HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION
ELEVENTH REPORT, APPENDIX, PART I.
THE
MANUSCRIPTS
OV
HENRY DUNCAN SKRINE, Es«.
SALVETTI CORR ESPONDENCE.
in bati) ©nugetf of parïtammt bu Cflromartïf of |£er i&ajeatjn
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE,
BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,
PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from
EYRE and SPOTTISWOODE, East Harping Street, Fleet Street. E.C., and 32, Abingdon Street, Westminster, S.W.; or
ADAM and CHARLES BLACK, 6, North Bridge, Edinburgh; or HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., 104, Graeton Street, Dublin.
1887.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION*
ELEVENTH REPORT, APPENDIX, PART I.
THE
MANUSCRIPTS
OF
HENRY DUNCAN SKRINE, Esq.
SALVETTI CORRESPONDENCE.
}9r£tfsntstr ta liuti) fâtrtufcjg ut parliament fi y Cummantf uf J&aiejitì?.
LONDON:
PRINTED EOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY' OFFICE,
BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE,
PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE and SPOTTISWOODE, East Harding Street, Fleet Street, E.C., and 32, Abingdon Street, Westminster, S.Wt. ; or ADAM and CHARLES BLACK, 6, North Bridge, Edinburgh ; or HODGES, FIGGIS, & Co., 104, Graeton Street, Dublin &
1887.
[C.—5060.] Price Is. Id.THE MANUSCRIPTS OF HENRY DUNCAN SERINE, ESQUIRE, OE CLAVERTON MANOR, SOMERSET.
SALYETTi CORRESPONDENCE.
The originals of the following letters are preserved in the Archives MSS. of of Florence and were written by a certain Alessandro Antelminelli, a native of Lucca, who adopted the name of Amerigo Salvetti and was	—
for many years the representative of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany at the English Court. They are written in the Tuscan dialect, and partly in cipher, and were translated, in 1881, by the late Mr. Heath "Wilson of Floi'ence, shortly before his death. Mr. Wilson’s manuscript translation, together with his interesting biographical preface and copious illustrative notes, having been submitted to the Historical Manuscript Commission, by Mr. H. D. Skrine, of Claverton Manor, Somerset, the Commissioners decided so far to avail themselves of Mr. Wilson’s labours as to print amongst their Reports his translation of these letters. The latter have never before been published and they show how English affairs were regarded by an intelligent resident foreigner at the com--mencement of the reign of King Charles the First. In 1859 the originals of these despatches, together with the rest of the official correspondence of Signor Salvetti and his son, were copied from the Medicean Archives for the Trustees of the British Museum, and the transcripts then made are frequently consulted for the light which they throw on the history of the period that they cover.#
Amerigo Salvetti (or, more correctly, Alessandro Antelminelli) was •born about 1572 and came of a noble family of Lucca. Iu 1596, whilst he was engaged in business in Antwerp, his father and his three brothers were first tortured and then executed on a charge of high treason against the Republic of Lucca. Alessandro was at the same time summoned home by the Magistrates of Lucca to stand his trial for his ¿alleged participation in the conspiracy of his relatives, but before his .arrival he was condemned to death. A price was also set upon his head and assassins were hired to kill him. He learnt these facts whilst on his way to Lucca, to answer the charges brought against him, and then turned aside to Florence. After a brief stay at Florence he fled to London, which, however, he soon left, finding his life in danger from the emissaries of Lucca. In 1599 he took the name of Amerigo Salvetti, giving himself out to be a Florentine, and he travelled on the continent for a few years; but wherever he went he was pursued by agents of the government of Lucca seeking to kill him. For some time he travelled with Sir Hemy Wotton aud a son of Sir Edward Wotton, but this intimacy, as the Archives of Lucca prove, did not prevent Sir Henry Wotton plotting in 1607 to give him up to the Magistrates of Lucca in exchange for a Captain Robert Elliot whom King James the First was anxious to get into his power. Ferdinand Grand Duke of Tuscany frustrated Wotton’s plot, and sent Elliot out of danger under a strong •escort. Salvetti then came to London, where he resided for the rest of
* These transcripts are preserved in the British Museum Library under the press-mark Add. MSS. No. 27962.
XJ 23533. Wt. 6696,	±MSS. 03?
H* D. Skeinb, Esq,
2	HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
his life; and in 1616 he was appointed, by Cosmo de’ Medici, the Tuscan Resident at the Court of Whitehall.
The attempts of the government of Lucca to procure the assassination of Salvetti were repeatedly renewed for many years, and lasted at least until 1627, as is shown by letters preserved in the Archives of Lucca, translations of many of which are printed in the second part of this report. In 1620 a certain Michele Balbani, who had undertaken to-procure the assassination of Salvetti, writes to Lucca that he had found willing agents for that purpose but that, one after another, they all excused themselves from making the attempt in London “ where every citizen was a policeman.”
The story of Salvetti’s life is set out in detail in a privately printed pamphlet by the Cavaliere Salvatore Bongi, Keeper of the Archives of Lucca. Salvetti continued to act as the Tuscan representative at th e English Court until his death in London, at the age of 85, on the 2nd of July .1657, and lies bulled under the chancel of St. Bartholomew’s Church. His son, Giovanni Salvetti Antelminelli, was appointed to succeed him, as Tuscan Resident at the Court of Whitehall, and held that post until the commencement of the year 1679.
LI. Babe Tomkins.
I. Despatches from the Tuscan Resident at the Court of Whitehall to His Serene Highness the Grand Duke at Florence.
London, 11th April 1625.
The news of the death of King James must have been known in Florence long before this despatch can arrive there. A special courier was immediately sent by the Venetian Ambassadors to make the occurrence known to their Republic. I took the opportunity of sending a short letter to the Tuscan Resident at Milan—Signor Buondelmonte— and it was consigned by the Ambassadors to their courier with instructions to deliver it. I hope that he has done so, and that the Resident, as I requested, forwarded the intelligence to you.
The good King died on Sunday the sixth of this month about noon * to the great sorrow of the courtiers and especially of the Scotch, who, with this bereavement, have lost their chief support. His Majesty desired to partake of his communion at the hands of the Bishop of Lincoln, Keeper of the Great Seal, and he made in the Lord Keeper’s presence, and that of other Bishops, a public confession and affirmation of his faith, declaring that it had always been Protestant without any mixture of Roman Catholicism as had been imputed to him by some persons. He added that if it had been needful he would have considered it happiness had he been called upon to suffer martyrdom for the maintenance and increase of his faith. On the following Saturday morning the King lost the power of speech, and, although he made several efforts to address the Prince and members of the Privy Council who were present, he was unable to utter a single word which could he understood. It is said that the day before—that is, on Friday—he gave the Prince a paper, written by his own hand, containing various statements ; but of the truth of this there is no information on which we can depend.
With the death of the King the authority of all the Crown officials terminated. Consequently the Dignitaries of the kingdom who were
King James died on the 27th March 1625, old style.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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present'presented themselves in a body to the Prince, and, having condoled with him on the death of his Father, they besought his permis-sion to assemble together for consultation in this crisis on what might be most expedient for his service. They held a Council and resolved to proclaim the Prince King without loss of time. The proclamation was read in front of Theobalds, the Eoyal mansion—where His late Majesty expired—declaring him King of England, France, Scotland and Ireland, and Defender of the Faith. This done they proceeded to London, where, accompanied by the Magistrates of the City, who were on horseback, they again proclaimed King Charles in various places with the customary ceremonies and with all his titles. The people listened with evident appearances of satisfaction.
On the same evening the new King drove to London in his carriage, accomj>anied by the Duke of Buckingham, and went to reside in his, usual abode till such time as the Eoyal palace could be prepared and the rooms hung with black cloth.
All the nobility in London or its neighbourhood were received by His Majesty, and kissed his hand. Plis demeanou'r was calm and his manner gracious.
The Duke of Buckingham, although deeply grieved by the loss of the late King his everdiberal master, may feel assured that the countenance and favour of the new King will be extended to him to a greater degree if it be possible. This is already shown by the most transparent evidence. He is with Plis Majesty all day, he sleeps in a room coutiguous to the Eoyal chamber, he has been confirmed in all his offices which are numerous and of the highest importance, and he has also been made Gentleman of the Bedchamber, and has received the Golden Key, the emblem of his office, so that he can, whenever he pleases and at any hour, enter that chamber as well as any other part of the palace occupied by His Majesty. In fine, nothing is done without him.
The first act of King Charles has been to confirm all the Members of his father’s Privy Council in their offices, and on Monday last they took the usual oaths, with the exception of Lord Baltimore, Secretary of State, who remarked to Plis Majesty that, as every one knew him to be a Catholic, he could not now serve him in the same high office without exciting jealousy in others, nor was he willing to take an oath so wounding to his religious feelings. It is said that His Majesty replied i£ that it was much better thus to state his opinions, rather than to retain his office by equivocation, as some did,” which the King could not approve. In like manner all the former officers of the Court, all the Governors of Provinces, Judges, and others who administer justice, have been confirmed in their posts by Eoyal proclamation. Some have been reappointed by returning to them their seals of office, or their official keys or rods, or other emblems of their positions, all of which had been placed in the hands of His Majesty on the death of King James.
Orders have been given to reappoint all the Ambassadors, Agents and Commissioners, employed abroad, and to send them new credentials. The same steps are to be taken by foreign Princes with respect to their representatives in England wffio are only recognised as private persons till this is done.
Hew Commissions have been issued to the Viceroy of Ireland and the Lord High Chancellor of Scotland for the good government of these realms.
The servants of His Majesty whilst he was Prince were discharged on Monday last, as he would not make any change in the household of his father, and those who served him whilst Prince will be employed
A 2
MSS. or D. SkeiXB, Esq.4
HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
H x?” skri^e °^erwise, or will be provided for in some way, or will be rewarded Esq. 3 according to the nature of the offices which they held.
The body of His late Majesty is to be brought from Theobalds to London on Monday next, and will be accompanied by all the nobility at present residing in the vicinity, their presence having been commanded with their carriages and servants all of whom are to be in mourning.
The Royal corpse will be deposited in the palace known as Denmark House, so called by the late Queen, wife of King James, and it will remain there till the period of the obsequies, which it is believed will take place a month hence with all that magnificence which is usual with English Kings, and which indeed is wonderful. The cost will be at least two hundred thousand crowns in gold.
It is calculated that King James died in the sixtieth year of his age, after a reign of fifty-eight years and eight months over Scotland.* The King was happily endowed with moral virtues and with literary tastes. He was pacific by nature., which many called timidity, as well as lenient, and averse to the shedding of blood.
Wise government by the new King may be anticipated. There is nothing to fear except a rupture with Spain, caused by the abiding feeling of displeasure with which he remembers the provocation which he received when he visited that country to marry the Infanta. There are already symptoms of the coming quarrel.
His Majesty two days ago gave orders to expedite as much as possible the preparation of a naval armament, which will be one of the greatest and most powerful which ever issued from the ports of this kingdom. He also gave instructions for the reinforcement and payment of the English soldiers under Mansfeldt, and under other officers in the service of the Dutch, These proceedings are sufficiently significant.
There can be no doubt that the death of King James must delay the mai'riage of King Charles for some time, for the conditions drawn up and agreed to were in the name of the late-King. It will therefore be necessary to re-open negotiations. As, however, the general conditions are established both sides may come to a prompt agreement.
The Duke of Buckingham has recalled his magnificent carriages and horses, which he sent last week to Dover, for conveyance to France, to wait for him at St. Denis, near Paris. The general opinion now is, that he will not go to the Court of His Most Christian Majesty to act as proxy for King Charles in the approaching marriage ceremony, but that His Majesty’s procuration will be sent to whatever personage His Most Christian Majesty may select. The prevalent idea is that he will nominate Monsieur his brother.
The French ought immediately to send an Ambassador with the usual condolences and congratulations, to whom they may at the same time give the requisite powers to arrange with the King as to the terms of the settlements which were before agreed upon between the Secretary Monsieur La Ville-aux-Clercs and His late Majesty.
‘ With regard to the affairs of the Catholics nothing can be predicted at present with any certainty. For them the worst omen is the wish of His Majesty to assemble Parliament on the 27th of May next, for it is certain to be hostile to them and to their religion.
Sir Humphrey May, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and a Minister of the Crown, was appointed a member of the Star Chamber yesterday, and Sir Edward Conway, Secretary of State, was made a Peer.
* King James the Eirst died in his fifty-eighth year, having reigned over Scotland fifty-seven years eight months and five days. [H.B.T.]HISTOKICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
5
Every one turns his eyes towards the new sun and with listening ears MSS. oe seeks to penetrate His Majesty’s intentions, which all alike believe to H' mean war.	—
London, 18th April 1625.
As I have remarked in a former dispatch, it is very desirable that France should reconstitute the Embassy here without delay, and should send another Ambassador with full credentials to renew and complete the negotiations regarding the Royal marriage.
It is not likely that any difficulties will present themselves if the two Kings adhere to the settlement arranged with His late Majesty, and provided that no new suggestions are made with reference to the position of the Roman Catholic subjects of this country.
Any further interference with that argument might easily lead to-unforeseen collision with perilous rocks, the situation of which is unknown since the death of the late King, whose temperate disposition led him to modify the operations of the penal laws against the Catholics. Whether it be from the impending opening of Parliament, to which His Majesty would not willingly give any reasons for dissatisfaction, or whether it be from any other motives, it is perfectly clear to all that, if the King is too much pressed by the French on any question touching the religion of the people, difficulties may be at once created in the principal subject of negotiation ; especially after the promise, which he made when Prince, that on the occasion of his marriage he would not yield on this topic.
Undoubtedly there will be danger if the marriage settlements cannot be completed before the meeting of Parliament on the 17 th of May next, for a debate on religion might be raised with disastrous consequences. It would certainly be connected with the grants of money for the promotion of political schemes, and this might lead to a compromise on the religious question, to induce Parliament to vote supplies, which might be full of peril to the Roman Catholics.*
Yesterday the writs for the election of Members of Parliament were dispatched to all parts of the kingdom. It is set forth that the elections are to be conducted in conformity with law and usage. Notwithstanding this declaration, it appears that the Puritanical faction is already exciting tumults that they may make sure of a majority. Another section of the voters are adherents of the Anglican Church, but they are a minority. As to the Catholics they are almost entirely excluded as they are from all government employment.
On Saturday last Sir G-eorge G-oring returned from France, having, it is said, adjusted the question of the suite which Madame will bring with her to England.
Owing to the death of King James it has again become necessary to consult the wishes of His Most Christian Majesty, and on this side new documents are prepared, confirmatory of what had been already agreed upon, together with some additions considered necessary before the negotiations can be said to be complete.
It is now quite certain that the Duke of Buckingham is not to stand proxy for Plis Majesty at the ceremony of the approaching marriage, but it is said that a procuration will be sent to enable His Serene Highness the Duke de Chevreuse to act in that capacity, the Prince being a relative of the future Queen of England.
* This is a remarkable statement on the part of Salvetti, showing his insight into the condition of public opinion, and his just estimate of what would be likely to happen. His prophecy was verified.6
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MSS. of The resident Ambassador o£ His Most Christian Majesty, and, following ‘ Es^IKEi his example, the Venetian Ambassador, have paid their respects to the -—	new King, but in their capacities as private persons only their new
credentials not having arrived. Both were dressed in mourning, as are all the foreign political Agents to this Court.
The body of the defunct King was brought on Monday last from Theobalds to London, at about three o’clock in the morning, and it was accompanied by all the Court, and by numbers of the nobility at present resident in the neighbourhood, all being dressed in mourning. It was conveyed to Denmark House, where it will remain, and will be guarded day and night by the late King’s Courtiers. No doubt the chamber where the body lies in state will be visited by crowds of the people till the eighteenth of May, the day fixed for the Royal obsequies, after which the coronation of King Charles will take place as soon as possible; and who knows but that we may have the Queen here also, to take her part in this great ceremony with its enormous cost of thousands of pounds sterling and its other troubles.
A member of the Court will be dispatched by His Majesty to-morrow to the Hague, to visit on his part his sister the Princess Palatine, to communicate to her in a formal manner the death of their father, and to assure her of her Royal brother’s affection. The messenger will present her with ten thousand crowns and enough black cloth to dress in mourning, herself, the Prince her husband, their children, and all their household.
The Duke of Buckingham is somewhat indisposed; he continues to hold all his offices, is in the greatest favour with the King, and consequently is more powerful than ever.
Sir Walter Aston, Ambassador to His Catholic Majesty, arrived a few days ago from Spain. If King James had been alive, His Excellency would have returned in due time to his post; hut, owing to the great change in policy which has taken place, he will not. He has consequently sent for his family and suite, all of whom he had left in Spain. If any representative is sent to the Spanish Court, it will be some one of less rank. In all probability the Secretary of Sir Walter Aston will be appointed.
Plague has broken out in Lincoln, and twelve persons died this week; but I believe that those who have charge of the returns conceal the real numbers as much as possible, and that the number of deaths has been in reality more numerous.
London, 25th April 1625.
Now that all the despatches to foreign countries have been completed on the part of the Court here, announcing the death of King James and the succession to the Crown of his son King Charles, and that new , credentials have been given to Ambassadors and Representatives abroad, His Majesty has found time to attend to the organization of his Court and Household, showing himself in all things so strict that already a great change is observable. Dignity, respectful demeanour, and regularity, are insisted upon; from which every one may readily conjecture how much weight His Majesty will attach to deference and obedience in matters of serious importance. The King has made it known that whoever may have business with him must never approach him by indirect ways, by back stairs or private doors leading to his apartments, nor by means of retainers or grooms of the Chambers, as was done in the lifetime of his father, but by the public rooms and approaches and on days of the week set apart for receptions. His Majesty will not permit Nobles or Members of the Privy Council to enter the gallery or privateHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
7
apartments without being summoned, as they have been in the habit of mss. or doing during the last reign. Every one is to take his place in the ante- H- ^g3?13*2, chambers according to his rank, as was the usage in the time of Queen	—*
Elizabeth.
It is obvious that His Majesty will insist on being obeyed. The industry of the King is observable in the manner in which he attends to the business of each day; above all, the ardour with which he hastens the outfit of the naval armament. He has lately given orders, with every necessary strictness, for provisioning and arming the ships of the fleet for a longer period than was at first determined—and at the same time for sheathing all the vessels, so that they may be able to keep the sea for a considerable period without being ‘ worm eaten. All these preparations indicate that voyages of some duration and of an important description are in contemplation.
The selection of two commanders, one for the sea and the other for the land forces, is under consideration ; and although the Duke of Buckingham, as Lord High Admiral of England and Ireland, without doubt ought to be placed in command at sea—which His Excellency earnestly desires—his indifferent health, and probably his unwillingness to sepa« rate himself from the person of the King—although that motive is not spoken of—must for the present prevent such a voyage.
The din of preparation is heard, but where is the thunderbolt to fall ?
The Spaniards no doubt have the greatest cause for suspicion, were there no other reasons than the common and daily talk of the people.
To this may be added the feelings of the new King, significant of the displeasure excited by his treatment in Spain on the occasion of his visit there. It is intended to raise ten thousand soldiers and six thousand sailors; that is, to press or compel them to serve, according to the Royal prerogative which in this country enables Kings to force their subjects to serve and to man such armaments.
It is also proposed to raise more troops to reinforce the four regiments which are maintained at the expense of this country in the service of the Dutch, and to fill up the ranks under Mansfeldt; but till such time as Parliament meets, to provide [subsidies for these and other expenses .the government of the King must get on badly with so many undertakings in hand. For—reckoning the expenses of the funeral of King James, of the coronation of King Charles, the outlay for his public entry into the City, his marriage, together with the maintenance of so many Frenchmen who will come in the suite of the [Royal bride, and lastly, the allowances for the receptions of so many Ambassadors Extraordinary, who will arrive from various countries to offer condolences and congratulations—at least three hundred thousand pounds will be required, without counting the cost of the Navy and of the troops in Holland which will he very great. Such however is the popularity of a war with Spain that it is believed that Parliament will willingly provide money.
It is said that, since the death of King James, Mansfeldt will be free to do all in his power to damage the Spaniards; the commission which prevented him doing so has expired and it has not been renewed, at all events, with similar conditions.
It is reported that the Dutch, under the command of Henry of [Nassau brother of the Prince of Orange, are ready to take the field with fifty thousand cavalry, and are to make an effort to succour Breda, so that we may soon expect to hear an account of a great battle. If the Spaniards know how, or are able to resist attacks on so many sides, they will indeed prove themselves to be brave men; but it is doubted here whether they can possibly resist, however brave they may be.8
HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
MSS. OP H. D. Skbine, Esq.
With respect to the alliance with France, it is pushed on all sides. It is consequently eagerly desired here that the espousals should take place before the meeting of Parliament. By the last intelligence received from the Court of His Most Christian Majesty, from the Secretary of one of the English Ambassadors, we learn that the French King has resolved to complete the negotiations without waiting for the Pope’s dispensation, and that he will not ask for any security for the treatment of the Catholics, but will trust to the word of His Majesty. Such is the prevalent belief here. There is naturally great apprehension on the part of those most interested, who hoped at least for as much indulgence under this King as under his predecessor.
A copy of the procuration to be signed by His Majesty, with reference-to his marriage, has been forwarded to Paris, and when these Frenchmen are satisfied with the form, the completed and authentic deed will be dispatched. It is understood that the draft has been returned with some trifling alterations, which, not to make difficulties, His Majesty has ordered to be copied, sealed with the G-reat Seal, and sent back.
Whether the Duke de Chevreuse is to act as proxy for His Majesty at the marriage ceremony, or the brother of His Most Christian Majesty, not a soul knows; but we must have accurate intelligence in a short time, more particularly with regard to the performance of the marriage ceremony.
It is apparent however that, as it is necessary to sign on both sides, some one must be sent from France with authority to do so here.
Sir Robert Anstruther, a Scotsman, has returned from his mission to-the Kings of Denmark and Sweden, having been sent to invite them to assist the cause of the Prince Palatine. He brings news that Denmark is ready to take the field with about thirty thousand men, and that Sweden would be ready also with troops. This is not entirely believed; for it is known that however rich one of these powers may be it is ton fond of money, whilst the other possesses too little.
The plague is increasing in London, and this week twenty-four deaths have been recorded. Ten parishes, of the entire one hundred and twenty-one, are infected. The disease has also appeared at Dover, a seaport. May it please Grod that it go no further!
The Ambassador of His Most Christian Majesty shows the copy of a letter from the Duke of Savoy, describing an action in the Genoese State with notable loss to the Genoese. Aid has been sent from Milan. Finally it is said that Genoa is in a dangerous position; but this is believed only by those who wish to believe it.
London, 2nd May 1625.
These Englishmen being all engaged with their Paschal observances, and attending to almost nothing but preaching and other similar devotional exercises, there is little to tell you by this post.*
Sir G-eorge G-oring has been again sent to the Most Christian Court, to visit Her Serene Highness Madame in the name of His Majesty, who had heard that she was indisposed with fever. He was also the bearer of procurations signed by the King ; so that in virtue either of the one or the other the marriage ceremony might be completed, His Majesty being represented either by the brother of His Most Christian Majesty,
* In 1625 the Church of Rome celebrated Easter on March	whilst the
30th
Church of England celebrated it on April	These despatches are dated
throughout by New Style. [H. R. T.]HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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or by the Prince de Joinville, Duke de Chevreuse, leaving the choice exclusively to the French King. The resolution to send two pro-curations was taken in consequence of remarks made in France and here as to the fitness or unfitness of the Duke de Chevreuse, who was selected as the King's proxy after the death of King James, and as to the withdrawal of the Duke of Buckingham. The settlement of the negotiations regarding the marriage must now be near, expedited as it has been on all sides. It is agreed that there is no need of further ratification on the part of King Charles; that which he agreed and swore to when Prince, in association with the King his father, is sufficient. ISTeither the absence of the dispensation from the Pope nor any other Jhing can now prevent the prompt performance of the ceremony of marriage on Sunday next the fourth of this month; so that we may be permitted to hope that the new Queen will arrive here and be crowned with her husband, thus saving many thousand pounds sterling of expense.
In the meanwhile we await the arrival of the Ambassador Extraordinary from France with the usual compliments of condolence and congratulation. The preparations for the reception of the most Serene Bride are in progress, so that all may be done with the requisite magnificence provided that the unhappy spread of the plague does not make it necessary to receive her with less pomp in some other part of the kingdom.
Owing to the expedition with which communications were made to foreign Courts, notifying the death of King James and the succession of His present Majesty, I learn that the messenger who visited Spain with that object carried with him a statement that the Conde de Gondemar might enter this country without hindrance, as he did on former occasions, the King having a wish to hear him. But there is not the smallest hope that his proposals can produce any good effect; first, because of the slight belief which will be accorded to him, and secondly by reason of the aversion which is now more than ever observable, on the part of the King as well as of his people, towards the Spaniards; to which may be added tbe numerous and unfavourable political circumstances which at the present moment affect Spain. The English hope that with their immense fleet they may do at least as much as the French and Savoyards have done—They have no small pleasure in forecasting a great success this year and also in hearing of the favourable progress made in the Genoese territory, whilst they entertain an undoubting belief that after Genoa is taken the Milanese must also submit to the victorious arms of France and Savoy.
Orders have just been given to send reinforcements from the western parts of England to Ireland of two thousand five hundred men, provided with ammunition—orders which were immediately obeyed. We have just learnt that in the passage three hundred soldiers and some horses have been lost, as well as all the ammunition which was considerable in quantity and value. The City of London is in treaty with His Majesty to supply him with a loan of sixty thousand pounds, for which he offers as security certain estates of the Crown. The transaction is not yet completed, but it is well known that the citizens cannot do less than advance the money which is only to be considered a loan.
Every effort is made to hasten the preparations for the funeral of the late King, that it may take place on the twentieth of the month. It has not been possible to perform it sooner, so great a quantity of black cloth being required to dress so many people and it has been found necessary to dye an infinite supply. It is whispered at Court that the whole of the Catholic Nobility will be excluded from the ceremony, and
MSS. or D. Skeine, Esq.10
HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
MSS. ov consequently from receiving like others a gift of black cloth for them-* Es^1^3 selves and servants. Should this turn out to be true, then, besides the — insult so publicly given, it will be held to be a bad omen for all who profess that religion ,* and they are already beyond measure alarmed, especially as they see that His Majesty is very zealous and punctual in the observance of his professed religion, which means that, unless the new Queen and her French Court help and sustain their cause, they may calculate that they have seen the last of their fortunate days.
His Majesty, accompanied by the Duke of Buckingham, went privately by the Thames to see a considerable portion of the ships of war which are in the river. Orders have been given to repair, provision, and arm, ten others; so that there will be in all one hundred. The instructions are that they are to be got ready with the utmost expedition. What is to be done with this great force it has been as yet impossible to penetrate. The Spaniards are very suspicious, and not without reason ; for certainly the explosion will burst on that side, notwithstanding that many, and especially the officers, say that the Mediterranean is the destination of the fleet. The King has selected flve Members of his Privy Council to unite the two Courts, his late father’s and his own. It is also arranged that the Duke of Buckingham is to be Lord High Treasurer, the Earl of Pembroke Chamberlain, Lord Brooke and the Lord Conway Secretaries of State.* These are His Majesty’s select confidants, who are to settle the most important affairs of State with the King, which seriously mortifies other Members of the Privy Council.
It is reported that there have been twenty-five deaths from plague, and that eleven parishes are affected.
London, 9th May 1625.
Whilst we waited anxiously to hear from France, during the course of this week, that the ceremony of marriage took place on Sunday last, the fourth instant, news arrived that it had been deferred to the eleventh, that is Sunday next, because some difference of opinion had arisen in the French Court as to the proxy of His Britannic Majesty, and it has been thought necessary yet once more to ascertain his precise wishes. An answer was instantly dispatched by express courier ; but whether it contains any choice, either of the brother of the French King or of the Duke de Chevreuse, I have not been able to discover.
