftly at the Efcurial, to have the Conde de (jondomtr remain here. They made many prefidents to be fcarched, and found that the two mititonj demanded was four times as much as ever was given with any daughter of Sptin in money. They alledgedthat it would be faid, that the King of Spain was fain to purchafe the friendfhip and alliance of England; that this would be fuch aprefidcnt, as that Spain here- after muft marric no more daughters. lonely infifted that it was a thing, by the laft King fettled, and agreed with me, that this King had by feveral anfwers in writing to me undertaken to purfue the bufineffe as it was left by his father, and to make good whatfoever he had promifed. And thereupon defired that the original Papers, and Confultos of the laft King might be feen , which very honcftly by the Secretary Ciric* were produced, and appeared to be fuch, that I dare fay there was not a man that faw them, that doubteth of the laft Kings real intention of making the Match. And queftioniefle this had been the ufefulleft occafion to have difavowed former proceed- ings, and I was refolved to put them to it. But both the King and his Counccl upon the fight of what had been promifed by his father, prefently took refolution to make good the two millions , onely to remonftrateuntohisMajeftiethe vaftneffcof the Portion, and to defire him to confider how far the King had ftretchcd himfelf in this particular forhisfatisfadion. And therefore, that he would have Consideration of it in fuch things for the future , as might be trea- ted of be: wixt them, and their Kingdoms. As for the daie* of pav- ment,I infifted to have had half a million upon the Depoforios, half a million to be carried along with the Ifatt, and the other million at their Fleets the two next years after by equal portions. But I have now received the Kings anfwer in this particular , which your High- neffewillfccintheeaclofed paper; as iikcwife what I have do* E 2 therein The Sari of Briftol to tfa T>ukt 07 Buckingham. therein by the Copieof the difpatch, which I now write about it to Mr. Secretary. So not having any thing more & add 1 concerning this particular, I recommend your highnefle to Gods holy pro- te&ion> &c. E of Briftol to the Duke of Buckingham, Decemb. 6. 1623. M*y it fleafe jour Grace, THe prefent eftate of the Kings affairs requireth the concurrencie of all his fervants, and the Co-operation of all his Miniftcrs r which maketh me defirous to make unto your Grace this tender of my fervice, that if there have happened any errours, or misunder- ftandingsyour Grace would for that regard pafle them over : and for any thing that may perfonally concern my particular, I (ball la- bour to give you that fatisfa&ion as may defervc your friendftiip. And if that (hall not ferve the turn, I fhall not be found unarmed with patience againftany thing that can happen unto me. And fo wtthing, that this humble offer of my fervice may find that accepta* tion as I humbly defire, I reft Your Graces moft humble Madrid. iervant, Brijtol. Tit E. of Briftol to Secretary Cottington, Apr. 15, 1623. Good Mr. Secretary Cottington, -*"T" v Here is no man living knoweth better.thenyour felf,how zealoui A I have been unto the Prince's fervice, and whilcft I thought he defined the MatchJ was for it againft all the World. Now the Trea- tie is ended, the world (hall fee I never had, nor will have any affecti- ons of my own, but will wholly follow my Maftcrs, as I have written unto 4-/ 2 The E. of. Bnftol in Secretary Coctingtoru 2 9 unto you.in my former Letters, and have not thefc four moneths fpoken a word in ftie marriage. If his Majeftie and the Prince will have a waj, I will fpend my life and fortunes in it, without fo much as replying in what quarrel foever it be. And of thus much I intreat you let his Highnefic be informed by you. And I intreat you let me know his directions, what he will have me do, and how to be- have my felf, for I abfolutely caft my felf at his feet, which I defire to do the firft thing after my landing, to the end that underftanding hispleafure, I may commit noerrour. I befcech you todifpatch this bearer back unto me withal poflible fpeed, though it be with not one word more, but what the Prince will have me do, wherewith I (hall come muj ConfrUAo. I underftand that I have been much bound to the Prince for the procuring the 4000 1. to be payed, and for my Penfion. I pray prefent unto him my moft humble thanks: and I con- fefle T have been much more comforted with that demonftrati- on of his favour, then I can be with the money. I doubt not but at this time I (hall have the effects of a real friendship from you in this particular. And fo defiring to have my fervice remembred to my Lady Cottingten, I reft Poitiers. Yours, &c. Brijlol. I Pray move the Prince, that one of the Kings Ships may be pre- fently appointed to waft me over ; For I have a great charge of of the Princes with me. W. Greijl) met me within 10. ports of Burdeattx, and ispafledon to Mtfoid, I think he (hall find the Blandortes for his Highnefle in a readinctfe, for W, Stone takech care of them, and hath the money in his hand Tt* Tit E. 0/Briftol to his Mqejlie 27 July, 1 614. I May it pleaft your mof excellent Afajtflie, Hope your Majeftie will not be difplcafed that I continue unto you that moft humble and juftfuit, which I have often made unto yourMajeftie, and your Majeftie hath been often gratioufly pleafed to promife, which was that I (hould be no waies JefTened, or dimi- niihed in your Majeftics favour, and good opinion, until you (hould be rirft pleafed gratioufly to hear me, and my Caufe. And although your Majeftie for juft refpefts, hath not been pleafed hitherto to ad- mit me into yourprefencc, which lefteem an infinite misfortune to Hie : Yet I hope that time will no way confirm thofc imprcfiions of difpleafure, which I do no way doubt, but will be fully cleared, when- foeverl (hall be fo happy as by your Majeftie to be heard. For I take God to record, that I have faithfully and honeftly ferved you, and exactly purfued your ends to the bcft of my underftanding, and abilities. And I do no way doubt but your Majeftie will in the end protect fo faithful a fervant as I have been, and (hall appear to be to yourMajeftie. And in the interim my moft humble fuit unto your Majeftie is, that fince I am neither admitted my fclf, nor any man elfe will fpeak any word in my defence, or juftification, your Majeftie according to your Jufticc, will let nothing that may be faidof me redound to my prejudice in your gracious opinion : For it (hall be found, that I will in all things wholly conform my felfunto your Majefties will and plcafure. So wifhing unto your Majeftie a happy journey, and a fafe return with the increafe of all hapinefle, 1 hum- bly, &c. Your Majefties, &c. London. Bnfol. Here next of all follow divers Difpatchcs and Letters from Sir writer Afion to the Duke. Sir Walter Afton u the Dttke. MAJ itpleafcjour Gr*ce t T Have received fo much comfort by the care which I fee in your J grace to cake all occasions to honour.and favour me, that I (hould be ) \ydttt i Sir \ydtt Afton u tbt T>kc. brglad fifit were pcrffiblc)inmy affection to your perfon, and in my defire to ferva yOtyJW your grace might fee fomething in me above what you cold find in any other fervanr. What an honeft thank- fuineffe can be, I am, and what an honeft fervanc can yield you, (hall be ever vigilant in me to fervc you. Since the departure of the laft poft (by whom I wrote lately unto your Grace) my Lord of Bri- ftol hath had audience with this King (taking me along with him) to whom his Lordihip reprefented the K ing our Matters defire con- cerning the Palatinate in conformity to what his Ma jcfty hath com- manded by his late letters, we arenow Soliciting to haften this kings anfwcr, which we hope we (hall (hortly fend unto hisMajefty, and there is no diligence omitted by my Lord of Briftol, nor my felf(that we can think on)to negotiate fucb an anfwcr, as may be tohismaje- fties good liking. The Difpatches from Rome are not yet come, but by letters which they have lately received from the Duke of P*ftr*n*' y it is advertized, that all things are concluded, and that he would fend them away within a few dayes. By my Lord of Brifols Letter to hisMajefty, your grace will underfhnd the refolution, which his Lord (hip hath taken concerning his proceedings upon the arivalof of the difpaches from Rome : his Lordftiips hath communicated with mehisMajeftics Letter, and defired my opinion concerning chcre- folution,which he had taken,whercin I have concurred with his Lord- fhip, not understanding it any way to be differing in fubftance from hi Majefties directions jthe altering of the day mentioned in his Ma- jefties letters being onely the changing it from a time when the pow- ers are of no force, to a time when they maybeofufe : the putting of any thing in execution in the one time, or in the other, depend- ing upon his Majefties, and his Highne(Tes further directions. I have hitherto underftood, that his Majefty and his highoeffe have really affected this match,and have laboured faithfully to fecond their defires with my mmoft endeavours. There is none I am fure a bet- ter witneffe then my felf of the affection which your Grace hath born unto it, which I have feen remain conftant through many tryals. And therefore until I underftand the contrary from your felf, I muft believe that your defires are the fame, which I have feen them. I muft ever fpeak my heart freely unto your Grace,and confcfs that epon the letter which I recciyed from his Highefle, and upon the fight of his Majcfttes to my Lord of Briftol^ I have been jealous of his Majefties heart and his Highne(Te,that they are not that to the match which they have been ; but thefc arc but diftrufts of my own,and not founda- tion fufficiem to flacken or cool thofe Diligences wbiri I daily per- form Sir Walter Afton te fk tyke. form in conformity to his Majefties, and his HTtghnefTe Command*, and to what remains apparent of thetr.defires. 1 Cball therefore hum- bly defire your Lordfhip to open mine eyesa,nd if I am out^of the way to fet me Straight, for I have no affedions of mine own, but what agrees with my Matters, and will everfubmit with all humility my felf, and my judgment onto his Majefties wifcdome ,and faithfully labour to ferve him accordingly to what I (hall underftand to be his will and pleafure. But until! I know by your Graces favor by what Compafle to guide my Courfe, I can onely follow his Majefties revealed will ; and will once take the boldnefle to reprefenc unto your Grace in difcharge of what I owe you thefe Considerations, which my defire to ferve you, forceth from me. I do look upon your Grace as a perfon infinitely provoked to be an enemy to this match, and believe, that you have had reprefented unto you many rcafons, {hewing how much it concerns you to feekto break it, with all the force you have : But I can neither believe, that the errour of one man can make you an enemy to that, which brings along with it fo much happineffe and content unto his Majeftie, and his HighneSTe : nor that your Graces judgment can be led by thofe arguments, that under the colour of fafety, would bring you into a dangerous laby- rinth. Your Grace hath given noble teftimonie,how little you have valued your own fafety in refpect of his Majefties fervicc, and there- fore I affure my felf you would contemn all Confiderations concern- ing your felf, that might hinder the advancement of his Majefties ends. In the proceeding to this Match,there is the fame convcnien- cy to his Majeftie, that ever hath been, there is the fame Lady, the fame portion, the fame friendship defired, they profeffing here an exact: complying with what is capitulated, and arefolution to give bis Majeftie Satisfaction in whatfoever is in their power. From your Grace none can take away the honour of having been the principal means by which this great bufinefTe hath been brought to a Conclu- fion. And whatfoever others may fuggeft againft your Grace, the Infanta truly informed , cannot but underftand you the perfon to whom (he owes moft in this bufinefle. Your Grace, and the Conde Olivart*,, have fallen upon different waies, that which concerns the honour of the King our Mafter, being different to that, which he un- derftood concerned moft his Mafter, your ends were both one for the effecting of the Match, and with the Conclusion of it, he cannot but better underftand you. Would your Grace would commit it to ray charge to inform tbe Infanta what you have merited, and to ac- commodate all other miftakes here concerning the proceeding. If your J ; Sir Writer Afton to tie Erie. .your Grace would reconcile your heart, I would not doubt, but with the Concfufion of<*he Match to compofe all things to your good fa- tisfadion, and to bring them to a truer underftanding of you, and of their obligation unto you. InwhataSeaofConfufionsthebreak- ing of this alliance would ingage his Majeftie, I will leave to your Lordfhips wifdom to confidcr of, it being too large a difcourfe for a Letter, I will therefore onely deiire your Lordfhip to confider, that even the rnoft profperous War bath misfortune enough in it to make the Authour of it unhappie : of which how innocent foever your Lord fhipis. the occafions that have been given you, will ever make you liable to the afperlion of it. This I write not unto your Grace as thinking to divert you from what you are falling into ; for I am con- fident your heart runs a more peaceable way : but I am willing, that youfhould fee, thathowfoevcr others fhould be inclined to carric you into this tempeft, it concerns you, in your care of their happi- nefle, and your own, to divert them from it. I humbly defire your Grace to pardon this errour of mine ( if it be one) which I can ex- cufe with the affeft ion, and infinite defire, which I have to fee you ever happie and flourifti. Concerning my felf, your Gr ace knowes my wants, and I doubt not but your Care is what I could wifli. I (hould be glad when you have done with Peter wjcb to fee him difpatched away with fome fup- plies unto me, which I (hall be in extream want of by Chriftmajfe y my debts befides in EngUnd being clamorous upon me for fome tatisfa- ftion. I leave all to your Graces care and favour, Ever rcfting Tour Gracts humhlffl and mofl bowd ftrvant, Wa: Afton. Poflfcript. THcCondefftQfOlivtrt*' bids me tell yon , that (he kifle* your Graces hands, and doth every day recommend you particularly by name in her prayers to God. Sir Sir Walter Afton t6the"Dh, ij.l^vcmb. 1*23. itpletfe jour grtct, MY Lord of Briftol intended to have difpatched away a Poll unco his Majeftie this night with the advice of the arrival of the difpenfation, which came to this Town the 12 th . of this moneth, hoping that he fhould have been likewife able to have given to his Majeftie, and his HighnefTe a clear account of all things concerning it. But the deliverie of the Queen this morning ( who is brought to bed of a daughter) hath flopped all negotiation, and I believe it willbethefe two daies before he can be ready to fend him away. There is no noveltie (as I yet underftand) that is come with the difpenfation ; there will be fomething defired for better explanation of his Ma jefties, and his Highnefle intentions , and fome omiilions there are which as they underftand was his Highnefle intention fhould have been in the Capitulation , they being promifed by his Highnefle. But I do not find that chefe will be any ftop to the bufi- nefle. For they do prcfle my Lord of Briftol very much to proceed prefently to the Depoforios. Your Grace (hall underftand all things more particularly by the next Poft. I do now make the more hafte, forbearing to trouble you with other occurrences, left my Letters come fhort of the departure of the Poft, as they did of his who was laft difpatched from hence. I do moft humbly dcfircyour Grace to continue the doing me thofe offices that may continue me in his Majefties and his Highnefle good opinion, and I doubt not but I (hall be ever able to kt your Grace fee that you have not a more faithful fervanr, then he which. your Grace hath moft bound to be fo, and that (hall ever remain W.A. The Lord Duke of Buckingham to Sir Walter Afton. IN your Letter of the 5 th . of Dccember $ youdefire me to give you *my opinion, nay ancient acquaintance, long cuftome of loving you, with conftancie of friendfhip invites me to do you this office of good wiJJ, and to fcrvc you accwdiflg to your rcqucft. And for your more. * 7h< Lord #j^6nckingham u Sir Walter Aftoni 3 ^ moreintire fatisfa&Hon , I will deliver the things in the paft and prefent. Ycfu in inl the beginning of the treaty won to your felf a good eftimation, while you were onelytt large in the treaty, and had communication of the paflages from the Lord of r */?*/, a i by courtefy : and in his abfence handled no farther in the treaty of mar- riage then by direction from him. When the 'Prince was there,your carriage gave hisHighnefle and my felf all fatisfa&ion.Now you muft give me leave to put you in mind of the freedom ufed with you whilcft we were ztAjadri^ and of the explanation,thc Prince made of himfelf to you by his Letters from Sf. Anderas. From which you might obferve,thc refcntment the prince had of their proceedings with him. And by his HigbnefTc declaration to you from thence, you might feebothhis care and refolution not to ingage himfelf into the mar- riage without good conditions for the Pallatinatc, and Confecvation of his honour every way. My care and my intentions were to move increafe of honour to you, and to recompcnce by a good underftind- ing to be layed in his Majeftie towards you,which I purfucd fo foon, as I came to the Kings prefcnce. And the Princes confidence was fo great in you, as he joyned you in the Commiffion, bcfidcs he decla- red himfelf to you by his Letters,not leaving you thereby to guefTe at his Ma jefties directions to the E.ofBrifto/, which he was to com- municate to you. Now you may think how ftrange it was to the Prince, and how much I wa troubled(not being able to make year excufe)whcn your joynt Letters made known, how you had concur- red wich the E*r/eof Brifol , to ingage his Highnefie by prefixing a day for the 1)epoforios t without making certain the restitution of the Palatinate and Electoral dignity,the portion and temporal articles. Which proceeding of yours with the Earl of #n/?0/ was found er- ftood by the Lords of the Committee,as they took refolution once,to advife hisMajeftie to revoke both the Lord ofBriflo/ J and you, upon thofe grounds, which you will underftand by his Majcftics own Let- ters,and Secretarie Cow4jrLetters written to you with this difpatch. I was not able atfirft by any endeavour to oppofc the refolution of your revocation, fo far had you caft your felf into mifconftrudion, and given flop to the progrefTe of your own advancement. But with confTant induftry and time , I have won this point, of qualifying all ill opinion of yon, and furterance of your continuing there. So as it will be now in your power(by your Carriage) to come off with- out reproof. And I (hall hope to overcome the reft with time, to to bring you again to the condition of honour and recompence. Be- ing confident that fince you fee your own errour,and acknowledge it, F a you The V. of Buckingham KtirYAfar Afton. von will be careful by a ftiff and judicious carriage to warrant all your prefent aud fucceding actions. If you think ac firft fight I prefTe you a little hard upon this point, you may be pleafed to inter* pret it to be a faithful way of fatisfying your requeft,and expreflion of my affection to have you to do all things fuitable to your jvifdome virtue and honour , and according to the wiihes of Yours, &c. G- Buckingham. The Duke of Buckingham to Sir Wa. Afton. 