I am aware that on this side the last is preferred, because he had been first named, and had consequently made a considerable outlay in preparation; also because he is a relative and confidential friend of His Majesty, whilst he enjoys the reputation here of having on all occasions befriended the Huguenots.
It is very possible that the French King may enter as a third party, in his desire to obviate dissatisfaction in his own Court, and it is possible that by this last courier he has received a third procuration. Whatever the case may be, we are assured that on Sunday next the marriage ceremony certainly will take place, and that on the following Tuesday there are to be entertainments, and a great festivity, with dancing and other amusements. On Thursday the Eoyal Bride will commence her journey to Boulogne-on-the- Sea, to which port the Duke of Buckingham, as Grand Admiral of the Kingdom, will proceed with a fleet of ships to receive Her Majesty, and to conduct her to Dover
* Salvetti appears to allude here to the formation of a Committee of the Privy Conncil to advise the King on foreign affairs. Perhaps from accident he omits the name of Ley, whovras one of the members.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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where she will be met by the King and by selected ladies of the English Court who have been commanded to be there at the time of her arrival.
Such being the arrangement, they are making every effort to complete the necessary preparations on this side. The funeral of the late King will be hastened and will be celebrated on. the fifteenth, instead of on the twentieth of the month, as at first determined, which will be precisely the day on which Queen Henrietta Maria is to leave Paris for England.
On Saturday the seventeenth the King will proceed to Dover to await the landing of the Queen, and it is generally believed will there consummate the marriage, and thence conduct Her Majesty to London where they will be crowned together.
Should the plague increase, and consequently retard this magnificent fête, it will then, in that case, be regulated according to the exigencies of the time. It is enough to know that we may see our new Queen here in about twenty days, accompanied by a large suite of French Clergy and attendants. Kooms are being prepared in the palace for Her Majesty and suite, but as yet there are no signs of a chapel.
It is reported at Court that His Majesty has received letters of credit for four hundred thousand crowns of gold, being one half of the amount of the stipulated portion of the Queen. This money arrives very opportunely, so great are the causes of expenditure at the present moment.
Eight ships of war are to be lent to the Most Christian King, and are nearly ready to sail. They are fine vessels, and are well provisioned. They will cost about four thousand pounds a month. The French Ambassador made this agreement with the contractors who provide everything necessary for the crews. These are to be Frenchmen, but the officers are to be Englishmen ; and if it turns out that the ships are to be used against Kochelle and Protestants I believe that they will find the English officers indisposed to lead any such attack.
We have here at present a certain Chiaus whom the English Ambassador at Constantinople sent to Algiers to effect a peaceful agreement between these corsairs and British merchants. This he has succeeded in doing, and has since come to London to obtain the ratification of the agreement, as well as the recompense which such people usually expect—like mendicants everywhere—and which will be granted him by the Company of Merchants who trade with Turkey. All his expenses here will be paid. Pie brought with him two very beautiful Barb horses and a mare which he has presented to the King. He is not provided with letters, except from the English Consul at .Algiers directed to the Company of Merchants in London.
Twenty-six people died of plague in London this week, and nine parishes are infected.
London, 16th May 1625.
We received by express courier, on Wednesday last, news of the espousal of Madame of France to our King, the ceremony having taken place on Sunday the 11th* of this month, at one o’clock at night, from deference to I know not what precedent amongst French Princes.
On the night of the arrival of the news, bonfires were lighted, hells were rung, and there were other indications of public joy expressive of. the general satisfaction with which the marriage is regarded. The
* The marriage was celebrated by proxy on the first of May in front of the great west door of Notre Dame, Paris.12
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H OP on^ w*s^ exPresse<^ was	effect that it was a pity it was not
E8™' solemnized in the morning according to the custom of the Anglican — Protestant Church.
To-morrow the funeral of King James will he performed, and on the twenty-first, which will be Wednesday next, His Majesty will proceed to Dover, to receive his Royal Bride, accompanied by a number of ladies and gentlemen whose attendance has been commanded for the service of the new Queen,
It is said to be the King’s intention to complete the marriage rites at Dover, and afterwards to proceed to his Royal residence at Greenwich, which is bn the road between Dover and London, where the whole of the Court and almost all the nobility will assemble; it being the King’s wish to celebrate the nuptials with fetes and hospitable entertainment of the .French who will accompany the Queen.
The Duke of Buckingham goes with His Majesty to Dover to embark there with a numerous suite for Boulogne, where he will receive Her Majesty and conduct her to England. There is a prevalent rumour that the King, who is desirous of honouring his Royal Bride to the utmost, hearing that the Queen Mother wishes to consign her daughter personally to him, as well as to see and converse with him, and that His Most Christian Majesty does not intend to accompany his sister farther than Amiens, will embark on one of his own ships and go to Boulogne to receive his Queen, and to hold an interview with the Queen Mother.
Such is the talk of the Court, and many are inclined to believe that the King, who is young and courageous, may thus show his regard for the French, as he did when he was Prince for the Spaniards, by placing himself in their hands. But there is no certainty of this. It seems to me to be a result of the indiscreet fancies of the Courtiers. Ko doubt we shall get at the facts hereafter.
In the confident belief of His Majesty.that the negotiations for his marriage would be completed on Sunday last, he on the same day gratified his personal feelings by a first act of favour and clemency towards his Catholic subjects; for he appended his signature to five mandates, submitted to him by the Ambassador of His Most Christian Majesty, which are to be sealed with the Great Seal and thereafter enforced, if not immediately from deference to Parliament, at all events soon after its first session.
This Royal act has greatly comforted these unfortunates, who, if not totally without hope, yet have been greatly alarmed. They now have some confidence that the King, notwithstanding his zeal and great partiality for his religion and its professors, will punctually observe all which he has promised, especially if France from time to time refreshes his memory.
The five ordinances are as follows First, that Lord Conway, First Secretary of State, has authority to publish generally and to every one the desire of His Majesty that all shall desist from molesting Catholics on account of their religion.
The second and third. That letters shall be directed to the two Metropolitan Archbishops of Canterbury and of York commanding them to abstain from any proceedings whatsoever against the Catholics, as also that they are no longer to inflict fines upon them for refusing to attend Protestant churches on Sunday.
Fourthly. That the Lord High Treasurer of the kingdom be instructed to restore to the said Catholics all the written obligations to pay money which he has received since the feast of St. John till the present time, and he is ordered not to receive any more till the nextHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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coming feast of St. John, giving discharge and quittance for the said period, as if they had actually paid the money hitherto either collected or to be collected in virtue of any or whatsoever Parliamentary statute or other law. The fifth and last ordinance is an express instruction to the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal commanding him to intimate the will of the King to all Judges, Treasurers, Justices of the Peace, and equally to all in office, whether temporal or spiritual, to refrain from molesting the Catholics on account of their religion; and that, should any complain of being so molested, measures shall be adopted for their protection.
The Catholics are assured by the Most Christian Ambassador that His Majesty, equally of his good will, will include them in the general pardon which English Kings always grant their subjects on the day of coronation; by which they will be exempted from the action of the infinity of penal laws against them, even should they remain for any reason whatsoever contumacious till that day.
As it has not Km possible to cash the bills of exchange for four hundred thousand crowns, the half of the Queen’s marriage portion, in London, they have been returned to the merchant in Paris who undertook the payment. He has been requested to provide and transmit the money to Calais in Spanish doubloons. At Calais it will be taken on board by one of His Majesty’s ships to be brought safely to England.
A fortnight hence the eight ships of war borrowed by the French Ambassador, which are to include a Galleon the property of His Majesty, will be ready to sail. It is hoped here that His Most Christian Majesty, having important foreign affairs to attend to, may therefore come to an accommodation with his Huguenot subjects, so that he will not use these ships against them, but to assist his projects against the Genoese and the Spaniards, as the English so greatly wish.
On Tuesday an Ambassador Extraordinary arrived from France, with messages of condolence and also of congratulation to His Majesty. His Excellency has been welcomed with the ceremonies usual on such occasions, and is lodged at the public expense in the palace assigned to the Embassy.
The Ambassador was presented to the King on Wednesday, being the first public audience which he has held since the death of his father, and he was most graciously received, the interview being of a very-satisfactory character on both sides. At an appointed hour both the French Ambassadors returned privately to the palace, by the river, and were met at the landing stairs by the Duke of Buckingham who conveyed them to His Majesty’s presence where they remained in intimate conference for about an hour, and similar visits have been repeated every day.
The preparation of the naval armament proceeds actively, and I believe that next week they will begin to press men to serve on board as soldiers and sailors. The Duke of Buckingham still speaks of going in command of the fleet, but few believe that he will do so. It is rather thought that it will be sent to sea in the name of the Prince Palatine, and under his command, with the object of inflicting injury on the Spaniards without an open declaration of war. These statements can have but little foundation in facr.
MSS. or H. D. Skrixe, Esq.
Many triumphal arches and other decorations are being provided in the City for the public entrance of Their Majesties, but this ceremony, together with the coronation, has been postponed till the end of the month of September; consequently the citizen's have relaxed their preparations.14
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MSS. os The City has paid the sum of sixty thousand pounds, borrowed by H, D. SKRms, piis Majesty on certain securities, which will serve till such time as —*	Parliament provides a larger sum for the various pecuniary demands of
daily occurrence.
The plague unhappily increases. Thirty persons died this week; but the people have not yet taken alarm, and no one has left the City.
London, 23rd May 1625.
The funeral of King James took place on Saturday last in the presence of his son King Charles, and of all the Nobility and officials of the realm to the number of five thousand, all dressed in mourning at the Royal expense. I transmit in a separate despatch, as His Serene. Highness will observe, an ample and detailed description of the funeral ceremony.
Both the French Ambassadors attended till the effigy of the late King was deposited under the canopy in the choir of Westminster Abbey, after which, making their reverence to King Charles, they retired from the church. The Venetian Ambassador also received the necessary supply of black cloth from Court, but his Excellency, not having been informed—as he asserts—that the French Ambassadors intended to take part, and not wishing to be the only Ambassador present, did not attend. He was at the Duchess of Richmond’s, observing the procession, from a window, and when he saw the French Ambassadors and their suites he was greatly surprised and mortified. No sooner was the funeral over than he complained in person to the Lord Chamberlain, who replied that the Master of Ceremonies had orders to invite him, and to afford him the necessary information for his guidance, that he had done so to the French Ambassadors, and the Chamberlain could not understand why His Excellency had not been treated in the same manner. Dissatisfied with this answer, the Ambassador requested an audience of the King, and laid his complaint before His Majesty, requesting that the functionary should be publicly censured, and stating that otherwise he must communicate with the Republic.
It appears that, to patch up this question to His Excellency’s satisfaction, the flood of his wrath must be poured out upon the head of the Master of Ceremonies, whose defence however has not yet been heard.-
At Court there is a secret belief that the absence of the Venetian was the result of a French stratagem, the Ambassadors having given out that they did not mean to attend, knowing that, if they did not do so the Venetian would not. On the day of the funeral they proceeded privately to the palace where the procession was to commence, and, whatever their motive, they gave no hint of their intention to the Master of Ceremonies, nor to the Venetian Ambassador whom they saw and conversed with on various occasions.
Sir G-eorge Goring returned from France on Saturday with intelligence that the Queen would leave Paris for England on the twenty-second current. His Majesty will go to Dover on the twenty-sixth, but, from deference to the wishes of the Queen who desires to repose after her sea voyage, he will not receive her on her disembarkation. It is probable therefore that the King will stop at Canterbury ; although I do not believe that he will be so phlegmatic as to remain there beyond the day of the Queen’s landing, but [I suppose] that he will go to Dover to meet her on the following day.
With regard to the prevalent belief that His Majesty would go to Boulogne, it has now cooled down. The sudden dispatch of the Duke of Buckingham to France, accompanied by the Earl of Montgomery, Sir Albertus Morton, Sir George Goring, and servants, concentratesHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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attention. It is reported tliat the Duke is to proceed" to Amiens to mss. or receive and escort the Royal Bride, but the presence of two Secretaries of State, and the arrival of an express courier from the mission, show that	—’
there is matter of more importance than even the reception of the Queen. In a short time this matter will be cleared up.
The Earl of Rutland, father-in-law of the Duke, is to proceed with His Majesty’s ships to bring the Queen from Boulogne with her attendants, who are said to be two thousand in number.
The days for the public entrance of Their Majesties into London and for the Coronation are not yet fixed, nor whether these ceremonies should take place after the Queen’s arrival, or should be delayed to the month of October, as then they might be celebrated with more magnificence than is at present possible.
The eight ships of war for His Most Christian Majesty are now ready, and are waiting for a fair wind to leave the river.
The naval preparations make rapid progress, and His Majesty this week gave orders to press ten thousand sailors for the fleet. They are to Lu sent to Plymouth, and each man is to be provided with a great-coat of a military shape, all at the expense of the counties where the men are raised. The great-coats are to be consigned without fail in the month of June. Thus those who have persisted in believing that the warlike preparations have been a mere demonstration will find themselves mistaken. It may now be concluded that the fleet will be ready to put to sea at the end of June. It is true that the commanders are not yet appointed ; but this may be quickly done, especially if, as some say, they will select English veterans now serving in Holland.
The Duke of Buckingham still professes his willingness to go in person in command of the fleet, but few believe that he will do so ; whilst no one is able to penetrate the secret of the use that is to be made of this great force, for it is admirably kept. Every-day-talk on the part of numbers of people indicates Spain and its Colonies as the objects of attack, whilst some insist that the fleet will enter the Italian Sea, and go against Naples and Sicily. This does not sound probable, nor even that the expedition is to sail in that direction.
The French Ambassador Extraordinary had his audience of leave on Sunday, and on the following Wednesday he departed for France. The King presented him with a magnificent jewel, consisting of his portrait-set in diamonds on the lid of a box, and at the audience His Majesty took a diamond ring off his finger and gave it to His Excellency. The value of these jewels is eight thousand crowns in gold.
Lord Baltimore, with all his family, has gone to Ireland where he has large estates.
The plague increases in virulence. Forty-five persons died this week, and thirteen parishes are infected.
Account of the Funeral
of James First, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. The body of the King, as stated in a former dispatch, was transported from the Royal residence of Theobalds to London on the seventeenth of April last, and was deposited in the palace of the late Queen Anne, where it remained till the seventeenth of May, being watched daily with every mark of respect and ceremony, as during his lifetime, by the members of the Royal Household.. The rooms of the palace were hung from floor to ceiling with black cloth, and the bed chamber with black velvet.
The body, which was embalmed and placed in a leaden coffin, was deposited under the bier, and a figure, an excellent likeness of the late16
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King, lay on it dressed in the Royal costume and robes, with the Imperial crown upon its head, the sceptre in the right hand, and the globe in the left. At night the body was watched in turn by nobles, and other members of the Court, who relieved each other.
On each side of the bed there were three candlesticks of silver, of the value of one thousand five hundred crowns each, which the present King had ordered to be made in Spain. At night only were the wax torches lighted. Two days before the funeral the body was removed by a private stair and placed in another bier in the presence chamber, whilst the other, with its canopy, was moved into the guardroom. His Majesty, attended by the Court and Heralds, was present at the movement of the body.
The following was the order of the funeral procession which took place on the twelfth of May. The procession, commencing at Denmark House, was headed by four hundred poor men dressed in black their cloaks reaching the ground. These were followed by the servants of the nobles, knights, and gentlemen of the Court, dressed with long black cloaks and marching according to the order of precedence of their masters. After them came all the Ministers of the Chapel Royal in magnificent copes which had belonged to their Catholic predecessors. They sang I know not what hymns. Next came the Glen tie men, Knights, Barons, Bishops, Viscounts, Earls, Marquises, Dukes, and following these the Metropolitan of England the Archbishop of Canterbury, all dressed in long black robes with certain appropriate differences in the shapes distinctive of their ranks. Amongst the Gentlemen, Knights, and Nobles, marched the Aldermen of the City of London, and the Lord Mayor who was placed near the Royal body. After all these came the French Ambassadors with long black robes borne by twelve French gentlemen in attendance upon each, their trains being each five yards in length. Immediately after the Amabassadors certain Gentlemen of the Royal Household carried the late King’s sword, helmet, gauntlets, coat of mail and other armour, and the golden spurs; others bearing the arms of England, and some one thing and some another, in front of the bier. After all these came the effigy of the King, richly dressed and crowned and laid on the bier, which was supported on a funeral car open on all sides and covered with black velvet; the car being drawn by six horses, caparisoned in black velvet, with black feathers on their heads, and guided by two coachmen and twenty-four grooms who assisted at the car, all being dressed in black velvet; whilst on the car were two Gentlemen of the Royal Chamber dressed in black cloth, one placed at the head and the other at the feet of the effigy which they appeared to support. Around the car twelve knights supported a black velvet canopy, whilst certain Earls and other gentlemen bore the train of the Royal mantle. Immediately after the car His Majesty King Charles followed under a canopy of black cloth. He was dressed with a long black robe with a black hood, the train being borne by twelve sons of Nobles of the Court. On the King’s right hand was the Earl of Arundell, Earl Marshal of the Kingdom, and on his left the Earl of Rutland, both of whom supported His Majesty, and both were dressed in black robes with hoods. The Duke of Buckingham, as Master of the Horse, followed leading the Royal steed. The Duke was dressed like the others, the horse caparisoned in black velvet embroidered with silver and pearls. Twelve standards representing the Kingdoms and Dominions followed, carried by Knights, Viscounts and Earls, and accompanied by two Heralds and by horses caparisoned in black, being twelve horses, besides the Royal horse, six being covered with black cloth and six with velvet.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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In the church a sumptuous catafalque had been erected, covered with black velvet, embroidered with the arms of his Kingdoms and Dominions, on which the figure representing the late King was laid, his body having been buried during the night. The Bishop of Lincoln, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, preached a sermon in which he lauded the late King ; after which King Charles, going near a table where the high altar of the church had formerly stood, sat down on a seat prepared for him, where there passed before him the twelve standards and all the other emblems or things belonging to the late King his father, and then rising was conducted by the Heralds to make his offering of gold and silver, in a large silver basin, being followed by all the Nobility and others present according to their grades and resjDective dignities. These offerings were formerly given to the poor, but are now the property of the ministers of the church. The offerings being made the ceremonies ended with certain music and prayers, not however for the dead. The number of persons taking part in the ceremony was about five thousand, and the cost two hundred thousand crowns.
London, 30th May 1625.
On Tufsday last Parliament ought to have met, but, as His Majesty with a considerable portion of the nobility are about to start for Dover to receive the Queen, it has been again prorogued till the eleventh of June, it being believed that His Majesty, with his EoyaJ Bride, will then be in London. Should this not be so, Parliament will be again prorogued, for it is not wished that it should meet till the Queen is here.
I mentioned in my dispatch of last week the sudden journey of the Duke of Buckingham to France, which is still the subject of speculation. To ascertain the real meaning of his mission information must be obtained from tbe French, as here we can learn nothing. The fact that the Duke is accompanied by a Secretary of State leads me to believe that his embassy must be for the purpose of endeavouring to come to an understanding with reference to the treaty for the league which Prance would neither allow to precede nor to accompany that for the marriage. The treaty has been earnestly desired here. Its failure involves loss of credit, and there is an unwillingness to believe that some new difficulty has arisen to make so sudden an embassy needful.
The Venetian Ambassador has not yet received satisfaction on account of his not being present with the other Ambassadors at the funeral of the late King. Although His Majesty has promised to do him justice, and a gentleman, the Master of the Ceremonies, has been imprisoned as the culprit. His Excellency however does not consider this sufficient, and has written to his Bepublic to ask for instructions. He will not consent to take notice of the suggestion that the French Ambassadors have had some hand in the affair, which the Courtiers here believe.
The eight ships lent to the French King are now at anchor in the Downs, waiting for a favourable wind to sail for France.
The soldiers and sailors for the great fleet are being raised in the provinces, and are marching to Plymouth, a port, on the west side of this island, looking towards Spain. This will he the place d’armes, for the whole of the month of June, to which Colonel Ogle, a veteran from the army in Flanders, will be sent next week, to meet the troops and to take the command till two thousand experienced soldiers, with the requisite number of officers, come from Holland. Tbe King, by a special messenger, asked the States to allow him to recall these veterans whose places he will supply from the new levies. When the required force is U 23533.	1318
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collected, commanders will be appointed, and then the crews and regiments will be divided amongst the ships.
Various instruments of warfare are being prepared, such as petards, spades, pickaxes for mining, gun carriages and such like things, showing clearly that it is intended to operate on land. But where ? It is not known where. No one, except the King, the Duke of Buckingham and Lord Conway, has any part in the council and management of this undertaking.
Notwithstanding this secrecy people believe that a considerable portion of this force will go to the Mediterranean, at all events those ships which have been coppered. It is asserted that that sea is full of a certain sort of worm which consumes the bottoms of ships much more than is the case in the ocean. Wherever they go it is to be in the name of the Prince Palatine, called here the King of Bohemia, with the object of maintaining outwardly a semblance of peace with Spain. But it is impossible to disguise the hostile feelings of this people, and an open rupture is sooner or later inevitable.
The people of Dunkirk a few days ago lost one of their war ships on the coast of England. Whilst defending itself against a Dutch ship it was run ashore.
The crew escaped to the land, leaving their vessel to the waves, and the Dutch have picked up twenty-four pieces of artillery.
The Duke of Buckingham, on embarking for Prance at Dover, left an order to detain all vessels and boats arriving from Dunkirk, or any other part of the dominions of Her Highness of Brussels. This measure will show the Spaniards that no price is set on their good will,
The plague advances. There have been thirty * deaths, and it has spread to twelve parishes in the heart of the City.
London, 6th June 1625.
Yesterday evening news arrived that our Queen had left Paris on her way to England, being accompanied by the Queen Mother and the Queen Regnant as far as Boulogne-on-the-Sea.
Our King will not depart to receive her at Dover before Wednesday next, the eleventh of this month, which will be precisely the day on which his Queen leaves Amiens. In the meanwhile His Majesty has given orders to publish a proclamation prohibiting every one not a member of the Court, or not named to attend Their Majesties, to follow the Court, whether on the journey to Dover or to any other place where Their Majesties may be this summer, or to approach their persons within a distance of twelve miles, with various other orders calculated to prevent the people from meeting them, or from following them from place to place. All these precautionary measures being taken on account of the plague which every day gains force, and which is greatly spread in this city, the deaths this week having been twenty-eight.f
Intelligence came to hand last week of the arrival of the Duke of Buckingham at the Most Christian Court, and of his reception there in the most gracious manner by Their Majesties, but we have not been able to learn what is the object of his visit. lam however still of opinion, as I have already mentioned, that His Excellency is gone to make a last effort to induce the Erench to establish, on a firm basis, the offensive and defensive league which the English so eagerly desired should be negotiated at the same time as the marriage. The treaty of marriage
* There is obviously a clerical error here, t There is here evidently an error of statement.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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was however ratified without reference to the league, and I have no doubt ^ ^ss. 03? that difficulties are now made by the French.	' Esq?101
Immediately on his arrival in Paris the Duke sent for a portion of the rich dresses which were made when it was intended that he should go to France to act as the King’s proxy at the marriage. This step is interpreted here as meaning that he is to make use of them on the occasion of another great ceremony; but, however this may be, there are few who believe that he will be able to accomplish that treaty -which they maintain was promised before the marriage, and which is here so anxiously desired as upon it must depend all the resolves and enterprises which are now hatching.
Parliament will not meet till the Duke returns, therefore His Majesty has again prorogued it to the twenty-third of the present month.
The captain of the ship of war from Dunkirk which was driven on shore on the coast near Dover has been imprisoned with his crew. The Spanish Envoy complained to His Majesty, and. requested redress; but the only reply vouchsafed has been, that English subjects are daily treated in the same manner on Spanish territory, and that it is necessary to think of a satisfactory arrangement on both sides, with other statements of the most general character, upon receiving which the Spaniard at once dispatched a courier to Spain with a report on the subject for His Most Catholic Majesty.
London, 13th June 1625.
As soon as the departure of the Queen from Paris was made known here, six ladies of rank went across the sea to meet Her Majesty at Boulogne.
The most distinguished of these are, the Countess of Buckingham, the Countess of Denbigh, and the Marchioness of Hamilton. The first mother, the second sister, and the third niece, of the Duke of Buckingham. Others of the Nobility, both gentlemen and ladies, will go to Dover on Monday to awnit the arrival of the Queen, and the day after they will be followed by Members of the Pri y Council.
It is not certain that the King will go to Boulogne to meet the Queen. Pie may do so if the Queen Mother comes so far, and it is fully believed that she will do so. Anyhow it is hoped that the Queen will reach England two days hence.
Their Majesties, after a night’s rest at Dover, will proceed to Canterbury, twelve miles distant, where magnificent preparations have been made for their reception, and where the confirmation, declaration, and consummation of the marriage will take place. The solemnities at Canterbury being completed, Her Majesty will be conducted to the Koyal residence at Greenwich, where Their Majesties will remain, till the days can be fixed for the state entrance into London, and for the coronation, unless the progress of the plague makes it necessary to defer these ceremonials to a more favourable time. The court has thrown aside its mournings during the present festivities, to resume them afterwards.
With regard to the mission of the Duke of Buckingham to the Most Christian Court, it is still believed that its object is the league in the first place, There are others, however, and probably the opportunity may be taken to try to defeat the negotiations of the Cardinal Legate; but there can be no certainty that His Excellency will hit the mark. It is very difficult to believe that the French will take a course opposed to the Legate at a time when the universal peace of Christendom is in question.
The Duke has been received with extraordinary courtesy; and noble gifts have been presented to him by Their Majesties which are the only
b 220
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results of his mission. The gifts are said to be of great value, and to include that famous bronze horse which His Christian Majesty received from Rome from Signor Rucellai.#
We have not yet heard whether the eight ships of war have sailed from the Downs, but it would be well if they could accompany the squadron which is to i*eeeive Her Majesty at Boulogne.
It is obvious that the great feet will not be ready to put to sea so soon as has been expected. The provisions on board having been inspected by the officers, they find that there are not enough to last during a voyage of six or eight months, according to the contract; and, worse still, a great part of the salted beef and pork is spoilt. It has been necessary to kill a number of animals this week to make up the quantity and the loss. This must of necessity delay the time for the sailing of the expedition at least till the middle of July. There is also the further danger that the new meat may spoil like the first supply; this being an unsuitable season for salting which is usually done in winter.
In the meanwhile the troops are being disciplined, and Colonel Ogle has been provided with one hundred thousand crowns in cash for this purpose.
The news of the surrender of Breda to the Marquis Spinola, which reached us here yesterday, has been received with an amount of chagrin which may be readily imagined.
Sixty-seven persons have died this week of plague, being nine less than last week; but, prevalent as it is in the very heart of the City, the people are much afraid of it; and, were it not for the anticipated arrival of the new Queen, all the Nobility would at this hour have gone to the country.
London, 20th June 1625.
For ten days the Court has been absent from London, consequently we are deprived of news of every kind. The Ring left Canterbury, and went to Dover, accompanied by five or six only of his suite, of the highest rank, leaving the rest of the Court, as it was still believed that he would embark in one of his ships for Boulogne to receive his Queen and to hold an interview with the Queen Mothei*, but whether on sea or land we do not know.
It is the wish of all that he should not make the voyage, nor expose himself to possible perils, but that he should be satisfied to receive Her Majesty in England without going through this formality. The French Ambassador accompanied the King to Dover, and it is said that he has gone to meet Their Maj esties at Boulogne.
The Duke of Buckingham remained in Paris, after the departure of the King of France for Amiens with his sister, that he might promote the negotiations regarding the league and defeat those of the Cardinal Legate.
Sir Albertus Morton, Secretary of State and Member of the Privy Council, who accompanied the Duke to France, returned here three days ago, and yesterday went to Dover to meet the King. Knowing nothing of what he may have brought from the Christian Court regarding the negotiations of the Duke, still it is evident that there can no longer be that certainty of success which was anticipated before the settlement of the marriage.