1 Had not leifurcinmy former difpatch, being haftie to write the M reafon why I wondered at^the crrour you commited inthelaft difpatch of my Lord ofBriftolt and yours , for the matter is, that his Majeftic having plainely written unto you both in his former di- fpatch, that he defired to be affurcd of the restitution of the Pa!ati-~. nate, before the Depoforittm was made, feeing he would be forrie to welcome home one Daughter with a fmiling cheer,and leave his own onely Daughter at the fame time weeping and difconfolate. And the Prince having alfo written unto ydu,that he never meant to match there, and be fruftrated of the reftitution of the Palatinate fo often promifed, that notwithftanding this clear Language, you (hould have joyned with my Lord of B-rife/'m a refolution of fo haftie a de- livery of the Prince's TVwwV, before you had received his Majefties anfwcr to your former difpatch, wherein my Lord of Bt iflol urged of . his Majeftie a harfh anfwer and direction, and his Majeftie cannot but take it for a kind of Scorn,that within 4-dayes after ye had urged bis Majefties anfwer, ye (faouldin the mean time take refolutions of your own heads. You may do well, bccaufe there is no leifurein this haftie difpatch for his Majeftie to anfwer my LotdofBriftoh laft Lctter(vvhich wil be done by the next duplicate of this fame difpatch) to acquaint him in the mean time with this Letter^ which his Majeftie himfelf bach dictated unto me. And fo in hafte I bid you fare- well. Yours,&c. Sir \y alteration to the Dttkeof Buckingham, Deccmb. 22. 1623. it fleAfeyow Grtce, T Have comitted to the truft and fecrefic of this bearer Mr. 1 (whom I find your Graces faithful fervant)certain advertifemcnts to be delivered by him unto you ; which as one that (hall (God wil- ling) in all things (hew himfclf your pafiionate fervantjcould no way conceale fiom you. And howfoever your Grace may have many advertifemcnts from hence(che relations that come from Eng- land giving occalion to many difcourfes cenfuring the Prince, and your Grace) yetl hope to be fo vigilant, that there (hall hardly be any refolution taken by thefe Minifters which may have any reflexion onyourPerfon, that I (hall not one way or other get notice of, and advertize unto you. I have in all things with fo much affection defired to fervc your Graee every way to your fatisfaftion, that it hath infinitely afflict- ed me, that I fhould have done any thing, whereby I might leflen your favourable opinions towards me, but I hope your Grace hath by this time fet me itraight both with hisMajeitie, and his High- neffe, and reftorcd me to the lame place in your affection, which I have formerly had. Which I am the rather confident of, fince I cannot accufe any action, or thought of mine, that hath not born to- wards your Grace all poffible refpect and love. I found by experi- ence here, that the favour which by your Graces mcanes I received from his HighncfTe, and that which you were pleafed likewife to ho- nour me withal, had raifed me many enemies ; And I have reafon to feare upon this occafion, there may be fome, that well be bufie to do me ill offices with you j but I trnft fo much upon my own finceritie, that as I never made any fecond weanes unto your Grace , but have everfingly depended upon the conftancie of your good nefle to me, finding my fclf the fame that I have ever been, I make no meanesto rcfift fuch injuries as others may offer to do me, but continue depend- ing wholly upon that goodneffc, and juftnefTe, which I know in your Grace, and which I aflure my felf will never fail me. I have not been fo careletfe a Servant of your Graces, as not to have debated over,and over with my felf, how far the proceedings or breaking of the prefent treaty here might concern your Grace, which I nave difcourfcd largely to Mr.C/^r^ thinking them of too large a body to be contained in a Letter, but I (hall in all things fubmit my felf to your better wifedomcj And when you (hall pleafe to impart unto or,, M /- > OC/1 \ ; A tMemoritl give* ft Z^%itig of Spain. me, wherein his Majeftie, and his Highneffe fliV 1 be beft ferrcd,y<5ur Grace fhall find in all my a&ions, that my arTcdio^ with all obedi- ence dial run the fame way,and that my proceed ings,(hall have thofe refpeds in them towards your Grace, as you may expeft from your faithful Servant. And fo, &c. Your G. &c. | W.A. The Copy efa Memorial given te the King 0f Spain, 1 9. Jan. 1623. StiLVet. Tranflated. SIR, SI R Walter Afon Embafladour of the King of great SrittAin faith, That the King his Matter hath commanded him to reprefent unco your Ma/eftie, that having received fo many promifes from hence to procure the intire reftitution of the Palatinate^nd Electoral dignitic to the Prince his Son in Law, He commanded his EmbafTadour to prefle your Majcftie with ail diligence, that the faid promifcs might take effect, not as a condition of the marriage, but dcfiring infinitely to fee fettled together with the marriage, the peace and quiet of his Son in Law, his Daughter, and Grandchildren; and having under- ftood that this his defire hath received an interpretation far differing from his intention, hath commanded him anew for the greater de- monflration of the defire which he hath to preferve the good Cor- rcfpondence with your Majeftie, to declare unto you, that he hath not propounded the faid rcftitutions as a condition of the marriage, but according to that which he underftood was moft Conformable with the intention of your Majeftie, declared by the CondedeOli* vare-zfor the fureft, and moft effectual means to make the amicie, which is betwixt your Ma j'efties firm and indiffoluble, and that there might not remain any doubt or matter hereafter, thatfhould caufe difpute,he hath required that every thing might be fettled under your Majefties hand, defiring itlikewifc for rfie greater comfort of his onely Daughter, and for to make the coming of that moft excellent Princefle of more efteem unto his Subjects, bringing with her (be- fides the glory of her own vertue, and worth) the fecuritie of a per- petual peace, and amitie, and an cverlafting pawn to his Kingdomes of the conftancie, and real performance of your Majeftics promifeJ, with Afton /* * with fach'ratkfadioJtohis hopes grounded the faid promifcs, not 'asaConditio^,T>iJ/frshefruit and blefling of the alliance. More- over he faith, Trtat the King his Maftcr hath commanded him to make this Declaration unto your Majeftie, that you may know the truth and the found intentions of his proceedings, with the good end to which it aimes, having renewed the powers, and deferred the de- livery of them onely to give time for the accomplifhing, and fettling that which hath been promifcd for the fatisfying his expcdations,and affuring the amitie betwixt your Majefties Pcrfons, and Crowns; the King his Matter hoping that your Majeftie will likcwife lay hold of this occafion, which you now have in your hand to give him full fa- tisfaftion in that, which with fo much reafon he defircs, and there, withal a reciprocal, and evcrlafting bleffiog to both your Majefties Crownes. Sir Walter Afton te tie Duke, 22, effort* Stil.Vet. Ma) it flc*fe}ottr Grace, HOwfoever upon the arrival of W.Greijlej, I took the occafion of the ordinary, the day following to acknowledge unto your Grace the Comfort which I had received by your Letters; under- ftanding by them the favour which you had done me, in diverting from me his Majefties, and his HighnfcflTe difpleafure: I (hall not- withftanding intreat here leave by the fame means by which I recei- ved fo much happinefTe to renue my humble^ and moft thankful ac- knowledgment unto your Grace. I moft earneftly intreat your Grace to look upon me here as a fervant that loves you in his heart,and that ihall faithfully in all things Comply with what you can exped from fuchanone, and that therefore you will be pleafed to preferve me fiill in the way, how I may fcrvehis Majeftie^ and his High neffe to their Concent,and perform towards your Grace thofe offices of a fer- vant, which may be moft to your fatisfadion. For I am now here in a dangerous time, in the grcateft bufinefles, that have been trea- ted of many years , and the bittereft ftorms threatening betwixt thefe Crowns, that have been thefc many ages. I have therefore no hope to fave my felf without I be guided by his Highnefte,and your Graces trufts and care of me. The Marquefie of Tnoif* hath lately advcrcifed hither, That he- 40 Sir Walter Afton hath feveral times defired to have private audik -cc with his Majeftie, and hath not been able to procure any but wh&t> ur Grace affifts at. It is likewife advertifed unto this King and his Minifters, that your Grace hath many meetings with the Sea Captains, and that your Counfels are how the War is to be made againft Spain. For the avoiding of unneceflarie repetitions, I do here inclofed fend your Grace a Copie of my Letter to Mr. Secretarie ContoAj^ wherein you will find a relation of all things that are come to my hands at this prcfent, that may any way have reflection unto hisMajcfties fcrvice. And this is the courfe which I intend, and conceive moft convenient to hold hereafter with your Grace, without you command me the contrary. Inthefaid Copie your Grace will find a difcourfe of what hath lately pafled betwixt my Lord of Briftol, and the Conde of Ott- vMrtz. in the Tardo. Now that I may more fully difcharge my dutie, I have thought fit here to acquaint your Grace ,that fince the putting off of the Depoforios at a meeting that my Lord and my felf had with the Covde, he did make a folemn proteftation, that if the Treatie of the Match did ever come on again with effeft, it fhouid onely be by his Lordfhi ps hands, and no other. I then underftood it, and ftill do, but for a frothy proteftation, yet have held it my dutie to adver- tize it, having patted in my hearing 5 the truth is, that my Lords an- fwer was in Conformitie to his laft in the Ptrdo, every way rejecting it, faying. That he had rather be confined to any Town in ^4frte\ue^ then that h is perfon ihouldbe any hinderance to the Match. Thus forbearing to trouble your Grace any farther, with my hearty pray- ers unto God for the continuance of his bkiTings unto you. I reft Your Graces , &c. W.A. Sir Walter Afton to Secretary Con way, 22. Jan. 1623. Right Honourable ', BY the return of this Bearer Mt.GreiJlej, you will underfland of the fafe coming to ray hands of your difpatch of the 3 o th . of the laft moneth, with his Majefties Letters therein inclofed. I do now herewith al fend an account unto his Majeftie of my proceedings upon his Commands, which I do intrcat your Honour to be pleafed to Sir Waltf" '.fton u Secretary Conway. to prefent uii! him .r, (as they call them hcrej but thcfc have no power finally to conclude any thing, but what is agreed on by them is to be approved of by the faid Cities or the greateft number of them before it have the force of an Ad of Parliament, and that therefore there hath been all pofliblc art ufcd to procure the Cities to confirm what hath been granted by their ProfUHubrfs touching thetfo. millions j and it is here thought that ' ' W J Sir Wab""Mon te th Lord Conway. 45 that one or ... Ctr ot''<;s of this Kings journey was, hoping by the authority of his pr .encc to procure the confent unto the faid gift of the 4. Cities which he is to pafle by in this journey, namely Cordova^ Sivel y Joen t zr\&Granado, it being here doubted, that the faid Cities might make great oppofition to the faid grant, notwithftanding his Majeftie hath not had fuch fuccefle as was expected. But Cordov* which was the firft City with which his Majeftie began, hath abfo- lutely rcfufed to give their Confent, letting his Majeftie 1 underftand, though in as fair and refpe&ful terms as they could exprefie them- felves, That it was a demand impoffible for them to Comply withal. What the fuccefs of this may be is doubt ful,W0t/* having given but an ill example to the other Cities, and yet it is rather believed here, that the greateft number of them being under the Command of fuch as are either this Kings fervants, or abfolutely under his difpofe, that his Majeftie will be able to overcome the bufmefle, and they are now bufie how to fettle the manner of the leavie of the faid fum by yearly and equal portions. They having found here divers inconveniences in their new Go- vernment of ^Portugal by way of Governours, are refolded to place Vice-Kings agaia there. And for to gratifie the Emperourhave eleded for that charge his third Brother Don V/ar, who is prefent- Jy to make his repair thither. On the 27 th . of the laft moneth, my Lord of firiftoltook his leave of the Queen and the Infanta, and on the Sunday following being the 29. of the faid moneth, his Lordftiip delivered unto me the Powers which his Highneffc left with him, and ihofe which have been fince fent hither. His Lordftiip is preparing for his journey, and faith that he is already in fuch a forwardncffe, as upon the arrival here of Mr. Grcifley, or any other from EngUnd^ whereby he (hall receive means for the taking up of moneys here, he will prefently put himfelf upon the way. The Queen here fome few daies fince fell fuddenly ill, and fwooned two or three times, but her indifpofition lafted not above two or three daycs ; Her Majeftie is now (thanks be to God) very well again. The King having received advice thereof intended (as it is faid ) to come prefently poft hither, but upon better news, his Majeftie proceeds in his journey, and for any thing that I can underftand, it will be May before his return to this Town. There are lately thrown abroad in this Town divers Copies of a * Proclamation pretended to be published in Ireland bearing date the 27. of January laft. It hath made a great noifc here, and diver* of their Minifters have fpofcen with me about it, they conceiving it to Sir Walter Afton to the Zj^o be contrary to what hath been lately Capitulat^- ^ n - my part, I have been able to give them no anfwer, not ka~\^ yet underftood from your Honour, nor any of his Majcfties Mimfters, of any fuch Proclamation. I have feen the Proclamation as it came printed frem thence, and do here inclofed fend your Honour a Copy thereof, defiring you that you will acquaint his Majeftie therewithal, that he may be pleafed to Command therein what to his wifdotn (hall feem fit. To thofe that have fpoken with me about this Proclamation (having firft difclaimed the having had knowledge of any fuch thing) I have ufed difcourfes of mine own touching the abufes of thofe which are called titulary Archbiftiops, Biftiops, &c. letting them un- derftand here, that if thofe kind of people have been bufie (here to plant fecretly their Government, they have far exceeded the favour which was promifed them, and given his Majeftie juftcaufcto give order for the reformation. My laft to your Honour was of the 7 th . of February laft by Albert Rivas, whom I difpatched with all diligence to you, fincc when I have received nothing from your Honour. I (hall therefore, &c. Your Honours, &c. w*. Aoit. Sir Walter Afton to the Lord Conway 5 th . June. 1624. Right IN a former Difpatch which I lately made unto your Honour, I fent unto you the Copy of a Letter, which I then had newly received from the Secretarie Don Andreas de Prada, by which he advertifed me, That the King his Mafter (according to what I had requefted by memorial) had commanded, that all Englifti Commodities and Ma- nufactures (which I have long fince advertized were prohibited by cpremAticAs published here for the reformation of abufes) (hould en- ter into thcfe Kingdoms. I have long fince performed divers dili- gences my felf, both with the Secretary, and Prefident of Cafiite, for the procuring a declaration of the faid order,being careful to prevent fuch inconveniences as the King our Matters Sub jeds might fall into for want thereof. But haying been toflcd up and down between the Secretarie, fi Sit Walcer ^fton to the Lord Con way ; Secretarie, .-ndthcr didentwith feveral dclayes, the one remitting me to the other. repaired to the Conde of Olw&t*. ( fufpeding fome novelty in ine bufinefle) and acquainted him, that upon the receipt of a Letter fent me from the Secretary Dm AnArtu d* Prada, concerning the free entrance of Englifti Commodities, I had given notice by a Copy of the faid Letter unto the King my Matter of what was therein Commanded, and had likewife advercifed the Merchants that refidc in thefe Kinsdomes of the faid Order. I alfo gave him account of the feveral diligences which I had performed with the Prcfidcnt, and the Secretary/or the procuring a declaration thereof, and defired that he would prefently command that there might befuch courfe taken, that there (hould be no further de- lay es ufed therein , fincelfhould be loath toiee the King my Ma- tters Subjects encouraged by the faid Order to repair hither with their Merchandizes, and fall into inconveniencies for want of notice given thereof unto their Minitters in the Ports. The Conde fell into difcourfes far from my expectation, asking mewhetheritwasnot free for any King, in his own Kingdom, to Command his own Sub- jects to wear what he pleafed, faying further, that the Englifti were not prohibited to bring in their Commodities, but that the King his Matter might command his Subjects to fpend theBayes, and other Commodities of his own Kingdoms , and not to make ufe of thofe that came from forraign parts, as to his wifdom for the good of his Kingdoms (hould feem beft. That there ftiould be a fufpenfion of the execution of the faid Pramattca's until S c . fames-tide y and ncr longer. To which I anfwered, That I made no doubt of the power, , that every King had over his own Subjeds; notwithftanding where it was articled betwixt two Kings, that there (hould be a free admit- tance of each others Commodities unto their feveral Kingdomes,and after a Command (hould be given prohibiting either of them unto their Subjects the making ufe thereof, it could not but be underftood 3 defrauding and deluding of the Articles, and the true intention of them: but I told him I came not to difpute this now, for the Secre- taries Letter had deiired me to take notice of another refolution, . therefore I defired, that there might be a fpeedy and publique decla- ration made of what was therein fignified unto me : or if there were any new refolution, that I might underftandit. To which he an- fwered (pretending that he fpake it as a freedom which he ufed with me) but came out with it in fuch a manner, as I faw he was full of it/ That the truth was, that they would proceed here, as they were pro- ceeded withal in England. That the King my Matter had lately gi- ven i 48 Sir Walter Afton to the Lo\ 4 Tonway . ven leave to the Hollanders to tranfport ArtilleK out of !3ngland,and had denied the like to their Embaffadours havin|^quired it; which was (as he faid) diredly againft the articles of peace, wherein it was Capitulated, That neither (hould affift with any kind of armes the enemy of the other. He faid farther, That the Englifh had taken 0r;06,and there was no fatisfaftion given concerning that bufinefle, nor appearance of any intention to do it, and concluded, That when the Articles of Peace fhould be obfcrved to them, they would do the like. I told the Conde I had not underflood any thing of thofe par- ticulars which he mentioned, and therefore could fay nothing unto him; neither thought I fit to give him any further anfwer, being loath in a bufinefle of this importance, where the Articles of Peace between thefe Kingdoms are in queftion, to do any thing at guefle, but to advertife it to the King my Matter, and to proceed according to fuch order as he (hall pleafe to give me, I do therefore intreac your Honour, that you will be pleafedto acquaint hisMajcftie with what hath parted, wherein I doubt not but his Majeftie will obfervc the diftradion, and inconftancy of their proceedings here at prefenf, in CoramandingjWhat his Majeftie will have found by this Secretaries Letter, and taking prefently after new refolutions. After this lan- guage which the Conde hath ufcd unto mc,I cannot exped any reafon or juftice here,and the Merchants have many fuites depending where- in they have received great injuries, whereof I have not hitherto complained, becaufe I was in continual hope of procuring redrefle, and their fuites proceeded on, I cannot fay as I would have wifhed, but according to the ftile here, and in fuch manner as they have done in former times. I doubt not but his Majeftie will therefore likewife pleafe to coniider what a ftop there is likely to be here of all bufinefles concerning the Commerce,and either proceed as occafion (hall there be offered, in the like manner, or take fuch a Courfe for fettling things in better order, as to his wifdom fliall fecmbeft. I have fincehadfome overtures made unto me, that the faid declaration {hall prefently come out, in the mean time I would not wiflvthat the Merchants {hould adventure anything trufting totheir courtefie here. By my laft unto your Honour which was of the 2o th . of May, 1 adver- tized the advice which was given hither,That the Galeom,that bring the Plate, were ujx>n the way for thefe parts; Since when there is newes of their arrival at St. Lttcar, excepting two of them which pe- riihed in their journey hitherward, the one fprung a leak in a calm, day, and funk fo faft, that there were onely faved 52 men, the reft, which were about 200. perfons, were all drowned, neither was any of Sir Wall** Afton to \kt twd Gonway^ of her frakSt faved, The other was their Admir**te t which corre- fponds witn our V \ c- Admiral, which likcwife fprung a leak, but all the men aboard were faved, and a good pare of her filvcr. There is loft upon Regifter in thefe two Ships three millions, and it is thought that there perifhed in them above a million in filver , and goods un- regiftred. Upon order that was lately fent unto the AJfiftente of *$Vz///,for the perfecting the Grant of the Millions to the King by the faid City, there being doubt made whether it was a lawful Conception, or no; Tfic AJJiftente called together thofe, that had voices in the faid grant of the faid Millions, and made a fpeech unto them, wifhing a general Conformity to what his Majeftie had defired of them ; but the pro- poficio n was very diftaftful unto the greater number, who little ex- pefted to have heard chat bufinefle revived again. And the people having gotten notice upon the breaking up of that meeting of what had been there propounded , in a tumultuous manner ran after the AJfiftcnte, who wa returning to his houfe, and hearing fuch a cla- mour behind him, thought that the people had been difquieted by fome accident, and ftayed to have appeafed them, but by the curfes which he heard v and the blowes he received by the ftoncs which were thrown at him,he quickly found againft whom the fury of the people was bent, and fo made all the hade he could to his own houfe, which at length he recovered fore wounded, and with much hazard of his life. The //& Priefts, and others of that Kingdome which refide in this Court, begin to grow very bufie here, and do promifc great mat- ters unto this King in the afiiftance which his Majeftie (hall find in /rf/4 c ood Your Graces, &c. u/.ui T5f!jj:::'i c ur!,!.r!jvfiv?'yr: ; - vjU-ir.ql" W. Afto*. IJM fi .vn-jo'i'.j . ^ -u-.^-j Dr. Williams to the Dxke. My mojt noble Lord, IT hath pleafed God to call for the Bifhop of Land**. I am fo confcious of mine own weaknefle and undefervings, that, as I ne- ver was, fo now I dare not be a fuiter for fo great a charge. But if his Majeftie by your Honours mediation, (hall refolvetocall me to perform him the beft fervice I can in that place, I humbly befeech your Honour to admit me a fuiter in thcfe three circumftances. Firft, that whereas my Lord of Lwd** hath furvivcd our Lady refolutton. H6w far yotr cotild be queff ioned in rh'e Star- Chamber, is an tmfeafortable time to refolve. The King hath wared off alt judgment, and left notfiinrg for yonr meditation, bat Ibveandfa- vour 4 and the increasing of botfrthefe. Yet I know (upon my late occaffdrte to pferule Preficlents in that Courrjth-at fmdi offences have biffin that xmrt (In former thnes.) deeply cenfured. In the fix- tecntji QfEdvjnrd the fecond (forthe Court is of great antiquity) Henry Lord ffeattrtont, running a way of his own about the invading ofSror.W, and diffentmg. from the reft of the Kings Cotmcel, be- canfe ofhi&abfenting himSlf from the Councel Table was finfed and 1 imprifoned : tmpugh otlierwies a rnoft worthy 'and deferving No- ble man. But God be thanked your Lorcffhip hath no caafe to trouble your nead about thefc meditations. For (if I have any judg- ment:) you are in a wa"y to demean yout feff as you may expeft ra- ther .more new additions, then fufpecr the leaf! crimrnntion from his Gmious Majeftie. For mine own part, aflurt your fclf, I am your trSe" aritmltnfal fervant, antf frtalf rreverceafe fo to continue,as long as you make gtfdtfytwr profefif?drjs-to : tfiisMob!e Lord. Of whole extraordinary goodnefle, yourLordlhip, and Tfry felf are remark- able srefle&ions. The one of his fweetnefle in forgetting of wrongs, d^otherof his forwardneffc in.conferring ofcourtefies. Vv WJch mybeftrefpeft to yoii Lordfhipand my Noble Lady, and Tkt T,wd Ketfer to fht THike. my Commendatioqs to Sir wW*m PArtyMrp, I recommend your Lordftiip,&c. The Lord Keeper to the Duke concerning the E. of South-hampton. 2. Aug. 1621. mo/l noble Lord, 1 Humbly crave your pardon for often troubling your Honour wkfc my idle Lines, and befccch you to remember, that amongft many miferies my fudden grcatnefle comes accompanied with, this is not the Icaft 9 that I can no othcrwaies enjoy the happincfle of your pre- fcnce. God is my witnefle,the Lord Keeper hath often (not without grief of heart) envied the fortunes of a poor Scholar, one Dr. VVtl- Hums, late Dean of W*fim*fi*i who was fo much blefled in the free acceffes in that kind, ashisLordfhip (without a great quantity o goodnefle in your felf ) may fcarfe hope for. This incloied will let your Lordfhip underftand, that fomewhat is to be finiflied in that excellent piece of mercy, which his Majeftie (your hand guiding the Pencil) is about to exprefle in the E. of Southampton. It is full time his Attendant were revoked in my poor opinion, and himfelf left to the Cuftody of his own good Angel. There is no readier way to flop themouthesofidlemen,norto draw their eyes from this remainder of an objeft of Juftice, to behold nothing but goodnefle and mercy. And the more breathing time you fhall carve out between this total enlargement and the next acceffe of the Parliament, the better it will be for his Majefties fervicc. Onely remember this, that now you are left to be your own Remembrancer. Of all adions forget not thofc of mercy, and Goodnefle, wherein men draw nighcft to God him- felf: Nor of all Perfons,prifonersand afflided fofepbt: Celerity doth redouble an ad of mercy. Bat why do I turn a Preacher of goodnefle unto him, who fin my own particular j hath (hewed him- felf to be compofcd of nothing elfc ? Remember your Noble Self, and forget the aggravations of malice, and envy, and then forget i you can the E. of Smtkkamftw. God blefle you, and your royal Gueft, and bring you both, after many years yet moft happily run over here upon earth, to be bis bleflea guefts in the K ingdora of Heaven, tt tht Dub, <*etrm*gtfa St, Albonsi O&ober 27*. 1 6\ii . My moft Hoblt Lord, I Have received your Lorfliips exprefiion concerning the Paufe I made upon the two Patents. The Proclamation of writing to~ thc Kings hand , and my Lord of S e . *Albons pardon. The former I have fealed this morning in duty, and obedience to your Lordfliips intimation. The latter I have not yet fealed, but do reprefent (in all lowlinetfe and humility) thefe few Confiderations by your Lordfliip to his facrcd Majelrie, wherein let your Lordfliip make no queftion, but I have advifed with the beft Lawyers in the Kingdom. And after thisrcprefentation, I will, perform whatfoe very our Lordfliip fliall direft. His. Majeftie and your Lordfliip do conceive, that my Lord of St. Albons pardon and grant of his fine came both together to my hands, andfo your Lordfliip directs me topafie the one and the other. But his Lordftiip was too cunning forme. HepafTedhis fine (whereby he hath deceived his Creditors,) ten dayes before he prefented his pardon to the Seal. So as now in his pardon, I find his Parliament fine excepted, which he hath before theiealing of the fame obtained and procured. And whether the houfe of Par- liament will not hold themfeives mocked and derided with fuch an exception, I ieaveto your Lordfliips wifdom. Thefe two Grants arc oppofiteand contradictory (in thi? point) the one to the other. The King.pardons in particular words, All fums of money and rewards taken for falfe judgments or decrees. And therefore the ex- ception of the ParliamentaryCenfure(beinginflic%cdbut for the fame taking of moneys and rewards) coming a good way after falleth too late in Law,andisofnoforceto fatisfietheLords(asI ara informed) and I believe this cjaufc was never fcen in any other pardon. TheKingpardonethinmyLordofSt. *s4lbo*, the ftealing away'j altering, rafing, and interlining of his Majefties Rowlcs, Records, Briefs, &c. which are morein a Lord Chancellors pardon, then the imbezcUngof his Majefties jewels in a Lord Chamberlains. And yet the Lord Chancellour Elsmore could not indure that claufe in my Lord of Sommcr/ett Pardon, unlcfle he would name the jewels is particular. I will not meddle or touch upon thofc miftakings which may fail between the Parliament and his Majeftie, or the mis- interpretation skat enemies may make hereof to your Lordfliips prejudice, becaufe \t9rd Keefer to the Duke. 6 \ I fee fin his Majcfties great wifdom) thefe are not regarded, Onely I could have wiflied, the Pardon had been referred to the Councel board, and fo pafTed. I have now difcharged my felf of thofe poor fcruples, which (in refpeft onely to his Majefties fer vice, and your Lordfhips honour) have wrought this {hort flay of my Lord of Sr, y4/o/ Pardon. Whatsoever your Lordftiip (hall now direft, I will moft readily (craving pardon for this not undutiful boldneffe) put in execution. Bccaufe fome fpeech may fall of this dayes fpcech,which I had occafion to make in the Common Pleas, where a Bifnop was never feen fitting there thefe 70. years, I have prcfumedto inclofea Copy thereof, becaufc it was a very {hort one. Your Lordfhip (hall not need to take that great pains (which your Lord(hip to my unexpreffible comfort hath fo often done) in writing. What Command foever your Lordfhip (hall impofe upon me as tou- ching this pardon, your Lordfhips expreffion to Mr. Packer or the bearer fhall deliver it fufficicntly. God from heaven continue the fhowring and heaping of hisbleffings upon your Lordfhip, &c. The Lird Keeper to the Dkt y 22. July, Mj nobh Lord, Ith my trueft affections, and thankfufnefle prcmifed. I do not doubt bat his Majeftie and your Lordfhip do now enjoy the genera lapplaufe of your goodneffe to the Earl of South- urda l VV Saturday lafl he came, and dined with me, and I find him more cordially affcfted totheferviceof the King, and your Lord- (hips love and friendfhip, then ever he was, when he lay a prifoner in myhoufe. Yet the Sunftiine of his Majefties favour, though moft bright upon others (more open offenders ) is noted to be forae- what eclipfed towards him. What directions foever his Majeftie gave, the order is fomewh t tart upon the Earl, The word of Con- finement, fpread about the City (though I obferved not one fyllable fo quick to fall from his Majeftie) his Keeper much wondred at. The aft of the Councel publifhed in our names, who were neither prefenc thereat, or heard one word of the fame : yet upon my credit the Earl takes all things patiently, and thankfully, though- others wonder ac the fame. Mr. Secretary figned a Petition of one RooktoofA a Papift, and prifoner in the Fleet upon five feveral executions, that I ihould grant him > T& tout Kttfer tctfa Duke, him his liberty. The Kings name is ufed, and the mediation of the SpaniftiEmbaffadour. Iflbreaking rules fo fouly in favour of a Papitt, (which I am refolvedtokeepftraightagainfl: all men what- foever) I (liall infame my felf in the very beginning. If his Majeftie will have any fpecial indulgence in this kind, I expect intimation im- mediately from the King, or your Lordihip, and no third Perfon. Your Lordfhip will not exped from me any account of Councel bu- (inefle,nor the fetting at liberty of the late prifoners. Mr, Secretary is fecret enough for imparting any thing unto mc,fo as I muft remain in a ncceffary ignorance. There is a Country man of mine one Griffith, a" fuitcr unto the Court for the reverfionof an Auditors place, recommended there* unto by his Matter the Lord Treafurer. The place is of great Con- feijueacc for the difpofing of his Ma jefties revenewcs. The man is unfit for this, as prefumptuous and daring for any place. Sir Ro&ert Pje faith, be hath already written to yourLordfhip, and I doubt not of your care thereof. Dodour Lamb (che bearer ) is a very fuffi- cient, and (for ought I ever heard of him ) an honeft man. The King hath imployed him in difcovery of counterfeit Witchcrafts, in reforming of no ounterfeit, but hearty Puritanes, and he hath done good fervice therein. If his Majeftie (now in our pure ayr of North- ha*tptofiire)dQ not (hew him fome favor,or grace, either byKnight- ing, orbyulinghimcourteoufly, The Brethren (having gotten out their Tetverto* againj will neglect andimoleft him too unfufferably. God from Heaven blcfle you. Remember your Dcaneric,and Dean Tbt Lord Keeper to the Duke concerning tbt Etarl Marjhtls pltce, i. Septemb. 1621. Uttj mcfl Noble Lord, Befecchyour Lordftiip to interpret this Letter well, and fairly, 1 which no malice ( though never fo provoked ) but my duty to his Majeftie,and love to your Lordftiip hath drawn from me: both which refpefts as long as I keep inviolably,! will not omit for the fear of any man, or the lofle of any thing in this world, to do any ad, which my Confcicncc (hall inform me to belong unto that place, wherein the King by your favour hath intruded me. I received this morning two Commands from hisMajeftie,the one about a Penfion of 2000 1. ?*arly, and the other concerning the office of the Earle UW*r/W s both ctncernmg ike Earl MArfhah fhce. 6$ both conferred on the Right Honourable the Earle of Arnndel. For the former, although this is a very unfeafonable time to receive fuch large Petitions from fo bountiful a King, and that the Parlia- ment fofoen approaching is very like to take notice thereof, and that this penfion might (under the correction ofyonr better judg- mentjhave been conveniently deferred until that Affembly had been over. Yet who am I that fhould quefHon the wifedom, and bounty of my Matter ? I have therefore fealed the fame,praying fecretly un- to God to make his Majeftie as abounding in wealth as he ism goodneffe. Butthclatterl dare not feale (my good Lord) until I heare your Lordfhips refolution to thefe few Qjaeftions. Whether his Majeftie by cxpre/fing himfelf in the delivery of the iC flraffc to my Lord of Arxxdel, that he was moved thereunto for the etding of the reft of the Comiflioners, who had, before,the execution of thatoffice,did not imply,thathis Majcftie intended to impart unto my Lord no greater power, then was formerly granted to the Lords Conditioners. If it were fo , this Patrent fhoufd not have exceeded thcit Pattent , whereas it doth inlarge it felf beyond that by many dimenfions. Whether it is his Majefties meaning, that the Pattent leaping over # the powers of the three laft Earlcs,//* .r, Shrewsfary^ and Servmfrfef. fhould refer onely to my Lords own Anceftors, Howa-dt^ and G%>- brayes Dukes of Norfolk, who clamed this place by a way of inheri- tance. The ufaal reference of Pattents being unto the laft, and im- mediate predeceffour, arrd not unto the remote, whofe powers (in thofe unfettled and troublcfonic times arc vagc,uncertain,and unpof- fible to be limited. Whether it is his Majefties meaning, that this great Lord (hould beftow thofe offices, fettled of a long time in the Crown, Sir Efotrti Zouch his in the Court, Sir Gctrge Read's in the Kings Bench , and divers others. All which this new Pattentdoth fweep away, being places of great worth and dignity. Whether that his Majefties meaning, and your Lordfhip*, that 4 my Lord Stewtrdt place (hall be ( for all his power of Judicacufe m theffrg/,) either altogether extinguiihed, or at leaftwife fubordi- nated unto this new Office ? A point confiderable, becaufe of the greatneffeof thatperfon, and his neerneffe in bloud to hisMajeftie, and the Prince his Highncfle. Laftly, Whether it be intended,that the offices of the Earl Marftial 5$. of England, and the Marftial of the Kings houfe, which fcem in for- mer times to have been diftinft offices,, (hall be now united in this * ^r 64 The Lord Kteftr H tht Duke. great Lord / A power limited by no Law, or Record, bat to be fearcht out from Chronicles, Antiquaries, Heralds, and fucfc obfoletc JMonuments, and thereupon held thefc 60 years, (for my Lord of ffexhis power was clearly bounded, and limited,) unfit to be revived by the policy of this State. Thefe Queftions, if his Majeftie intended onclythe renewing of this Commilfion of the Eail Marftials in my Lord of ArttnAelm ma- terial and to the purpofe. But if his Majeftie aymcd withal, at the reviving of this old office, ex//4 Centura , whofe face is unknown to the people of this age; upon the leaft intimation from your Lord- (hip,I will fcal the Patent. And I befeech your Lordftiip to pardon my difcretion in this doubt, and irrefolution. It is my place to be wary what innovation pafleth the Seal. I may offend that great Lord in this fmall (lay, but your Lordftiip cannot but know, how little I lofe, when I lofe but him, whom without the leaft caufe in the world, I have irreconcileably loft already. All that I defire if, that you may know what is done, and I will ever do what your Lordftiip ( being once informed) ftiall dircft as becometh, &c. That there is a difference betwixt the Earl Marftial, and the Mar- ftiall of the Kings houfe j See Ltmbtrts vfrchiron : or of the High- Courts of Juftice in England Circa Medium. The Marftial of England,and the Conftable arc 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 Marftial of the Kings Houftiold is united in a Court with the Sencfchal or Steward, which holds plea of Trefpafles, Contraband Covenants made within the Verge, and that according to the Lawcs of the Land, Vid. Artie. Super Cart. C. 3.4.5.; We do all of us conceive the King intended the firft place only for ibis great Lord, and the fecond to remain in the Lord Stewards ma- naging. But this new Patent hath comprehended them both. This was fit to be preferred to your Lordftiip. Tfa The Lord Kttftt u tfo Qttke. 16. Dcccmb." 