As to the great naval armament, I can confirm what I have said already ; the active preparations continue, but it is now said that English
* Daniello Ricciarelli.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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projects are thus far disconcerted. The Marquis Spinola has been set free for action by the success at Breda—the schemes of England as to France have failed—the Earl of Holland, who was to command the troops lately raised, is. dead in Holland—finally, intelligence has arrived that the Spaniards have assembled powerful forces, in Italy and elsewhere, so that the French and Savoyards are not able to do more at Genoa.
The eight ships of war lent to the French are now at Dover, and are to join the others which are going to Boulogne to escort the Queen.
Two English merchant ship3 have been seized on these coasts by His Majesty’s ships. They were proceeding from Spain to Dunkirk with cargoes which did not belong to His Catholic Majesty or to private merchants.	1STothing can be worse than present prospects—
peace cannot be maintained—in fact there remains a mere appearance of it, and it is only a matter of punctilio as to which side shall first declare war.
The plague augments in virulence—ninety-one have died this week in different parts of the centre of London. The number ninety-one agrees with the official report issued by the magistrates every week, but I believe that owing to the wish to detain the Nobility here as long as possible the real mortality is concealed. The common average of deaths in one week in London is from one hundred and thirty to one hundred and eighty. This week the sum rose to four hundred and forty-five, of which the excess above one hundred and eighty no doubt may be attributed to the contagion.
I have this moment received intelligence from Dover that the Secretary of the Ambassador of Savoy resident at Paris had arrived there, and was admitted to an audience of His Majesty; but it is not known what was the subject of conference.
The King, having dined on one of his ships of war, returned to Canterbury without having crossed to Boulogne. He sent the Earl Marshal to Dover to wait for and receive Her Majesty on her landing, which is expected to take place to-day. It is now said that the Queen Mother not having come to Boulogne, as was intended, His Majesty was induced to change his mind as to going there.
London, 27th June 1625.
At last the Royal bride and Queen has arrived in this country, having landed at the harbour of Dover on Sunday last, at twenty-three o’clock,*' being received by the Earl of Arundell, and by other nobles sent for the purpose by the King, who had returned to Canterbury after he had learnt that the Queen Mother had no intention of coming to Boulogne, and that his Queen had repeated her desire to* rest at Dover after the effects of the sea voyage. His Majesty, however, hastened to Dover the following day, in the most private manner, to see and visit his Queen; and, having dined with her, he conducted her that afternoon to Canterbury. At a distance of three miles from that city Their Majesties were met, upon a spacious plain, by a numerous and magnificent assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, who had for fifteen days awaited in that neighbourhood the arrival of the Queen.
The marriage ceremonies and rites were completed at Canterbury, and the following day Their Majesties reached London, coming by water in a Bucentaur towed by a galley, accompanied by many other vessels filled
* The writer reckons the hour from sunset to sunset in the Italian method. As he dates his letters by New Style it appears that Queen Henrietta arrived at Dover
soon after seven o’clock on the evening of Sunday, June	[H, B, T.]
MSS. or D Skriite. Esq.22
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H RSSeeine	Mobility. Great joy was expressed on their arrival in London,—
Esq. bonfires were lighted, bells were rung, and two hundred ships, arranged in the river, saluted them with all the cannon and musketry which they had on board. This really was a most extraordinary spectacle, and it delighted the French visitors.
To-morrow Parliament will begin after having been so often prorogued from the desire that the Queen should be here; and on Sunday the twenty-ninth there will be a great festival at Whitehall, on the formal public proclamation of the marriage. It is said that the coronation of Their Majesties will take place as soon as possible, but in comparative privacy on account of the plague which increases out of all measure in the City ; so that all idea of the usual ceremonial is given up, as well as of the public entrance into London, till such time as it can take place with greater safety. We shall probably know soon what is decided. The English are evidently much pleased with their new Queen, and especially praise her courteous demeanour on her first entry into their city, wishing however that she was a little taller, which would be an advantage, being for her age somewhat little and rather pallid.
The Secretary of State, Sir Albertus Morton, who came back from France lately, was dispatched on Monday to Holland. This sudden measui'e leads to much talk. It is obvious that his negotiations must in some way be connected with those conducted in France by the Duke of Buckingham, although he returned without having obtained that success which was anticipated and so earnestly desired here. It is hoped that on a second visit to the French Court he may then win- a victory. In the meanwhile a Secretary has been sent to Holland to mediate with these States on matters of importance which affect the common cause.
It is not easy to contemplate with a quiet mind the residence of the Conde de Gondomar at the Court of His Most Christian Majesty, knowing his great ability and dexterity in negotiations, especially if his instructions are directed towards the establishment of general peace, which in the actual state and humour of this people would be in no respect satisfactory. It is wished to do all that is possible to renovate the ancient valour of this nation by taking up arms, and to induce neighbours to embark with it in the same action.
The loss of Breda, which is so deeply felt, and the lessened hope in the success of the French and Savoyards against Genoa, may still change the compass here. But, however this maybe, the naval armament is pushed on with the greatest diligence, so earnest is the wish that it should be got ready for sea, although there is now little hope of that being possible before the end of July.*
The eight ships lent to the King of France have at last sailed. They are admirable vessels and well provisioned, and are lent willingly provided it is understood that they are to be employed against the Genoese and in no case against the Huguenots.
There have died of plague this week one hundred and sixty-five victims, according to the published report; but it is believed that there must be more than three hundred, for it has spread so much that few parishes are now free from it.
London, 4th July 1625.
I informed you last week of the arrival in London of our new Queen. I have now to add that on Tuesday last, in the Koyal Palace of Whitehall, the ceremony of the formal proclamation of the marriage took place, in the presence of Their Majesties, of the Duke de Chevreuse, of theHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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French Ambassadors and of all the Nobility. Nothing could be more splendid than this festival.
The King on this occasion dined in public ; without the Queen, however, who dined in her own apartment. The Duke de Chevreuse and the French Ambassadors dined with His Majesty. Her Majesty the Queen since her arrival has not shown herself, except to her French attendants, being somewhat indisposed; so that Tuesday was the first day that she was seen in public. It is true that she went by the river to Denmark House, but in the most private manner, there being no chapel at Whitehall but only a very small oratory in which no privacy is possible.
On Saturday last the 28th of June His Majesty opened Parliament, the Queen not being present not having yet entirely recovered from the effects of her sea voyage; but the Duke and Duchess de Chevreuse, the two French Ambassadors, and a number of other Frenchmen attended, as also the Venetian Ambassador, that they might witness the ceremony. The King appeared in his Koyal robes, with the crown upon his head, followed by his Nobility, with their robes, according to their various ranks. His Majesty, having seated himself upon the throne, commenced his speech, expressing himself as briefly as possible, owing to a defect or impediment of his tongue as well as from want of experience. Notwithstanding he explained himself exceedingly well, and with decision ; saying that the King his father, of happy memory, having abandoned the treaties with his allies to satisfy Parliament, had consequently resigned himself to drawing the sword for the recovery of the patrimony of the Prince Palatine.
As at that time he was a Member of Parliament, by its desire and with, its consent, he had pleaded with his father in favour of that policy; and he trusted now that he was their King, and still young, that not only would they aid him with their counsel, but would also effectively and powerfully succour him, in the best way to enable him to maintain, both by land and sea, the established policy, which, with their advice, the King his father had undertaken ; placing before them the facts that not only liis honour, but also that of the nation, was so pledged by anticipation that it was impossible to retreat, and that therefore whatever they did they should clo it quickly. Time and the plague, which hung over all if they remained long in this city, required the acceleration of business ; and he promised them that if they limited themselves to this point only, without entering into affairs of less consequence, he would calk them together wherever they might desire, that they might debate and continue the consideration not only of this but of other matters; concluding his speech by a declaration of his religious faith, showing it to be that in which he was born and educated, and in which he desired to live and die, although certain malignant spirits had calumniated the integrity of his conduct on this subject.
The Lord Keeper made an oration after His Majesty had finished his brief speech, amplifying what the King had been pleased to say; exhorting them to unite to grant money as quickly as possible for the important expedition which their King had undertaken and was engaged in honour to prosecute. This is the substance of the opening of this Parliament, which, if it does not consent to give quickly that which is asked, will be dissolved without delay.
I have forgotten to mention that before His Majesty commenced his speech the usual prayers were said, the French Ambassadors and other Frenchmen being under the necessity of remaining, not having had time to escape, from the circumstance that they did not previously know that it was usual to offer such prayers.
MSS. or H. B. Skeine, Esq.24
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MSS. of ' In tlie temporary chapel of Denmark House on Saturday last the H*	Duke de Chevreuse invested the Marquis d?Effiats, Ambassador of the
—*	Most Christian King, with the order of the Holy Ghost. His Excellency
was the principal negotiator of the late Royal marriage, for which he has received this honour. The Duke of Buckingham and other members of the Court were present at the ceremony.
Three Ambassadors from Holland arrived in London on Monday to condole with His Majesty, and thereafter to congratulate him on his accession to the crown. It is however to be believed that they will take advantage of this occasion to enter upon negotiations, having in their company Monsieur Harseen, who is so highly esteemed by them. One of the three, Monsieur Joachin, will remain as Ambassador to this court.
Count Mansfeldt it is said has disbanded all his English troops. Great complaints are made against him, it being evident that both money and men have been thrown away.
The Duke of Buckingham will entertain the Duke and Duchess de Chevreuse, and the two French Ambassadors with other French gentlemen, at a banquet on Wednesday evening. It is obvious that the sooner these people return to France the better will the English be pleased.
It is said that the mission of Sir Albertus Morton to Holland is to invite those States again to unite with England, in establishing the league of Protestant powers, as it is evident that there is no longer any hope of the desired alliance with France.
With regard to the Catholic question, I know not what to say, except that the French have already learnt by experience that they are to enjoy none of those liberties which they were led to expect would be granted to them. Since the arrival of the Queen some of them have been brought before Justices without any ceremony, which the Ambassador Monsieur La-ville-aux-Clercs formerly complained of in the proper quarter. I am afraid that it may now be too late to remedy a state of things which with so much ease might have been provided for by those who had charge of the negotiations in France. They were not accurately informed; they apparently believed, or induced others to believe., that the English are a sort of Spanish Catholics, different from the French, and they have acted without looking closely into the subject or understanding it.
Parliament again presses for the execution of the penal laws against the Catholics, and above all that religious orders shall be banished. May it please God that they do not move forward like the crab.
The number of dead by plague now amounts to four hundred, and the Court will move on Monday to a Royal residence called Hampton Court, fourteen miles from London, and the French suite will follow.
London, 4th July 1625.
To-day the Comte de Tillieres, who has been here as Ambassador from His Most Christian Majesty, and who is now Chamberlain to the Queen, did me the honour to present me. Her Majesty most graciously gave me her hand to kiss, and inquired with much interest after the health of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, our Lord, as well as after their Serene Highnesses the Mother and Grandmother, showing herself much pleased with my assurance of their good health.
London, 11th July 1625.
I inclose for you my usual packet with all the news which the Court offers worth recording.historical manuscripts commission.
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We now have the plague on all sides with every appearance of its increase. I cannot longer run the risk of infection, it is spread all round my house; and however inconvenient it may be, as well as expensive, I have provided myself with a habitation fourteen miles distant from London. I shall write and dispatch my usual packet every fifteen days by an express messenger to London who will bring me my letters from Italy.
London, 11th July 1625.
The new Parliament has taken it into its head not to make a grant of supplies to the King, unless the penal laws against the Catholics are enforced, unless the members of the religious orders are driven out of the Kingdom, and unless certain matters relating to taxation are taken into consideration.
His Majesty as yet offers no objection, but the three Prench Ambassadors make a noise; especially the Marquis d’Effiats as he negotiated the amended treatment of the Catholics and reported to his own Court that matters had been settled to his satisfaction, His Excellency induced several of the Catholics to support his statements in writing, and he is now greatly mortified. He is in search of a remedy, but it is evident, as he has also been told by Monsieur La Ville-aux-Clercs, that it is too late, and that everything should have been settled before the Queen came to England. The Catholics complain of these gentlemen, as they find themselves exposed to peril and with no hope of the peace which they anticipated as a consequence of the marriage.
The Prench equally complain that since the arrival of the Queen the Catholics are persecuted contrary to agreement, and English and Scotch Protestants are introduced into the service of Her Majesty. The French do all that they can do under these circumstances, but they will find success very difficult.
The King has acted for the best, having been pleased to name the Duke of Buckingham, the Earl Marshal, the Grand Chamberlain, and Lord Conway, to unite with the Duke de Chevreuse, Monsieur La Ville-aux-Clercs, and the Marquis d’Effiats, to settle and finally appoint the members of Her Majesty’s household. It will as I have said he mixed with a good many English and probably in time will contain fewer French, with regard to whom the prevalent wish is to send them to their homes. This feeling is very strong, particularly with reference to the Bishop of Mende'jand the twenty-four Priests of the Oratory who came here to be in attendance on the Queen. These people are in no respect pleasing in English eyes, especially when they perambulate the palace in their clerical habits and say mass daily in the little oratory. The King shows the greatest respect and affection for the Queen; and she, whilst sensitive to all that is going on around her, conducts herself with much prudence, and towards the King with every symptom of veneration and regard. She does not show herself much to the English ladies and gentlemen of her Court, probably because she cannot converse with them except through the unpleasant intervention of an interpreter.
The Queen hears mass every morning ; she communicates frequently, and on festivals goes privately to Denmark House, at present inhabited by the Duke de Chevreuse, and hears vespers and a sermon.
We have got a good and devout Princess, and we hope that her goodness and excellent example will profit this kingdom. May what is thus seen in the beginning of life between their Majesties, continue and increase, as all good men pray.
MSS. or D. Serine, Esq.26
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The whole of the Court is preparing to leave London next week, to escape the peril of the plague, which is increasing in intensity so as to terrify every one and to necessitate flight into the country.
Parliament must make haste to close its meeting. As yet it has settled none of the questions brought before it. The only business which it has done has been to petition the King to enforce the penal laws against Catholics and to banish Priests. It has also obtained His Majesty’s sanction to hold a Fast. This is a ceremony which is performed in all the parishes, and consists in staying in church all day, singing psalms, hearing sermons, the one shortly after the other, and making I know not how many prayers, imploring God for the stoppage of the plague and of the ceaseless rain which for a month past has fallen to the detriment of all kinds of crops, and finally that he may be graciously pleased to bless the people, to prosper their undertakings, to give them the victory over all their enemies, and above ail to preserve the purity of their religion.
Members of Parliament are to join in their communion together on the appointed day. By this means they discover Catholics, or those favourable to the Catholic religion, who will not join in the ceremony.
Parliament has given orders that the Fast is to be observed generally throughout the Kingdom according to the same forms.
All the French who are here with the Queen, the Duke de Chevreuse and Monsieur La Ville-aux-Clercs, will go into the country at the time of the Fast and the two last will proceed to France as soon as they have settled the questions connected with the Household of Her Majesty. The Duchess de Chevreuse must of necessity remain here till her confinement, which is immediately expected, is over.
The Ministers of the French King find that the eight ships of war, which they have borrowed, are too full of Englishmen under the name of sailors, and that they are in excess of the French soldiers on board of each ship, so that the latter might be prevented serving, except where the English please. Who openly declare that they will not go against Rochelle or any Protestants, but only against the Spaniards or Genoese; and they make this declaration although the ships were lent with an open agreement that they were to be employed as the French pleased. Thus a difference has arisen which it is perhaps too late to remedy, whilst it may also lead to excitement and discontent amongst the crews and soldiers of the fleet which is daily leaving the Thames on its way to Plymouth.
From day to day it is expected that the baton of General by Sea and Land will be given to the Duke of Buckingham, but it is imposible to believe that this nobleman will thus place himself at a distance from the Royal Person. It is even suggested by some people that the fleet will not go to sea, but will be in readiness to strengthen whatever treaty may be proposed by France or by the Imperial Diet,
For my part I am not persuaded that so great and costly an armament should be kept in harbour as a mere demonstration. Still less so, when veterans with their officers have been brought from the English troops in Holland, to assist in manning the ships.
Last week the three Ambassadors from Holland had an interview with His Majesty, but what passed seems only to have been of a complimentary nature. They await serious proposals from this side and when these are made will give their answer in conformity with their instructions.
Nine hundred and forty two persons died this week in London, of whom it may be calculated that at least seven hundred have been the victims of plague, although the Municipality conceals the truth andHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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reports three hundred and ninety. It is now spread through all the streets, and it has reached other parts of the kingdom; with every appearance that this year the mortality will equal that of the year 1603, when King James ascended the throne of England and when in London only, in less than one year, forty-five thousand people died. It is now observed that the commencement of this reign is marked by a similar calamity, that it increases in like manner from week to week, that it began in the same house and street, and also that it was brought in the same way from Holland.
Parliament this evening voted two subsidies to be given to the King, and also from the Clergy, the two amounting to six hundred thousand crowns, to be paid one half in October and the other half in April 1626. The bill however has not yet been read a third time, as they await the King’s consent to the equivalent already described.
Kichmond, 8th August 1625.
The petition of Parliament against the Catholics, the nature of which I described in my last packet of the 25th ultimo, was presented to His Majesty by twelve of the Members. The King said in reply that he must take time to consider it. He dismissed them however with such gracious expressions of his desire to satisfy them, if not wholly at least in part, that Parliament, encouraged by the hopes thus held out, at once voted the two subsidies and adjourned other business till such time as they should meet again at Oxford.
His Majesty will soon go there, and will press upon the House the consideration of his present needs so as to obtain farther grants for the cost of the war.
His Majesty holds that these two subsidies constitute a gift, such as is usually presented to Sovereigns on their accession to the crown, and that they are not to be employed therefore in defraying any part of the cost of the expedition.
On this subject the debates which have already taken place in Parliament show that there is a general disinclination to go farther. The poverty of various counties is alleged, and the expenditure of so much money is objected to, as well as of so many lives, for objects producing no useful results. The plague stops trade, and a famine is threatened owing to the weather; these are serious considerations and they prevent Parliament granting a larger sum.
- Notwithstanding all these reasons Parliament must remember that it was its predecessor which pledged His Majesty to war, and which protested its willingness to aid him. It must now be more openhanded for a breach with Spain is inevitable, and is desired by the nation which no doubt will give willingly of its substance for such an object.
The three French Ambassadors have taken leave. They are dissatisfied with the obstacles thrown in their way, which have prevented them arranging the household of the Queen as they wished. They are also much displeased with the position of the Catholics. They have been made much of outwardly, and have received superb presents ; the King having given the Duke de Chevreuse a jewel worth six thousand crowns, and another to the Marquis d’Efiiats of the value of four thousand crowns. The Queen also has bestowed gifts. So far then they must have gone away contented.
The Duchess de Chevreuse was unable to accompany her husband, and she was confined on the night of the day on which he left. When she has recovered she will follow him, and will take with her more of the French people who were left with her. They are as anxious to go
MSS. or :. D. SXEIXE, Esq.28
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MSS. or away, as the English are that they should depart, so little liking is there Esq. between them.
—	The Queen is very well. She wishes if it be possible to do something
for the Catholics; and, for the first time on which she has interfered, she spoke to the King on. the subject; with what result is not known, except to cause upon his part some ill humour with the Duke of [Buckingham who as usual governs everything and who perhaps has opposed con' cessions.
Such is the state of this question ; the Catholics are almost without hope or comfort, and they lay the blame on the Marquis d’Effiats who was charged with their interests.
As to the great naval armament I have nothing to add except that they say that it is to sail soon, but when this may be, or what soon means, I have totally lost all points of the compass.
Negotiations have been in progress regarding the eight ships of war so frequently mentioned. The English proprietors will not consent to their employment against persons of their own religion. Consequently a new bargain must be made, either that the ships with English crews are not to serve against Protestants, or that they are to be manned with Frenchmen only* and ample security given that they are to be returned to the owners within a fixed period ; the French employing them in the meanwhile as they please.
The English Court, now that the French visitors are gone, has resumed mourning. At present it moves from place to place, but will finally go to Oxford, for the re-opening of Parliament, on Tuesday next which will be the twelfth.
The plague in London becomes daily more disastrous, this week three thousand four hundred died ; it is also spreading in the country, owing to the number of Londoners who have sought refuge there.
The daughter of the Duke and Duchess de Chevreuse was baptized lately, and their Majesties with the Comte de Tillieres acted as Godfathers and Godmother.
Eichmond, 19th August 1625.
I wrote to Your Excellency on the eighth acknowledging two brief letters of the eighth of June. Yours of the twelfth of July arrived afterwards and I received both in the country to which I have retired, and where I am sequestered from news of the Court, in consequence of the plague which keeps us in constant fear and on the wing from one place to another. Although I cannot write so fully as usual yet I shall try to provide your Excellency with a general summary of intelligence, and when I have opportunity I will send my letters to London, although no one is allowed to go there at present, and it can only he done secretly and by payment of moneyso greatly does the plague increase in that famous city. Five thousand died last week. It is believed that the mortality will extend to six thousand when it has reached its height. The Magistrates, in desperation, have abandoned every care; every one does what he pleases, and the houses of merchants who have left London are broken into and robbed. There never has been such a mortality before. As for me I wish that I was absent, I sit with my boots upon my legs ready for flight from this great peril, which, besides the cost, is a source of great pertubation of mind.
* In one of the accounts of expenses regularly presented to his Government, the cost of a despatch sent from Richmond to London, is set down at one shilling.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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Plague having broken out here also, I must again depart and gc at least forty miles farther. I advise your Excellency of this in case H' you should be surprised at not receiving the usual despatches. Inclosed is my despatch of this date.
Richmond, 19th August 1625.
His Majesty again opened Parliament in person at Oxford on Monday last at eleven o’clock. He described his present need of money for the maintenance and dispatch of the naval armament, as well as for the other reasons to which a former Parliament had pledged him. He appealed to the Members to have a care for his honour and to aid him quickly, as otherwise the national interests, and those of the allies of the crown, must suffer from their enemies and be trodden upon by them. His Majesty concluded by saying that he referred them to the further explanations which would be given them by Lord Conway, Secretary of State.
Lord Conway followed with a speech in many words—that of His Majesty having been in very few. He urged that the King’s reputation required a grant of money to enable him to carry out the enterprise which by the desire of their predecessors he had undertaken and pledged himself to fulfil, and therefore now was the time to unite to prevent their enemies from treating the kingdom, as well as their allies, with contempt. In short the demand was for money, but I do not learn that Parliament is disposed to vote it, but rather to require an account of the expenditure of the grants of their predecessors. Some, who are interested in preventing any inquiry, make a clamour and raise the old complaints against the Catholics and Religious Orders, seeking by such means to divert the public attention from the real question and from an inconvenient scrutiny into the outlay of money. This is a common artifice which however is easily seen through even by the inexperienced. If Parliament maintains its attitude, His Majesty may be compelled to move the meeting to another place, or to adjourn it altogether to another season, for plague has broken out in two houses in Oxford, Such a movement cannot take place without great expense as well as annoyance to Members, who now show that they are very irritable and complain bitterly of the Duke of Buckingham.
If His Majesty would consent to put in force the laws against the Roman Catholics, and if he would break openly with Spain, he would satisfy Parliament and obtain whatever money he requires, for it is certain that in these two measures are contained the summum bonum of most of the Members.
The weekly outlay at Plymouth amounts to six thousand crowns for the cost of the soldiers only, without reckoning the sailors and other sources of expence. There is not a sign at present of making sail, nor of the appointment of a commander. It is true that they may nominate to this high office Colonel Edward Cecil, who has served in Holland for twenty-four years, as well as other officers of experience trained in the same school to various commands. The season is somewhat advanced and it is to be feared that the plague will also reach Plymouth, and if by evil fortune it should break out in the ships I think that in that case they would not put to sea, with so many on board, to fight with a worse enemy than any they can encounter go where they will. The destination of the fleet is a profound secret; every effort is made to keep the Spaniards in ignorance of it. The general talk—no doubt mistaken—indicates the Mediterranean, but I believe as I have already said, that the real aim is the coast of Spain.
MSS. or D. Skrixe, Esq.80
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MSS. op H. D. Skrdste, Esq.
I think also that the fleet will be divided into different squadrons, and will attack separate places wherever it can damage the Spaniards. In that case some ships may enter the Mediterranean, but the loss of all hope of taking Genoa, once a dominant idea, ought to prevent any .attempt in that direction. It may be as well that all who have interests at stake on the Riviera should be on their guard. At the same time I trust that there is no real cause of fear.
If it is the case that His Most Christian Majesty has come to terms with De Soubise and the Huguenots, the difficulties with the owners of the eight ships of war, so often referred to, will be overcome, and they may serve against the Spaniards or Genoese, as has been suggested, or they might be united with the ships of De Soubise and both might follow the fortunes of the English fleet. Many there are who believe that the French King is desirous of being saved the outlay of sixteen thousand crowns per mensem which is due to the English contractors who provided the ships.
Their Majesties came here last week to take leave of the Duchess de Chevreuse who returns to France; and on the same day the King held the child of the Comte de Tillieres at the Baptismal Font, and at the request of the Queen did the same office for the infant son of Madame St. George, one of her ladies of honour.
The Roman Catholics are almost hopeless of any modification of their position. The Household of the Queen remains in the same unsettled state, and what is to be done can only be known to the two Kings. For my part I think that the French will be obliged to yield.
In London nearly four thousand persons died of the plague last week, and there is a threatening of a still greater mortality unless God in his pity grants his aid.
The ill feeling in Parliament against the Duke of Buckingham increases, but such is his power that unless his opponents can influence the King they will gain nothing.
Huntingdon, 4th September 1625.
I informed your Excellency in my last that driven away by the plague, which made its appearance in Richmond, I came into this county where, although fifty miles distant from London, we are still in danger of contagion, which is in fact spread all over the kingdom and is every where accompanied by great mortality. Poor London above all other places feels the scourge in a superlative degree, five thousand people having died in one week.
Parliament, now assembled in Oxford, has not shown that pliability which those who suggested its removal expected, for when new supplies were demanded it replied by calling for an account of the expenditure of those granted last year; and, unable to obtain any explanation, not only would it not vote others, but it expressed its entire dissatisfaction by a demand to question the Ministers of the crown, particularly naming the Duke of Buckingham.
His Majesty seeing that Parliament has broken the ice in such a manner, with the obvious intention of pushing its inquiries to the uttermost which cannot be done without discredit and damage to the Duke, resolved to dissolve immediately, and to send the Members to their homes, which accordingly took place on the 22nd of last month. No business has been done except to pass the two grants to His Majesty in supply, in conformity with usage on the accession of a new King. This sudden break up has caused great dissatisfaction and must seriously embarrass affairs, particularly the final preparation of the fleet which is still at Plymouth.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION,
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The King and Queen are in Hampshire, hunting in the New Forest. The air there is very healthy, and the place is more than sixty miles from London. The number of Courtiers in attendance is reduced, so as to make it easier to move from place to place in the event of being overtaken by the plague.
Melchbourne, Bedford, 15th September 1625.
The King, having ascertained that his sudden dissolution of Parliament at Oxford has not only offended the Members but most of his subjects, from a desire to conciliate them has lately issued a Royal Proclamation granting the petition which was presented to him against the Roman Catholics. The religious orders are to be banished from the country within the present month.
All the children of Catholics who are being educated in foreign seminaries or colleges are to be recalled. The Catholics generally are required punctually to obey the special laws to which they are subjected, and even some new regulations which are suggested in the petition of Parliament.
There can be no doubt whatever that this method of satisfying grievances of a different nature will not prove successful, however great may be the importance which is attached to any concessions hostile to the Catholics; if therefore a new Parliament is summoned it may be anticipated that it will begin where the last left off, and will insist on an inquiry into the conduct of those who administered the expenditure of the supplies.