1621. Mofl Noble Lord, I Have feen many cxprefiions of your love in other mens Letteri (where it doth moft naturally and purely declare it felf ) fincc I received any of mine own. It is much your Lordfhip fhould fparc me thofe thoughts, which pour out themfefvej in my occafions : But to have me and'my affaires in a kind of affectionate remembrance, when yourLordfhip is faluting of other Noble mcn,t5 more then ever I (hall be able othcrwaies to requite then with true prayers and beft wifhes. I received this afternoon (by Sir John Brook,) a moft loving Letter from your Lordfhip, but dated the 26 th . of Novemb. impart- ing your care over me for the committing of one Beeflon for breach of a Decree. My Noble Lord, Decrees once made muft be put in execution, orclfc, I will confefle this Court to be the greateft im- pofture, and Grievance in this Kingdom. The damned in Hell do never ceafe repining at the Jufticeef God, nor the prifoners in the Fleet, at the Decrees in Chancery ; of the which hell of prifoners this one, for antiquity and obftinacy may pafle for a Lucifer. I nei- ther know him, nor his caufe, but as long as he ftands in Contempt, he is not like to have any more liberty. His Majefties laft Letter, though never fo full of honey (as I find by pafTages reported out of the fame, being as yet, not fo happy as to have a fight thereof) hath notwithftanding afforded thofe Spiders which infeft that noble Houfe of Commons, fome poyfon, and ill conftruftions to feed upon; and to induce a new diverfion, or plain Ceflation of weightier bufmeffes. His Ma jeftie infers, ( and that moft truly, for where were the Commons before Henry the firft 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 thefe affertions (if men were peaceably difpofeJ, and affected the difpateh of the com- mon bufincfTes) might be eafily reconciled* Thefc priviledges were originally the favours of Princes, and arc now inherent in their perfons; Nor doth his Ma jeftie go about to impair or diminifh them. If his Ma jeftie will be plcafed to qualifie thac paffage with fome mild and noble expofition, and require them ftrictly to prepare things fora Seflion , and to leave thisneedlcffe difpute, his Majeftic (hall thereby make it appear to all wife and juft men, that thefe perfons are oppofue to thofe common ends, whereof K they The Lord Keeper to the Duke. they vaunt tncmfelves the oncly Patrons. But do his Maicftie what he pleafe , I am afraid (although herein the Lord Treasurer and ethers do differ from me j they do not affcd a Scffion?,nor intend to give at this time any Subfidie at all. Will the King be pleafed therefore to add in this Letter (which muftbe here neceflarilyupon Munday morning,) that if they will not prepare bills for a Seflion, his Majefty will break up this Parlia- ment without any longer Prorogation,and acquainting the Kingdom with their undutifulneffe and obftinacy, fupply the prefent wants by fome other meanes.Or will his Majefty (upon their refufal)prefently rejourn the the AfTembly until the appointed 8 th . of Feburary. This courfe is fitteft for further advice, but the other to exprefle a juft in- dignation. I dare advife nothing in fo high a point, but humbly befeech almighty God to illuminate his Majefties underftanding to infift upon that courfe, which (hall be moft behoveful for the ad- vancement of his fervice. Incur houfe his Majefties fervants are very ftrong, and increafc every day , nor is there the leatf fear of any Malignant oppofition.God reward all your Lordfliips goodnefle and affe&ion towards. &c. Lord Keeper to the Duke About CMr. Thomas Murraycs , &c. 2 3 . Febr. 1621. My moft l^obh Lord, f Should fail very much of my duty to his Majeftie k if before the fcaling of Mt.Thomts Murrayts Difpcnfation,! (hould not acquaint hisMajeftie explicitely, and freely, with the nature of this act, far differing from any difpenfation in this kind, ever granted by his Ma- jeftie, fincehis happie coming to the Crown of England. For (to fay nothing of the right of the election of this Provoft, which being originally not in the King, but in the feilowes, and now by their neglcft devolved unto me, fhall be fully and absolutely at his Maje- fties commandj the place is a living with cure of fouls, and I am to inftitute and admit him to the cure of fouls of the Parifli of Eaton by the exprfflfe Letter of the Statute ; without admifiion, itisimpof- fible he (hould receive any real or rightful poflefiion of the fame. Now that his Ma jeftie or any of his Prcdcceffors, did ever difpence with a Lay-man to hold cure of fouls,! think will be hard for any man to (hew by any warrantable prefident, or record whatfoever. And & know his Ma jeftie to be as much averfe from giving any fuch pre- fidenr, The L&rdRttftr to tfa JMe. 67 fident, as any 'Prince in Chriftendome living this day. This is alto* gether differing a Deanery, or an Hofpital, which being livings with- out curejiave been,and may be juftly conferred by his Majeftie upon Lay-men with difpenfations de promovendo* If Sir Henry SaiU'j example be objected,! anfwer,(befides that the Queen made Clayme to the guift of the place by laffe^ occafioned through the promotion of the Provoftto the Biftioprick of Chicbtfter^ whereas his Maje- ftie hath nofuch Clayme thereunto at this time) That Savil never durft take true pofleflion of the place, but was onely flipt in by the Bilhop, (who for fear of the Earl of Effex made bold with thecon- fcience) Ad Curam et rtgimen CW/ not return yet thefe 7. daies. But your Lordfhip (hall not fail to have tS > , S 70 T&t Lwd Reefer to the Dttke. have all things concluded 3. weeks before the Term, and I will ( of purpofe j put off all general fealing until it be effected. In the mean time (your Lordfliips Letter notwithftanding) it will be nothing for your Lordfhips cafe to have Sir (?ft?r* Chdwonk any way interefted in this office of the originals; but I hold it fitter to leave it fas it is in Law and Equity) forfeited for non-payment of rent in hisMajefties hands ; for upon^hat iflue I do not doubt but my Lord of St. Albons, and Sir Georgt will be content to hear rea- fon. I have received extraordinary refpects, and expreffions from my Noble Lord the Lord MarqucfTe Hamilton which doth exceedingly comfort and encourage me to go on,with fome more alacrity through the difficulties of this reftlefle place. I bcfeech your Lordftup ( who is C*uf* Cauftrum, the firft Caufc, that fets all thefc other Caufes of my Comforts in Going) to take notice of the fame, and to under- take this favour to be placed upon a poor honeft hearted man, who would (if he were any way able) requite it. Gods blefiings, and the prayers of a poor Bifliop ever attend your Lordfhip, &c. Poffeript. THe Sp**ijb EmbafTadour took the alarum very fpecdily of the titulary Romifh Bifhop, and before my departure from his houfe at /yfcgf0 s (whither I went privately to himj did write both to Rome ana * s f *i to prevent it. But I am afraid, that Tobie will prove but an Apocryphal , and no Canonical intelligencer, acquainting the State with this project, for the Jefuites rather then for Tefus fake. The Lord Keeper to the Duke About the Lord Tretftirer, Septemb. 9 th . 1622. uuis is uic true anu oniy cauie : i was to moved to nave all my ailigent fervice,pains, andlinfpotted juftice thus rewarded by a Lord, who is reputed wife, that I have neither flept, read, written, or eaten any thing fince that time; until the latt night, that the Ladies fcnt The Lord Keeper to the Duke. 71 for me (I believe of $urpofe) to VVAtti*gford houfe, and put me out of my humour. I have loft the love, and affection of my men, by feizing upon theirPapers,peruiing all their anfwers to Petitions,caft- ing up their moneys, received by way of fees, ('even to half Crowns, and two (hillings) and finding them all to be poor honeft Gentle- men, that have maintained themfel ves in my fervice by the greatnefle of my pains, and not the greatnefle of their fees. They are moft: of them landed men,that do not fervc me for gain,but for experience, and reputation. And defire to be brought to the Tcft to (hew their feveral books, and to be confronted by any one man with* whom they contracted, or from whom they demanded any Fee at all j The grca- teft fumme in their books is five pounds, and thofe very few, and fenC unto them from Earls, and Barons. All the reft arc fome 20 s. i o s. 53. 2 s. 6 d. and 2 s. And this is the oppreffion in my houfe, that the Kingdom ( of the Common Lawyers peradventure, who have loft I confcfle hereby 20000!. at the leaft, faved in the purfes of the Subjects) doth now groan under. Now I humbly befeech your Lordftiip to perufc this paper here inclofed, and the iffue I do joyn with the Lord Trcafurer, and to ac- quaint (at the leaftj the King, and the Prince, how unworthily I am ufed by this Lord ; who (in my foul and conference I believe it) either invents thefe things out of his own head* and ignorance of this Court, or hath taken them up from bafe, unworthy, and moft unex- perienced people. Laftly, becaufe no act of mine (who am fo mnch indebted for all my frugality) could in the thoughts of a devil incar- nate breed any fufpition, that I gained by this office, excepting the purchafe of my Grandfathers Lands, whereunto my Lord Chamber- lains noblenerfe, and yourLordftiips encouragement, gave the invi- tation. I do make your Lordftiip (as your Lordftiip hath been of- ten pleafcd to honour me) my faithful ConfefTorin that bufinefle, and do fend your Lordftiip a note enclofed what money I paid, what I borrowed, and what is ftill owing for the purchafe. I befeech your Lordftiip to caft your eye upon the paper, and lay it afide that it be not loft. And having now poured out my foul,and forrow unto your Lordfhips breaft, I rind my heart much eafed, and i humbly befeech your Lordftiip to compafli onate the wrongs of Your moft humble and honeft fervant, f^L.C.S. ttt* The Fair And Ftmilhr Conference which htdwtb the Lord Keeper tfterfwe ExpffuUtient of his 9ivn^ and the ifftte jojned therein, *t White-Hall, Scptcmb. 7. 1622. M-M . THereis taken 40000!. for Petitions in your houfe this year. 1 Not much above the fortieth part of the money for all the difpatches of the Chancery, Star-Chamber, Councel-Table, Parlia- ment, the great Diocefle of Lincoln^ jurifdidionof VVtfminfter and S'. Martin s le Grand j All which have rcfort to my houfe by Pe- titions. nh You have your felf a (hare in the money. ' *' Then let me have no (hare in Gods Kingdom; it is fuch a bafcnefTc as never came within the compafle of my thoughts. M . ' It is commonly reported you pay to my Lord Admiral 1000 1. fer tnenfcm. Solt As true as the other. The means of my place will reach to no more then two moneths. ob 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 Cloyfters at Weftmiafter anfwer for me. I never to this day received any Petition from my Secretaries, which I had formerly de- livered unto them with my own hands. This is a new fafhion which my Lord hath found in forae other Courts. 0k , You fell dayes of hearing at higher rates then ever they were at. S9lt I never difpofed of any fince I came to this place, but leave them wholly to the Six Clarks, and Regifters, to be fet down in their Anti- quity. Unlefle his Lordfhip means hearing of motions in the paper of Pcremptories, which I feldom deny upon any Petition, and which are worth no money at all, Ob. 6. You ufoally reverfe Decrees upon Petitions. SOL' I have never reverfed, altered, explained, or endured a motion, or Petition, that touched upon a decree once pronounced : but have fometimes made orders in purfuance of the fame. O 7< You have 3 . Door-keepers, and are fo locked up, that no man can have acceffc unto you. Sot. I have no fuch officer in all my houfe, unleffe his Lordfhip meanes the Collcdge Porters ; nor no locks at all, but his Majefties bufinefle, which Tlft LtrJ Keeper UtfaDttlte. which I mfift refpcft above Ceremonies and Complements You ue cryed out againft over all the Kingdom for an unfuffert- ble opprefiion and grievance. His Lordfhip (if he have any friends) may hear of fuch a Cry, and Sri. yet be pleafcd to miftake the perfon cryed out againft. AH the Lords of the CounccI cry oat upon you, and you area Ob. 9. wretched and a friendlefTe man, if no man acquaints you with it. I am a wretched man indeed if it be Ib. And your Lordfhip ( at Sol. the leaft) a very bold man if it be otherwifc. I will produce particular witnefies, and make all thefe Charges Ob. 10 good. I know your Lordfliip cannot, and I do call upon you to do it, Sri* as fufpecting all to be but your Lordftiips envie and malice to thac fervice of the Kings, and eafe of his Subjects, which God hath^cn- abled me to accompJilb, and perform in this troublefome Office. L. C. S. The Lord Keeper to ths Duke, 21, of Septem- ber. 1622. My moft noble MY Lord l?ra^difwarning me (from his Majeftie) from coming to Theohalds this day, I was enforced to trouble your Lord (hip with thefe few lines. My moft humble thanks for your Lordftiips moft free, and moft loving Letter, I do willingly cenfefle my errour, yet ftill of the mind, that your Lordfhip only, who juftly taxed it, hath made it to be an errour. If your love to me had not exceeded all reafon, and defert of mine, my complaints were not effects of me- lancholy, but of a real fuffering, and mifery. I do confefTe ( and reft fatisfied withal) that his Majefties Juftice, and your Lordftiips love are anchors ftrong enough, for a mind more toffed then mine is, to ride at. Yet pardon me, my Noble Lord, upon this Confidc- ration, if I exceeded a little in paflion, the natural effect of honefty, and innocency . A Church-man, and a woman, have no greater Idol under heaven, then their good name. And yet they cannot fight aC all. Nor with credit, fcold, and leaft of all recriminate, to protect and defend the fame. Their oncly revenge left them, is to grieve, and complain. L My Lwd Rttper to the Dkc. My mifery I took to be this, lam one of thofe that labour in his Majefties Cole-mines under the earth, and out of fight. My pains from five a clock in the morning to 10. or 12. at night are reft- leffc, and cndlefle, but under earth, and out of his Majefties fight. What other men do ( or but feem to do,) it is ever before the Kings face, and if his Ma jeftie will not look on it, if he hatheares about him, he (hall be told of it fo often by the parties themfelves, that he muft hear of it whether he will or no. And as my fervice (by this remotenefle is hidden from the King, foisit liable to be traduced to the King, and my relief (as in di- fpatching the motions of poor men by Petitions allowable to my orders,; made to be a Grievance to the Commonwealth. But in ail thefe fourteen daycs (wherein by the voice of the City, I have remained a prifoner in my houfej where is that one party grieved, that hath troubled his Ma jeftie with Complaints againft me ? Onc- ly my Lord Marfhal hath dealt with my noble Lord Mar^uefle Ha- milton^ my Lord of CarUlc y my Lord Treafurer (as your Lordfhip may foon know by asking the queftion) tomake a fadion to dif- gracethe poor Lord Keeper, who never dreamt thereof. Sir Gilbert H**hton hath complained to my Lord Treafurer of my men for taking, (Hugh Hotted was by and heard him ; ) If your Lordfhip do but ask him his reafon, t think it will appear how wejl grounded their complaints be. Upon thofe two former Anchors I will therefore reft, and that fo far from Cowardlinefie, that I will cither challenge them before his Ma jeftie tomake good their fug- geftions, or elfe Cwhich I holdthe greater valour of all, and which I iconfeffc I wanted before this check of your Lordfhips) go on in iny Courfe,aod fcorn all thefe bafe, and unworthy fcandals as your Lordfbip (hall direct me. I have fent a Copy of a Letter of mine to my LordW*w, which his Majeftic hath feen, and given his affect it (hould not be kept pri- vate | yet I would humbly crave your Lordfhips opinion thereof (by Ms.PAckfr) before any Copy goeth from me. The Lord Ketftt te tkt Duke. 1 2 th - O&ob. 1 62 ^: My mop Noble Lord, IWillfpeak with the Jcfuit to morrow, and deliver himhisadmo- nition from the King, but do fend your Lordfhip here inclofcd a Copic of the Conference which I procured from him without his privity, onely to make his Majeftie, and your Lordfhip mcrrie. I have aifo received a Letter concerning the French EmbafTador which I will be ready to put in execution as your Lordfhips fervant, and Deputy but not otherwife. Yet your Lordfhip will give me out of that freedom (which was wont to be well interpreted by your Lord- ihip) to let your Lordfliip underftand, that I find all bufinefTes of restitution of (hips, and goods thus taken, to have been handled be* fore the Councel in Star-chamber all the reigns of Henry y rh .andH. 8 th . without any contradiction of the Lord Admiral for the time being. But this to your Lordfhip in fecret. I will be very careful of the EfcrlofZ>/j/0f0^, that neither h is caufc, nor your Lordfhips reputation fhall fuffer thereby. And this is the account I can yet give of your Lordfhips Letter,fave that I humbly expeft that anfwer, which your Lordfhips own Luckie hand hath promifed in the poft- fcriptofoneofthcm. I would cafe your Lordfliip in this place, but to prevent complaint that ( peradventure) may be firft invented,and then prefented . Your Lordfhip fhall heare of a long narrative of our Councel Table difpatches. That paffagc of our letter, which (as it now go eth ) doth hope that his Ma jeftie will fpare to confer any fuites of moment in Ireland until the return of thelrifh Com- mittee, was a blunt requeft to the King, to grant no fuites there without our advice. Againft this (concluded in my abfence the firft day of the Tcarm) I (pake firft to the Prince privately (who allowed of my reafons) then ( when the Prefident would not mend it) at the Table openly, that I did utterly diflikc we fhould tutour his Majcfty, how to grant fuits efpecially in Letters, that are to remain upon re- cord. MyLordofCantuar.andthe, Earle Marfhalfaid, they had many Prefidents in that kind. I anfwered, I knew they had none but in the Kings time, and that I wifhed them (as I do) all torn oat of the book and caft into the fire. I concealed my reafons, which now I will reveal unio your Lordfhip, becaufe this is the third time, I haveexprefied unto your Lordfhip under my hand, my diflikeof this kind of Limiting his Majeftie otfecrwife then by word of mouth. Firft if his Majcftie (which we fee fo often done) (halldifpofeof thefe fuites otherwife , here are fo many records remaining coma- L 2 licious Tie LvrdRuftr to the Duke. Jrtiousmentoobferve his Majefties averfeneffe from following the advice of the Councel board. Sccondly,if your Lordfhip (hall procure any fuit in this kind here ar record* alfo in time to come, that you crofle and thwart the go- vernment of the Kingdom* And I pray God this be but mine own jealoufic. The pafiage in the Letter with my Prating, and his High- nefle help was altered, tmd for fear ofmifreporting, I make bold to relate the truth hereof to your Lordfhip. My Lords proceeded very refolutely in chofc reformations, which concerned other men. The Commiillon of fees enables the Com- mittees to call before them all the Judges, as well as their under Officers (which was more then the King exprcft at Hampton Court) amongft whom, the Lord Keeper is one, who from theConqueft to this day r was never fubjefted to the call of any power in the King- dom, but the King and the Parliament. And although I have not onePennieof Bee, which hath not continued above one hundred years, yet for the honour of the Prime place in the ftateXthough now difgraced by the contemptiblenefTe of the Officer)! am an hum- ble fuiter unto your Lordfhip, that my Perfon may be exempted from the command of Sr. Edwin Sandys , or indeed any man els, befides the King my Mafter. Otherwiie I (hall very patiently endure it, but the King hereafter may diflikeit. The Jufticesofthe Peace are alfo appointed, but (if the Judges and my felf be not utterly deceived) to no purpofe in the world, nor fervice to his Majeftic. But when their Lordfhips came to furrender the under Leivtenantftiips to his Maje- fties hands, whom the Lord Prefident, and I held fit to be created henceforward by fevcral Commiffions under the Great Seal, ic was ftifflyoppofed, and flood upon, that the King (hould name them in their Lordlhips Commiifions onely (according to a Prefident in the late Queens time) that is, the King (hall have the naming, but they ftill the appointing of them. And now it was prefled, that his Maje- ftie intended not todifgrace his Lords &c: and your Lordfhip is to have a Letter from Mr. Secretarie to know his Majefties mind here- in, If his Ma jeftie (hall not ordain them to be created by fevcral Pattcnts,it were better a great deal they (hould continue as they do. lam very tedious in the manner and (peradventure) in thematter -of this Letter I humbly crave pardon Sec, ftftges between the Lord Reefer tnd Don Francifco. HE was very inquifitive if I had already, or intended to impart, iV what he had told me the night before in fecret, to any man, to the which he did adde a dcfire of fecrelic. The King had charged him and the Frier to be very fccrct. The Emba flavours did not know that he bad impar- Becaufc ^ ted thefe things unto me. The Popes were fecret inftrndions which they gave tothe Fryer to urge and prcfle the fame points,whieh L himfelf had done co the King. He cohfefled, that the greateft part of the Friers inftruftion* were zl to do all the worft offices he could againft the Duke, and to lay the breach of the marriage, and diflurbance of the peace upon him. He excufed the bringing the Copy of that paper unto me, becaufc 3 the MarquefTe had it yet in his cuftody, but faid he would procure it with all fpeed. I deiircd him to do it, the rather becaufe, befides my approbation of the form, and manner of the writing ; I might be, fey itjinftrufted how to apply my felf,to do his Ma jcftie fervice there- in, as I found by that Conference, hisMajefties bent, and inclina- tion. He having underftood, that there was, though a clofe, yet an in- ^ diflbluble friend (hip betwixt the Duke and my fclf, defired me ta fhew fome way, how the Duke might be won unto them, and to con- tinue the peace. I anfwered I would purfue any fair courfc;that fhould t? propofed that way ; but for my felf, 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 defired to know if they might rely upon the King, whom onely ,* they found peaceably addided otherwife they would ceafe all medi- ation, and prepare for War. I anfwered, That he was a King that never broke his word, and he knew what he had faid unto them. He commended much the courage and refolution of the Lord Trea- 6 furer, which I told him we all did, as a probable fign of hisinno- ccncy. He faid that the Marqueflc had difpatched three Cvrreot, .and 7; expected large Propofitions from Spain to be made unto his Majc- ftie, concerning the prcfcnt rotation of the Palatinate. And-thtt, it \, Ike Lord Reefer to the Dttlit. if this failed, they were at an end of Treaty, and the Embafladouri would forthwith return home. ?fa Lord Keener to the Duke. MA) it fletfejonr Grace, I Received your Graces Letter by Mr. KiUigrt^ fo full of that fweetnefle, as could never iffue from any other Fountain,then that one breaft fo fraught with all goodneflc,and virtue ; Dick.wi*ne may write freely, (as he talks) but alas I what can my wretched felf per- form, thatfhould defer ve the lea ft acknowledgment from him, to whom I owe fo infinitely much more then the facrificing of my life amounts to ? onely my love makes me fometimcs write, and many times fear, fondly and fooliftily, for the which I hope your Grace will pardon me. I have been frighted more about three weeks fincc (about quarrels and Jarres, which now Dick,Grejh*mJ hath related in part unto the K ing ) then at this prefent,! am. For Godsfakebe not offended with me, if I exhort you to do that, which I know you do, to obferve his Highnefle with ail lowlinefle, humility, and duti- ful obedience, and to piece up any the leaft fcam-rent, that heat, and earncftneflc might, pcradvcnture, feem to produce. I know (by looking into my felf) thefe are the fymptomes of good natures, And for Gods fake I beg it, as you regard the prayers of a poor friend, if the great negotiation be well concluded, let ail private difagre?