It is not difficult to foresee that this will again lead to dissolution. His Majesty is aware that the entire flood of the wrath of Parliament is intended to be poured on the head of the Duke of Buckingham, and he has accordingly avowed that the King his father elevated the Duke and finding him ever faithful intrusted to him the administration of the most important affairs of the Kingdom. On his death bed, he recommended the Duke to the protection of his son. That besides—the Duke hazarded his life when he accompanied him, then Prince of Wales, into Spain, and at the present time he was equally ready to place himself and all that he possessed at the feet of his King. His Majesty would not permit his ruin, or that he should fall into the hands of those whose only object was to crush him—so that if these bitter sentiments were not moderated there might be no meeting of Parliament for some time.
Before matters can be adjusted there is a prospect of still greater disorder for it is now the prevalent opinion that His Majesty, not having been able to obtain money through Parliament, will betake himself to the exercise of his royal prerogative and will raise funds by his mandates sealed with the Privy seal. This may create still greater discontent and increase the ill will with which the Duke is regarded, in which the French Courtiers share—and even Her Majesty the Queen—-for her attendants have not met with that fair treatment which they were led to expect and fully anticipated.
So long as the Duke is protected by the King he may remain with a quiet mind.
These discords hold every one in suspense, and the business in progress necessarily suffers ; especially the fleet of which I have little to say except that the officers and others are gone to Plymouth to be in readiness.
Although I hear that every effort is made to depart, still no one knows when that will be. When, in the last sitting of Parliament, the Duke
MSS. or H.D. Skuine, Esq.32
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H RSSsRiifE was re<lnired to repty I know not what hostile proposition, he said Esq. * that his Majesty had prepared this force with three objects and that for no one of these was the season too far advanced, but he did not say one word in explanation of where the blow would fall.
Not a few maintain that the fleet will go to the coast of Barbary and city of Algiers to unite with the Moors in an attack upon Spain. This fancy is based on a visit made by two persons from that country who have been negotiating at Court and have been sent home in a ship belonging to an English merchant. Others say that the expedition will attempt a landing at Flanders so as to seize some important place; others again that it will go to the coasts of Spain or Portugal where it can effectually annoy His Catholic Majesty. The alliance with Barbary is most spoken of, and the intention is to put to sea if no unforeseen impediments arise.
Their Majesties, who still hunt in the New Forest, have sent Sir Walter Montagu to France. He is a gentleman of the Court, and a confidant of the Duke of Buckingham, and he carries letters to His Most Christian Majesty. Without knowing the object of these, it may be remarked that a messenger from the Conde de Gondomar has come to this country from Brussels with letters to the King, and to the Duke, containing it is said proposals for a settlement of the questions relating to the Palatinate ; or, as seems much more likely, to give notice in the name of the King, his Master, that if the naval expedition about to 3ail injures any part of his dominions he will declare war. Now Sir Walter Montagu may be charged to inform His French Majesty as well as to ascertain his sentiments. He is also to visit the Duke and Duchess de Chevreuse on the part of their Majesties to inquire as to their health.
From four to five thousand die of the plague weekly in London, and almost as many more within a circuit of three miles of its neighbourhood, whilst the disease is so widely spread over the kingdom that it is impossible to go anywhere without danger.
Melchebourne, Bedford, 29th September 1625.
News has come from Southampton that his Majesty is about to visit Plymouth to hasten by his presence the departure of the fleet. It only needs money to sail, and it appears that they have now found this by I know not what expedient.
During last week men have been pressed in this country to serve as soldiers, and have been dispatched to fill up vacancies caused by death or desertion amongst the first ten thousand which were sent to Plymouth three months ago. From day to day we expect to hear that the fleet has sailed, and what direction it has taken. It is now settled that the Duke is not to go with it, hut that Colonel Cecil will be his lieutenant and will command it as well as the army.
The reply to the Spanish Agent, whom I have mentioned as on a visit to this Court, is that the force was to serve the Prince Palatine, the King’s brother-in-law, and that this need he no cause of war. His Catholic Majesty had in the same manner succoured the Emperor against the Prince without peace being broken.
The Spanish Envoy replied that the cases were not similar, and that the King his Master never approved of the conduct of his son-in-law. No other answer was vouchsafed, and it is obvious that the differences between these two crowns cannot he in a worse position. On this side the slightest pretence may avail to declare war, for all inward inclinations favour that course and outward preparations point in the same direction.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.	33
The long stay which the Archduchess of Brussels and the Marquis Spinola with a part of his army make at Dunkirk has aroused a strong suspicion in this country that, when the fleet is at a distance, an invasion may occur, by means of vessels said to be in preparation, whilst the sail across would not take more than six or eight hours. Picked troops therefore have been sent to the sea coast to oppose a landing, and orders have been given to dispatch towards Dunkirk four of His Majesty’s G-al-leons, with twelve armed vessels belonging to merchants, to join eighteen or twenty Dutch ships of war, to watch the harbour, and to prevent any expeditions from leaving it.
His Most Christian Majesty has made up his mind to buy the war ships lent to him by English contractors. The largest was a gift of His Majesty, and one of the others was the property of an English gentleman who declined to sell it. Since this transaction it is said that there has already been a skirmish with the ships of De Soubise. Sir Albertus Morton has returned from Holland, and has given an account of his negotiation with respect to confederation with the Protestants of those States. He brought dispatches from the Prince Palatine for the naval armament; and three days after his arrival he died, not without suspicions of plague.
There is a secret movement in favour of a new Parliament; but I know not that it will succeed, owing in the first place to the plague, in part to the temper shown by the Members, and for other reasons which I alluded to in my last dispatch.
Happily the plague in London begins to diminish; the deaths last week were three thousand, and within the external circuits of two miles about the same number. Whether it is that there are fewer victims to be killed, or that the season is colder, certainly the malignity and fury of the disease decreases; although throughout the whole kingdom it makes itself felt, and few indeed are the cities, boroughs, or villages, which it has not visited.
Melchebourne, Bedford, 14th October 1625.
The King remains at Plymouth, resolved to see his fleet under sail before he leaves that place. It has been detained by adverse winds; but now it blows north and east and every one believes that the armament has now departed, but where it has gone to all anxiously desire to know. The latest news which has come here is that of the defeat of Monsieur de Soubise by the French Fleet: news which has been received by the English people with the reverse of satisfaction. If it is true, as is reported, that De Soubise, with the remains of his fleet ■consisting of twenty-four ships, has come to the eastern coast of England with the intention of joining the English fleet in the service of the Prince Palatine, it is felt that such a circumstance would balance the satisfaction of the victors by the displeasure with which they would regard such an alliance.
Close watch is kept along the coast by the six thousand troops, and accessible places are being fortified, so that if the Marquis Spinola should contemplate crossing over he would find it difficult to land should he escape the strong fleet which watches his movements. His Majesty has sent Commissioners into all the counties adjacent to the sea to collect money for the payment of the troops placed on the coast, and to supply the means of paying other expenses. It is said that this is done rather from reasons of state, than from any needs likely to arise.
A new Parliament is talked of, and preparations are in progress, hut it could not be elected before spring for reasons to which I have U 23538.	O
MSS. or D. Skbixe, Esq.84
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MSS, or already alluded. In the meanwhile His Majesty, to supply his wants, ^as resolved to send duly sealed letters all over the Kingdom to liis —*	wealthiest subjects, to demand from them, according to their means, a
loan for eighteen months. The calculations are based on reports of the Lords Lieutenants of the Counties, and it is thought that about four hundred thousand crowns should be thus obtained. Although this is a scheme for obtaining money which all English kings have adopted in emergencies, it has only been under circumstances of great pressure, being a cause of very serious discontent on the part of the people, whilst these forced loans are very rarely repaid.
A considerable portion of the money which came from Erance,. in payment of one half of Her Majesty’s marriage portion, consists of quarter crown pieces which in the existing state of the laws relating to foreign coins are not cun*ent. The King therefore by a special edict has made them legal at a value of nineteen pence half-penny, as at the present time owing to the plague they cannot be recoined.
The Queen remains at Titchfield awaiting the return of the King from Plymouth. Her Majesty can hardly feel satisfied either with the position of her French attendants, or that of her Clergy who are dispersed or have returned home, whilst the laws against the Catholics are every where enforced. An Ambassador Extraordinary from Erance, Monsieur de Blainville is expected ; it is supposed on account of these affairs, but the general feeling is that it is too late. It would have been better for the Frenchmen, if they had arranged matters when the time was more favourable than it now is. Since the arrival of the French here the scene has shifted.
All officers, belonging to the armies in Ireland and Holland, who are absent, are ordered to return to their regiments.
The decline of plague in London is obvious, the deaths last week in the city and neighbourhood being about three thousand. The Kingdom generally is so infected that it is impossible to go any where in safety. London will be for some time a dangerous place of residence, especially for those who return from the fresher air of the country.
Melehebourne, Bedford, 28th October 1625.
My distance from Court prevents me receiving certain intelligence of the day of the departure of the fleet from Plymouth. It is however generally believed that it sailed on the sixteenth, the day previously fixed by His Majesty; and this is very probable, for we knew that everything wTas in readiness, and that all depended on a favourable change of wind which took place on that day and has since continued. The King, having seen the fleet put to sea, left Plymouth on his return journey and stopped at Salisbury where he awaits the Queen. We also hear that the Duke of Buckingham, so soon as the fleet set off, at once started on his way to Holland to negotiate with the States and the Prince Palatine as to their common interests and the primary object of humbling Spain and the Austrians in various ways.
The fleet consists of eighty-one good ships of which twelve are Royal Galleons, the others armed vessels belonging to merchants. It is divided into three squadrons, the first under the command of Colonel Cecil, the second under that of Sir Francis Stuart, and the third under the Earl of Essex ; but notwithstanding his inferior rank Cecil will be Commander-in-Chief of the entire force by sea and land, with the titles of Marshal and Lieutenant-General of the Duke of Buckingham. Many vessels follow the fleet laden with provisions and other things * necessary.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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Whatever may have been expected from Holland, of which we have H no information, the Dutch have not joined the fleet, nor has the report been verified that Monsieur de Soubise had arrived in- Plymouth with twenty-four ships, the remains of his fleet, defeated by the arms of His Most Christian Majesty—mentioned in my last as a report generally believed.
We are all anxious in the meantime to know what has been the route taken by the great armament. Whilst awaiting intelligence we learn that the Royal Galleons which act as a coastguard have seized eleven ships, which were on their way from Spain laden with merchandise, with boxes of coin amongst which are a good many golden doubloons. These were brought into Plymouth, and my letters inform me that six are French, two are Danish, one Dutch, one Scotch, and that another belongs to London.
There is much curiosity to know how they are to be disposed of, for although coming from Spain they belong to friends. It is believed that they were bound for Dunkirk, with which place an appearance of friendship is still kept up, so that no one can see that their detention is justifiable, therefore they must be restored to their owners. It is thought to be a mere temporary embargo, to give time to the English fleet to get well out to sea with more chance of secrecy. If such is the case they may be finally set at liberty, for otherwise their detention must raise questions as to the loss of interest on the money on board.
For a month past all the ports of the Realm have been closed thus preventing the dispatch of messengers, and four of our ordinary couriers have been detained at Dover. This doubtless has been done to prevent the spread of intelligence. Fortunately the couriers are now allowed to pass as usual.
Melchebourne, Bedford, 28th October 1625.
I await letters from your Excellency by the return of my messenger whom I sent to London to-day with my despatch. It contains as much news as I have been able to gather at this distance from the Court, with which there is little intercourse owing to the plague. I beg that your Excellency will pardon what cannot be called negligence, for it is a law of nature to try to live and more attention is paid to the health at present than to other matters. I pine to return to London, but I dare not do so till the frost has set in and has purged the infected air. When I may go in safety I shall hasten there to resume my usual style of correspondence and shall write every week.
Note of the English fleet which has sailed from Plymouth ; in all eighty-one ships with 5,691 mariners and 10,038 soldiers the whole being divided into three squadrons and commanded as follows :—
First the Squadron of the Admiral.
Colonel Cecil Marshal and Admiral.
The Earl of Denbigh Vice-Admiral.
Sir William St. Leger Sergeant Major and Rear Admiral.
The squadron has four Regiments thus named,
Of the Duke of Buckingham Generalissimo,
Of Colonel Cecil,
Of Sir William St. Leger,
Of Colonel Burgh.
Second the Squadron of the Yice-Admiral.
The Earl of Essex Admiral,
Lord Yalentia Yice-Admiral.
€ 2
MSS. or D. SXRIXE, Esq.36
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Lord Delaware Rear-Admiral.
With four Regiments thus named.
Of the Earl of Essex",
Of Lord Yalentia,
Of Lord Delaware,
Of Colonel Howard.
Third the Squadron of Rear-Admiral.
Sir Frances Stuart Admiral.
Lord Cromwell Vice-Admiral.
Sir Henry Palmer Rear-Admiral.
With the four following Regiments,
Of Lord Cromwell,
Of Colonel Rich,
Of Colonel Conway,
Of Colonel Bruce, a Scottish Gentleman.
Warsley, 20th November 1625.
The fleet has put to sea taking the direction of Spain. There is a general impression that the flrst attack will he against. Lisbon, and should that fail it will lie in wait in the neighbouring seas for the annual Spanish Indian fleet with treasure on Tboard. Up to the present time the wind has been favourable.
All wish the expedition success, but news of this will reach foreign shores before anything can be known here where intelligence will be looked for with much anxiety.
Their Majesties shift from place to place to avoid the plague, which however has overtaken many of the lower servants as well as several Officers of the Court. The contagion is everywhere.
The offensive and defensive alliance, between this crown, the States of Holland, and the Calvinists of Germany, against Spain and the House of Austria, seems to be a settled matter. France is not mentioned, at all events openly.
The eleven merchant ships, seized by the English guard ships on this coast, have not yet been restored to their owners ; although it is said that they will be so, with the exception of those which may be found to be the property of citizens of Dunkirk or Brussels. Claims are urged for damages, in the meanwhile, because the money which was found on board has been made use of in this country.
The English Envoy usually resident at Brussels has been recalled. The Flemish- Agent in London looks daily for his summons, as does also .the Spanish Envoy. Tlius step by step we approach the position of a complete breach of the peace.
The Catholic question becomes day by day more stringent; especially in its connection with the position of the French in the Household of the Queen, for which no remedy can be found ; whilst they they are full to the throat with disgust. They have little hope that the Sieur de Blainville, the new Ambassador Extraordinary from France, can do much to remedy matters, for they think with much reason that it is now too late.
It is said that Monsieur de Soubise, having arrived at Plymouth, was at once arrested by the Kings orders and has been placed under guard ; but this is a mere report.
The letters of the King calling for loans are now in circulation and in the hands of brokers who try to make a profit.
The plague diminishes and artizans return to London, but evidently it is yet too soon to do so for many of them die. It is said that all theHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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posts throughout the kingdom have been stopped, but as letters still MSS. or come to hand they must be carried by special messengers. I believe	* esq?™!
that there are few events oi importance taking place of which I do not — receive notice.
Warsley, 26th November 1625.
No news of the fleet has yet arrived. Popular rumour is in favour of taking Lisbon or Seville, but only those whose wishes make them blind to possibilities believe these reports. We can hardly now be called upon to wait long before hearing where the thunderbolt has fallen. As it is now forty-two days since ;the ships sailed from Plymouth, intelligence is looked for with the utmost impatience.
The Duke of Buckingham went twelve days ago to the port of Harwich, where he will find Eoval Gralleons and six large well armed merchant ships which are to form his convoy to Holland. There it is thought that he will complete the offensive and defensive league with those States against Spain and Austria, whilst he will probably enter into other negotiations also; but that he is to bring over the young Prince, son of the Prince Palatine, as has been whispered at Court here is not to be believed for many reasons.
The merchant ships lately taken by the guard-ships have been brought from Plymouth to the Thames, where they have been received with great expressions of joy and the firing of cannon. What does it mean that they are not consigned to their proprietors ? It is insisted that they are Dunkirkers, or that anyhow the cargoes belonged to Spanish subjects. It is boasted that the days of Queen Elizabeth are revived ; a popular idea with this people. We must therefore be prepared not only for acts of hostility between the nations at war, by which the Spaniards will he the heaviest losers, but for infinite damage to commerce in general as the naval power of England, united with that of Holland, must command the ocean.
The discontent of the French at this Court, increases from day to day. Forty of them have lately been sent to France, and should the remainder voluntarily depart it will be seen that they perfectly understand the resolution taken by the English Protestants to place in the service of the Queen persons of their own religion, and thus combine with that service-the exercise of the Protestant faith; and no doubt they will rigorously enforce the laws against the Catholics, however contrary this may be to the marriage articles as the French insist. Thus there is every prospect of the creation of a permanent bad feeling between the two nations, and the Queen herself as a Catholic shows symptoms of the dissatisfaction with which she regards these proceedings.
In short, if affairs continue on these terms, not only must the English have Spaniards as open enemies, but in a little while the French will utterly distrust them. Meanwhile the flood of persecution falls upon the unhappy Eoman Catholics who, by an order of the Privy Council, are to be disarmed on the pretext that they will join Spinola and his troops should he effect a landing in England. It is even said that they are provided with ships of war. To give some colour for this discernment, compromising letters, from members of the Privy Council who are Catholics, are shown. An effective force of both of infantry and cavalry is kept up on the coast opposite Flanders, but this has been the usual practice in cases of war with Spain. The Catholics have no arms of any importance, which fact, with the presence of the troops on the sea coast, shows that the disarmament does not proceed from any real alarm but from a desire to gratify the populace.38
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MSS. op H. B. Skeine3 Esq.
It is said that the reason for sending away forty Frenchmen attached to the Queen’s Household was on account of their conduct to one of those preaching ministers who happened, whilst the King was absent at Plymouth, to preach in a lower hall of the palace where the Queen was living.
Suddenly Her Majesty issued from her apartments with a number of French attendants, and with her little hunting dogs, all of them entering the hall with the loud cries usual in chasing hares. Thus they interrupted the minister and forced him to stop his sermon. He took an opportunity of complaining to the King and this coming to the ears of the French they abused him and threatened to pistol him.
Everybody talks of this subject but how far it is true, whether altogether or only partly so, I must wait to learn—but, if such things are done, it is easy "to infer what must be the position taken by the French in this country.
Monsieur de Soubise has been conducted from Plymouth into the county of Somerset, to remain there during the King’s pleasure ; the object being to avoid giving offence to the French. He is living in the house and under the care of Mr. George Poulett, a gentleman of position, and he is admirably well treated. It is stated that when he was at Plymouth he had an opportunity of conversing with the King. However this may be, it is now certain that, instead of being accompanied by twenty-four ships, he landed in poor condition and even badly clothed. The English show much sympathy towards him in his misfortunes.
The Great Seal has lately been taken from the Bishop of Lincoln and given to Sir Thomas Coventry, Attorney-General, who thus takes the official position formerly held by the Bishop. It appears that the latter had a difference with the Duke of Buckingham and he suffers in consequence : the Duke’s power increasing from day to day.
The plague in London appears to be dying out. Last week the number of deaths did not exceed three hundred and twenty. As yet no one dares return to the city.
Warsley, 9th December 1625.
Still there is no news of the fleet. The public now insist that it must be in the vicinity of Cadiz and St. Lucar, with the object of taking possession of those two places and of then proceeding to the attack of Seville. If the treasure feet from Peru has arrived in safety in Spain, as we are informed by letters from Antwerp that it has done, the,chief cause of anxiety to the Spaniards will have been removed. Their apprehensions were excited rather by the possibility of the capture of this fleet, than by any prospect of damage by land; against which ifc is believed that they are perfectly provided having had so much time to make the necessary preparations.
It is reported that prizes laden with sugar and merchandise have been taken on the coast of Gailicia, but this is only a report. It is altogether with no little marvel oh the part of all that there is such an absence of news of the doings of so mighty an armament.
The Duke of Buckingham went to Holland on the business of the league and his return is daily expected. His short voyage is guarded by no less than twenty ships of war, to defend him from the Dunkirk fleet which has put to sea and which makes itself felt daily by the damage which it inflicts on English and Dutch trade alike.
The loss lately suffered by the Dutch is very serious. They carry out a great fishery of herrings, on the coasts of this Island, which employs a large fleet of vessels and many men, the trade being very profitable. Seventy of this fleet have been sunk, the fishiug nets andHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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tackle destroyed, the crews made prisoners and conveyed to Dunkirk. mss. or The Dutch will not soon recover from this blow which, for the time H. D. SkrOTj being, has ruined a commerce that reached every part of Europe.
Several French merchants have come to this country to request the restitution of their ships, money and merchandise, which were taken not long since by vessels of the English navy. They make themselves heard in strong and decided language; but from this they do not appear to derive any advantage or prospect of reparation, for it is insisted here that the cargoes are either Flemish or Spanish. With regard to the money, part has been already expended in the payment of troops before the fleet put to sea, the balance was taken to the mint and re-coined, and besides the alteration in its character which this involved, it has passed, into private hands. There remains then little to say on the subject and as to other portions of the. cargoes these may be discussed at leisure. These circumstances, combined with the offence given to the French Courtiers in attendance on the Queen, increase beyond measure the prevalent bad temper, and cannot fail to counteract the good effect which was anticipated from the matrimonial alliance.
The Archduchess of Flanders has recalled her representative Monsieur Vanmule from this Court, and, being provided with a safe conduct, he was to depart last week in an English vessel which he hired.
He had not received the usual Royal gift, but. I believe that orders were given to present it. The Spanish Resident hopes to receive his recall very soon, which means that the good intelligence which existedbeiween these two kingdoms and which was fostered by King James, of happy memory, is now in extremis.
The seas are more and more covered with ships of war, and reprisals are common on both sides. Merchants are unable to distinguish between friends and enemies ; and they follow a middle course, abandoning the greater part of their traffic, which consists of the import and export of merchandise.
The Duchess of Buckingham, to the great satisfaction of all the family, and of friends and adherents, has given birth to a son. An expi'ess messenger has been sent to Holland to give the Duke news of the happy event.
Warsley, 24th December 16go.
Up to the present time there is no news of the fleet, but, if letters received at Antwerp from Spain are true, after being repulsed at Cadiz, it went out to sea in the direction of the Azores to way lay the treasure ships from Peru. May it have better success than in the first enterprise. Whilst intelligence is awaited from day to day of a blow being struck, another fleet composed of Royal ships of war and armed merchantmen is in preparation to reinforce that now at sea. To victual the ships, a prodigious number of oxen and pigs are slaughtered and salted, and a great quantity of beer is made. Such preparations require time, still the fleet may be ready sooner than is agreeable to the Spaniards, for by the exercise of capacity and industry every work becomes easy.
The Spanish Resident at this court received his recall last week by an express courier, but it appears that the King had previously given him his dismissal, and he must have gone by this time being provided with a safe conduct to enable him to pass by sea without molestation by the Dutch.
The French and other owners who demand restitution of the eleven ships seized by the Royal G-alleons are not as yet successful. Orders have been given to sell these ships. If at any time the owners can40
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prove that the cargoes were also their property they will be repaid, but it is insisted that the ships contained Spanish and Flemish property. To prove this the couriers boxes between London and Antwerp have been seized and placed in the hands of one of the Secretaries of State, who by an examination of the letters of merchants writing from both countries may ascertain the truth of the case. I have not heard the results nor the extent of this detention of the letters. Distrust is on the increase, and this nation perhaps supposes that it has reached the position which it occupied in the time of Elizabeth: that being the great object of its ambition.
The Duke of Buckingham had not returned last week from Holland, some think that he must visit France first and it is reported that new liveries and horses are to be sent to him there.
Their Majesties are perfectly well and pass their time at their country palaces waiting till the air of London is free from contagion, for although the plague is now reduced, has indeed almost disappeared, people are unwilling to return to their houses till the furniture in them can be purified.
There is a general belief that we shall soon have a new Parliament a sit is required in the present state of affairs.
The position of the Catholics becomes worse and worse; the penal laws are enforced against them with much stringency, and they have nothing to trust to but the Kings clemency.
Warsley, 31st December 1625.
News has come from London of the arrival at Plymouth of the Earl of Essex with a squadron of twenty-four Koyal G-alleons of the Fleet. He proceeded immediately to Court to give information to His Majesty, but we do not hear that he reported any victory either of his squadron or of the others which are at sea, but quite the contrary, and that they will follow his own. We wait to be informed of the real truth, and, according to the account which can be given of the success or failure of the expedition, this nation will praise or blame the authors of the loss of so many men and ot so much money. Were it in their power they would exhibit stronger signs of their dissatisfaction when the truth is fully known.
The outfit of the second naval armament is pressed on in London, and strenuous efforts are made to get it ready to sail at an early period, but it cannot be so before spring.
The Duke of Buckingham returned last week from Holland, and having paid his respects to His Majesty, he hastened to the country to see his Duchess and his only son.
Warsley, 6th January 1626.
The return of the Earl of Essex is confirmed. It is also stated that the rest of the fleet has reached the English coast, but we do not hear of the success which was anticipated. Determined on a still greater effort His Majesty has issued a proclamation requiring the soldiers and sailors not to leave the ships and threatening them with severe penalties if they do so without orders. His Majesty has signified that he intends to employ them in another enterprise and that the fleet will be strengthened by the ships now getting ready in the Thames.
It is obvious that the people are by no means satisfied with the last expedition. They express their discontent, in murmurs—if not openly, complaining in the usual way of those who have been in command; whilst their anger has been intensified by the news that, shortly afterHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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the departure of the English fleet from the Spanish coast, the treasure ships arrived from Peru with, it is said, twenty-six millions on board.
Notwithstanding such discouragement, better success is anticipated from a second attempt. This feeling so far mitigates the irritation of the people as to reconcile them to contributing freely towards another attack upon the Spaniards.
The Court will not run the risk of holding any festivities at Whitehall ; but it will do so at Hampton Court instead, remaining there till the 28th of this month, when it will return to London, and the civil and criminal Courts of Justice will return also.
Her Majesty the Queen and the Ladies of her Court are preparing for a ball to be given in London on Candlemas day.
At Windsor the King installed the following Knights of the Garter, the foreign knights being represented by their proxies ; the Duke of Brunswick, the Duke de Chevreuse, the Earl of Carlisle—a Scotsman, the Earl of Dorset, and the Earl of Holland.
Northampton, 13th January 1626.
Last week the Ambassador of His Highness the Duke of Savoy, the Abbé Scaglia, resident at the Court of His Most Christian Majesty, arrived in London to compliment our new King in the name of his master and at the same time to recommend his interests and to obtain if possible substantial assistance.
There is also an impression that he has a commission to interpose his good offices to sooth the grievances which have arisen since the marriage either from the fulfilment ^ or non-fulfilment of the terms which, according to the different ideas of the two nations, were agreed npon.
The belief that His Excellency may intervene is strengthened by the fact that in other cases the amicable efforts of the Duke of Savoy have been successful.
The Abbé Scaglia has been overwhelmed with civilities and honours lavished by the Court and especially by the Duke of Buckingham, who lodged and entertained him at his residence paying him the most courteous attentions, whilst His Excellency has received royal gifts of silver plate partly gilt of the value of 3,000 crowns.
The Ambassador of Lorraine is still in London, and this can only be accounted for, in my opinion, by a wish to receive the good offices of the King, who is a relative, in settling differences which have arisen between the Duke of Lorraine and the Duchess Dowager.
I have reason to think that their Majesties will be crowned in February, if the slight increase of plague does not prevent them from coming to Whitehall. If they return to London there will be a meeting of Parliament as without its assistance it will be impossible to pay the cost of the war with Spain. It is also necessary to secure property to the Queen in addition to her dowry ; and lastly it remains to he seen whether Parliament will vote new supplies without insisting upon a clear statement of the expenditure of former grants, which it is alleged have been wasted, and without questioning the authors of this extravagance. It is said that judging by the expression on the countenances of the Members they are prepared for extremities.
Northampton, 20th January 1626.