- ments be wrapped up in the fame, and never accompany your Lord- (hips into England, to the joy and exultation of your enemies, if any fuch ingrateful Divels are here to be found : I am in good earnefr, and your Lordfhip would believe it, if your Grace faw but the tears, that accompany thefe lines. I befeech you, in your Letter to the Marquefle Hamilton^ intimate unto him your confidence, and reliance upon his watchfulnefle, and fidelity in all turns, which may concern your Grace. I have often lied unto his Lordfhip, that your Grace hath ia many of my Letters exprcfled as much, and fo have paciried him for the time. If we did know, but upon whom to keep a watchful eye for difaffeftcd reports concerning your fervice, it is all the intelligence he and I do expect. Hii Mjeftie(as we aoncciv*)U rcfolvcd to take certain oaths,which you 7 fa Lord Keep? to the Duke. yon have fcnt hither, and I pray God afterward no farther difficul- ties be objected. I have had an hours difcourfe with his Majeftie yefterday morning, and do find him fodifpofed towards your Lord- (hip as my heart defireth ; yet hath been informed of the difcontent* ments both with theCWf^etf/^r^and the Earl ofZ?n/?0/.Here is a ftrangc Creation pafTed of late, of a Vice-Countefhip *tM*Ue*f**j 9 patfed to the Heires Males, who muft be called hereafter Vice-COun- tefle Fjnck. But my Lady Dutchefle hath the Land, and (as they fay) hath already fold it to my Lord Treafurer, or (hared it with him. I flayed the Patent until I was aflured your Lordihip gave way there- unto. My good Lord,becaufe I have heard, that they have in thofe parts aconceipt of our church, as that they will not believe we have any Liturgie, or Book of common prayer at all, I have Cat mine own coft)caufed the Liturgy to be tranfiatcd into Spanifh ,andfaircly Printed, and do fend you by this bearer a Couple of the Books, one for his Highnefle,the other for your Grace. Not fending any more unlefle your Grace will give directions. His Majeftie was acquaint- ed therewith, andalioweth of the bufinefTe exceedingly. The Tran- flator is a Dominican, a zealous Proreftant, and a good Scholer, and 1 have fecured him to our Church, with a Benefice, and a good Prebend. Becaufc we expect every day thedifpatchingof Sr. Fran- cis Cottingten thitherward, I will not trouble your Grace farther at this time, but do earneftly pray unto God to blefle your Grace both now and ever hereafter with all his favours and bleffings fpiritual and temporal. And reft &c. . . i.>-.-- . c!*v*G llit Lwd Keeptrto the Duke, 30, Aug. 1623, Mj it pleAffjtur Grace $ I Have no bufmcffe of the Jeaft Confidcration to trouble yonr Grace withal at this time, but that I would notfuffcrMr. Grey* k*m to return without an expreflionof myrefpecl: and obligati- on. I would advertize your Grace at large of the courfe held with our Recufants, but that I know Mr. Secretary is injoyned to do fo, who beft can. His Majeftie at Salisbury having referred the fuit of thefe Embafladors to the Earl of Carlile, and Mr. Secretary Conway, fcnt (by their refolutions) fome articles unto us (the Lord Treafurer, Secretary Ci/wr/, Sir RicharA VTeften and my felf) to *is cffcd. g The Ufd Keeftr tt the Dufa jj 1. To grant a pardon of all offences part, with a difpenfationfor thofe to come to all the Roman Catholiques, obnoxious to any laws made againft the Recufants. 2. And then to iffuc forth two general Commands under the Great Seal, thefirft to all the Judges, and Juftices of the Peace, anp the other to all Bifliops,Chancellours and Commiffaries not to exe- XUEC any Statute made againft them. Their general pardon w have pafled, and fent unto his Majeftie (from whence it is not returned) in as full and ample manner as they could defire,and pen it.The other general and vaft prohibition,! pre- vailed with the reft of the Lords to flop as yer v and gave (in three dayes conference) fuch reafonstothe z.Embafladors, that(although it is no eafle matter to fatifie the Caprichioufnefleofthe Latter of them) yet they were both content it fhould reft until the Infanta had been fix Months in England. My reafon, if it may pleafe your Grace, was this . Although this general favour , and connivence, whereof there are 20. of the Prime Councel know nothing as yet, muftat laft be known to all the Land : yet is there a great difference between the publifhing thereof^ Cjolpe, at one pufti, as it were,and that inftilling of it into their knowledg by little, and little by reafon of favours done to particular Catholiques. The former cou'tfe might breed a general imprefiion, if not a rautinie. This Letter will but loofen the tongues but of fome few particulars,, who underftand of their neighbours par- don, and having vented their diflikes, when they have not many to Sympathife with them, they grow coole again, fo as his majeftie af- terwards may enlarge thefe favours without any danger at all. Secondly, to forbid Judges (againft their oaths) and Juftices of tbc Peace (fworn likewife) to execute the law of the Land, is a thing (unprefidented in this Kingdom** Dttrus Sermo a very harfti and bitter pill to be digefted upon a fuddain, and without fome prepara- tion. But to grant a pardon, even for a thing that is Mtltim in fa and a difpenfation with Penal Lawes (in the profit whereof the King onely is interefted^) is ufual and full of prefidents, and examples. And yet is this Letter onely tending to the lafety, the former but to the glory and infolencie of the Papifts, and the magnifying the fervice of thcEmbaffadors ends too dearly purchafed, with the indangering of a tumult in three Kingdomes. Thirdly and Laftly, his Maicftie ufeth to fpeak to his BiOiops, Judges and Juftices of the peace, by his Chancelour,br Keeper (as your Grace well knoweth) and by his Great Seal and I can fignify ftis Majcfties pleafurc unto them, with leffc noife and danger, which I The Ltrd Reefer to the Duke. I mean to do hereafter", (if the Etnbafladors (hall prefle it,)tothis effcd,unlclTe your Grace ftiall (from his Highncfle , or your own judgment) direct otherwife. That whereas his Majeftie being at this time to mediate for fa- vour to many Proteftants in forraign parts, with Princes of another religion, and to fweeten the entercainment of the Princefs into this Kingdom, who is as yet a Roman Catholique, doth hold a mitigati- on of the rigour of thofe lawes made againft Recufant?,tobeane- ceflary inducement to both thofe purpofes, and hath therefore iflued forth fome pardons of Grace, and favour to fuch Roman Catho- liques, of whofe faithfulneflc and fidelity to the ftate he refts aflured. That therefore you the Lords, Bi (hops, Judges, and Juftice,(each of thofe to be written unto by themfelves) do take notice of this his Ma jefties pardon, and difpenfation, with all fuch penal Lawcs, and demean your felvcs accordingly, &c. Thus have I been too tedious and troublefome unto your Grace, and Crave your pardon therefore , and fome directions (which you may caufe Sir Francis Cottington or fome other to write, without your Graces trouble) if there (hall apeare any caufe of alteration. Doctor Bilbop, the new Bifhop of Calcedon is come to London pri* vately, and I am much troubled thereabouts, not knowing what to advife his Majeftie in this pofture, as things (land at this prefent. If you were (hipped (with che Infanta) the oncly Councel were to let the Judges proceed with them prefently, hang him out of the way, and the King to Blame my Lord of Cantuar : or my felffor it. But before you be (hipped in fuch form and manner I dare not aflent or Connive at fuch a courfe. It is (my gracious Lord) a moft infolent Part, and an offence (as I take it) Againft our common Law (and not the ftatutes oncly which are difpenfed withall,)foranEngli(h man to take fuch a confecration without the Kings confent, and efpe- cially to ufe any Epifcopal Jurisdiction in this Kingdom without the royal aflent,and Bi(hops> have been in this State put to their fine, and ranfom for doing fo three hundred years ago. I will ceafe to to be further troublefome and pray to Almighty God to blefle your Grace, and in all humbleneffe take my leave, and reft &c. y& Lord Keeper U tic Dke, 1 4 th . 1621. moft Noble Lord, I Humbly thank your Lordfliip for your moft fwect and loving Let- ter, which (as Sir George Goring could not but obfcrvc) hath much revived me drooping under the unufual weight of fo many bufineffes. Let God fufTer me no longer to be, then I (hall be true, plain, faithful and affectionately rcfpcdful of your Lordfliip, as being moft bound unto your Lordfliip for thefe fo many fruits, but far more for the tree that bore them, your love and affection. If your Lordfhip (hall not think it inconvenient, I do befeech your Lordfliip to prefent this Petition inclofed, either by word or writing- unto his Majeftre, and to procure a fpeedy difpatch thereof, becaufe we are to meet on Thurfday next. Alfo to acquaint his Majeftie, that I ftumble at the Proclamation fnow coming ro the Seal) againft any, that (ball draw, or prefenc any bill for his Ma jetties fignature, befidcs thofe Clarks which ufually draw them up, by virtue of their places. It is moft prejudicial to my place, the Lord Treafurer, and the Judges itinerant who are often occafioned to draw up, and prefent to his Majeftie divers matters, and efpecially pardons of Courfe. It is alfo too ftrong a tie upon your Lordfhips handsjbeing intended by his Majeftie agaiqft Projectors and Scriveners only. If it (hall pleafe his Majeftie therefore to make an exception of the Lords of his Gouncel, and Judges of Aflize,ic may paffe to the contentment of all men Mr. Attourney faith he meant this exception, but I find it not fufficiently cxprcffed in the Proclamation. Alfo I humbly befeech your Lord (hip to meddle with no pardon for the Lord of St. Albovs y until I (nail have the happineffe to confer with your Lordftiip; the pardoning of his fine is much fpoken againft, not for the matter, (for no man objects to thatj but for the manner, which is full of knavery, and a wicked preficfent. For by this afiignation of his fine, he is protefted from all his Creditors, which I dare fay was neither his Majefties,nor your Lotdfhips mean- ing, I have prefumed to fend your Lordfliip a true Copy of that fpeech, which I made at yyeftmivfter Hall at my entrance upon this office; becaufe fomewhat was to be fpoken at fo great a change, and altera- tion in fo high a Court j And I was never fo much troubled in my life, not how, but what tofpeak. I humbly crave pardon, if I have failed The Lord Xetper to the Duke. failed in points of difcretion,which a wifer man (in fiich a cafe) might eafily do. Withmyhcarticft prayers unto God to continue all hisbleffing* upon your Lordfhip, I reft dcfervedly, &c. foffirfft- MY Lord, I find my Lord Treafurer affectionately touched with removing from the Court of Wards ; and do wifh with all my heart, he may have contentment in that, or any thing elfe, but order- ly,and in a right method. Let him hold it but by your Lordfliips fa- vour, not his own powe"r,or wilfulnefle. AnJ this muft be apparent., and vifible: Let all our greatnefle depend (as it ought j upon your*, the true original. Let the King be Pharaoh, your felf ftfiff, and lee us come after as your half- brethren. God bleffe you, Sec. The Lord Keeper it tie Duke, concerning Sir John Michel, 8. Aug. 1622. C>(y moft nobl* Lord t IN thecaufeofSir John Michel, wh ich hath fo off en wearied thi* Court, vexed my Lady your Mother, and nowflieth (as it fcemcth) unto your Lordfhip, I have made an order the laft day of the Tearm, afiifted by the Mafter of the Rolls, and Mr. Bam Bromltj iti the pre- fence, and with the full confent of Sir Jh* MicM y who then objected nothing againft the fame ; but now in a dead vacation, when both the advcrfe party,anfl his Councel are out of Town, and that I cannot poffible hear otherwife then with one ear, he clamours againft me, (moft uncivilly,) and would have me contrary to all confcicnce and honefty reverfe the fame. The fubftance of the order is not fo diffi- cult and intricate, but yow Lordftiip will eafily find out the equity or liarftinefTe thereof. Sir Lawrence Hide makes a motion in behalf of one Streffej (a. party whofe face I nevtr faw,) that whereas Sir foh AftdWhad put a bill into this Court againft him, and one Soy ers five years ago for certain Lands and Woods, (determinable properly at the Common Law)and hdvingupon a certificate betwixt himfclf, and S*jers y without tbe knowledge of the faid Strefoj, procured an injunction from the laft LordChancellourforthepofleffionof the fame, locks up the faid M 2 StreKey 84 The Lord Kuperirtbe Dukt. StteUe} with the faid in jundion,and never proceeds to bring bis caufe- to hearing within five years. It was movtd therefore,that either Sir Johns bill might be difraifled to a tryal at the Common Law, or elfc that he might be ordered to bring it to hearing in this Court, with a direction to favc all waftes of Timber trees (in favour of either party, that fhould prove the true owner,) until the caufe ftiould receive hearing. Sir fobn being prefent in Court, made choice of this laft offer, and fo it was ordered accordingly. And this is that order, that this ftrange man hath fo often, of late, complained of to your Mother, and now, as it fcemcth, to your Lordftiip. God is my witnefle, I have never denyed either juftice, or favour (which was fo be /uftified,) to this man, or any other, that had the lead relation to your good and moft noble Mother. And I hope your Lordftup is perfvvaded thereof. If your Lordftiip will give me leave (withoutyour Lordftiips trouble) to wait upon you, at anytime this day, your Lord (hip (hall appoint, ! .would impart two or three words unto your Lordftiip, concerning- your Lordftiips own bufinefTe. Remainin^ever, &c. the Lord Keeper to the Duke* it fletfejour Crtce, Qw thatlundcrftandbySir John Hipflejhow things (land be- n your Grace and the Earl of Brijlol I have done with that Lord, and- will never think of him otherwife,then as your Grace (hall direft. Nor did I ever write one fyllabie to that effcd, biit in con- templation of performing true fervice to your Grace. 1 was much abufed in the Lady Hennage her Vice- Count-edit p, be-- ing made to believe, it was your Grace's ad, orclfcl had ftayed 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 purfue them, MyLordTreafurers fons Wardfhipis a thing of no moment at all^ and.not worthy your Graces thinking of. And in good faith as far as getting, and Covetoufrreffe will giv him leave, Ido not fee, but- that Ijsrd is (fince your abfence) very refpedive of your Grace,efpe- cially in your own perfon, and affair*. I never received any anfwer from your Grace concerning the Provoftfhipof ex/e, nor was it goodjnanners for me to preffe for the fame, becaufe in my Letters I idprjcfwnfle.tojiaiBemy felf. The place is. mine to beftow.fur thi^. time,. The Lord Ktepr to the Dttkc. 85 time, and not bis Majefties, nor the Collcdges. But I do very wil- lingly refctve the Collation of the fame,to be difpofed as your Grace (hall pleafe. Yet this will be a fufficient anfwer to any former pro- mife, or any reafonable Competitor. His Majeftie (as your Grace beft knowetb) promifed me at the delivery of the Seal a better Bifhoprick, and intended it certainly, if any fiich had fallen. My Charge is exceeding great, my Bribes are vcrpfctle, my Bifhoprick, Deanery, and other Cemmcndains do not clear unto me above one thoufand pounds a year at theuppermoftv It hath pleafed God, that the cafualties of my office, (which is all the benefit of the fame, and enriched my Lord ElfmorJ hath not been worth to me thcfe two years pad one fhiiling.Ic may mend when itpleafeth God. I leave all thefe, and my fclf, who am your Vaflal, at your Lorc!- (hips feet, and do reft ,&c. Vour Graces, &c. T rJ&&at3H1o?;ajL ! v J.L.C.S. Ptffcript. *\ \ Ay it pleafe your Grace, I troubled his HighnefTe with a long i-Vl relation of the Confulto we had about his Majefties taking of the Oath. Which I had written to your Grace, and not to his High- nefle, but that I was frighted by great men, that I had -done his Highneffe a difpleafure in prefling his Majefties aflent unto the fame. And Iprotefl I was fo poorly accompanied in my opinion, that I was truly afraid I had not done well. And therefore I took-occafion to write my reafons at large unto the Prince. Which I heard by Sir John Hifjley from your Grace was well Taken. I humbly thank ^our Grace, who I know forwarded the fame. And fo I perceive by a Letter from his Highneffe fo full of fweetneffe, as I am overwhelmed;' f. L. C. S. TI* D Ike Lord Keeper to the Duke. 6. January.' 