Commerce between this kingdom and Spain and with Flanders was last week prohibited to all subjects of this crown, and this is the first public act declaring war. His Majesty has also issued another proclamation commanding his subjects not to go to sea, except in well armed ships provided with artillery musketry and boarding pikes and all
MSS. or H. D. Skeine, Esq.42
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things necessary for offence and defence with a considerable number of sailors on board, under pain of the confiscation of the vessels and cargoes. It is wished by these means to obviate the losses which might be sustained from the enemy by unarmed ships, whilst armed at the cost of the proprietors they may be ready for any service required of them. The Earl of Holland, member of the Privy Council, was hurriedly sent last week to the Court of His Most Christian Majesty ; and at the same time the Bishop of Mende, who was in attendance on the Queen, also went to Paris. It is believed that the Earl is sent to seek a remedy for the dissatisfaction felt in England, or which may arise from the proceedings at Bochelle and the treatment of Monsieur de Soubise. Above all, however, it must be his care to tighten as much as possible the union with Prance for the promotion of the interests of this country against the Spaniards and Austrians. It is now said that, after the coronation and meeting of Parliament, his Majesty will go to Scotland to visit that country, and to be crowned there with similar ceremonial, and to check certain abuses which have made their appearance in the administration.
London, 30th January 1626.
We are now at the beginning of a cruel war with Spain and Flanders. Every week new edicts and proclamations are published forbidding intercourse between the subjects of this realm and the enemy. This involves the breach of commercial relations with other nations ; even in part with the French, but still more with the Hamburghers and Hanseatic cities, if not with Germany. These cities carry on a profitable trade with the Spaniards furnishing corn, ammunition, and materials for building ships ; but confusion is introduced into the transactions of merchants of every nation who already see that ships of war and privateers, under the colour of damaging the enemy, seriously injure friends and their trade by seizing their vessels and interposing endless and intolerable obstacles to their recovery by requiring proof that the cargoes are not Spanish. All this has been verified by the fact that divers Frenchmen are now here to demand restitution of their property and ships, taken by English war vessels on their way from Spain and have failed to bring the question to an issue.
The Abbé Scaglia, Ambassador from the Duke of Savoy, was sent to Dover in one of his Majesty’s carriages accompanied by a select escort and was conveyed to Calais in a ship of war. He may have been requested to exert his good offices at the French court to modify the bad humour prevalent there, and to induce his most Christian Majesty to realise that friendly alliance which was hoped for from the marriage.
In reply to the Earl of Holland, the French maintain that they have in a certain manner purchased the eight ships of war, or that they leased them for eighteen months, and not for six as the English allege, and they refuse to give them up.
There is consequently this further difficulty to augment the causes for dissatisfaction. It is hoped, notwithstanding, that means of accommodation will he found, seeing how many common interests make it a matter of necessity. The rest of the great fleet has returned having done nothing except show itself on the coast of Spain. This country is now openly at war, which must last till the present ill-humour has found a vent, or till some power sufficiently disinterested and possessed of authority steps in to make peace. For my part I believe that if reputation could he saved, there would be no difficulty in doing so. The Coronation of their Majesties is to be conducted more privately than usual from reasons of economy, and because it is desirable to
MSS. OF /
. D. SEEI2ÎE. ËSQ.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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avoid bringing together a great concourse of people whilst the plague is still nestling in this citj. The French Bishop is gone to France, it is generally believed, purposely to hold a consultation as to the presence of the Queen at a ceremonial to be performed by Protestant clergy, and he will bring back the resolution of the French court.
London, 6th February 1626.
The naval and military preparations for the war against Spain and Flanders are pushed forward ardently, and in the spring a powerful navy will be ready, as great as the first, but suggestive of better founded hopes of success. A part of the first fleet, consisting of six large men-of-war and twenty armed merchantmen, is now in Ireland under the command of Admiral Cecil. The ships have been much knocked about and injured by tempests at sea and are now undergoing repair. It is necessary to work hard to find money, whether to pay the expenses of the naval armament, or to provide for the six thousand infantry maintained by England in the service of the Dutch, or to contribute the sum promised to the King of Denmark, or finally to provide for present wants, which it is not possible to do without a large amount of supply from Parliament, convoked to meet on the sixteenth of the present month. In the meanwhile, till Parliament provides supplies, it is arranged to make a loan from the Dutch at Amsterdam, for two hundred thousand pounds sterling; to be paid partly here, part to the King of Denmark, part for the maintenance of the English troops in Holland, and twenty thousand, the amount of his yearly pension, to the Prince Palatine, who in the present emergency pledges as his security certain very precious and ancient Crown-jewels, from which security he is to be relieved when money is supplied by Parliament. The coronation is positively to take place on Thursday next, but with much less splendour than is usual. The Queen will not be present. Her Majesty is unwilling to be crowned by the hands of a Protestant Bishop, neither will she take any part in Protestant religious ceremonies. On the other hand no permission can be given to crown her in the Korn an Catholic manner. This has considerably increased the ill humour already prevalent between the French and English. The Earl of Holland was sent to France as Ambassador Extraordinary to try and recover the Royal ship of war and the seven armed vessels lent to the French King, as I have already reported. His Excellency was also instructed to endeavour to modify the ill feeling which has arisen between the two nations since the Royal Marriage and the arrival of Her Majesty in this country. Fie has not yet returned ; but he ought to do so soon to anticipate the meeting of Parliament, so that it may be known on what terms this country is to be with France. There is every symptom that if they do not agree to return the English ships, which they are employing against Rochelle in opposition to the will of the people of this country, it may be necessary to recover them by force. The irritation on both sides is very great, but the two nations have too many interests in common to prevent hopes of an accommodation or at any rate of an endeavour to get on peacefully.
As to the Roman Catholics they daily lose ground. They have been disarmed this summer, and this day an Edict has been published limiting their residence to certain districts. Some priest or other is imprisoned almost daily and the penal laws are enforced against them rigorously.
Hot a few of them, wholly unable to bear this persecution, deprived of the protection of the King and of the laws and of two thirds of their incomes, at last worn out, conform little by little to the customs of the country.
MSS. or H. D. Serine, Esq.44
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MSS. or H. D. Skbijste,
Seeing the march of events, and the incompetency with which the reins of power are held it is evident that sooner or later a religious war will break out.#
The plague is now limited to three parishes, and to one case in each. The number of victims from the month of May to to-day in this city and district, having a radius of one mile, has amounted to more than sixty thousand.
London, 13th February 1626.
The Coronation of King Charles took place yesterday in Westminster Abbey but without the customary Koyal Cavalcade, and comparatively without the magnificence characteristic of the ceremonial; it being resolved, from motives of economy, to save three hundred thousand crowns which it would have cost and to use the money for other important and needful purposes. It was at the same time desirable to avoid bringing together a numerous assemblage of the people whilst the plague still infests the city in various places.
The day before the Coronation the ceremony of creating sixty Knights of the Order of the Bath was performed, with no diminution of splendour notwithstanding the pest. The Knights were mostly men of title and well-born gentlemen, they rode in their mantles (of crimson velvet and ermine embroidered with certain white stripes) each Knight being between two Esquires also on horse-back, and with a mounted page in front bearing the sword and gilt spurs of his master. They were also attended by grooms and other officials. On arriving at the palace they were introduced with great ceremony into the Hall, and were there knighted by His Majesty, who touched each one on the shoulder with an unsheathed sword. The new Knights were then girt with gilt swords, and were invested with a crimson ribbon with a medal of gold attached bearing a device of three crowns in its centre and the motto fii Tria juncta in uno.” Lastly the spurs were fixed by a noble friend and an assistant and this completed the ceremony. Next Sunday the King will create a number of Earls in honour of the Coronation. It is a dignity of the highest class conferred only on great personages and with much pomp and solemnity.
On the following Monday Parliament will be opened at the Palace of Westminster by His Majesty in person who will go there accompanied by all the nobility, in their robes, together with all the Officers of the Crown riding in royal state; and, after hearing prayers and a sermon, the King will then go into the great hall, purposely prepared, and will declare the reasons for the convocation of Parliament; the principal object being, as every one believes, to obtain supplies to go on with the war against Spain. I have mentioned that the Queen would not be present at the Coronation or crowned, and, from the same religious scruples, she will not take any share in the Ceremonial of the opening of Parliament nor be present in the Procession. It is a fact however that the majority of the Peers who profess the Catholic faith have been present at the Coronation of His Majesty and consequently attended, not without scandal to other Catholics, the prayers and preaching made in the church; but their position is now made so difficult and painful, that doubtless many amongst them think more of their human than of their divine interests. Everyone here is surprised to learn that a general toleration has been extended to all the Catholics in the Kingdom of
* This is another instance of the foresight of Salvetti verified by subsequent events.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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Ireland, but political motives rather than a favourable disposition have been the reasons.
That country has been at all times, for the most part, constant to the Catholic faith ; and, being very open to incursions of the Spaniards, it is felt to be necessary, by the above means, to keep it loyal and obedient. A messenger was sent last week to recall the Earl of Holland, Ambassador Extraordinary to His Most Christian Majesty, it having been understood that he was making no progress in the negotiation for the restitution of the war vessels ; and it was at the same time determined to send from thirty to forty others to relieve Rochelle, the fall of which must be prevented, whilst the English ships must be seized and brought away. If, however, it is true that terms hare been made with the Rochellese and the Huguenots, then the fleet may be amicably restored ; and the Ambassador, in that case, may remain for some days to prosecute the other objects of his embassy touching common interests in the war and the pacification of the grudge which has arisen on other accounts. The Abbé Scaglia, Ambassador Extraordinary from Savoy, resident at Paris, sent one of his Gentlemen by express to the Duke of Buckingham with letters which it is believed convey intelligence of the accommodation with the Rochellese, as well as of other matters connected with the league with which His Excellency was commissioned when here.
The provisioning of the second naval armament makes rapid progress, and the remains of the first fleet are under repair some in Ireland and others on the west coast of England. It is believed that both will be ready for sea in April next.
MSS. or H. D. Skrixe, Esq.
London, 20th February 1626.
Parliament was opened last Monday by the King who alluded to his inability to make long speeches, and called upon the Keeper of the Great Seal to say what was necessary upon his part. His Excellency made an admirable speech, explaining to the Members the will of His Majesty. He did not enlarge upon the necessity of new supplies, but limited himself to observations on the great goodness of the King towards his subjects, and explained his desire to communicate frequently with them, through the channel of Parliament, on the most important affairs of the kingdom, that they might acquiesce in making the necessary provision.
On the following clay eight Earls were created, which was a very majestic ceremonial. The following were the noble and distinguished persons who were thus honoured. Yiscouut Mandeville^; Yiscount Andover, a Knight of the Garter, who had been Master of the Horse to the King when Prince of Wales, he was created Earl of Berkshire; Baron Yfentworth created Earl of Cleveland; Baron Sheffield, Knight of the Garter, made Earl of Mulgrave ; Baron Danvers, Earl of Denbigh ; Baron Carew, Master of the Ordnance, Earl of Totness; Baron Carey of Seppington, Earl of Monmouth; Baron Ley, Treasurer of the Kingdom, Earl of Marlborough.
Since this great ceremonial, nothing has been done except the election of the Speaker of the House of Commons. There all the representatives of the kingdom assemble, and there all projects are first effectually proposed and voted, and are then sent to the upper chamber, composed of the Peers of the Realm, to be confirmed. The House of Commons consists of four hundred members all persons of excellent intelligence. They are at present engaged in verifying the validity of the elections, and in putting everything in order so as to be ready in the approaching week
* His new title is omitted, he was created Earl of Manchester, and subsequently held the office of Lord Privy Seal.46
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MSS. OP H, D. Skrixe, Esq.
to attend to business or to whatever may be communicated to them by His Majesty.
The gentleman sent here lately by the Ambassador of Savoy, resident in Paris, with letters for the Duke of Buckingham, as I stated last week, has made very warm representations to obtain I do not know how many ships of war to be employed in the Mediterranean and consequently against the Genoese. He is about to be sent back with letters, and with a beautiful golden neck-chain as a gift, but up to the present-time, so far as I can learn, without any promise to meet his request for ships ; so much are these as well as soldiers and mariners required at home.
Correct intelligence has at last arrived of the nature of the adjustment between His Most Christian Majesty and the Eochellese. Its terms are regarded with much disappointment, and it is held that it cannot be lasting. At all events Messieurs the French must now return the ships which they borrowed.
The English Ambassadors Extraordinary are satisfied with the results of some of their negotiations, but with regard to that which is of chief importance it does not appear that any hope of success has been held out to them. There can therefore only be an increase of bitter feeling and there are manifest signs of similar sentiments on this side also; consequently a gentleman has been despatched to France to give information of the state of things here, and the English ports have been closed so that he may be the first to arrive.
They insist here that the French Ambassador has left London to be nearer Dover, that he may cross the sea as soon as he receives answers to his last despatches, sent by express courier to his King; but we hear that his messenger has not been allowed to pass. In reality the sudden departure from London of the French Ambassador has been caused by a notification sent to him that he was no longer to visit the Queen, and further that he would be no longer recognised as Ambassador.
The plague is again increasing ; it has been found this week in seven parishes in London, and in other parts of the kingdom it is only too active.
London, 27th February 1626.
Parliament is still occupied with preliminary business and with regulations for the preservation of its immunities and privileges. Now that these are almost cleared away, and that the usual formalities are brought to a termination, it will limit itself to the important affairs and to legislation which it may consider most beneficial for the country. There are already signs that it is about to take up the thread of the debates of the last Parliament which sat at Oxford, that is to say an inquiry into the expenditure with other grievances of importance. It therefore means to feel the pulse of those who administered the outlay; in which case we may look for something both novel and interesting.
The treaty between the Kochellese and the King of France is held here to be not only hurtful but to be ruinous, and efforts will be made to improve their position which is imperilled by the King’s occupation of the islands near and of the fort of St. Louis which is the key of the position. Under any circumstances the peace cannot be durable.
The English Ambassadors ought now to return to give a full account of the resolutions of the French with reference to the invitation so often made of an alliance, as well as with regard to the restitution of captures. This if done might go far to extinguish past and present bad feeling which as I have stated has been on the increase.
The French Ambassador on being forbidden access to the Queen and refused an audience by His Majesty, immediately left London for aHISTORICAIa MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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country house six miles distant to await a reply from his King. It being ascertained at Court that a courier from France had arrived with a message which concerned the Queen, notice was sent to His Excellency that he might communicate the message to Her Majesty, but that he must limit himself to that and return at once to his residence out of town.
The Venetian Ambassador has interposed his good offices and done everything in his power to mend matters and to preserve a good understanding and friendly feeling between the English and the French, but such is their difference of temperament, of religion, and of interests, that his success must be very doubtful; especially on account of the numerous Frenchmen who crowd the Court and are daily met with so that it is difficult to avoid hidden causes of offence. Messieurs the French no doubt will be compelled to retire having reached the last stage of unpopularity.
The Duke of Savoy makes every effort to obtain a loan of ships of war, and, should those now in the hands of the French be restored, it is quite possible that he may get them ; especially as the Duke of Buckingham favours his cause. His Highness must however be prepared to give security not only for the restitution of the ships but also that they shall be employed against Genoa.
General Cecil has not returned to London; he remains in Ireland, and although it is said that messages have been sent to him it is thought that he will not come during the sitting of Parliament.
A Persian Ambassador is expected to treat of the silk trade with Persia, but another Ambassador, Sir Robert Shirley, has been here for years negotiating on this subject without any result whatever.
London, 6th March 1626.
Parliament meets daily, but there is no appearance as yet of any work of importance. The Members are occupied with the grievances and burdens of the country, which questions open out into so many ramifications that they must keep them employed for many days ; more particularly if they require a precise account of the cost of this last expedition which they have clearly notified therr intention of doing,.
Mons. de Blainville remains at his house near Greenwich in a state of great mortification. He is waiting for the return of the gentleman dispatched by the King to the most Christian Court, as well as of the courier whom he sent with his own version of the case. Her Majesty the Queen conducts herself with youthful grace. On the day of carnival, for which Tuesday was set aside, she acted in a beautiful pastoral of her own composition, assisted by twelve of her ladies whom she had trained since Christmas. The pastoral succeeded admirably; not only in. the decorations and changes of scenery, but also in the acting and recitation of the ladies—Her Majesty surpassing all the others. The performance was conducted as privately as possible, inasmuch as it is an unusual thing in this country to see the Queen upon a stage; the audience consequently was limited to a few of the nobility, expressly invited, no others being admitted.
The Persian Ambassador arrived here on Saturday, and the first audience was appointed for Monday after dinner. In the meanwhile he accidentally met Sir Robert Shirley, an Englishman, who has been here for more than three years endeavouring to open a silk trade with Persia. The two ambassadors from words came to blows, and in tbe encounter His Excellency Sir Robert Sbirley had the worst of it, whilst the Persian not only would not recognise him as an Ambassador but tore up the credentials which the Englishman showed in proof of his mis-
MSS. or H. D. Skeine, ESQ.48
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MSS. op sion. In consequence of this incident the audience has not taken place.
H‘ ^Bsiof12^ I <3° not see how it can end except in proving that one or other is — an impostor. There can be no reception till the matter is cleared up.
The seizure of English ships and property effected on various parts of the coast of France has made a great noise in this country, and the proprietors are so excited that they have carried their complaints to Parliament to obtain justice. It at once embraced their cause and inquired into the facts so as to come to whatever determination the circumstances may require. No doubt the French must profit by an inquiry into the causes of the seizure of their vessels and property some time ago, by English war-ships, and justice may finally overtake those who were the authors of those scandalous proceedings.
I mentioned the good offices of the Venetian Ambassador in favour of the French Ambassador; but the latter does not appear to be pleased, and has expressed a wish that no one should interfere, so that the Venetian has entirely withdrawn from all further interposition.
London, 13th March 1626.
Parliament has undertaken an inquiry into the burdens of the people, and has arranged these under several heads all reflecting on the conduct of the administration. Both Parliament and the people in general are roused by the errors which they think have been committed in the management of the last naval expedition, in the loss of men, in the great outlay, and in the forfeiture of reputation; so that it will not be surprising if there is a general outbreak. It now seems that “the knot draws near the teeth of the comb,” * if the present Parliament continues, it cannot do less than insist oh retrenchment.
The seizures which have taken place of French ships and goods, and the reprisals made on the other side on English property, the complaints of the English merchants, and their petition for a remedy, have led to much thought on the part of Parliament, and the questions raised may prove of some prejudice to the original authors of the seizures, particularly with reference to the case of a French ship with a very rich cargo which was pronounced in the English Court to be undoubtedly French property. She was ordered to be set free and had proceeded on her voyage when she was again taken possession of by order of the Duke of Buckingham. On hearing of this the French retaliated and captured English vessels and goods. Parliament disapproving of this course of action and of the confusion thus caused in fair trade, and possibly for some other reasons, is now busy devising such expedients as may appear to them honorable and needful, the nature of which we shall soon learn.
The French Ambassador remains at his country house awaiting the orders of his King, and the hostile feeling between the two nations is augmented by the circumstance that the Court here has heard of the detention at Calais of Mr. Montagu, the gentleman whom His Majesty sent three weeks ago to the Court of France with letters to the English Ambassador. Mr. Montagu’s detention took place on his return homewards with the Ambassador’s reply which it was said was taken from him and sent to Paris.
The French defend this on the ground that the English acted in the same manner by detaining the Secretary of their Ambassador and preventing him crossing the sea to one of their ports, and they also maintain that not only was he thus detained but that his papers were taken from him. All this increases the misunderstanding, of which there are daily
*A common Tuscan proverb “ Tutti i nodi vengono al pe+tine/’ which the Resident quotes to show what must necessarily happen.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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other symptoms. In short things are in a very bad condition. The MS|^op French are no longer so popular as they once were, and the agreement * esq?™’ marie between their king and the Eochellese being so disadvantageous to the Protestant cause is therefore very little to the taste of this people and increases the aversion with which the French are now regarded.
The best thing which they can do is to return the ships which they captured, and the English will send them back their compatriots at this Court who are held to be of very little use. On Sunday last a great commotion arose in the town house of the French Ambassador, between some of his servants and the constables and other officials of the supreme Spiritual Court here which is similar to our Inquisition. The disturbance took place because the officers of the Court wished to make prisoners of certain English Catholics who attended the Mass at the Embassy.
The French being armed wounded several of the officials, and the fray would have become more serious but for the arrival of the Earl Marshal who was sent by His Majesty.
Parliament, availing itself of the opportunity thus offered, is considering more rigorous penal laws ; to correct, it is said, the insolence of the Catholics whose condition never has been more embittered than afc the present time. All the laws hostile to them are enforced, without distinction of rank or quality ; the zeal with which His Majesty regards his religion, as well as the hatred with which the Puritans look on all of the Roman faith, concurring with these proceedings.
In the midst of these discomforts we flatter ourselves with the usual hopes of amendment, and console ourselves by observing the complete and sincere affection which subsists between the King and Queen ,* which, if misrepresented by some, is a cause of very general good feeling which will he increased should it please God to give them Royal offspring.
The quarrel between the Persian Ambassadors remains undecided, and the last comer has not been received. His Majesty, being desirous of knowing more of both, blames the brutality,and barbarity of the one, and the too great endurance of the other, who, considering the relatives and friends which he has in this country, ought to have gained the upper hand.
The Venetian Ambassador has informed this Court that his Serene Highness the Grand Duke of Tuscany has lent large sums to the Governor of Milan ; this comes from the Venetian resident there and is here regarded with disfavor.
London, 20th March 1626.
One of the French ships, called the St. Peter, lately captured with others, was allowed to depart in accordance with the decision of a Court of Justice; hut, notwithstanding, was again retaken by order of the Duke of Buckingham, Lord High Admiral. The immediate consequences of this act upon his part were numerous reprisals on the part of the French, and the seizure of English vessels with their cargoes to the serious damage of the trade of this country. Parliament became at once desirous of instituting inquiries into proceedings, apparently caused by the conduct of the Duke, when His Majesty through his Attorney-General gave the Members to understand that the Duke had acted by his commands. The King having thus assumed the responsibility, the house has not been able to pursue the subject further. It shows every disposition and determination to avail itself of other means of attack should they offer themselves; but, the Duke having the King on his side, its efforts in this direction will prove futile.
U 23533.	d50
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MS& or Many subjects liave been under discussion in Parliament, but no work ' EsrQRI^ Las keen clone. The Members however have now entered seriously on
--- the necessary business for providing for the internal and external wants
of the kingdom.
A proposal has been made in the House of Peers by the Duke of Buckingham, and has been supported by other Peers at all times disposed to wound both Spain and the House of Austria ; but it may be opposed in the Lower House, not from a disposition to refuse to contribute readily to the wants of His Majesty, but, as I have already said, because there is a wish on the part of the Members to inquire into the expenditure of former supplies, as well as to take measures to remedy existing grievances before granting supplies, or at all events to consider these questions at the same time. There is every appearance that it will be difficult to induce Parliament to do anything in one direction without concessions on the other.
It is asserted that the affair of Rochelle having been entirely settled the French will not only return our war ships, but will also set free the English merchant vessels lately captured, and besides will grant effectual assistance to pi’esent designs. These statements need confirma-■ tion and they appear to be suggested by people’s wishes rather than by realities.
On Sunday last the King gave orders to imprison Lord Arundel, the Earl Marshal, in the Tower of London, in consequence of the marriage of his son Lord Maltravers with the Lady Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of the late Duke of Lennox and a relative of His Majesty, whom he intended, it is said, to give in marriage to a son of the Earl of Argyle in Scotland. Although the Earl Marshal states in his defence that he knew nothing of the marriage, the King will not accept of this explanation but insists that the marriage has been made in spite of his will to the contrary.
The Duchess of Lennox and the Countess of Arundel, the mothers of the married couple, have been imprisoned in separate private houses, and. the spouses in the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The event is of serious importance and has happened at an unlucky moment. Members of the House of Lords are secretly dissatisfied for they feel that they have lost one of their principal colleagues.
The new Persian Ambassador has at last had an audience of His Majesty during which, besides the usual compliments, he explained his instructions to invite this nation together with the Dutch—to whom another Ambassador has been sent similarly instructed—to open a trade in silk with Persia, with promises of the most favourable conditions. He also had an audience of the Queen, and is now waiting to communicate with commissaries with whom to commence business negotiations. This proposed trade must depend upon the good will of the leading merchants, and it must involve a great expense even to make a beginning. It will not therefore he surprising if after some time spent in discussion it should end in smoke.
As for the other Ambassador, Shirley who carried off such a load of fisty-cuffs from his newly arrived rival, I believe, as I have already said, that he had better remain quiet as there appears to be no remedy, and as he is under the shadow of a suspicion that he has for a long time pretended to be what he is not.
It now appears that the report that the gentleman sent by His Majesty to Paris was detained at Calais and his despatches taken from him was not true. It is now certain that he was here last week as I have already stated.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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London, 27th March 1826.
The resolution carried by the Duke of Buckingham in the House of H‘ Lords fii that it is necessary to provide immediately for the requirements of His Majesty both for home and foreign affairs” was transmitted to the lower House. The Members replied immediately that they were ready to vote a large sum of money, provided that they were favourably listened to on the subject of the grievances into which they were at present inquiring. They are bent on throwing the greatest share of blame on the Duke of Buckingham, holding him to be the chief author, and they are consequently desirous of proceeding by impeachment. They have been however directly informed by His Majesty that if they are satisfied to speak of grievances generally without specifying the Duke in particular, his faithful Minister and good servant, whom he would protect and against whom he would listen to no accusation whatever, he would in that case be ready to hear them and to give them needful satisfaction. It was his desire however that meanwhile they should attend to other business and especially resolve to consider the supplies. The defence of the Kingdom, and the means of attacking the enemy must be provided for. Further, they were themselves called upon to punish two Members of their house who had disrespectfully exaggerated the accusations brought against the Duke, and had in no small measure reflected offensively on His Majesty as well as on the memory of the King his father. This arbitrary mode of speech of the King, opposed to the resolutions which they wished to proceed with and wholly unexpected, has greatly disconcerted the Members; and their * embarrassment is increased by His Majesty’s declaration, as well as by the active body of members who take the side of the Duke. It is thought by some that large sums will be granted to His Majesty, and that then the Commons will be dismissed to their homes without having attained their object; which is to vanquish and cast down the Duke who £t the present time is stronger than ever in the regard and favour of the King.
The hostile feeling against the Duke began in the Parliament that sat at Oxford ; and, it being'dissolved in the manner before described, the present has revived its line of conduct; wdiilst the recapture of the French ship by order of the Duke after it had been legally liberated, which led to the capture of English property in France, provided the opportunity of looking into his administration. The principal accusations brought against His Excellency, moved by a certain Doctor Turner, are divided tinder six heads as follows:—
1st. Whether the reputation of His Majesty’s fleet since the Duke of Buckingham has been Admiral has not diminished and the dominion of the neighbouring seas been almost lost ?
2nd. Whether in consequence of the innumerable and profuse donations bestowed on the Duke and his relatives the country has not been impoverished ?
3rdly. Whether the assumption by the Duke and his relatives of the principal offices of the kingdom has not been the cause of the present disorders ?
4thly. Whether the sale by the Duke of offices and dignities both spiritual and temporal to unworthy persons to the exclusion of candidates of merit is not the cause of disorder and injustice ?
5thly. Whether the presence at Court of his mother and godfather who are papists does not show that he patronises others of that sect ?
6thly. Whether being Grand Admiral and General he ought not to have gone in person with the fleet, and whether its failure is not to be attributed to the selection of little experience to command it ?
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mss of It is said that the Members of Parliament wish to inquire into other H. Wskrine, matters, but I am of opinion that they will in the end be obliged to be Esq- quiet as I see no chance of their success, even in the smallest degree, unless the King sided with them which no one believes possible. Towards the end of last week a gentleman arrived at the French Embassy, sent expressly by his most Christian Majesty to make inquiries whether satisfaction can really be obtained for the value of the ships and property taken by the English, also to ascertain carefully what is the nature of the offence given to His Majesty’s Ambassador.
Having remained for three days, occupied in négociation, and having been received by the Queen—without an audience of the King—the gentleman returned to France on Saturday last. He had with him written copies of the instructions previously given to the French Ambassador. They set forth that His Majesty was satisfied to release the English property taken in reprisal by the French, provided that, within three weeks, the English should on their parts deliver up and restore all that had been taken from the French.
It is not apparent how such proposals can be carried out, and it is impossible to do so at so early a period. The greater part of the merchandise lias been sold for half its value. The money thus obtained has been spent, and the remainder of the goods wasted.
It is evident that nothing can be done; besides the two sides are further off than ever from a settlement, for it is publicly stated that new captures have been made at Calais, in Picardy, thus increasing still more the hostile feeling -which it will be difficult to soothe; whilst the injury done to this country may be the greater that the French have in hand so much English property that probably they will pretend not only to the restitution of the principal but to payments for damages and interest.
To all this is to be added the indignation with which the French Ambassador is filled to the throat', as well as the French residents at Court here, all of which united with these mercantile disturbances cannot fail to increase the bad understanding between the two nations.
It will always exist more or less. Mere accidents increase it, not to speak of the residence here of a number of excitable French people who cannot be quiet ; and finally there is the antipathy with which the two nations have long regarded each other.
The new Persian ambassador presented His Majesty, on the occasion of his audience of Monday, with several long and wide carpets made in his country, with I know not what quantity of gold and silver brocade. It is said of the value of about five thousand crowns. There are yet no Commissioners appointed to consult with the Ambassadors on his proposals.
As to the other Ambassador, the Englishman Shirley, it is proposed to send a person expressly to Persia to ascertain if he is recognised by the King, and perhaps they will send him also, in company with the messenger, at his own special request. In the meanwhile his rival will be detained here till his return, or till by some means the real facts are ascertained. The Earl Marshal remains a prisoner in the Tower. His Majesty has given orders for his examination by four members of the Privy Council, the nature of which has not transpired. The members of the house of Lords, or at any rate a considerable number, maintain that no Peer can be imprisoned during the sitting of Parliament except for high treason or homicide ; they therefore demand, in accordance with their privilege, that the Earl Marshal be liberated and brought before them for examination, when if any offence is established he may be imprisoned by their authority. They have not been listened to ; theHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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King has informed them, through the Lord Keeper and the Lord Treasurer, that he had not imprisoned the Earl Marshal for any Parliamentary offence; they were also reminded that the Peers were divided on the question of privilege. Many of their Lordships are greatly mortified that they should be called upon to submit to such a precedent. The Duke holds eleven proxies of absent Peers and for the moment it seems that more harm than good has been done by the attempt to promote the liberation of the imprisoned noble.
London, 3rd April 1626.
Although the King last week informed Parliament, by word of mouth, that it ought without loss of time to devote its attention to the question of supply, instead of bringing personal charges against the Duke of Buckingham, it evidently will not abandon the course which has been taken. The members on the contrary persevere zealously in their inquiries into the causes of existing burdens. Such inquiries naturally lead to reflections on the administration of the Dube, and many name him in the most open manner as the author of existing evils. They are not likely to give up the habit of doing so, till they have matured the terms of his impeachment, which, with the support of the house of Lords, they will submit to his Majesty petitioning him for justice.
The King is anxious to prevent this catastrophe, partly because he has already declared his determination to protect the Duke ; whilst, to escape if possible the necessity of again disagreeing with Parliament and of dissolving it, His Majesty has temporised and has written the following loving letter in which “ He exhorts the Members to consider the present state of his affairs, and calls upon them to unite together and to take prompt measures to aid him, so that the favourable season may not be lost for making all the preparations necessary for defence and offence, and especially for succouring the King of Denmark with present and future supplies of 30,000/. sterling, as well as 20,000/. for the Count of Mansfeldt, besides whac is required to pay for the maintenance of 6,000 English troops in Holland.3’
“ What is of still more importance, they must also provide the money required for the cost of the navy and for the defence of Ireland which will amount to millions. With regard to the statement of grievances, His Majesty will hear it, provided that there is no attack on his government, or on that of his father the late King of happy memory, and that it is expressed in a moderate and temperate manner.33
It will be difficult to avoid stumbling against some one or other of these restrictions; either Parliament must altogether abandon the discussion of them, or must place itself in the dangerous position of hostility to the Duke, and incur the risk of being dissolved without having succeeded in auy one thing, seeing that the King up to the present time is resolute to support him and that his Excellency is confident that he need not fear the attacks with which he is menaced. The House has taken time till Monday to consider its reply to His Majesty’s letter. Possibly it may declare the amount of the supplies which it will grant and under what conditions. In the meanwhile it is considering the best mode of proceeding without abandoning its statement of the grievances that have resulted from the administration of the Duke. In a few days we shall hear of the birth which will relieve this Parliamentary pregnancy which has reached its full period.
Opinions vary according to inclination and interests. The majority however are straining to compass the ruin of the Duke. To me this appears obvious that his protector will maintain his position with unchanged mind and that Parliament will be obliged at last to provide
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supplies, receiving in turn some promise of a future remedy for tlie evils which are complained of. A beginning lias been made here to consider the steps necessary for the release and restitution of French vessels and cargoes. It is impossible however to perform immediately all that is proposed ; moreover, since the last seizure of English property made at Calais, three French ships have been taken in reprisal.
The complaints of Mons. de Blainville continue, but he receives no satisfaction whatever. It is difficult therefore to see how so many disputes can be patched up without risk of the agreement being broken to pieces on the smallest provocation. His Excellency the French Ambassador has returned to his London residence. I believe that he has don© so under instructions which he has received, but I do not hear that he goes to Court or that there is the remotest idea of endeavouring to pacify him. A gentleman sent from Paris by the Prince of Piedmont has been here during last week, but beyond the usual compliments offered to their Majesties in the name of his Highness it does not appear that he is charged with other business. At the same time another personage has appeared here, sent by the King of Denmark to give an account of his Danish Majesty’s present position as to his yearly subsidies, and especially to press for payment of arrears and present obligations, as well as to show the necessity which there is of still larger sums to provide the means of defence and offence against his enemies.
A message which could not have arrived at a better conjuncture than the present, to serve as a spur to Parliament to induce it promptly to grant larger supplies, although divers Members remain incredulous.
The Earl Marshal is still in prison in the Tower. Parliament wishes to aid him, but His Majesty will not hear of it,* and the Duke of Buckingham has no desire whatever to see him liberated, on account of his Parliamentary influence against him, especially as he is gifted with a powerful intellect, and is highly esteemed by other Peers: consequently the Duke regards him with little favour.
The affairs of the unhappy Catholics never were in a worse state than at the present time with every appearance of decline rather than improvement.
There are at Plymouth about forty ships of war, part of the new fleet which are ready to sail; but, till Parliament provides money, they cannot leave the harbour, or at any rate do more than go a short distance.
A certain Captain Doper is ready to go to sea at an early day, with two good ships of war and two small pinnaces, having obtained letters of marque against the Spaniards from the King. This man is very well known in Leghorn and its vicinity, it would not be suprising if he should turn up in that neighbourhood, and should despoil friends as well as enemies, being utterly desperate and capable of anything.
A prodigious inundation which has done infinite damage at Seville has grieved no one here, it is thought rather to be a sign that the Lord fights for this side.
It has now come out that France and Spain have agreed on the question of the Valtelline. If this news be true Italy may breathe again, but it is no cause of satisfaction to this country.
London. 10th April 1626.
On Monday last, Parliament delivered its answer to the remonstrance made by His Majesty the week before, on the subject of promptly granting a sufficient sum of money. The reply of the House of Commons concluded with a statement that it was prepared to grant three subsidies and three fifteenths, payable in three rates within a year, amounting inHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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all to about three hundred thousand pounds. The act however would not be passed till such time as His Majesty should be pleased to give a direct reply to the list of grievances that are now in preparation, and that are to be brought under his notice.
This list, as already stated, touches the Duke of Buckingham to the quick, and is consequently the cause of alienation between the King and the House of Commons.
His Majesty summoned all the Members to his presence on Wednesday last, when not only he did not accept or thank them for their promise that they were prepared to grant three subsidies and three fifteenths, but in the most austere manner he informed them “ that he had hitherto treated them with lenity in the belief that they would have met him in a good spirit, but, observing that his gentleness only increased their disposition to overstep the bounds of modesty and their duty as good subjects, he was now reduced to the necessity of exercising his royal authority.” His Majesty then expressed his determination, “that if by the close of Saturday next they had not consented to support him with a larger amount of supplies without farther reference to the question of grievances which reflected upon his present government as well as upon that of the late King his father, and without intermeddling with the administration of the Duke, who had merited so much from the late King and from the kingdom and whom he was resolved to protect—then they need not think of sitting in Parliament after that day, but would be sent to their homes.”
This absolute mode of speaking, seconded by a speech from the Lord Keeper, roused a bitter and obstinate feeling in the Members of Parliament. They adhered resolutely to the coarse which they had begun and resumed their debates with equal ardour—when the House of Lords asked for a conference which was agreed to.
At this conference the Duke of Buckingham stated that he had received His Majesty’s orders to offer an explanation which would be found advantageous. He proceeded to state, with much courtesy of manner, that, although His Majesty had allowed them but a brief interval to make up their minds to grant him a larger sum, he had considered the subject and was willing to leave the time to their choice, provided that they kept within reasonable and convenient limits in providing for his urgent requirements, and on condition that they dealt with other matters in a modest and temperate spirit.
The Duke took the opportunity of making a long speech in justification of himself, denying the misconduct imputed to him. He was not successful in his defence, and many felt that his apology, associated with the King’s expressions on Wednesday, did him more harm than good.
In short the general disposition of the House is to assail the Duke, for it is resolved to overthrow him. God help him if he commits any blunder : there may then be no middle course, and if under such circumstances Parliament is dissolved it will excite universal disapprobation.
The French Ambassador Extraordinary has returned to London and has consented to accept the Court provision and finally to attend an audience granted to him by His Majesty on Tuesday. It is conjectured that His Excellency—-his dissatisfaction being evaporated—had better depart so soon as Monsieur de Fossé the new Ambassador In Ordinary arrives.
The return of the English Ambassadors Extraordinary from France is expected almost from hour to hour. They will be replaced by Sir Edward Barrett as Ambassador in Ordinary.
The liberation of the property of the merchants on both sides, makes slow progress. The delay may be the cause of further estrangement
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MSS or before it will be possible to make finally areal and substantial agreement,.
It. X>. Semite, especially as the English observe on the part of the French a growing EsQ> indifference to any union for the promotion of their interests, either directly or indirectly; whilst they have almost made a final settlement with the Spaniards, as to the affairs of the Valtelline, wi thout the participation of England; all leading to the conclusion that there is now no hope of any assistance, such as was held out by the former alliance.
The Agent from the Duke of Savoy is still here, and is made much of by the Duke of Buckingham, but it has not been possible to discover whether there are negotiations of which the object is to obtain the ships of war for which the Ambassador Scaglia applied. Since the arrangement as to the Valtelline, which must lead to the abandonment of any attack on Genoa, the ships can no longer be required ; and at the present conjuncture His Serene Highness could hardly expect England to spare any of her vessels of war. With regard to the gentleman from Denmark, he will not leave till he receives a supply of money for his. King ; but for this he must await the convenience of Parliament.
The Duke stated in the House of Lords yesterday that the new fleet was almost ready to go to sea, and that all that was wanted was money for the expenses of the expedition in which the Dutch will take part,, with twenty ships, when the united fleets will attack the enemy.
The Bishop of Mende has returned from France, it is said with the intention of remaining, but he has no commission to act in favour of the Catholics.
London, 17th April 1626.
The House of Commons has done nothing more than prepare a remonstrance in writing, in which it defends itself, maintaining that it has not departed in any case from customary Parliamentary usages, although the whole of the Members had been reprimanded by His Majesty in his Boyal Speech for doing so. They had not attacked either the government of His late Majesty or that of the King, hut they had complained of the conduct of a subjert—as they were privileged to do, however great he might be—for which there were many precedents. They reiterated their resolution to grant three subsidies and three fifteenths under the conditions previously stated.
This document was presented to His Majesty by thirty Members of the House of Commons on Wednesday last, and he stated that he would reply to it on Thursday in the following week; meanwhile the House would stand adjourned, so that the members might visit their homes and attend to their Easter duties in peace and quiet.
The practical object is to give time to win Members over to the Duke’s side, for he is menaced with ruin although he has a certain popular influence. I still think that, so long as the King remains firm, the Duke can maintain his position and will survive this storm; that at last Parliament will consent to grant the subsidies, but will leave it to the King in the exercise of his prerogative to impose the additional taxes on everything necessary to raise the supplies.
The House of Lords has again attempted to assert its privilege to liberate the Earl Marshal, but has not been successful; being opposed by the Duke, with the aid of his proxies which represent a certain number of votes, in addition to which his adherents in the House comprise nearly all the Bishops who vote as spiritual Barons.
The opposition however will not abandon a cause which so closely concerns them all, and their immunities and privileges which do not allow any of them to be imprisoned during the sitting of Parliament except for high treason and felony.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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His Excellency the Erench Ambassador has been visited by the Duke of Buckingham and other Members of the Privy Council. The officials who detained his secretary at the English port, and prevented him passing over to France, have been imprisoned; as well as the constables who insulted the Embassy by their attempt to arrest the English Catholics who frequented the Ambassador’s Chapel. In short all honour is shown him ; and by such means, and by the handsome presents which will be made on his departure, it is hoped to satisfy him and to make him the friend of this country when he returns to his own.
The two Ambassadors Extraordinary to the Court of His most Christian Majesty returned to London on Tuesday last; they affect to be entirely satisfied, but no one is misled by this. On the contrary it is believed that they have been unable to induce the French to join the league proposed to them, and so much desired by the English, nor have they been able to maintain seeresy with regard to the question of assistance against Spain and the House of Austria, nor to check the arrangement in Spain as to the Valtelline.
The Queen with all her ladies went into retirement in Denmark House for the convenience of her devotions. A long gallery was divided and fitted up with cells, and a refectory, and an oratory, in the manner of a Monastery. There they sang the hours of the Virgin, and lived together like nuns.
Yesterday, being Holy Thursday in this country,* Her Majesty with her ladies walked to St. James, a distance of a mile, and visited the Holy Sepulchre in the Chapel provided there for her Household ,* after which with her attendants she returned to Denmark House in carriages.
Signor Federigo Tantucci of Siena is here at present, sent by Cardinal Spada to the Queen, with a brief from His Holiness for the Jubilee.
London, 24th April 1626.
Yesterday the two Houses of Parliament met for the first time after the adjournment, but as two thirds of their numbers had not returned from the country the others delayed the consideration of their great question of the grievances till Monday next.
They received however a message from the King touching upon the necessity of speedily voting supplies; so that, according to the promises repeatedly made, he might provide for the defence of the Kingdom; as well as for prosecuting the war, against Spain and the House of Austria, which, by the persuasion of Parliament, he had undertaken. The Members however have got it into their heads that, before doing anything else, the grievances must be remedied ,* and there can be no doubt that they are most unwilling to gratify His Majesty, except on the condition that they shall be satisfied on the subject of the grievances, if not wholly, at least in part.	1
The Earl Marshal on Tuesday last was removed from the Tower to the country house of the Countess his mother, twenty miles from London, to remain there as prisoner, during His Majesty’s pleasure, with permission however to vote by proxy in the House of Lords.
We now wait to hear how the House of Lords will appreciate this step which is so wounding to their privileges. The Earl’s son with his spouse are also liberated, and sent to the same house, under the same conditions.
* In 1626 Easter was celebrated by the Church of Rome on April and by
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The French Ambassador, Monsieur de Blainville, sometime ago received his instructions to return home; he is about to take leave and has sent away the greater part of his property, still he seems to loiter. Some think that he does so to annoy powerful persons whose only wish regarding him is that he should be out of sight. There is no business to detain him and he is amusing himself in the country shooting.
The Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Carlisle, and the two Ambassadors Extraordinary lately returned from France, have visited the Agent from Savoy, which is held to be a very remarkable demonstration, and not usual except to Princes and Ambassadors, and which has annoyed both the French and the Venetian Ambassadors, especially the latter; this personage never having visited him, nor communicated to him his business, which indeed is held to be merely visionary and more apparent than real. For my part I think that his only object is to be made a Knight of the Golden Chain.
Progress is made in fitting out the fleet, but not so much as would be the case if there was more money. Orders have been given to build immediately twenty war vessels of smaller size and lighter draught than the usual Galleons, the object being to combat similar ships, from Dunkirk and Flemish ports, which infest the English coasts and inflict great damage, as wTell as to pursue them even to their harbours.
Notwithstanding these warlike preparations it is greatly desired to And means for the promotion and security of general trade, especially of that with Spain which in the time of King James was so active and profitable, which is now felt to be a serious loss, and which English merchants are unwilling to see fall into the hands of the French, or to share with them on disadvantageous terms. To make a beginning in a more satisfactory direction, the Privy Council, with the consent of the King, has lately issued an explanation of the edict and proclamation of his Majesty which some months ago entirely prohibited his subjects from trading with Spaniards and Flemings. It is now declared that this prohibition does not extend beyond supplying provisions and ammunition to the enemy, and does not include ordinary merchandise, and it is added that any one may trade with the Spaniards and subjects of the Archduchess of Flanders, but with this reserve that no one is to enter any port or other place where ships and sailors may be taken, as those with fortresses and such like. This reservation is of so much importance that I am of opinion that, without more ample liberty of action, the merchants will not incur the risks.
It is however evident that this step argues a desire to condescend to improved conditions within a given time ; especially as a few days ago the secretary left behind by the Ambassador, Sir Walter Aston, returned from Spain. He has received presents from his Catholic Majesty, and is much satisfied with the Spaniards who have allowed three English ships to return from Malaga with other property which was in their hands. This mollifies the prevalent ill humour here ; and I think I see that the terms on which the nations now are might be easily improved if some person of sufficient authority would mediate.
It is indeed whispered that the Queen Mother, having favourably arranged questions depending between the French King and his Catholic Majesty, is now desirous of exerting her good offices in this direction ; but apparently no one entertains^ any hope of success from her good work.
The merchants of the Turkey Company decline to accept, and to send as Ambassador to Constantinople, Sir Thomas Phillips, a creature of the Duke of Buckingham whom His Majesty has selected and provided with credentials.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION”.
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The merchants say that as they administer affairs, and as the Ambassador is sent at their expense, they ought also to make the selection as they have done before. They wish to have a man of intelligence and not a courtier, they therefore decline to give him a passage in any of their ships which are about to sail for Turkey. Should His Majesty insist upon the appointment made, the Ambassador will be under ihe necessity of going by land to Italy where he may embark either at Venice or Leghorn for his destination.
It is said that Burlamacchi is to be sent to France to receive rhe second half of the Queen’s portion which is payable in May. His instructions will be to appropriate a part of the money to the King of Denmark and part to Mansfeldt in payment of the subsidies due.
Lord Willoughby has been appointed Lord Chamberlain, an office which was held by the Earl of Oxford, Lord Willoughby being his nearest relation.
London, 1st May 1626.
I have nothing to report this week regarding the proceedings of Parliament except the persistence with which the House of Commons adheres to the great question of the grievances of the nation, of which the Members hold the Duke of Buckingham to be “ causa causarum,” so that they inquire daily into his administration that they may complete his impeachment, although the King has again twice informed them that they must think of the question of supplies within five days or else he must have recourse to other measures.
It is apparent that, notwithstanding the threat thus conveyed to them, they will not stir from the course which they have taken; indeed they make it distinctly understood that they will prosecute no other business, till they have completed the question which they are at present agitating and have received some satisfactory assurance regarding it.
The House of Lord has also begun to grow warm on the subject of its privileges, so rudely shaken by the imprisonment of the Earl Marshal a member of their House. They have again petitioned for his liberation and his restoration to his place in Parliament. In conformity with the Royal promise they look for an answer in a few days, the King remarking that as they had spent some time in consulting on this question, deeming it of much importance, he also felt it to be necessary to take the requisite time to consider it before coming to a final resolution.
The Earl of Bristol, who negotiated the treaty of marriage between Charles Prince of Wales and the Infanta of Spain as well as other treaties, and who after his return to England vras confined as a prisoner to his own house, has presented a petition to the House of Lords, stating that as a Peer of the Realm he wishes to recover his privileges, and to take his place among them, when he will be prepared to justify himself from the imputations cast upon him by the Duke of Buckingham ; especially those of having tried to induce the Prince of Wales, when in Spain, to change his religion and to become a Catholic. He will, he says, impart to them other matters of importance against the said Duke, concerning the honour of the King and the safety of the Kingdom; amongst others, the loss of the Palatinate for which he will show that the Duke is responsible. The petition was read and listened to with much attention, and there is a disposition to probe it to the bottom; so that, unless the King interposes, we may see a great combat between the Duke and the Earl, with much probability of the ruin of the one or of the other. The Duke has this advantage that he is supported by the King; whereas the Earl has nothing to depend upon60
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H. D. Serine ^nt the justice of Ais cause which commands the general sympathy Esq. * seeing the ability with which it is defended.
The discussion is now so warm that the Duke must yield, or the King must dissolve Parliament without having obtained money. This he will be ill able to bear owing to the serious detriment which it will prove to his affairs as well as to those of his foreign confederates.
At present the Duke is somewhat indisposed ; probably rather mentally than bodily, as he must know that he is the object of the hatred of the greater part of the nation.
Monsieur de Blainville has at last taken leave of their Majesties and departs on Monday next. Outwardly he appears to be satisfied, but every one believes that inwardly his feelings are very different.
With respect to the capture of merchants effects on both sides, there is yet no appearance of attaining a satisfactory and substantial settlement. The French have double the quantity of prizes in hand, as compared with the English, and insist on receiving the first amends before carrying out on their part the agreement which was made with the Ambassador. What is of still greater consequence, they as yet take no steps to return the ships of war which were lent to them last year. This excites a clamour in Parliament, and amongst the people who impute to the Duke the serious error of having lent the fleet, and placed it under the command of the French, to be used against the Protestants of Rochelle.
The Agents of Denmark and Savoy live in the same house, and it is said that they are about to leave. The first if he is satisfied, which may be done if the French will pay the balance of the Queen’s portion. The second says that he is waiting the arrival of a courier before leaving. It is not observable that his negotiations are of the importance which his frequent attendance at Court and on Ministers suggests; and it is believed that he will depart when he has received his present, whether his business is finished or not, and without waiting for any courier.
Members of the House of Commons think of forming a company of gentlemen who may subscribe a large sum of money to keep about fifty armed vessels at sea to prey upon the Spaniards, especially the West Indian fleet, under an agreement that the company is to share all the profits with a payment of not more than five per cent, to the King. Consultations are being held, but as there are parts of this plan which touch the Royal rights, as well as the Duke of Buckingham’s as Lord High Admiral, it may be difficult to carry out the scheme without considerable changes.
Forty ships from Hamburg passed within sight of the English coast, bound for Spain and laden with ammunition and provisions, without its being possible to send out a single war vessel to interfere with them. At last however a Dunkirk merchantman has been taken, laden with linen and cloth for hangings to the value it is said of twenty thousand .pounds sterling.
The Persian Ambassador, who arrived last, went to Dover on Sunday to catch a vessel belonging to the East India Company in which to return to his country; but it sailed before his arrival, and he returned to London to await another opportunity.
Sir Robert Shirley, also Persian Ambassador, is about to proceed to Persia, with His Majesty’s sanction, in company with Sir Dodmore Cotton with the title of Ambassador, to enquire whether Shirley is actually the Persian Ambassador, and above all to ask for satisfaction on account of the insolent conduct of the Pei'sian who assaulted a well born gentleman who had been recognised by His Majesty as Persian Ambassador.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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The privileges which the Duke of Savoy, by his edict lately printed under the date of the 22nd of March at Turin, has conferred on all nations trading with Nice, Villa Franca and Porto Maurizio, are made known to merchants here. I am afraid that they will not bear fruit, merchants here having little disposition to trade with these parts.
London, 8th May 1626.
The arraignment of the Duke of Buckingham occupies the exclusive attention of the House of Commons. The excitement grows daily as new and important complaints are brought forward. The Members sit twice a day to expedite the business in band ; but, I repeat, so long as the Duke is protected by the King, all this labour will only serve at the present time to lay bare his administration and conduct, and to perpetuate the remembrance, as well as to increase the claim with which he is regarded. In the end, however, ruin must overtake him and perhaps by the hand of his present protector. It is calculated that the articles of his impeachment will be ready in a few days, and will be presented to the House of Lords that they may pronounce sentence upon them; but it remains to be seen whether His Majesty will intervene to prevent this by the exercise of his "Royal authority.
On Wednesday last the Commons made a declaration of their intention to grant His Majesty a fourth subsidy, on the same terms as the other three, to induce him to satisfy them on the question of the grievances, and particularly as to those of which they accuse the Duke of being the cause.
The Earl of Bristol is now arrived and by order of Parliament he remains a prisoner in his own house, where however he may he visited by all his friends, till further orders. The questions involved are of the greatest importance, if leave is given to clear them up. The King accuses the Eaid, and the Earl accuses the Duke. The disparity is so great that there can be little doubt that the Earl will have the worst of it, unless he brings forward charges of such weight as to cause the separation of the King from the Duke ; in which case a change might take place which would save the Earl. In short we are at this moment agitated by transactions of the most highly coloured description, on the resolution of which must depend the course to be taken with reference to internal and external affairs.
The French Ambassador took Ins departure on Monday last and was treated at the audience with special honour and with every wish to soothe his feelings of dissatisfaction. He was presented with a jewel in the form of a pendant worth about eight thousand crowns, and with three thousand ounces of silver-gilt plate. Besides these gifts the King and Queen gave him a portrait of His Majesty on the lid of a jewelled box of the value of four thousand crowns, and all this has been done to send this gentleman to his home with a friendly tongue in his head. Many ho wever are of opinion that although the Ambassador may seem satisfied he cannot in reality forget the affronts which he has received publicly and privately. The service most desired at his hands is that he should do what he can at the French Court to promote the return of the eight English men-of-war. I do not see, if they are not sent back, how it will be possible to avoid taking them by force.
Parliament and the nation equally think that they have been ill used and that the Duke committed a great error in lending them in the way which he did, and this will be made apparent in the articles of accusation to be brought against him.
The House of Commons has been engaged to-day examining certain Doctors of Medicine, who were in attendance on His late Majesty King
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H. dPIer-cite ^ames? w^a reference to some sort of sweetmeats given to him, and to a Esq. ’ plaster applied by the Duke of Buckingham and his mother without their advice or sanction, when the King was suffering from tertian fever. There is a whisper of poison, but, in a matter of such importance, the exact truth regarding which cannot be ascertained on which to base a condemnatory opinion, they restrict themselves to blaming the act, presuming to prove that it had dangerous consequences ; and they submit it, with a statement of many other grievances, to the consideration of the Peers, who will be able to form a judgment regarding it and to dispose of it in the most appropriate manner.
Even this charge must disappear, as the others also will disappear, for there is not the slightest symptom up to the present time that His Majesty shows any disfavour to the Duke notwithstanding these accusations.
London, 15th May 1626.
The House of Lords on Saturday last commenced the hearing of the case of John Earl of Bristol, who being brought before the Peers was immediately charged by the Attorney-General with the crime of high treason. This accusation the Earl did not then reply to otherwise than by saying that he had no doubt but that at the proper time he should be prepared to justify himself adequately, and to answer all that was brought against him; but before going farther he on his part accused the Duke of Buckingham of the same crime which the Attorney-General had brought against him, as their Lordships might better inform themselves by the terms of his written statement, divided under twelve heads, which he now presented, and which he maintained was true, as he was prepared to prove. The Peers having considered both the acts of accusation, decided that that of the King must take precedence of that of the Earl, and consequently must be first tried under the following conditions : that sentence should not be pronounced till he had an opportunity of bringing forward his proofs of the truth of his accusation against the Duke, seeing that if he were convicted and condemned his accusations and proofs would cease to be valid, so that when the case against him was finished they would at once take up that against the Duke.