1623. itfltafejour Grace, On Frtncifco being with me this night, about a pardon for a poor Irijh man, whom I reprieved from execution, at the fuit of thofe Gcntlemenof Afat/rfm*, which are here with the Marquefle, let Ml by a kind of fuppofition (affirming the matter to be as yet in the vlfcnb, and not fully (haped, and digefted) words to this effed. That if the King of Spain (hould make a double marriage with the fecond Brother of France, and his Sifter, and beftow the Palati- nate as a Dower upon his fifter, in what cafe were we then ? - I tnfwered, That we (hould be then, in no worfccafe ( for ought I knew) then we are now : but that germany might be in a far better cafe. Peradventure it was but a word let fall to terrific me withal. But your Grace may make that ufe of it, as to underftand the lan- guage, if your Grace (hall hear any mention thereof hereafter. I am very glad, and do give God thanks par le mejora d fit hijucla her- moftjjlma. And do reft, &c. Surely the French Enibafladour is fecret and more fufpeded then formerly by the People. Mr. John Packer to the Lerd Kteper, 2 1. Janua ry, 1423. Lord/hip^ Since my coming hither, finding my Lord at good opportunity, I have acquainted him in what perplexity I found yourLordfhip at my coming from Wffimixfltr^nd upon what reafon.And though I am forrie I can make no comfortable relation of his anfwer, yet becaufe itfo much importeth your Lordfhip to know in what terms you ftand, I could not conceal it from you, being agreeable to thofe re- ports your Lordftiiphath already heard.faving that his Grace told me, he doth not fcek yourruine (as fome others had related) but onely will hereafter ceafe to ftudy your fortune, as formerly he hath done; and withal added the reafon, that your Lordfhip hath run a courfc oppofite to him,which though he had caufe to take ill at your hands Mr. John Packer to the Duke. 87 hands, yet he could have oafled it over , if it had been out of con- fcience, or affedion to his Ma jetties fervice, or the Publiquegood, but being both dangerous to your countrie, and prejudicial to the caufcof religion (which your Lordftiip above all other men fhould have laboured to upholdj he thought, he could not with reafon conr tinue that ftridnefle of friendship, where your Lordfliip had made fuch a fepamion.efpecialiy having divers times out of his love to you, afiayd to bring you into the right way, which once you promifed to follow ; but the two laft times you met in Councel, he found, that you took your kue juft as other men did, and joyncd with them in their opinions, whofe aim was to tax his proceedings in the mana- ging of the Princes bufinefTc. But inftead of laying it upon him, they did no lefle, then throw dirt in the Princes teeth. For either they would make him a >mVw,or put therefufai of|he Ladie upon his Highneffe, and to lay an afpcrfion upon his carriage there. His Lordfhips Condufion with me was, that for any carriage of his, he defireth no other favour, but that the greateft Councel in England may be judge of it, and the like he wiftieth for other mens afttonf. Yet I did what I could to pcrfwadehis Grace to expoftulate the mar- ter with your Lordftiip, which he told me, he would no more do, having done it already, but found no other fatifaction, but that by your practife you rejected what he had faid, and belide% clivulged what had pafled between you,as he evidently perceived meeting with it among others. Whereby you gained onely thus much, that they eftcemed of you, as of a man fit, by reafon of your paffion, to fetafl on fire, but held you not worthy oftru(l : becaufe you, that would not be true to him, would never be fo to them. My Lord, this is a part I would never have chofen, but being im- pofed by your Lordfhip, I could do you no better fervice then faith- fully, and plainely to difcharge it, leaving the ufc to your Lordships wifedom, and ever reiling Your Lordftiips mod humbly ae command, Tht eg 'The LordKecfer to\ht Vkt* 2. FcLurary, M*j it pleafejour Grace, NOt prefuming to write unto your Grace being fo offended at me, but refolved with forrow, and Patience, to try what I was able to fuffer, without the leaft thought ofoppofition againft your, abfolute pleafure ; hisHignefle hath encouraged, and commanded the contrary, afTuring me (which I cannot repeat again without tearcs) that upon his credit, your Grace neither did, nor doth con- ceive any fuch real diftaft againft me, but did onely fufped I had conceived his Highnefles mind in that full manner, which his High- neffe himfelf, is now fully fatisfied. I did not. In the which er- rour, andmiftakeofthe Prince his rcfolution, for want of confe- rence with your Grace, or fome other, I did (as I freely confefled} offend his High nefle, but not your Grace at all. Being ever refol- ved to ftand,or fall (though diverfified in opinion) Your Graces moft faithful and conftantfervant. I humbly therefore befeechyour Grace firft to receive back this enclofed Letter of Mr. Prfc^r/,and to burn the fame, then to receive my foule in gage and pawn. 1. That I never harboured in this bread one thought ofoppofi-- tion to hurt your Grace from thefirfthourl fa w your face. 2. I never confulted (much lefle praftifed) witn any Lord of that Commitec to vote on the one or the other lide. 3; I do not know that Lord in England, that hath any defign againft your Grace, and when I (hall know any fuch, whofoever it be, I fhall be his enemy as long as he continueth fo unto your Grace. 4. I do not know (nor do I believejbut that your Grace ftands as firm in his Majefties favour, and in his Highnefle as ever you did in all your life. 5. 1 never made the leaft (hew of fiding with any oppofue Lord onto your Grace, and I dctie any man, that (hall avow it. 6. I never divulged your Graces,or the fecrets of any man. In the next place, I do moft humbly and heartily crave your Gra- . ces pardon,for fufpeding (that is the utmoft of my offence), fo true, real, and Noble a friend. Yet that I may not appear a very beaft, give me leave once to remember and ever after to forger, the mo- tives, which drew me fo to do, And I will do it in the fame order they came into my head. i' Your ,p. raccs cha rge upon me at York houfc. that I was a man odious to all the world. 2. Michels r -^ ^ Tfo Z*r/and my Lord O/i/r'-r eftrangcdnefle from me,which I fufpefted could not be (for I ever loved them both) but true copies of your Graces difplcafure. I have opened to my trucft friend all myfoftncr thoughts, and be- in g fully fatisfyed by his Highnefle how falfe they arc in every parti- cular, 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 felfjbcing refolved(as God (hall be my pro- tector) to fuffer all the obloquie of the world, before I would be drawn to the leaft ingratitude againft your Grace. All thatl beg is an aflurance of your Graces former Love,and I will plaincly profeflc what I do not in the leaft beg or defire from your Grace. 1. No Patronage of any corrupt orunjuft ad which (hall be ob jecled againft me this Parliament. 2. No defence of me, if it (hall appear I betrayed my King, or my Religion in favour of the Papift, or did them any real rcfpccl: at all, befides ordinary complements. 3. Norefuge in any of cnycaufes, or clamours againft me (which upon a falfe fuppofal of your Graces difpleafure may be many) otherwife then according to juftice, and fair proceeding, And let this paper bear record againft me at the great Parliament of all, if I be not in my heart, and foul, your Graces moft faithful and conftant poor friend and Servant. His Highnefle defires your Grace to move his Ma/eftie to accept ofmyLord^^w commiflion, and to procure me leave to fend foe him. Alfo to move his Majeftie that my Lord of Hartford may be in the houfe, accepting his fathers place, and making his pro. ccftacion N to rht Beds of that ntfcwfe whi'k fell frmDon Francifro to fue for his Grandfathers, according to his Majefties La wes, wiien the King (hall give him leave. His Highnefle, and my Lords do hold this a modeft and fubmifiive Petition. His Highnefle upon very deep reafons, doubts whether it be fafe to put all upon the Parliament, for fear they (hould fall to examine par- ticular Difpatches, wherein they cannot but find many Contradicti- ons. And would have the propofition onely to ayd for the recovery of the Palatinate. To draw on an engagement I propound it might be, toadvifehis Majeftie how this recovery (hall be effected , by reconquering the fame, or by a War of diverfion. This will draw on a breach with Spain, without ripping up of private difpatches. His Highnefle feemed to like well hereof, and commanded me to ac- quaint your Grace therewith, and to receive your opinion. I humbly, crave again two lines of affurance, that I am in your Grace's opinion as I will ever be indeed, &c. The Httds of that Diftwrfe which fell from Don Francifco, 7.DicAprilis, 1624. at LI. oftheclockat night. 7 bis Relation msfent fy the Lard Keeper to the Dtth. TTOw he came to procure his accefles to the King. The Marquefle Flputting D on Carlos upon the Prince and Duke in a difcourfe, thruft a Letter mto the Kings hand, which he defircd the King to read in private; The King faid he would, thruft it into his pocket, and went on with his difcourfe, as if he had received none. The effect was, to procure private accefle for Don Francifco to come and fpeak with the King, which his Majeftie appointed by my Lord of Keileji and he by his fecrefie, who dcfigned for Don Frawifco time and place. At his firft acceflfe, he told the King, That his Majeftie was a pri- foner, or at leaftwife befieged, foasno man could be admitted to come at him. And then made a complaint againft the Duke, that he aggravated, and pretended accufations againft Spain; whereas its onely offence was, that they refufedto give unto him equal honour, and observance, as they did unto his HighncfFe. And that this was she only caufc of his hatred againft them. -At At II. tftktfkck 41 9ttgbt. At the laftacceffc, which wasfome 4. dayes ago, he made a long inveftive, and remonftrance unto the King, which he had put into writing in Spani(h,whicb he read unto me.correfted with the hand of Don G*r/0/, which I do know. It was feme what general, and very rhe- torical, if not tragical for the ftile. The heads of what I read were' thefe, z/i*. 1. That the King was no more a freeman at this time, then King John of France when he was prifoner in England,orKing Francis when he was at Malrid. Being beliegcd and clofed up with the fervants and yaffils of Buckingham. 2. That the Embafladours knew very well, and were informed 4. mone hs ago, that his Majeftic was to be reftrained, and confined to his Country houfe, and paftimcs, and the Government of the State to be affumed and difpofed of by others, and that this was not con- cealed by Buckingham followers. 3 . That the Duke had reconciled himfelf to all the popular men of the State, and drawn them forth out of prifons, reftraints, and con- finements to alter the Government of theState at this Parliament,as Oxford, South- t>ampto*^ Say, and others, whom he met at Suppers and Ordinaries to ftrengthen his popularity. 4. That the Duke to breed an opinion of his own greatncfle^ and to make the King grow lefle,hath oftentimes brag'd openly in Par- liament, that he had made the King yield to this and that, which was pleafure unto them. And that he mentioned openly before the Houfes his Majefties private oath, which the Embafladors have never fpokeri of to any creature to this hour. 5 . That thefe Kingdomes are not now governed by a Monarch,but by a Triumviri, whereof Buckingham was the firft and chiefeft, the Prince the fecond, and the King the laft; and that all look towards So/em Orieniem. 6, That his Majeftie (hould (hew himfelf to be, as he was reputed, theoldeft and wifeft King in Enrofe, by freeing himfelf from this Captivity, and eminent danger wherein he was, by cutting off fo dangerous and ungrateful an affecler of greatneffe and popularity's the Duke was. 7, That he defired his Majeftie to conceal this his free dealing with him, becaufe it might breed him much peril and danger. And yet if it were any way available for his fervice, to reveal it to whom he pleafed, becaufe he was ready to facrifice his life to do him accept- able fervice. N 2 Ao4 atnate And this was the effeft of fo much of the penned fpcech as I re- member was read unco me out of the Spanifh Copy. His Majeftie was much troubled in the time of this fpcech. His offer to the King for the refliwion of the Palatinate. TO have a Treaty for three moneths for the reftitution, and that money was now given in Spain to fatisfie Bavaria. That in the mean time becaufe the people were fo diftruftful of the Spaniard, the King might fortifie hirafelf at home, and affift the Hollanders with men or money at his pleafure. And the King of Spain (hould not be offended therewith. j **, His opinion of our preparing of this NAV'W. TT was a defign of the Duke, to go to the Ports of Sevll^ and there : *to burn all the Ships in the Harbour, which he laught at. Speeches which he, f Aid fell from his MAJefie concerning the Prince. Hat when he told the King, that his greatnefle with the Duke f fl . ^ m * 7n / f / was as well arTecled to that Nation as heart could defire, and as well difpofcd as any fon in Europe-; but now he was ftrangely carried away with rafli, and youthful Councels, and followed the humour of Rucki*gkAr t who had he knew not how many Devils within him fince that journey. Conctrring t i. 'T^Hat he could not believe yet, thathe affeded popularity to r JL his difad vantage. Becaufe he had tryed him of purpofe,and commanded him to make difaflfcfting motions to the houfes, which. he performed, whereby his Majcftic concluded, he was not popu- * That The Lor&Keeftr tt the Duke. $ 3 2. That he defired^ Don Francifco, and the EmbafTadours (and renewed this requcft unto them by Padre Maeftro two dayes ago,) to get him any ground to charge him with popular courfes, or to in- creafe a fufpition of it, and he would quickly take a courfe wit-h him. j. That he had good caufe to fufpeft the Duke of late, but he had nofervantof his own, that would charge him with any particular j, nor knew he any himfelf. The end (as was cone five A) of Don Francifco's defoing. tbi* Conference. HE had heard that the Duke had puflitat me in Parliament, and intended to do fo again, when he had done with the Treafurer, and therefore (hewed, that if I would joyn to fet upon him with the King, there was a fit occafion. I anfwered, that the Prince and the Duke had preferred IRC into- my place, and kept me in it, and if I found them purfuing 1 would noc keep it an hour. That what favour foever I (hewed the Embafla- dour, or Catholiques, I did it for their fakes, and had thanks of them for it. And that I would deal by way of counfel with the Duke to be temperate, and moderate j but to be in opposition to my friend, and Patron, I knew he (being one that profeffed fo much love unto me) would never expcd from an honeft man. Upon the which anfwer he feemed latisficd, and never replyed word in that kind. I made an end of writing thcfe notes about two of the clock in the morning.. The Lord Keeper to the Dttke, concerning Sir Richard Wcfton, 24. May. 1624. it p/etfe your Grace , . I. Hold it my duty to give your Grace a prefent account of this la- tent made for Sir Richard weflon. Having put off the fealing of the fame as fairly as I could (though not without the clamour of one L*ks> a fervant of Mr. Chvcclvttrs t who very faucily preft for a difpatch,) this morning, Mr. Chancelour fpake with me himfelf, ta wKomTmade anfwer, That I would feal his Patent, according ta fcis Majefties Warrant, but would retain it in my hands (aI was d Tfo Lvd Keeper to tie Dttke. reed,) until I cither fpake with the King, or received his farther Command in that behalf. He told me he would write unto your Grace concerning the ftay thereof, and the ftand of the Kings bufi- nefle, until it were delivered, whichcourfe(I told him) was very fair. After I acquainted his Highneflewith my fealingand retaining of the Patent, and asked him,if he knew thereof. His HighnefTe anfwered, he did'know thereof, but gave no approbation of thecourfe, and (although he durft not fpeak to crofle it) he hoped I {hould have directions from the King to pull off the Seals again. Three houres after I went to his HighnefTe the fecond time, and asked him , if he meant really as he fpake, or intended onely to make me believe fo. I defired to know his mind, left I might fteer my courfe contrary to his' intendmenc. His Highneffe anfwered, He meant really, and would endeavoHi to effectuate all that he fpake. Which I thought very fitting for your Grace to know with all fpeed. But for the man bimfelf, I muft deliver unto your Grace my con- fciencc. For ought I ever faw in him he is a very honeft, and a very fufficient man, and fuch a one, as I never in all my life could obferve to be any way falfe, or unfaithful unto your Grace. He was brought in by your Grace fore againft my will, (as your Grace may call to mind, what I faid to your Grace at Woodftock to that effecY) not that I difliked the Gentleman, but becaufe I was afraid he would be wholly the Treafurcrs, who began then to out-top me , and appea- red to my thoughts, likely enough by his daring and boldnefle, (two virtues very powerful and active upon our Royal Mafter,) in time to do as much to your Grace. From that time to this, I never obferved inyVtfto* any unworthinefle,or ingratitude to your Grace. Nay,cra- ving pardon, I will proceed one ftep 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 5 nor unfitter,if he (hould offer to take it,without your likings. I think your Grace will remember, that this fortnight, this hath been my conftant opinion. Upon the death of one Mr. Read, the Secretaries place for the La- tine tongue is void. The Dean of Winehcfter, and I moved, the King for Patrickr<>tfg t the fitteft man in England for that place. And the Prince did, and will fecond the motion. I Befeech your Grace to affift us,or els the immodefty of his Competitor (that Lake I fpake of in the beginning of this Letter) will bear down this moft honeft, and baftiful creature. God be thanked for your Graces recovery and ftill preferve it. And fo &c. The The Lerel&tcpcy to tbt D*kt, 22. Auguft. May itpletfejourGrtce, . IHutnbiy thank your Grace for your favourable andGratious remembrance, fcnt by my Neighbour Sir fyorge Coring. Though Idefpaireto be able to make any other requital, yet will I never fail to ferve your Grace moft faithfully, and when I grow unufeful in that kind, to pray for you, I befeech your Grace, that I may receive from the Prince's High- neffe, and your Grace, fomc directions how to demean my felf to the French Emba(Tador v in matters concerning Recufant?, and that Mr. Secretary may either addreflc himfelftoMr. Atturny General in thefe caufcs, or elfe write unto me plainely what I am to do. His laft letter required of me, and the Judges (who neither are,nor will be in town thefe fix weeks yet,) an account of this their fuppofed perfecution, neither fomuch as intimating unto me what, or when J (hould return ananfwer .and fuppofeth fome directions his Maje- ftie (hould give me therein, the which (particularly, or dividcdly from the Judges) I never received. I adventured out of mine own head to write that anfwer,! Imagine your Grace hath feen, whether I did well, or ill therein I know nor, , but conceived his Majeftie expected fome anfwer. Yefterday the ' Embaflador fent unto me, to know if I had received any order from his Majeftie to Hay this (ashetearmed it) perfecution. I aflured him, there was no fuch matter in thisftate,and thatasyet, I had re- ceived no order from his Majeftie of late,but was in expectation to hear from the Court very (hortly. I humbly crave your Graces directior.Sj what I am to fay, or do in thepremifes^beingotherwifea meerftranger in all thefe proceeding?. I write to no bodie herein befides your Grace, fo as if I receive no direction, (which upon my head, and livelihood I (hall burie in all fccrefie) I (hall be in a piti- ful perplexity, if his Majeftie (hall turn the Embaflador upon me, al- together unprovided how to anfwer* And fo with my hartieftpray- - cts for your Graces health, I reft yours, &c. Vke Lo,e(Keeptn<>t1jeDke. 