I believe that tomorrow the Earl will again be brought before the House of Lords to hear the indictment of the Attorney-General, to which he may reply immediately or he may select a convenient time to do so on another day : remaining in the meanwhile in the custody of an officer of the House, whilst the Duke enjoys his usual liberty, and is in attendance on the King, under no restriction of any kind. It is evident that the favour of His Majesty is undiminished, whilst the Duke has a large party of supporters in the House of Lords where he sits daily notwithstanding the accusations hanging over him. There are complaints of the partiality thus shown and a universal feeling of regret for the position of the Earl of Bristol. During this crisis in the Upper House, the Commons are by no means idle but labour with the utmost solicitude to complete their case against the. Duke. Their statement is divided into many heads, and is to be presented not to the King, as the partizans of the Duke insist, but directly to the house of Lords with a demand for justice.
The Queen has lately shown a partiality for the cause of the Duke, and has made representations to the King in his favour; persuaded, it is said, by the late French Ambassador and the Bishop of Mende, who pro interim attends to the affairs of Prance in this country. His discharge of the duties of this office excites the approbation of the King and the admiration of every one who, knowing the past, has had an opportunityHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.	63
of observing the estrangements which existed between the King and the Ambassador, the French residents and the Duke.
The Act for granting the four subsidies and a fifteenth which the House of Commons announced its intention of giving to the king has not yet been passed. Although the Members who are Courtiers bring forward the usual arguments which I have so often repeated, still the House remains exclusively occupied with the case against the l)uke and is indisposed to do anything till the results are ascertained. There is a general confusion on account of the Duke, and I do not see how this can be remedied to the satisfaction of the people, who hate him so heartily, without some evident reproof, not to say punishment.
We have heard for three days that there are rumours of events taking place in France, in which are mixed up the brother of the King, the Prince de Conde, and other persons of quality ,* also that the Rochellese with others of the Huguenots are on the point of a new outbreak. Hews which is received here with gratification as it will be of advantage if the movement is really efficacious and leads anew to domestic dissension in France, for then the Huguenots may calculate on obtaining from this country that support which, both from reasons of state and from religious motives, has been hitherto given them; especially at the present time, when the minds of all here are irritated and there are no symptoms of the return of calmer feelings.
The gentlemen sent by His Serene Highness the Prince of Piedmont has finally taken leave of His Majesty. He has been presented with a beautiful ornament in diamonds of the value it is said of four thousand crowns, an extraordinary gift such as is only given to Ambassadors and persons of the highest quality. He awaits a dispatch from His Majesty to-day or to-morrow and will leave at once. What he has negotiated no one knows. The Venetian Ambassador has made the greatest efforts to discover his objects ; but he also is quite in the dark and is above all dissatisfied that not only has the Piedmontese not visited him, but has, notwithstanding the friendly relations between the Venetian Republic and the Duke of Savoy, made no statement of the subject of his negotiations ; whilst he is surprised to witness the courtesies and presents which have been bestowed upon him, greater, proportionately to his rank, than those given to the French Ambassador.
The Peers have again petitioned for the liberation of the Earl Marshal, and his restoration to his place in Parliament, in conformity with their »privileges; but the King has answered that he has not sufficiently considered it, that he will do so at a convenient time and let them know his resolution. A reply wholly unsatisfactory and showing that they need not hope to see him in his place this Session.
London, 22nd May 1626.
On Saturday last the Attorney-General stated the case against the Earl of Bristol in the House of Lords. After he had concluded, the Earl brought forward his accusations against the Duke of Buckingham in a long and very eloquent speech. Fie explained very fully the Duke’s administration of the affairs of this country in Spain, and he contradicted the statement which the Duke had brought before the House. The Earl spoke so calmly and modestly that he made a very favourable impression upon the greater number of the Members. His enemies desire to remove the trial to the Court of King’s Bench. The Peers penetrate the object of this artifice, and are aware of the ruin which it would bring to the cause of the Earl; they therefore maintain firmly that as he is a Member of their House of Parliament, and as he has been brought and accused before them, it is for them, and for no others,
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to hear and decide his case. That case, as published by his opponents, is so important that it is said that the Earl will have much to do to defend himself and retort upon the Duke. It amounts to this that he endeavoured to pervert the King, then Prince of Wales, when in Spain, from the Protestant faith.
It is debated whether the King, who is the accuser of the Earl, can give evidence against him, being also his supreme judge.
The confiscation of property which must take place, if he is condemned, is also foreseen, and it is a question whether the Earl can employ counsel to assist him in his defence. These are considerations of so much importance that the House of Peers wishes to settle them before proceeding further with the trial. They desire to maintain all their privileges intact, and they also wish to lighten the case against the Earl as much as possible, probably being inwardly convinced of bis innocence, whilst they oppose the Duke who takes so strong a part against him.
The Members of the Lower Plouse have at last completed the list of their grievances against the Duke. It is divided under various heads and was carried to the House of Lords by eight Members of the Commons; but so numerous were the documents, and. so many the details set forth, that the whole was divided into two parts, each being presented by four Members, the first on Monday, and the second on Wednesday last. The Members addressed the Peers in .support of the statements; they amplified and aggravated the faults of the Duke, portraying him in vivid colours without the slightest respect for his person, spoke of him as of insufficient capacity, as corrupt, with every other bad quality, as the cause of the evils which afflicted the country, and finally they compared him to Sejanus.
They have farther presented to the House of Lords a remonstrance pointing out that whilst the Duke is accused by them of so many crimes, and by a Member of the Peers with high treason, it is not expedient that he should be permitted to remain at Court near the person of the King, nor that he should sit in Parliament; but that ipso facto he should be placed in custody so that he may not have it in his power to intimidate persons who otherwise would he willing to give evidence against; him.
The lofty and determined tone of the House of Commons against tlie Duke has so irritated the King that unable longer to hear these attacks upon one whom he is determined to protect, holding him to be innocent of these accusations and that they are consequently false and calumnious, ¡. His Majesty yesterday, in the exercise of his royal authoritys imprisoned two of the eight Members who, in presenting the statement to the House of Peers, described the Duke in such terms. A very Koyal act, perhaps, but running the certain risk of ruffling the entire Parliament, which, profoundly resenting this blow, is in great agitation and will neither act nor discuss any subject till such time as the two Members are restored to freedom.
Such being the state of the case His Majesty accompanied by the Duke of Buckingham went to the House of Lords and, taking his seat upon the throne, said in a few words how much he had done to set a good example, and that he would ever bear witness against the scandalous accusations of the Duke brought before them by the House of Commons, and that he held the Duke to be entirely innocent, and that he was his faithful servant and minister. This declaration of the King, combined with his presence, prevented the Peers from freely debating the subject of the remonstrance of the Lower House with reference to the proposed imprisonment of the Duke. It is believed that they will discuss the question on Monday ; not that it is supposedHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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that they will succeed, the Duke being supported by a strong party which is encouraged by his presence and by the statements of His Majesty; whilst the example which has been made suggests that, when Parliament is dissolved, those who have opposed the Duke will be placed in peril, being no longer protected by their position.
The House of Lords again sent eight of its Members to petition His Majesty for the freedom of the Earl Marshal, or at all events for an explicit reply; but they brought back no other than that, when they made a request in terms becoming subjects, he would respond in a manner becoming their King. Although greatly mortified, the Peers again sent back the eight Members with a renewal of their request, omitting their demand for an explicit reply. To-morrow the King will communicate his decision, and, if it be not in harmony with their wishes, it may be concluded that it is determined to keep the Earl out of Parliament.
The French have at last sent back the war-ships, but some of them without artillery. They are every way welcome* especially at the present time when there is so great a prospect of a rupture between His Most Christian Majesty and the Rochellese, whose agents are at this Court, ¿whilst Monsieur de Soubise is in the country at the house of the gentleman before mentioned. Pie also is doing his best to promote the cause of the Huguenots.
The Envoy from the Duke of Savoy departed on Monday last and took with him four beautiful horses, as a gift for his master from the Duke of Buckingham. Signor Pisano the Venetian Ambassador has again received by express courier bis final recall. He leaves pro interim Signor Andrea Bossi till the arrival from Holland of Signor Contarini his successor.
London, 29th May 1626.
The Members .of tbe Blouse of Commons, unable to tolerate the imprisonment of two of their number, spoke on Saturday last, each in turn, making a declaration that, although they had presented a statement of grievances and of accusations against the Duke of Buckingham, nothing had been written or said which was in any way wounding to the honour of tbe King, as His Majesty had been wrongly informed by |some one whom they therefore denounced as a disturber of the peace of the Realm. The Lords adopting the same course as the Commons, stated in justification of the two Members who had been imprisoned, lhat they had not heard on the part of either anything which could be considered offensive to the King. His Majesty replied that so far he was satisfied; and he set at liberty one of the Members, but retained tbe bther, wbo had compared the Duke of Buckingham to Sejanus, explaining that he was imprisoned for other offences and not on account of his conduct in Parliament. The House could not admit this pretext, but insisted that no one of its Members could be imprisoned during the fitting of Parliament unless guilty of high treason or homicide, they therefore again asked for his release or that His Majesty should declare tjhat he was detained for one or other of the above-mentioned crimes. It is very apparent tbat if they are not satisfied they will not pass the Acts granting supplies ; hence it is probable that His Majesty will set Lie remaining Member free to avoid the embarrassment which must result at a time when he has so much need of the help of his people, in
many measures of much greater importance than this one. These circumstances, whether premeditated or accidental, have delayed the ujrgent debates, which before this ought to have been in progress, with ? U 23533.	E
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reference to the cases of the Dulse of Buckingham and the Earl of Bristol.
It is not apparent how the House of Lords can remove the first from Court, or from his attendance on the King, or can prevent his daily presence in his place in Parliament amongst themselves, whilst they are occupied with the consideration of his conduct, such being the unfailing favour with which he is regarded by the King, and so powerful is the party which he has in the house itself, including nearly all the Bishops —all of whom are dependent on the Court and will therefore always take his side.
The Earl of Bristol has several times solicited the Peers to proceed with his case, he being quite ready to reply to the charges made against him by the Attorney-General. After some discussion the majority resolved to hear him to-day, and assembled after dinner, having conceded to him, notwithstanding opposition, that he might employ Counsel to assist him when required. We now await the discussion of this cause, which being of so much importance must occupy many days before it can be decided. Meanwhile public opinion is in favour of the Earl, and the people will rejoice in his acquittal ,* such is the odium with which his opponent is regarded.	*.
The answer which the King gave last Monday to the eight Peers sent by the House of Lords to present the petition for the release of the Earl Marshal, was to this effect: that His Majesty would comply with their request at a convenient time, and without any infringement of their privileges ; but, as there is no symptom of the liberation of the Earl, and as the House of Commons, in a few days, obtained a concession, in favour of one of its Members, which the Peers have striven for in vain for two months and a half, they have resolved to go in a body to the King, and to remonstrate on the great prejudice which they sustain in their privileges, and they therefore hope that His Majesty will be pleased to gratify them, and to deliver to them the person of the Earl Marshal.
The Venetian Ambassador has finally departed. Hews has arrived of the defeat of Count Mansfeldt; it is extenuated as much as possible, but this does not diminish the general regret with which the intelligence has been received.
Denmark has again sent to demand the subsidies due for the last month and also asks for some troops. For the first it is necessary to await the decision of Parliament; for the second I altogether doubt if these English will consent to go on military service to so distant a country, and to serve with Germans, on account of the bad treatment tn which they are subjected and which they experienced on other occasior s from Mansfeldt in particular.
Articles of the Charges of the Earl of Bristol against the Duke of Buckingham, submitted to the House of Lords on the 1st of May 162f> (old style).
No. 1. That the Duke of Buckingham secretly combined and cod-spired with the Conde de Gondomar, Catholic Ambassador, before his last return to Spain in the year 1622, to conduct the Prince, His present Majesty, into Spain, that he might there receive information and be instructed in the Roman religion, and that, his conversion being made, the true religion professed and established in England might • >e the more easily destroyed, from which affliction and calamity this King-dom was almost miraculously saved under the Providence of God, by the zeal constancy and prudent government of King James of happy memory, notwithstanding the infinite and cunning devices of the Du|;e to the contrary.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.	67
No. 2. That Mr. Endymion Porter being duly instructed was sent to Spain with messages so constructed that they might well serve as the foundation for putting this conspiracy in practice, which had been arranged months previously, thus abusing the confidence of the King and Prince by inducing them to give their consent to the expedition, which consent was obtained on the return of the said Porter towards 'he end of December or beginning of January 1622 (old style).
■ No. 3. That the Duke on his arrival in Spain, endeavoured to pur-suade the Ministers of State there, that he was well affected towards the Popish faith, strengthening this by absenting himself from the Protestant services which were regularly performed in the house of the Earl of Bristol, and frequented by all the English Protestants, and also by conforming to the habits of the Spaniards in various rites of their religion, even to kneeling at the adoration of the Sacrament. Plis desire being to raise hopes in the said Spaniards of the conversion of the Prince, towards which he worked with all his power, so that he was the cause of the Spaniards proposing new and worse conditions than those previously agreed upon on the subject of religion by the Earl of Bristol and Sir Walter Aston, Ambassador, and signed by their Majesties, with this clause—in the answer of the King of Spain, dated the 12th Dec. 1622—that he admitted that the articles agreed to were quite sufficient to induce the Pope to grant the dispensation.
, No. 4. That the Duke having in sight of the Conde de Gondomar and in the presence of the Earl of Bristol, pressed King James several times to write a letter to the Pope, and with this object, on one occasion, presented to His Majesty a letter prepared for his signature, but the Earl having been informed of the same, energetically opposed the Signature or dispatch of such a mission. A short time after the EarFs departure for Spain, His Majesty was induced to write and send the eaid letter to the Pope, and to give him the title of Most Holy Father, which the Duke had been unable to obtain when the Earl was in England.
No. 5. That the Pope being informed of the favourable intentions and inclinations of the Duke in matters of religion, sent him immediately a special Brief in his praise, encouraging him to pervert the Prince from his religion and to embrace Catholicism.
; No. 6. That the manner and deportment of the Duke when in Spain, Were such that he so irritated the King and his Ministers that finally they would listen to no terms of reconciliation, nor would they treat further with him; which the Duke observing, as well as that the lhamage would be disadvantageous to himself, he immediately resolved tb make every effort to break it off, not for the sake of the public s/ervice, nor for any dislike which he had to the marriage in itself, nor because he observed, as he afterwards pretended, that the Spaniards were not in reality promoting it, but only for his own particular ends aud from personal spite.
j No. 7. That after the Duke had resolved to thwart the marriage, he put in practice many and various artifices, particularly by making use of letters of the Prince to forward his designs, and not for the purposes fof; which they were written. Concealing also many things of the greatest importance from the notice of the late King by which his objects were defeated and those of the Duke advanced.
No. 8. That the Duke by his artifices having deceived all, and finally both .Houses of Parliament, by laying before them sinister statements as
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to the administration of affairs in Spain, the Earl is prepared to prove the contrary of nearly all that the Duke said in Parliament.
No. 9. With regard to the scandals personally caused by the Duke in Spain, he for instance used his influence with the King of Spain to obtain favours and offices, which he then bestowed upon vile and worthless people as the reward and payment of his gallantries. These however being matters, which it neither became the Earl of Bristol to relate, nor this noble assembly to hear, he left it to the House to look into so far as they might think fit; but it was a tiling which reflected infamy and dishonour upon this nation, that a person of such rank and employment, a privy Counsellor, an Ambassador, high in the favour of» the King, and one to whom the care of the Prince was confided, should leave behind him in a foreign country the remembrance of such personal scandals.
No, 10. That the Duke was in a great measure the cause of-the ruin and misfortunes of the Prince Palatine and his State, in so far as these had any relation to this country.
No. 11. That the Duke in the Statements which he made to the two Houses of Parliament on his return from Spain, injured the Earl of Bristol with malignant imputations against his honour, and thereafter by means of his great power and by his artifices and practices has prevented him from obtaining his freedom.
No. 12. That the Earl of Bristol revealed to the late King, through friends and by letter, the manner in which the Duke had abused the great confidence which His Majesty had placed in him. To all of which! he through various channels received for answer, that the Earl should leave the care to him, for he would know when to select a time to act when it was suitable; and therefore, days before His Majesty fell ill, he sent to inform the Earl that he would hear him versus the Duke, as he had already heard the Duke against him. This was done with the knowledge of the Duke, but not long after the King died and the Duke retaining his power has omitted no opportunity of oppressing and ruining the Earl as he will prove.
Signed Bristol.
London, 5th June 1626.
The Earl of Bristol was in his place in the House of Lords on Friday last, and, in a speech of two hours duration, was listened to with applause and sympathy by the majority of that assembly, which in a great measure was satisfied with the answer which he had prepared with so much care to all the heads of accusation of the Attorney-General. He showed by the help of authentic documents and by other evidence that he had spoken and written the truth.
The House would then and there have acquitted him, but that it was bound by the usual precedent which required it to hear the Attorney-General in reply. Meanwhile leave has been given to the Earl to takp the fresh country air in charge of only the officials. The prevalent disposition is in his favour, and the desire is to absolve him at once, if the powerful party which is opposed to him does not bring forward neV charges or throw impediments in the way.
The following day the whole of the Members of the House of Lorus again went to the King, once more to represent to him that their privileges had been infringed by the imprisonment of the Earl Marshal; and they intreated that His Majesty would condescend to liberate him, and not to treat them worse than the House of Commons, to whose represen-HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION*
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tations he had been pleased to give up two Members imprisoned in the Tower.
i The Peers on this occasion did not, more than on any other, receive a satisfactory reply. His Majesty declared, in the most absolute terms, that he had not imprisoned the Earl Marshal with any reference to Parliamentary affairs, but for other reasons of importance which he would not at present reveal. They must be satisfied to urge him no more ; he assured them that in a short time he would explain the reasons for the retention of the Earl, which was in no respect prejudicial to their privileges. This reply of the King embittered rather than composed the feelings of the Lords, for it appears to them that whilst they all suffer and are prejudiced by this Act, they cannot submit to the transmission of such a precedent to their posterity. On these grounds principally, and from the desire to have amongst them a nobleman of such ability, and who would be so useful in the present èontingency, they must persevere. Eor the same reasons the Duke, who is the opponent of the Earl Marshal, is bent on preventing him taking his seat in Parliament. The Peers have therefore appointed a Committee of their number to consider how without offence to His Majesty, they may compass the release of the Earl ; and, in case that it should be found that their authority does not extend thus far, to consider how their privileges should be maintained, resolved as they are to make every effort to clear up the question and not to leave to their successors so bad an example chai'ged with such dangerous consequences.
The Committee having met and consulted were of opinion, that the Llouse could use no means for the release of the Earl without giving great offence to the King. The Committee therefore advised, that the î^eers should again return in a body and repeat their request for the liberation of the Earl Marshal, or that His Majesty should be pleased to notify the cause of his confinement, for which, if it seemed to them that there were good grounds, they would try the case and punish the Marshal in accordance with the nature of his offence, as it appertained to them only and to no other to do justice in such cases.
■ This report being generally approved, the Peers had an audience of His Majesty on Wednesday, and presented their request with very little hope that it would be granted. The King was greatly displeased that they should have again returned to trouble him ; he was astonished at their distrust of his Royal word, which he had given them that in good time he would inform them of his motives ; and he asserted that their privileges were in no respect interfered with. He had nothing further to say except that they might feel at ease, and that before the close of 3?arliament he would inform them why be had retained the Earl. i The Peers were both dissatisfied and surprised by the unchanging resolution of His Majesty ; and as a last step on their part they have resolved only to meet for forms sake, and in accordance with usage, but to do no business, either public or private, till such time as the Earl is given up to them.
People wait with great anxiety the I’esults of these disputes, from which conclusions may be drawn on other questions of more importance. As for the Duke he retains the same position of favour and power. L'e goes daily to the House of Lords and is present at all the discussions adverse to him ; a most extraordinary circumstance, but which is undoubtedly to his advantage for his party is encouraged and his adversaries are intimidated.
Since Monday last a Committee has inquired into the accusations made against the Duke by the House of Commons. The Report will he
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MSS os referred to the whole House, but as I have already said they cannot H. 3>. Skeine, excommunicate him from Court or prevent him sitting in his place in E8Q* Parliament. He has a large party in his favour lately strengthened by making three new Peers of creatures of his, thus increasing the number of votes of his partisans. It is believed that with these additions, when at last they come to conclusions with him, he will have two thirds of the votes in his favour and so the inquiry will end in smoke.	!
The Council of War has received this week an order for the armament and provisioning of forty ships of war, which are the relics of the last great fleet. These will unite with twenty Dutch men-of-war and the combined fleet will attack the Spaniards. Such is the proposal, but the. assistance of Parliament is required and it shows no disposition to vote’ the supplies. The delay will make it too late, for the season tor going to sea is passing away and therefore the expedition could only be a; mere demonstration ; in which case the wish to send it may also pass' away.
The States of Holland will not consent to receive Sir Robert Killi-1 grew as Ambassador in Ordinary from this country, nor will they allow' him to enter into their Councils as other English Ambassadors have done, especially Sir Dudley Carleton the last of them. The English no, longer possess Brill, Flushing, and other places which were given to them as security, in right of which possession their Ambassadors took a part in the Councils of the States. There is consequently a delay' in sending the Ambassador, and some feeling of dissatisfaction also; as it is not wished to lose a privilege so long possessed.
The Dutch, however, maintain a firm attitude, so that they may not be obliged by this precedent, if allowed, to make a similar concession to the French who are urgent on the subject. Pressed as they are by thq necessity of standing well with this people, it seems that they will only grant an exemption in favour of the English provided that Carleton i^ sent as Ambassador. His presence in that character would show that no novelty had been introduced, which would inevitably appear to be the case if they received a different person and admitted him to th$ Councils.
It will not be surprising if under these circumstances the same Ambassador is again sent, although he is now a Peer, a Vice-Chamberf lain, and a Member of the Privy Council.
Parliament has been prorogued for eight days for the feast of* Whitsuntide.
The Venetian Ambassador departed yesterday for his country, via France, although he has been kept for five days" waiting for the usual present of silver-gilt plate. He has been obliged to go without it, as it is not ready. An order has been given to consign it to his Secretary who will send it after him.
It is whispered that the King of Denmark is coming here soon. The people entertain vague hopes that he would be able to* settle their affairs favourably, and therefore wish that he would come, but it is not credible that His Majesty should make such a journey.
London, 12th June 1628.
The adjournment of Parliament for eight days for the Whitsuntide holidays has caused some dearth of matter to write about this week.
The Earl Marshal is not yet liberated, but the Peers anticipate that His Majesty will finally set him free or will at least explain the cause of his detention. Should it appear to them to be of a nature to justify his imprisonment, they will take cognizance of his offence ,and pronounce judgment. If no explanation is vouchsafed they will adhere toHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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their resolution to deni with no business, either public or private, till MSS. or satisfaction is given them.	DesqRINE’
The Attorney-General will to-day reply to the speech of the Earl of — Bristol, after which the House of Lords will pronounce sentence which it is generally believed will be in his favour.
The Duke of Buckingham has declared that either to-morrow or next day he will reply to the accusations made against him by the House of Commons. His defence will be comparatively an easy matter, the King being upon his side upholding him and taking upon himsel the responsibility of many of the acts of which he is accused. He has also a majority of the House of Lords in his favour. With regard to the charge of high treason it will be made light of, and the whole will end in nothing; for although the people cry a crucify him ” they have in reality no power to do him any harm.
It is said that the Duke is about to proceed to Holland to remain for a few days, under the pretext of preventing the States from making any treaty, armistice, or peace, with Spain ; as they make believe here that they are secretly bent on doing, and that the meeting of the Commissioners from both sides, which is to take place at Middleburgh in Zealand, has in reality a more important object in view. Ko doubt the Members of the House of Commons will ascribe a sinister motive to a journey made at such a time when they are urging so many personal accusations against him.
It is true that Lord Carleton will return to Holland as Ambassador, as I mentioned last week.
There is a report that Tilly has been defeated and slain at Brunswick, but as the news comes from Holland very few believe it. If it is a fact that the Duke of Savoy is coming into France then the policy of this country will not have been in vain, its object having been to keep that Prince in movement against Spain.
The Venetian Ambassador has received Ms present of one thousand two hundred ounces of silver-gilt plate, and is so little satisfied that it is said that he has sent it back. He witnessed the magnificent gifts to the Envoy of Savoy, and contrasted these with the more moderate present to himself.
The Peers adhere to their resolution regarding the Earl Marshal, and if His Majesty does not give him up there will doubtless be a ferment.
With regard to the plague ; in London it is reduced to one or two cases in a week, but it is still active in the provinces.
London, 19th June 1626.
The two Houses of Parliament met on Saturday last. The House of Lords, in conformity with its resolution to undertake no business till the Earl Marshal was set at liberty, immediately adjourned till this day, on which the Peers are to receive His Majesty’s answer, as promised through his Lord Keeper, either that the Earl would be released or the reasons for his detention explained. The reply is expected with; much anxiety, the question having been pushed to extremity, so that on its favourable decision or the reverse the most serious consequences depend. The King is pledged on one side to maintain .his prerogative, and the Peers on the other to insist on their privileges.. It is not easy to see what medium course is to be adopted to adjust the contest without some prejudice to the one side or the other.
* Owing to this disagreement, the Attorney-General has been prevented making his reply to the speech of the Earl of Bristol, and oi callingn
historical manuscripts commission
mss. op	-upon him to make good his defence by evidence, but lie is to do so
’ D*Esof ^whenever the House is satisfied on the question of privilege and resumes — the discharge of business. The reply being made and the evidence brought forward, the Peers will immediately consult upon the merits of the case to enable them to pronounce sentence, which, so far as it is possible to judge, will be favourable to the Earl.
The Duke is also ready with his reply to the accusations made against him by the House of Commons. It is said to be so ample and clear that he and his friends are quite satisfied that not only Parliament but the country will be persuaded of his innocence and of his faithful administration of his various offices. It does not appear that the House of Commons is of this opinion ; on the contrary, the members are convinced that the Peers cannot do less than censure the Duke; but, as has been said again and again, having the King for his protector, with a majority of the House in his favour, the conclusion obviously is that if these do not fail him the whole question will prove a nullity.
The House of Commons on Saturday last committed one of its Members to the Tower, for having spoken seditiously and also disrespectfully of the King, but three days after he petitioned the House, expressing himself with the utmost humility and regret for what he had said, and the King making no objection he was set at liberty.
The Duke of Buckingham, during his late holidays, obtained the office of Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, lately made vacant by the death of the Earl of Suffolk, and he assumed at the same time the dignity of President of the Council of War. The Plouse of Commons is consequently greatly moved, and it appears to the Members that he has done these things to spite and insult them at a time when one of their accusations against him is that he monopolises nearly all the principal offices of dignity in the kingdom. Having considered this subject, as well as other causes of complaint which present themselves daily against him, they propose to submit a remonstrance to the House of Peers which is also dissatisfied with the increase of his swelling and arrogant authority.
It is commonly reported that the Spaniards have a formidable fleet nearly ready with which they mean to attack this country. No one wishes this to be true, but it may be so far credited as to serve as a spur to obtain money from Parliament. The Members, however, are incredulous, and are suspicious of every kind of artifice ; in fact, their eyes are open, and they do not waver in their resolution.
We have just heard that His Majesty has satisfied the House of Lords by the release of the Earl Marshal, who may now sit in his place in Parliament and is free to go where he pleases except to Court which is forbidden. His Lordship was in the House to-day, the Peers having resumed business, and they heard in the first place the reply made by the Duke to the accusations of the House of Common. The reply, it is said, was very copious but did not generally make a favourable impression. The proofs which are to be offered may however clear up everything.