21. July Ma] it flttjejettr Graee^ | Could not fuffer Sir George goring to depart without thefc few J. lines y although the greateft matter of their contents muftbcthis, to exprefle unto your Grace my forrow, and affliction, that I have no matter or occafion at all, wherein to (hew actuallie my afte&ions and earneft defires to comply with rny bounden duty in ferving your .Grace, and humbly to defire your Grace to believe, that there is no foul living (hall do it more fincerely, and faithfully to the utmoft of my underftanding, then my felf will do. I add this Caution the rather, bccaufe if ever I have offended your Grace, I take Almigh- ty God to witneffe, it was onely for want of a perfeft underftanding .ofthofehigh matters, and the perfons bent, whom they concerned, not out of any corruption of affedions to wards your Grace, or the 1 eaft daggering in a continued refolution to live.and dic,your Gra- ces moft conftant, and moft faithful fervant. This ,God in heavcn(who fecth 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 moft humble thanks unto your Grace for that aflurance I received, that I remain (though unimployed and unprofitablely) yet in your Graces good affcdion, I befeech Almighty God to preferveyour health, and to increafe your favourdaVj by day with God, with the King, with the Prince, and with all good men. Tn daily vowes of &c. The Ltrd Keeper to the Duke concerning the Cotwteffe of South Hampton 17. Novcmb. 1624. May it pleafe jour Grace, I Know how few arguments I need to ufe to perfwade your Grace to works ofNoblcnefle, and charity. Your faihion hath been ever fince my happinefle of dependence upon you, to outrun, and prevent all petitions in this kind. Yet pardon my boldnefle to be an humble fuitor unto your Grace to go on, as I know you have alrea- dy begun, in extending your Grace, and goodncffe towards the moft diftrctfedwiddow, and children of my Lord of Sottth-hwftoM.Yout Grace cannot do any work of charity more approved of by God, .more acceptable unto men , and that (hall mpre recommend the memory Th Lord Rxper Ht&eDiilte. memory of your NoblenefTc to future pofterity- Sir WitUm Sptncir ( the onely Sollir itor this forrowful Lady hath now to imploy,) will prcfent fome particulars unto your Grace., whom God ever preferve in all health, and happinefle. And fo, &c. The Lord Keeper to the Duke, 1 1. O&ob. i 24. Ma,) it fletfejottr Grace, \ 7 \ 7Ith ray moft humble and hearty thanks for all your favours V V extended, and multiplyed daily towards me in ficknefTe and health, which are fuch, and fo many* that (although I truft in God I (hall never prove fo inhumane as to fail in any fervicc.or faithfulnefle to your Grace J I muft for all that ever live, and die ungrateful. I thought f\t to return unto your Grace this account of thcmeflagc received by your Grace's Steward. I fpake with that Lord, and although he feemed to be quite off from the bufinefle, and had (to my knowlcdg) difpofed of his money for a great, and a fair purchafe here in 0W concerning Dr. Scott, 4. January, 1624. I Humbly befeech you to interpret favourably, what I faid unto his Majeftie or his Highneflc, as intending to put off Dr. Scott from this place. And no way (God be my witncfle) to crofle your Grace, nor to hurt Scot, who might have been otherwaies fufficiently pro- Tided for. But I fhould have written or fpoken unto your Grace ? fo I did hi this Letter enclofed ,upon Cbriftmtfc Eve. But I confefle I durft not fe.nd it, for fear of offending your Grace, which I do take all pof* fible diligence to avoid. But, I fpake unto the King, and Prince/ I did fo ; but with this caution,(which I know they do rernember,)that if your Grace would not upon the motion exchange Scot to fome other preferment, I did not hold it fit. to preflethefe charges againft him, but would do my endeavour to (till and quiet thofe of the Church of Tor^ who (I sonfefle unto your Grace) are the men that have written agarnft him. But I recommended Dr. Wkite^ and another to the Prince, and "Dt.yy*rner to your Grace : I confefle it, but muft diftinguifh the tim) and the manner. I commended D r . Wtrner^ when I was informed D r . while had his anfwer, and denial, and that your Grace w**off. from Dr. Scot t and did defire to hear from me, what Doctor 3 whomlrecommeaded onely in general terms upon the The Lord Keftr to the Duke. 101 fuit of another. What I faid of him, I believe, and kno w to be true, but he is fo far from being any creature of mine, that I proteft before the Almighty God, I never fpake one word with the man to this very hour in ail my life. I did conceive fo meanly of Doctor ,SV0f,that no worthy man in the Kingdom fhould have failed of my recommenda- tions in this particular. Now I know your Grace's refolution, I do alter my opinion, and humbly crave your Grace's pardon for my meddling therein, al- though I know his Highnefle will bear me vvitnefle, it was with all dutiful refpeft unto your Grace. I (hall be very careful of giving your Grace the leaft caufe of jealoufie in this kind again. And whereas I had put a poor fuit in your Grace's hands about the helping of mypoor fortunes, I will let that, and all others fall, and defire oncly to be accounted Yours, &c. The Lord Keeper to the Duke^ 2. March, Maj it fleAfeyour Grace r THis heavy,and unexpected accident of ray Lord Stewards death, makes me to be troublefome unto your Grace at this time. In fafety and difcretion, I might very eafily fpare this labour : but my obligation to your Grace is fuch,as if that I conceal any tbing,which but my felf apprehends fit to be reprefented to your Grace, whilcft I affect the title of a referved, clofe, and wife, I may lofe the other of an honeft roan, which I more efteem. Thus much by way of preface. I reprefcnt this office of a Lord Steward, as a place to be either ac- cepted of by your felf, or elfe to be discontinued (as for many years towards the latter end of Queen Elizabeth, and the beginning of our Matters raign it was) and in any cafe, not to be placed upon another, without the deliberation of fomc few years at the leaft. Being an office, that none but the Kings Kinfmen, or Favorites, or Counter- favourites (raifcd up of purpofe to ballance the great one) have an- ciently pofleffed : I could defire your Grace had it in your own* perfon ; for thefe Reafons. 1. It is an office of fair, and very competent gettings, but that is fcarceconfiderable. 2. It keeps you in all changes and alterations of years neerth* King, and gives unto you all the opportunities, and acceffes, without the cnvie of a favorite. I befeech your Grace paufe well upon this,, and call to mind, if the Duke of Richmond was not in this cafe. 3. It Givesyou opportunities to gratifie all the Court, great and fmall, Virtute Officii in right of your place. Which is a thing better accepted of, and interpreted, then a courtefie from a favorite. Be- caufe in this you are a difpenferofyouroWn ; but in the other (fay many envious men,) of the Kings goodnefle, which would flow faft enough of it felf, but that it is retrained to this Pipe and channel onely. 4. There muft be one day an end of this attendance as a Bed-cham- ber man, but I hope never of being next unto the King, as a great Counccller, and officer, and above all others, which you cannot be, but by this office.The Matter of the horfe is but a Knights place at the mod, and the Admirals (in time of action) either to be imployed abroad Perfonallie, or to live at home in that ignominie, and fharne, as your Grace will never endure to do fo. I will trouble your Grace with a tale of 1)*Hte the firfl Italian Poet of note. Who being a great, and wealthie man in Florence, and his opinion demanded, whoftiould be (ent Embaffador to the Pope, made this anfwcr,that he knew not who Si jo vo chip^Sijofto cbi va.If Jgo, I know not who (hall flay at home; if I (lay ,1 know not who can perform this imployment. Yet your Grace (laying at home in favour ,and greatneffe with his Majc(lie,may by your defigns and di- rections fo difpofe of the Admiral, as to in joy the glory , without running the hazard of his perfonal imployment, My Gracious Lord, if any man (hall 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 fo. As in time ofhoflility there is fome getting, fo are there hungry and infatiable people prefently to devourc the fame. God made man to live upon the land, and neceflity onely drives him to Sea. Yet is not my advice abfolutcly for your rclinquiftiing of this, but in any cafe for the retaining of the other place though with the lode of the Admiraltie. 5. I befeech your Grace obfervc the Earl ofLeittfgr,(wbo being theoncly favorite in ueen fi*ahtbstime % that was of any conti- nuance; made choice of this place onely, and refuted the Admiralty two fcvcral rimes, as being an occafion, either to withdraw him from the Court,or to leave him there,laden with ignominie. And yet be- ing Lord Steward, wife, and in favour, he wholly commanded the Adcmralty,and made it minifterial, and fubordinary to his directi- * n$ * 6, Remember, The Lord deeper to the Duke. 6. Remember, that this office is fit for a young,-a middfe, and an old man to injoy,andfo is not any other thatl know about hisMa- jefty. Now God almighty having given you favour at the firft, and fince a great quantity (1 never flattered your Grace,nor do now) of wit, and wile experience,! would humbly recommend unto your Grace this opportunity to be neereft 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 everlafting favorite. There are many objections, which your Grace may make, but if I find any inclination in your Grace to lay hold upon this propofiti- on, I dare undertake to anfwer them all. Your Grace may leave any office you plea fe (if your Grace be more in love with the Admi- raltie, then I think you have caefe,) to avoid envie. But my final condufion is this, to defire your Grace moft humbly to put no other Lord into this office, without juft, and mature deliberation. And to pardon this boldncfle, and hafte, which makes me to write fo weakly in a theame,that I perfwadc my felf 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 fend your Grace a Letter delivered unto me from Cottde Gondomar, and dated either at LMtJrM, or (as I obferve it was written firft,) at London. There is no great matter at whither of the , places it was invented. I humbly befeech your Grace to fend by this bearer the rcfolution for the Parliament. And do reft Yours &c. The Lord Keeper to the Duke about Sr. Robert Howard, , i i March 1624. MAJ it pletfejour Gr*ce r Sir Robert Howard appeared yefrerdy, and contmues obftinate ifl^ hisrefufal tofwear. When we came toexamin the commiflion for our power to fine him for this obflinacie, we found that Sir Edr mrd Cook,, (forefeeing out of a prophetical,how near it might con- cern a Grandchild of his own day) hathcxpunged this claufe (by the help of the Earle of J>/ rl* 1*4 Rupertttk Volt, 2 2. March, 1*24. May itfhtfejourGrtci, I Send your Grace here inclofcd, the Kings Comralfiidn, and the Prince's Proxie, not fairly written, (which the Embafladours upon the place may procure in a frech hand,) but yet legibly, and paf- fably. The Prince's Proxie refers the manner unto the articles, and particularly to the fecond,third,and fourth Sedion of thofe Articles; which gives meoccafion to beggof your Grace pardon, to defirc your Grace to think ferioufly upon the third Sedion, to advife with .the Prince, and to give Mr. Ptcktr charge to inform your Grace punctually what he knoweth, and may inform himfelf concerning thofe particulars. That is, How the Queen Market of France was married to Henry the fourth, and how Madam his lifter was married to the Prince of Lorrtiit. For although they are both made alike in the article, yet furely they were not married after the fame faftiion. For the Dutchefle of Barr was married in a clofet, without a Maffe, by words onely of thePrefenttenfe, as I believe, I have read in the Hiftorie of Thttanta. A favour, which will hardly be granted to your Grace. And how Queen Aftrgtret was married, my Lords the Embafladours will foon learn, if your Grace will bepleafed to write unto them. I hold it fin a manner) neceflary, 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 Dodor, Dr. Reeves is as fit a* any man elfe, who is a good Scho- lar, and fpeaks that language. Your Grace hath revived my Lord of CUre y fithencc I fpake with your Grace. And I befeech your Grace to follow that refolution, and to let Mr. Packer draw up a warrant of 3~or 4. lines figned by the King to me to place him with the reft of the Councel of War. It will be an occafion to take up more of that time, which he now fpcnds with the Lady Hatton. For now I am refolved,that I was of the right in my conjedure to your Grace,that his Lordftiip had utterly rcfu fed my Lady Pttrbeckj caufe (of the which the very common peopplc begin to be aftiamedj but is deeply Dutcheffc engaged againft my Lady of Richmond jn the bufinefle of that famous of.Rich- (or rather notorious) fceminine Contrad, and bargain> of fixteen stnnil. hundred pounds by the year for a houfe to fleep in. When your Grace (hall draw up your Inftrudions, you will be pleafed to ufe the words, To Contrad, Efpoufe and marrie Our Welbetoved Son, &c. becaufc they do in thofe parts contrad alwaies before Ike S//fo/>*/ Lincoln u lie Duh. before marriage. And your Grace will be pjeafed to expreflchii Majefties pleafurc, that this is to be done by your felf,and no other : Becaufe although the two Earls upon the place, have fomc fuch ge- neral words in their Commiffion, yet your Grace only is named in the Prince's Proxie, and now folely imployed by the Kingtothac purpofe. Although I conceived this reftraint to be fitter a great deal for the inftruftionSjthcn the Cemmiflion. I am extream forry to hear what a grievous fit his Majeftichad this laft night. But I hope it is a farewef of the Agues, and I pray God it be the laft fit. And now am an humble fuitor again, that I may come and look upon his Majeftie, refolved to fay nothing, buc that which I will never ceafe to fay, God blefle him. If your Grace holds it inconvenient, I bcfeech your Grace to excufc me, and to ac- count me as I will ever be found, Yours, &c. The Bifiop of Lincoln to tbs Vukt, 7 th . of January, 1625. Mop (jrttiotu Lord, BEing come hither, according unto the dutic of my place, to do my beftfervice for the preparation to the Coronation, and to wait upon his Majeftie for his Royal pleafure and direction therein ; I do moft humbly befeech your Grace, to crown fo many of your Grace's former favours, and to revive a Creature of your own , ftruck dead onely with your difpleafure, (but no other difcontentment intheuni- verfal world,) by bringing of me to kifle his Majefties hand, with whom I took leave, in no disfavour at all. I was never hitherto brought into the prefence of a King, by any Saint , befides your fclf: Turn me not over ( moft noble Lord ) to offer my prayers at new Altars. If I wereguiltie of any unworthy unfa ithfulnefTe for the time paft, or'notguiltieof a refoJution to do your Grace all fervice for the time to come, all confiderations under Heaven could not force me to beg it fo earaeftly, or to profefle my felf, as I do before God, and you, Your Grace's moft humble.affe&ionatc, and devoted fervant, ?* Zfaff/iii' Ai The Bjhq 1/LinCoIn u kit Mqejlie*.. Mofi Might j^ and dread Sovtraign, 1 Have now thcfc four moncths v by theftrength of thofe gracious J fpeccbes your Majeftic ufed t (when I took my leave of your Ma- jeftie at Salisbury,) and the confcience of mine own innocencie from having ever wilfully or malitioufly offended your Majeftie, comfor- ted.my felf in thcfe great afflictions ; to be thus injoyned from your Majefties prefcnce (the onely heaven wherein my foul delighted,) having fubmitted my felf (I hope dutifully, and patiently) to the difchargefrom that great Office (for the execution whereof I was altogether unworthy;) My required abfence from the Councel Ta- ble; my fcqueftration from attend ing your Majeftres Coronation: And your Majefties favourable pleafure (for fo I do eftecm that,) to fpare my prefence at this next Parliament. And I truft in God I (hall moft readily obey any other Command, that bears the image and ftperfcription of your Majeftie, without any defire of fearching af- ter the hand that helps to prefTe and ingrave it. Y.ec becaufe I fufFer in fome more particulars then peradventureis explicitely known to your Majeftie : And that I have no friend left about your Majeftie, that dares for fear of difpleafure relate unto your Majeftie my griefs, and neceiSties, I humbly crave your gratious Pardon to make fome two reprefentations, andjfome few Petitions unto your raofrt xcellece- Maieftic, Firft, I humbly (hew unto your MajeftiCj- cbatbefides my former Calamities, I am not paid that part of my Peniion, which (hould pay- the Creditors, who lent me money to buy the fame ; .notwkhftand- : ing .your Majeftie hath, been gratioufly pleafcd to order other- wife. Secondly, I havtnot yet received my Writ of Summons unto the Parliament (denied to no Prifoners, or condemned Peers in the late raignof your bleffed Father,) that I might accordingly make my Pr,oxie, the which I cannot do, the Writ not received j nor can I Bfly r felf gQ into the Countrie, as I had done long ere this, had not the expectation of this Writ, together with the fpccial fervicc of my Lord Duke, and no other occaiion whatfoever detained me*> Thcfc two particulars I prefent with all fubrniffion unto your Ma- jeftie, and (hall reft fatisfied with what royal refolution yourMaje- Hie (hall makethercin. Thefc petitions that follow I muft wrncftly beg at your The Hi/hop of Lincoln tt $U Mq'ejlie. frand$,and for Gods fata, and your blefled Fathers fake, whofc Crea- ture, land moft painfutfervant I was. Firft, that your Majeftie would be pleafcd to mitigate, and allay the caufelefle difpleafure of my Lord Dukeagainft me ; who is fo little fatisfied with any thing I can do, or fuffer, that I have no means left to a ppeafe his anger, but my prayers to God, and your Sacred Majeftie. Secondly, I befeech your Majeftie for Chriftjefus fake not to be* lieve^ewes, oraccufationsagainftme concerning my carriage paft, prefent, or to come, whileftl Hand thus in joyned from your Royal prefence, before you (hall have heard my anfwer, and defence unto the particulars. Thofe that inform your Majeftie may (God he knoweth) be oftentimes mis- informed. My laft fupplication unto your Majeftie is,. That in myabfcnce this Parliament, noufe may be made of your facred name to wound the reputation of a poor Bifhop, who befides his Religion and Dutie to that Divine Character you now bear, hath ever affectionately honoured your very Pcrfon above all the objects in this world, as he defires the falvation of the world to come. But I crave no protecti- on againft any other accufer, or accufation whatfoever. So (hall I never ceafc to pray to the Almighty God to make your Majeftie the Happieft and Greateft King,that ever was Crowned,.and Anointed : which (hall be the continual orifons of Your Majefties moft dutiful and moft humble Vaflal, & Lincoln. The Lord Keeper to the Lord Vifcoum Anao. 17. Septemb, 1622. Right Honourable, I Owe more fervice to that true love, and former acquaintance, which your Lordftiip hath becnplcafed to afford me, now thefc' full ten yeares,then to be fparing, or referred in fatisfying your Lordfhip about any doubt whatfoever , the refolution whereof (hall lie in my power. Concerning thatoffence, taken by many people, this fldc cJlc borders and in Scotland, frora cbac Clemencie which ' .. The LorttKteptr to tie Lvd Vifcount AnarL which his Majeftie was pleafcd to extend to the imprifoned Lty-Rc- cufants of this Kingdom, and my Letter written unto the Juftices for the rcigling of the fame, which your Lordfhip did intimate unto me yefterday iMt. Henry Gibbs hishoufe, out of fome newes received from a Peer of Scotland. This is the plaineft return I can make un- to your Lord(hip. In the general, as the Sun in the firmament ap- pears unto us no bigger then a Platter, and the Stars but as fo many nails in the pummel of a faddle, becaufe of the Elongement and dif- propt>rtion between our eyes, and the object* fo is there fuch an un- meafurable diftance betwixt the deep refoiution of a Prince, and the (hallow apprehenli on of common and ordinary people, that as they will beevcr judging and centering, fo muft they be obnoxious toer- rour and miftaKing. Particularly, for as much as concerns my felf, I muft leave my for? rner life, my profeffion.ray continuall preaching, my writing, (which ii inftant in the hands of many % ) my private indeavours about Tome great perfons, and the whole bent of my actions, (which in the place I live in cannot be concealed, to tefti fie unto the world, what fa- vour I am likely to importune for the Papifts in their religion. For the King my Matter,-! will tell you a ftorie out ofVelle'ws Paterculnf. A Surveyor bragging to M. Livws Drrtftts, that he would fo con- triVe his-' houfe Vt Libtv* a confpefttt immunis *b omnibus arbitris effct, that it (hould (land removed out of fight, and be paft all danger of peeping, or Eves-dropping ; was anfwered again by Drufus^Tu vero} ji quid in te arris eft ita compoc domnm mean, ut qtticquid ttgam ah omni- bm Confaci foffit $kxy my good friend, if you have any devices in your head, contrive my houfe after fuch a manner,that all the world may feewhatldo therein. So il (hould indeavourto flourifhup fome artificial Vault, to hide and conceal the intentions of his Maje- ftie , I know I (hould receive the fame thanks, that the Surveyor did from Drufus. I was not called to Councel by his royal Majeftie, when the fefolution of this Clemencie to the Lay-Recufants was firft concluded; But if I had been asked my opinion,! (hould have ad- vifed it without the leaft haefitation.His Majeftie was fo Popifhly ad- dided at this time, that (to the incredible exhauftments of this Trea- furicj he was a moft zealous intcrcedcr for fome cafe and refrefli- mentto all the Proteftants in Europe,his own Dominions, and Den- marks onely excepted. Thofe of Swithliwd (having lately provoked the Pole) had no other hope of peace ; thofe of France of the excrcifcof their Reli- gion j thofc of the Palatinate, and adjoyning Countries of the lead connivencie Tie Lwl Keeper U lie Lord Vifcount A nan; 1 1 1 connivencie to fay their prayen.then by the earneft mediation of our gracious Matter. And advifed by the late AfTembly of Parliament to infi ft a while longer in this milkie way of intercefiion,and Treatie. What a prepofterous argument would this have beentodefire thofe mighty Princes (armed, and vidoriousj to grant fome liberty, and clemencieto the Proteftants, bccaufehimfelfdidnowimprifon,and execute the rigour of his lawes sgainft the Roman Catholiques, I muft deal plainely with your Lordfhip. Our viperous countrymen theEnglifh Jefuits in France to fruftrate thefc Pious endeavours of hisMajeftic5,had many months before this favour granted, retorted that argument upon us, by writing a moftmalitious book (which I have fcen, and read over) to the French King, inciting him, and the three Eftates, to put all thofc fratutcs in execution againft the Pro- teftants in thofe parts, which are here enaded,and (as they falfely informed) fevefally executed upon the Papifts. I would therefore fcethemoftfubtilc State-monger in the world chalk out a way for his Ma jeftie to mediate for Grace,and favour for the Proteftants,by executing at this time the fcverity of the Lawes upon thePapifts. And that this favour (hould mount to a Toleration, is a moft dull, (and yet a moft divelifti) mifconftruftion. A Toleration looks forward, to the time to come : This favour backward onely, to the offences paft. If any Papift now fct at li- berty (hall offend the lawes again, the Juftices may, (nay muft) re- commit him, and leave favour and mercy to the King,to whom one- ly it properly belongeth.Nay let thofe 2. writs directed to the Jud- ges,be as diligently perafed by thofe rafhCenfures as they were by thofe grave, and learned, to whom his Majeftie referred the pen- ning of the, fame and they (ball find, that thefe Papifts are no other- otherwifeout of prifon, then with their (hackles about their heels, fufficient furecies, and good recognifances to prefent themfelve* again at the next afiifes. As therefore that Lacedemonian pofed the- Oracle of Apollo, by asking his opinion of the bird which he grafped in his hand, whether he were alive,or dead, fo it is a matter yet con- troverfed, and undecided, whether thofc Papifts (clofedup, and grafped in the hands of the law) be ftill inprifon^or at libercie. Their own demeanours, and the fuccefle of his Majefties negotiati- ons, are Oracles that muftdefide the fame. If the Lay-papiftsdo wax infolent with this mercy, infulting upon the Proteftants, and tranflating this favour from the perfonto the caufe, lam verily of opinion his Ma jeftie will remand them to their former fratc,and condition, and renew his writ no more. BuHf.they fhallufe thefe grace* i in T&e Lord Keener to tkt Lord Vifcpunt han. graces modcftly, by admitting Conference with learried Preachers, Demeaning themfelves neighbourly and peaceably, praying for his >lajeftie,andtheprofperousiccefTcof his pious endeavours , and relieving him bountifully ('which they arc as well able to do as any of his Subjects,; if he (hall be forced and conftratned to take his fword in hand, then it cannot be denied, but our Matter is a Prince, that hath (asonefaid) p lw huntaaitatx per.e quam homwis, and will at that time leave to be merciful, wh.cn he leaves to be himfelf. In the mean while,this.argument fetcht from the Devils topicks , which concludes a Concrete *d AbftrtftMrn from a favour done to the Englifh Papifts, that the King favoureth the Romifti Religion is fuch a com- poiltion of follie, and malice, as is little deferved by that gracious Prince, who by word, writing, exercifcof Religion, ads of Parlia- ment, late directions for catechizing, and preaching, and all profef- (ions, and endeavours in the world hath demonstrated himfelf fo re* folved a Protcftant. God by his holy Spirit open the eyes of the people, that thefeaierie reprefentations of ungrounded fancies fee afide, they may clearly difcern, and fee how by the goodneffe of God, and the wifdom of their King, thislfland of all the Countries in Europe is the fole neft of peace and true Religion, and thcinha- j bicants t hereof unhappis onely in this one thing.that they never look up to heaven to give God thanks for fo great a happinerfe. LaftJy, for mine own Letter to the Judges, ( which did oncly de- dare, not operate the favour,) it was either much mif-penned, or much mifconftrued. It recited four kinds of recufancies onely capa- ble of his Majefties dcmencie not fo much to include thefe, as to ex- clude many other crimes bearing smongft the Papifts the name of Recufancies, as ufmg the function of a Romifti Prieft, feducing the Kings liege people from the Religion eftabltthed, fcandalizing and ifperfing our King, Church, State, or prefent Government. All which offences (being outward practifes, and no fccrct motions of the confcicnce,) arc adjudged by the Lawcs of England to be merely civil, and political, and excluded by my Letter from the benefit of thofe Writs, which the bearer was imployed to deliver unto the. . Judges. And thus I have given your Lordfliip a plain account of the car- nage of this bufincffe, and that the more fuddenly, that your Lord- ftiip might perceive it is not Awe* Fabula, or prepared tale, but a bare Narration, which I have fent unto your Lordftiip. I befeech your Lordfliip to let his Ma jcftie know,that the Letters to the Juftices ,of Peace concerning thofc four heads recommended by his Majeftie, (hall The Hi/hip 0/MctoeVcnfis to the Dike. 1 1 5 (hall be fent away as faft as they can be exfcribed. I will trouble your Lordfhip no more at this time, but (hall reft ever YourLordftiipsfcrvant and true friend, Jo. Lincoln. C.S. . . ! The */&<>/> jfMcnevenfis to the Duke: Dr. Laud. _ moft Gratiotu Lord, I May not be abfent, and not write. And flnce your Grace is pica- fed with the trouble, I mud profeflc my felf much content with the performance of the dutie. I am not unmindful of the laft bufmeffc your Grace committed to me, but I have as yet done the lefTc in it, becaufel fellinto a relaps of my infirm! tie, but I thank God I am once more free, if I can look better to my felf, as I hope I ftiall. My Lord, I muft become an humble fuitor to your Grace. I hear by good hand that my Lord of Ctnterbury intends fhortly to re- new the High Commiilion. Now I am to acquaint your Grace,that there is never a Bifhop that lives about London left out of the Com- miflion but my felf, and many that live quite abfent are in, and many infcriours to Bifhops. The Commiffion is a place of great expe- rience for any man, that is a Governour in the Church. And fincc by his Ma jefties gratious goodnefle,. and your Grace's fole procure- ment, I am made a Governour, I would be loath to be excluded from that which might give me experience, and fo enable me to perform my dutie. I am furc my Lord of Canterbury will leave me out, as hi- therto he hath done, if his Majeftie be not pleafed to Command that I (hall be in. This I fubmit to your Grace, but humbly defire even againftmyown eafe and quiet, that I may not be deprived of that experience which is neceflary for my place. I moft humbly befecch your Grace to pardon this boldnefle, and to know, that in my daily prayers for your Grace's happirfefle, I (hall ever reft Your Grace's moft devoted and Novtmb. 18. 1624." affectionate fervant, Guif. L/WerttWH/if' $L ?* 114 Mj moft Grant* Lord, lit Bifltp of Mcnevcnfis uttie Vubi Dr. Laud. I Am heartily g!ad to hear your Lordftiipisfowell returned, and fo happily as to meet fo great joy. God hath among many others his great bleffings (and I know your Grace fo efteems them) fcnc you now this extraordinarie one,a fon to inherit his fathers honours, and the reft of Gods bleffings upon both. So foon as I tame to any end of my journey, I met the happie news of Gods bleffing upon your Grace, and it fcafoned all the hard journey I have had out of Wales through the Snow. When I had refted my felf a little at my friend's houfe in the Forrcft(Mr.fT*W<-*^a fervant of your Grace's, whom I made bold to make known to your Honour) I came to JFiW- for in hope to have been fo bappie,as to meet your Grace at the great "fblcmnitic : but when I came, I found that which I fufpe&ed, that your Grace's greater joy would carric you farther. Which journey, and the caufe,and the end of it, I heartily wifti, and pray may be full of joy, and all contentment to your Grace. I made bold to trouble your Grace with a Letter or two out of Wales , which I hope Mr. VVindebaklQQk the beft care he could to fee delivered. I have no means to do your Grace any fervice, but by my prayers, and they do daily attend, and (hall ever, while I breathe to utter them. I hope though I have miffed this opportunitie,yetl fhall be fo happie as to fee,and wait upon your Grace at London. In the mean time, and ever, Ileave your Grace, and all your home-bleffingstothe protection of the Almightie, and (hall ever be found >r, 13. De- Your Graces moft devoted and 1625. affectionate fervant, . g*il. Meneven. '/i'-i'V* > ' 3U *O -, , Mountaguc Bifhep of Chichcftcr t& the Dakc. j^ Jdtj it fletfejour Grace, YOur Higjhnefle vouchfafed at VVintfor to let meunderftand,that his Majeftie my gracious Mafter and Soveraign,had taken me off from thaurouWe and Yttttion, which by feme mcns procurement, I was Dr. Mountaguc Si/ht? of Chicheftcr t$ the Tbh. 1 1 ^ was put unto in the Houfe of Commons. They as I underfUfi Whofe I am totallie and finailie, Theofkilus Landuve*. The Bijhop ef Landaffc to the Duke. Mj mo ft honour die good Lord, 1 T is meet before I beg a new, that I ftiould firft acknowledge thofe - I benefits, and more fpecially give thanks for the 1 aft noble fa vonr your Lordfliip did me in (landing up the laft day of Parliament, and pleading my caufe. Never was poor man more bound to a gracious Lord, , 20 Tfa tifltf *f Landtffc to tb* Dtth. lord for protecting his innocencic: and ic came feafdnable, like a (howrof 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 Lordfhips fpccch then dropt comfort, in ftrength whereof it yet live*. For an abortive thought, which never came into ad, fomc 2. or 3. years ago conceived, and that tending to a work of mercy, and charitie, a 4eed of jufticc, and due thankfulnefie, how far ? how foulie have I been traduced f your Honour cannot imagine how deeply I have been wounded in my good name, as if I had deferved deprivation, degradation, yea to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. This can none cure but God, or the King, Dem i wonte^ God hath done his part in providing an occafion. Befides London (which is Coo high for me to look after) and the removes which may be there- by, Hertford the next Seat to mine, (whither my Predeceffors have oft been removed) is faid to be now void. Now good my Lord, was that I (hould not fray long there. It would be a reiterative too, not onely of my Credit, fo cruelly crackt with the (harp teeth of the wide mouth of vulgar lying fame, but of my eftate alfo, alwaies poor, but lately much more impoverifhed, and made crazie by occasions of the Church, which drew me to London (a place of great expences, as the bufic times wercj to little purpofe : And the Parliament over- taking me, which have held me long, and longer yet are like to hold me here, even to the undo ing of my felf, my wife and fix children, from whom I have now lived 6. or 7. moneths. And what fhall I carry home with me but difgrace and infamie ? Yet my good Lord, at leaft procure me of my Lord the King a Nunc dimittis, leave to de- part. I (hall be further out of the reach of purfuing malice, there in the Countrie,do his Majeftie better fervice in gathering up his Subfi- dies, praying^ and teaching my children (whileft I read a Lecture to them, my felf was never yet able to get by heart) of parcimony, which muft be to them inftead of a patrimonie, to pray for his Maje- fties long life, health, and happineffe. In which prayer flwli youf Lordfhipcver be duly rcmembred by Your Lordftiips daily devote Beadsman, Lr. Corbec te fa Duke. it fhafe jottr Grtce, TO confider my two great loflcs this week ; one in refpcft of bis Ma jeftie to whom I was to preach ; the other in refped of my Patron, whom I was to vific. If this be not the way to repair the latter of my loffcs, I fear I am in danger to be utterly undone. To preffe too near a great man, is a means to be put by; and to (land too far off, is the way to be forgotten : fo Ecclefiaftictu. In which mediocrity could I hit it, would I live and die. My Lord, I would neither preffe near, nor fand far off, choofing rather the name of an ill Courtier, then a faufie Scholar, Tromyour Graces moft humble ' fervant, Rich. Corbet. Poffcript. . , t .' '",''" H Ere is news, my noble Lord about us, that in the point of Al- legiance now in hand, all the Papifts are exceeding Orthodox, the onely Recufantsarc the Puritanes. TheE. of Worccfter, Arundcl And Surrey, Montgomery to the King. May hplMfejour mof excellent Majeftie, Ccording to the Orders and Constitutions made and eftablifhcd JL\ by your Majeftie, and all the Companions of the Order at the laft general Chapter held at white-Hall the 21. of Maj laft paft, we are bold to inform your Majeftie, that we baring diligently viewed divers of the Records of the faid Order, do in the black book find, that the keeping of the little Park at Windfor^ next adjoyning unto thcCaftle, is in direct words annexed for ever to the Office of the Ufher for the faid Order. So humbly killing your Royal hands, We reft Your Ma jetties moft humble and faithful Subjects, and fervants, trbitc-H*!!, i, July, 1622. E . fPorcefter, AmM and Snrrtj \ R V rite lortChwtllwr Bacon /* Me Duke. My very good Lord, MY Lord of */*/> caufe is this day fentenced. My Lord, and his Lady fined at 30000!. with imprifonmentin the Tower at their own charges, Single} at 2000 1. and committed to the Fleet. Sir Ed#rdCookjti& his part, I have not heard him do better, and be- gan with a fine of an i ooooo 1. But the Judges firft, and moft of the reft reduced it as before. I do not difiike that things pafTe moderate- ly, and all things confidcred it is not amiflfe, and might eafilyhave been worfe. There was much fpeaking of interceding for the Kings mercie, which (in my opinion) was not fo proper for a fentcnce : I faid in conclusion, that mercy was to come e x mero motu, and fo lefc it. I took fome other occafion pertinent to do the King honour,by (hewing how happy he was in all other parts of his Government, fave only in the manage of his treafure by thefe Officers. I have fentthe King a new Bill for Sufex : for my Lord of 2fyt- tintbam't Certificate was true, and I told the Judges of it before, but they neglected it. I conceive the firft man(which is newly fet down) is- the fitceft. God ever preferve and keep you, &c. ?he Earl of Suffolk to liti Majcjlie, Gratious JN this grievous time of my being barred from your prcfence,which to me is the greateft affliction that can lie upon me ; and knowing by my former fcrvice to yon, thcfweet and Princely difpofition that is in you naturally , together with that unmatchable judgement which the wopld knoweth you have, is the occafion, that I prefume at this time to lay before your Majeftie my moft humble fuit ; which is, that you would be pleafed to look upon the Cafe of your poor fer- vant, who after fo many faithful defires of mine to do you fervice, I do not fay that fuccefle hath fallen out as I wilhcd, (hould now noc enly have fuffered for my weaknefle, and errours, but muft be further queftioncd to my difgrace. I would to God your Majeftie did truly underftand the thoughts of my heart, and if there you could find one she leaft of ill affections to you, I wiih it pulled out of my body. Now to adde to my miferies, give me leave to let your Majeftie kijow the hard fta tc I am injfor I do owe at this prcfent (I dare avow Tie Earl of Suffolk to the Dttke. upon my fideiitie to you) little lefle then 40000 I. which I well know will make me and mine poor and miferable for ever. All this I do not lay down to your Ma jefties bcft judging eyes,that I mean this by way of complaint; For I do acknowledge thercafon that your Majeftie had to do what you did .- neither do I go about to excufe crrours to have efcaped me, but will now and ever acknow- ledge your Gracious favourable dealing with me, if you will be plea- fed now to receive me again to your favour after this juft correction, without which I defire not to enjoy fortune of Goods, or life in this world , which in the humblcft manner that I can I beg at your Princely feet, as Your,&c. r. Suffolk. The . ^/Suffolk u ths Duke. Mj HoneurA^/e good Lord, AT the firft minute of mine, and my wives delivery out of the Tower, I had returned fuch acknowledgment due for fo great a favour, but that Sir Cjeorge Goring only dcfired to be the Meflenger, as well as he was of the other, Let not (my Lord) my 2ate misfor- tunes make me or mine more unable toferve, and thank you, then any hce, that thus takes advantage thereby to wrong me in your be- lief : for what I have both received in abatcmentof my fine, and fpeedy libertie, I muftconfefle to come from your Noble mediation to his Majeftie, whofe difplcafure hath been more grievous to my foul, then all the reft this world can inflict upon me. As your Lord (hips kindneffe bath begun to eafeme, fo now let the fame hand cure, and preferve me from a worfe relapfe wherein I am like to fall, if your power prevent it not. The motion x>f his Majeftics for my perfwading my fons out of their places,was the grie- voufeft found that ever cntred me, for thereby Iftill breathed under the heavy weight of all my afflictions, not defpairing but their Care (charged upon them with my blefiing) might fomewhat redeem my errours, and aflure his Majeftie, that my will was never tainted with offending him. I know my Lord, there is little benefit in ferving againft Matters minds, but they are unworthy fervants that will leave fuch Matters R a The 4r/ */ Suffolk