The Earl of Bristol was heard after the Duke,—amongst other things he requested, in case what he had said in his last reply was not. thought sufficient to justify him from the imputed crime of high treason brought forward by the Attorney-General, that the House would, obtain for him His Majesty’s permission to make use of a State secret for his defence in that Assembly This he would not have proposed to do, but, pressed as he was by the Attorney-General, it was needful as a means of saving his life and honour. The House replied that it wouldHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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take this request into consideration at the proper time, and then it would adopt such a resolution as seemed necessary.
The Countess of Arundel, with Lord Maltravers and his bride, are still confined in the same place with the Duchess of Lennox the mother of Lady Maltravers.
The King of Denmark again requests payment of the weekly allowances which have lapsed, and so does the Count of Mansfeldt; but, whilst there is every wish to satisfy these claims, it is impossible to do so soon or till Parliament provides the means. Neither can the forty ship3 of the fleet be dispatched for want of money.
The Queen is on good terms with the Duke of Buckingham, but there is no appearance of the position of the unfortunate Roman Catholics being ameliorated; they are rather in a worse state, no one being able to escape the rigorous application of the laws and the harshness of the officials who execute them.
His Majesty has this day notified by letter to the House of Commons that they must put on one side all other business whatsoever and attend exclusively to passing the bills of supply. He allows them to the twenty-seventh of this month to do so, and if they have not passed them by that time he must take other measures. With this his final admonition he makes his will known to them and protests that, if any evil happens to the State, they are the cause; therefore they should think seriously, and give him an answer within the time which he has fixed, and above all that they should grant a liberal supply without specifying any conditions.
All or at any rate the greater number of the Members have been greatly roused by this letter, more so than on any previous occasion, and they have resolved to take into consideration a reply which is to be presented to the King on Tuesday next. The general feeling is that it will not prove in conformity with the wishes of His Majesty, seeing that without a promise of removing the causes of their grievances, especially of those arising from the conduct of the Duke, it will be very difficult to induce them to grant supplies. The difference is of serious importance and may lead to a final rupture between the King and Parliament.
London, 26th June 1626.
I acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter, which reached me this week, and at the same time your letters of the 26th May and the 2nd of June.
I send in reply my usual despatch, by which Their Serene Highnesses will see the end of the long Parliament. It took place yesterday, to the great surprise and displeasure of almost every one, and without His Majesty having obtained a grant of money. I also inclose a copy of the letter of the King to the House of Commons upon which the said House based the declaration which has led to this rupture; but others say that the Duke of Buckingham not being able to resist or reply to the charges brought against him by the Earl of Bristol has been obliged to adopt this policy and thus to make a way of escape. In the meanwhile all is suspended, and may God grant that the question may here end.
The Letter of the King to the House of Commons.
Carolus Rex. To our Faithful and Wellbeloved, Health.
Our House of Commons, the Representatives of Our people, cannot have forgotten liow many times and how seriously We have reminded
MSS. o»
H. 3). Serine,
Esq.74
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mss. oe them of the necessity to expedite that aid, which they themselves have ^EsQf11^ declared their intention of giving for the maintenance of Our great and — weighty affairs, of so much importance for Our safety and that of Our Kingdom.
As the season is advancing, and as without an immediate decision, We cannot have money or credit within the time prescribed by them, that is to say by the end of this month, and as the postponement can serve no purpose whatever, We being informed from all quarters of the great preparations of the enemy, ready to assail Us, have therefore considered it absolutely necessary by this Our letter to give the Commons Our final admonition and to make them understand that We shall consider any further delay or excuse as an express negative. It is therefore Our will to signify to them that without further procrastination, We expect that they will proceed to vote the subsidies, so that they may be passed without further loss of time, and without conditions annexed by the end of next week, and should they not do so We shall then be compelled to adopt another resolution.
The Commons are also informed that if they act in conformity with Our desires, We also are resolved to allow them to continue to meet together for the dispatch of their other business, and thereafter to call them together next winter; but if in case of their procrastination or denial, any evil consequences result, whether within or externally to Our Kingdom, We call God and men to witness, that on Our side We have done all that is possible to prevent it, by calling Parliament together, by declaring Our weighty and urgent need, by seeking its help and assistance in these matters to which by their advice We have pledged Ourself, therefore it is Our will and We give Our command that this Our Letter be publicly read in the House of Commons.
Given from Our Court of Whitehall 9th June 1626, (old style).
London, 26th June, 1626.
After two days consultation the Members of the House of Commons resolved to answer the letter of His Majesty, of Friday last, requiring them to vote the four subsidies, within the time which he had fixed, without annexing any conditions whatever. This answer is in the form of a declaration and remonstrance. It sets forth, in the first place, the humble respect of the Members towards His Majesty and their desire to supply him with the sums which they agreed to give him at the beginning of their session, and which they would have already voted but for the line of conduct and artifices of the Duke of Buckingham and his partizans which prevented them from following the usual Parliamentary course. Notwithstanding all. this, dutifully considering His Majesty’s wants, they adhered to the desire to satisfy him by passing, at the earliest opportunity, the Act granting supplies, provided that they are assured that, after this step on their part, the ordinary course of justice against the Duke would not be stayed. They had hoped that His Majesty would have been pleased to indicate this so as to encourage them the more willingly to grant supplies. They also addressed His Majesty on the subject of the overweening power of the Duke, and on his monopoly of the highest and most important offices in the Realm, and since he was the cause of the inaccessibility of the Royal Person, they therefore besought His Majesty, to remove the Duke from his presence and Court so as to give free course to the procedure against him, and to grant to his people an open path to his presence, that he might be faithfully and with all sincerity informed of the facts of the case.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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In the second part of their address they protested and declared any mss. or one to he deserving of the name of traitor to his country, and of pro» H* portionate punishment, who after the prorogation of Parliament should	—'
counsel, or seek to persuade, the Iving that he might extract money from his subjects, by means of taxes or in any other manner opposed to the ordinary course of Parliament and the privileges of the people.
They grounded this protest on the speech made by a Member of the House, some days previously, in which he stated that the King, if not immediately provided with supplies, would be compelled to take other counsels, which, in their opinion, could only mean that he would imitate other countries where, although they also had their Parliaments, every kind of imposition and burden was imposed exclusively by Royal prerogative.
On Wednesday the House sent several of its Members to the King to obtain the appointment of a fitting time when the whole body might present their address, but they brought back a statement that the King on the following day would send his resolution which was to dissolve Parliament without hearing them. This he did yesterday morning by the mouth of the Lord Keeper.
When the Lords heard what was intended they sent a number of Peers to petition the King to put off this dissolution, and to represent the dangers of breaking up a Parliament which had sat for only four months and a half, and which had so much business on hand of importance to the State ; but His Majesty was determined to send all the Members to their homes, and he would not grant the deputation of Peers an audience. Thus His Majesty put an end to this Parliament yesterday to the general dissatisfaction of the country, leaving all the complaints against the Duke of Buckingham undecided so that it is left to everyone to judge of them as he thinks best.
The Earl of Bristol has special cause of complaint, this break up having taken place before the termination of his case ; for he now remains without protection in the power of those who do not love him, or he must depend on the compassion of the King.
There is a feeling of apprehension that all those, or at least the leaders, who have opposed the prompt grant of supplies, and have shown hostility to the Duke, may now be in personal danger. It already appears that the play is about to begin; for it may be asserted that this people never have been more surprised and offended, or more animated by hatred of those whom it supposes to be the promoters of this rupture of the good feeling with which the King hitherto generally regarded them. Were it not for their instability, accompanied by their innate reverence and habits of obedience to their betters, an outburst might be anticipated.
We all, with open ears, anticipate the consequences which this sudden break up of both Houses of Parliament must lead to ; especially to hear what means His Majesty will adopt to get money from his people, for the supply of his wants and for the defence of the country and of his confederates; for all of which he will require a large sum.
All the copies of the declaration and protest which the Clerk of the Parliaments had distributed amongst the Members were called in to-day, by the Secretary of State, to be suppressed; His Majesty objecting to its registration, or that it should be open to the reading of any one; but, as 1 have said, I have given, as nearly as I can, its general contents and its statements against the Duke.
Five days ago an Agent of the Duke of Savoy arrived in London.
He does not allow himself to be seen or known by any one, but remains shut up in a room all day, and on one occasion only he was visited inMSS. op H. D. Skpine Esq.
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the night time by the Duke of Buckingham. What he has come for » no one knows, but it is thought that it must be for some of the old schemes of that Prince which like the others will turn out to be more shadow then substance.
We expect immediately Signor Marc Antonio Cossaro and Signor Angelo Contarini, Venetian Ambassadors Extraordinary, who come to pay the usual compliments to the new King, at whose expense they will be provided with a house and living; this having been settled before his departure by the late Ambassador Pisano, who reminded His Majesty of the extraordinary honours accorded to the Abbé Scaglia Ambassador of Savoy.
The Earl of Bristol was this evening imprisoned in the Tower of London, and the Earl of Arundel was again commanded to return to the place of his confinement twenty miles from London. Such are the first fruits of the sudden dismissal of Parliament.
London, 3rd July 1626.
Since the Dissolution of Parliament, the attention of every one at Court is absorbed, first by speculations as to the best means of satisfying the people with regard to the numerous accusations and complaints brought against the Duke of Buckingham by the House of Commons, and secondly by considering how money is to be procured for present necessities.
With regard to the first great question, it appears that there is an intention to settle it and to absolve the Duke from all the denunciations of Parliament, by bringing him before the Court of Star Chamber to which will be issued an extraordinary commission to try the case.
Although a favourable sentence will be obtained by pressure, in a manner repugnant to the general feeling of the nation, nevertheless it will be seen that everyone must conform to the supreme will which is so resolutely determined in favour of the Duke. As to the second question, His Majesty has called upon the City of London to lend him four hundred thousand crowns ; for which he has offered as security those jewels of the crown which many months ago were sent to Holland, with the same object, but entirely without success. Up to the present time the City has given no reply whether it will or will not lend His Majesty that sum, but it is expected that they will soon do so. Numerous proposals have been made to the King as to plans for obtaining money from the people, but as yet none of them have been adopted.
Of the Earl of Bristol we hear nothing, except that he is to remain a prisoner in the Tower and that no one is to be permitted to see him or speak with him. It may be that his case also will be brought to a conclusion, but probably not to his advantage ; especially if he is taken before the King’s Bench, empowered by special commission to decide it, as some people say will happen. As to the charge of high treason which the Earl brought against the Duke, nothing more is said of it, or will be, unless a new Parliament should take it up.
His Majesty has issued a proclamation condemnatory of the last declaration and protest oUthe House of Commons which is so caustic in its remarks on the Duke of Buckingham. The proclamation declares it to be scandalous and illegal, commands all who have copies of it to burn them, under pain of incurring the Boyal displeasure if they fail to do so, with such punishment as the law and the prerogative may inflict. Another edict is published, prohibiting everyone from arguing, either in writing or otherwise, in favour of any new opinions opposed to the Canons of the Established Church. This is meant to extinguish Arminianism which has lately been spreading in this country.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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London. IOth July 1626.
The Municipality of London has met several times during the present week to consult upon the subject of the loan to the King for which* His Majesty offers, in security, jewels and silver plate which are the property of the Crown. Up to the present time there is no appearance whatever of any intention of satisfying this demand. The Magistrates allude, in the first place, to the large debt due by the Crown on account of loans formerly advanced to His late Majesty King James, and also to His present Majesty. They recall the complete stoppage of trade caused last year by the plague to the great loss of the Merchants of the City ; they describe the seizure of so much property by the French which has not yet been recovered, and which has given a heavy blow to trade, and finally they mention the dissolution of Parliament, "which has caused such universal dissatisfaction, and has produced such confusion and distrust that they know not where to turn to obtain money to satisfy His Majesty’s demands.
The King is by no means satisfied with this plain spoken reply, and has sent another letter to the same Magistrates, expressed in more absolute terms, calling upon them to come to a resolution without delay to supply his urgent needs. There can be little doubt that the citizens, having shown so resolutely that they cannot or will not lend this money, are likely to remain of the same mind; either because they do not consider the pledge sufficient, or because in reality they are not able, or what is much more likely, they do not care to accustom His Majesty to demand money from his subjects in such a manner, or in any other except through Parliament, or for other and remote reasons they show themselves most unwilling; so that after all it may be necessary to summon a new Parliament as the only way to solve the difficulty.
The Earl of Bristol has been permitted to see his friends. It has been thought that they might be able to do something for him, but, owing to the summer vacations, the Courts of Justice are not sitting, and nothing can be done till October; so that he must remain shut up in the Tower, unless His Majesty will grace him so far as to permit him to reside in confinement elsewhere, which is not very likely.
Their Majesties received the Venetian Ambassadors on Sunday last at their manor of Greenwich, with the usual ceremonies and with great cordiality. In explaining their message of compliment they alluded in congratulatory terms to the resolution of His Majesty to curb the growth and ambition of Spain, and to his efforts to prevent that monarchy from crushing the friends and confederates of his crown.
The Ambassadors are paying the usual visits to distinguished members of this Court, and the Duke of Buckingham, accompanied by some friends, has dined with them, which is a very rare compliment on his part. Their Excellencies are accompanied by seven Venetian Nobles, and have a numerous retinue of grooms and other servants dressed in handsome liveries.
The Queen retired from Court on Monday, and has gone into seclusion in Denmark House, to remain there for a week, that she may with the greater devotion attend to the religious observances of the most holy Jubilee.
By way of Hamburgh there is a report of the death of Alberstadt, which has been heard at Court with much regret. It is felt that a friend and champion has been lost. Letters state that he died of fever but there are some who suspect poison.
The drum is beaten in London to obtain recruits to go to Denmark, but few there are at present who will enter the Danish service.78
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MSS. 03?
H. D. Skbik-e, Esq.
London, 17th July 1626.
After several meetings and long consultations of tlie Municipality of London on the subject of the loan demanded by the King, on the terms explained, it was resolved that the money cannot be advanced for the reasons alleged. His Majesty is deeply displeased at the determined attitude of the Magistrates who consist of twenty four Elders, here called Aldermen, with their Chief or Lord Mayor. To pacify the King they have offered to lend him from their private means eighty thousand crowns on the security of the Customs. This offer has been accepted, and they are at present engaged collecting the money to pay over to the Lord Treasurer; but, as this sum can serve for a short time only, Royal Letters are to be addressed to all the provinces of the Realm demanding from the people sums of money under the name of Benevolences, no means being left untried to provide for the present urgent wants, to send the fleet to sea, and to pay the King of Denmark at least a part of the arrears which are due to him.
The Council of War has this week appointed all the Captains and other officers who are to go with the fleet. The Duke of Buckingham gives out that he means to take the command; but, as was the case last year, so now, the general opinion is that he will neither leave the Court, nor the presence of the King, especially when he is so much disliked by nearly the whole country.
When the fleet will sail is not exactly known, although it is believed that it will be in a month at latest and that it will go in the direction of the West Indies to meet and seize—if it is able to do so—the Spanish treasure fleet. It is observed that there are no preparations as was the case last year for operations on land.
On Sunday last the Venetian Ambassadors had a private audience of His Majesty to inform him, it is believed, of the disinclination of the Republic to approve of the adjustment of the affairs of the Valtelline made by the Crowns of France and Spain without any participation of their allies. They desire therefore at the present time to engage this government in their cause, for it appears that the reputation of the Republic suffers from a settlement which has been made without its concurrence.
Sir Walter Montagu, a creature of the Duke, was dispatched to France last week to endeavour to obtain payment of the second half of the Queen’s portion. From a desire to satisfy the French, they are here setting apart landed estates for Her Majesty, according to agreement, but these are to be managed by English officials. As to the other question of the Catholics; notwithstanding all that was promised at the time of the marriage, it remains in an unhappy position. For some days past however hopes have been held out of some amelioration of their treatment which like others on the same subject may prove to be a mere fire of straw.
The City of Hamburgh has sent* two of its citizens to complain of the seizure of their ships and cargoes, as well as of the two ships of war placed at the mouth of their river, the Elbe, to prevent their sending provisions to Spain. These gentlemen explained the whole subject to His Majesty, who referred them to his Privy Council from which they are now soliciting a decision.
Yesterday an Ambassador Extraordinary landed at Gravesend from Denmark and he will come to London to-day. It is generally believed that the object of his visit is to demand payment of the arrears of subsidy which are due, and to protest against the delays which have taken place. We shall be more accurately informed of the facts when he has delivered his message.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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The King has given orders to publish a manifesto, or declaration, of H the true reasons which led him to summon and to dissolve Parliament; that is to say the first which sat at Oxford and this last one at London.
In this document it is alleged that the cause of the dissolution of the first was the prevalence of the plague. With regard to the second it was rendered necessary by the indisposition of the House of Commons to vote the supplies, without insisting upon the ruin of a peer of the realm the Duke of Buckingham.
In the same proclamation the King appeals to G-od and nr an to bear witness that he had done everything in his power to prevent the danger to which England and Ireland may be exposed by a Spanish invasion. The King of Spain is bent on making himself monarch of the whole world, still his Majesty would not have gone to war against him for the recovery of the hereditary dominions of his brother-in-law the Prince Palatine, nor would he have agreed to give supplies of money to the allies of his Crown, had it not been that the House of Commons induced him to do so by promises of assistance in purse and person.
The Manifesto dwells with bitterness on the want of consideration, and on the malice, of many Members of the House who wished to destroy the Duke more from a feeling of personal enmity than from any regard for the good of the country.
This attack has greatly moved most of the Members of the late Parliament, and every one thinks that it would have been better not to have made use of such expressions; especially when it is considered what effect they may produce on the minds of the Members of a new Parliament, which otherwise might have been favourably disposed to meet the King’s wishes.
A Fast was observed on Wednesday last, by command of His Majesty. This ceremony consists as usual of staying in Church most part of the day, and in listening to long sermons and to prayers, which are expressly composed for the occasion, beseeching the Almighty to preserve the country from its enemies and the perils of invasion. Thanks were also offered for the liberation of this great city from the plague, which however still makes itself felt in various parts of it.
London, 24th July 1626.
Their Majesties left London on Monday to go to the country and to enjoy its pure air. They will be away, according to yearly custom, till the month of October. In a few days the Privy Council will follow, remaining for the present in London to transact business for the dispatch of the fleet as it is very desirable that it should sail in a month at furthest. As I have elsewhere stated it is believed that it will proceed to the West‘Indies in pursuit of the Spanish treasure fleet.
The great obstacle to the departure of the expedition is the want of money, to raise which the most active exertions are made. His Majesty as sent Circular Letters to all the counties to explain to the people the existing necessity of defending his dominions and those of his allies. Money is asked for under the title of free Benevolences to the amount of at least one of the subsidies. It is pointed out that although Parliament had not formally passed the Act, owing to the circumstance of its dissolution, still it was enough that it had declared its purpose of doing so within a given time. His Majesty therefore had not the slightest doubt but that his subjects would frankly aid him at this time of urgent necessity.
What resolution may be adopted in the provinces is not yet known; but by common report it appears that the people are not inclined to comply, as to do so would be to leave a bad example to their posterity.
MSS. or D. Skbixe, Esq.80
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MSS. op.
H. D. Semite, Esq.
We shall soon hear more on this subject. Other schemes must be devised, more particularly as it is thought that the Royal Revenue might be better and more profitably managed than is at present the case.
His Majesty has therefore appointed eight Commissioners—men of ability—whose duty it will be to reform the expenditure and to regulate the sources of revenue.
The Commissioners have begun by abolishing the free tables which have been so numerous in this Court, all maintained at the Royal cost. The only tables excepted being that of the Duke of Buckingham as Grand-Equerry, that of the Lord Chamberlain, one for each Secretary of State instead of two, and one for the Comptroller of the Royal Kitchen.
These reforms have naturally disgusted a number of persons who had free access daily to these tables. Some of them are to be pensioned, inasmuch as the free tables have been a very ancient and peculiar institution. The concourse of people having no employment who thus lived at the public expense formed a peculiar feature of this Court and nation and illustrated the existence of great wealth.
The Commissioners are also consulting how they may increase the revenue, by reducing the number of parks and forests which are the property of the Crown in different parts of England to a state of profitable cultivation, or even by selling them to whoever offers most money for them. In short the object is to become prudent managers and rich, without the necessity of having recourse to Parliament.
The Venetian Ambassadors took leave of their Majesties on Sunday last, they have been treated with great distinction by all the Nobles of the Court, and by the Duke more than by any other; for he feted and caressed them, as friends and confidants of the Crown, whilst they on their part, besides the usual compliments, have offered assistance against the common enemies of both countries.
The Danish Ambassador, who arrived on Eriday last, was conducted to the country residence of their Majesties where he was received in audience; and, although we do not know exactly what passed, it is nevertheless believed that the chief subject of discussion was money, and failing that, the Ambassador made a protest as to the position of their common interests. From this it appeal’s that here they begin to waver, unless the revolt of the peasantry in Upper Austria puts them in better spirits. The Ambassador is lodged at a hostelry and receives from His Majesty seventy crowns a day for his expenses, to be expended in conformity with his own taste. His Excellency has a suite of eighteen persons.
The dispatch of the merchant Burlamacchi to France, to receive in His Majesty’s name one hundred and twenty thousand pounds, the second half of the Queen’s marriage portion, is still under discussion, The Catholics believe that, so long as they are oppressed contrary to treaty, His Most Christian Majesty will not pay the money.
I have already mentioned the arrangements in progress here for providing for the Queen. Her Majesty is to be surrounded chiefly with Protestant Bed-chamber women, amongst whom are sisters and relatives of the Duke of Buckingham. Everything is brought into conformity with the wishes of His Majesty and those of the Minister who rules under him, to the great dissatisfaction of the French who are unable to find any remedy except that of returning to their homes which is precisely the alternative broadly Mated to them.
The Privy Council, in His Majesty’s name, has asked the Flemish and French merchants who reside in London, and who are of the FlemishHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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or French churches, to lend two hundred thousand crowns on the security of jewels and silver plate. They have not yet made any reply, but from what is said by several of their country-men it appears that they are wholly averse to any such loan.
The Earl Marshal has been permitted to come to London for a short time to attend to his private affairs, but he is not accompanied by any of his family.
MSS. or H, D. Skrixe, Esq.
London, 31st July 1626.
The Privy Council will remain here for sometime for the dispatch of an infinity of business, and above all to make every effort to raise money for the fleet as well as for other pressing wants.
On Monday last the Royal Letters were dispatched to ask for the Benevolences described in my last ; that is, those to whom they were directed were called upon to pay that portion of the subsidy which would have fallen to the share of each, but instead of subsidy the tax is baptised a benevolence.
It is said that many will pay this demand, some influenced by the lively and persuasive description of the great peril to which the nation is exposed of a Spanish invasion, some because they fear to incur the displeasure of the King, but there are others who are determined not to give except in a legal manner by Act of Parliament.
We do not yet hear what effect the letters will have in the provinces, but the farther they are from the sun the colder they will be and the less disposed to comply ; especially those constituencies whose representatives in the last Parliament were opposed to voting the supplies and who since the Dissolution have been deprived of the authority which they held in the government of their counties, a manœuvre which has excited no little comment and which has particularly offended the Puritanical faction.
We shall soon learn what is to be done ; but, from much that is heard, it is apparent that it will not be to the taste of the Royal party. The general desire of the people is for another Parliament, and this sentiment is combined with a determination not to permit money to be raised without it.
The Flemish and French merchants excuse themselves as not being members of this nation, and have informed the Privy Council that they cannot pay the two hundred thousand crowns demanded in I-Jis Majesty’s name. In the meanwhile small sums are being collected by the help of the Royal Letters, sent to persons of substance and known to be able to pay ; and the money thus obtained is used to discharge the arrears due to the officers and mariners who served in the last Naval expedition, and who are to serve again in that in prospect, so that the council of war may be the better able to dispatch the fleet.
The expedition is not to be under the command of the Duke of Buckingham, according to his apparent wish, for his medical advisers say that he must not risk his health which has not been robust since his return from Spain. Possibly Lord Willoughby may be named to the command. Owing to the delay which has taken place it is likely that the ships will not do more than guard the shores of this Island. If they go as far as the coast of Spain it will be to try their fortune against the treasure fleet from Peru.
Lord Carleton is to be sent immediately to the Court of His Most Christian Majesty as Ambassador Extraordinary. It is thought that the object of the embassy is to obtain the other half of the Queen’s dowry, for the establishment of her Court here, and the payment of the U 23533	F82
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officials. With regard to the management of her estates in this country, the Frenchmen must be satisfied to submit to prevalent usages ; it is a subject on which they have shown themselves very sensitive. Although the Court question is the pretext for the sudden mission of Lord Carleton it is believed that negotiations of more importance are meant, even proposals for a general peace to be brought about by the good offices of the Queen Mother; a difficult thing to believe and still more difficult to accomplish especially by French intervention at the present time.
The idea of His Majesty’s journey to Scotland to be crowned is cooling down. It may take place in autumn but even that is doubtful. The King has sent the Earl of Annandale to explain to his Scotch subjects the necessary delay in the meeting of their Parliament, and to pacify tumults which have arisen.
The Duke of Buckingham this week contracted his little daughter, who is four years of age, to the eldest son of the Earl of Montgomery, who is seven. He is heir to the Earl of Pembroke, Lord Chamberlain to the King, who is his paternal uncle. The conditions ot the marriage are published.
In addition to the dowry of the young lady, the youthful Earl is to become Lord Chamberlain, and the Earl of Pembroke Lord Steward of the Eoyal Household. His Majesty came expressly to London to honour these arrangements with his presence.
A Eoyal command has been sent to the City of London to raise four thousand soldiers. They are to be fully equipped, aud to be sent wherever his Majesty may choose within the Kingdom, at the cost of the City. The magistrates are busy with the preparations, but the citizens say that this outlay is inflicted upon them because they declined to lend the four hundred thousand crowns which were demanded of them.
The Queen returned to London on Saturday suffering from cold and toothache, and not a little dissatisfied with the appointment of four English Ladies of the Bedchamber. All the French maintain that this is contrary to agreement; as well as their not being allowed to nominate officials to manage Her Majesty’s dowry, which is not the least of their complaints.
London, 13th August 1626.
Always the same difficulty the want of money. Neither the City of London nor the provinces will contribute in any way except through the usual Parliamentary legal course. With the exception of Court dependents, who have readily paid, others, made suspicious and in no way edified by the hypocritical example, have adhered to their resolution not to contribute.
His Majesty as I mentioned in my last came to London to promote the family union between the most important members of his Court, thus strengthening the party of the Duke of Buckingham. Immediately afterwards, without giving an hour's warning, he dismissed the whole of the French attendants of the Queen both male and female. They were at once removed from the palace to a private house, being informed that in a few days they would be sent out of the kingdom. An act so sudden as this has given rise to an infinity of talk, but it has been for a long time premeditated. It had been predicted by Lord Carleton, lately sent as Ambassador Extraordinary to the Most Christian Court, who was followed on some pretext by the Comte de Tillieres soon after his departure.
I do not know bow this outburst which occurred so suddenly will be taken by France, but it is likely to increase the coldness between the two countries. The Queen has only retained one French attendant, and thatHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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one because of Her Majesty’s entreaty. Three days hence all the others will be taken to France. Forty thousand crowns are to be divided amongst them in the shape of compensation but they are by no means satisfied.
All the clergy in attendance on the Queen have been in like manner removed from their houses and chapel and are to return to France. Two Benedictines, one an Englishman and the other a Scotsman, have been appointed to be the Queen’s Chaplains. Protestants say that these are worthy men, although they have been for sometime removed from their Monastery. It has thus been resolved that there shall be no more French about the Queen, a resolution which the people have heard of with infinite satisfaction.
I have little to report this week of the movements of the fieet except that it is generally believed that it is about to sail. It is to consist only of ten or twelve Boy al war ships, under the command of the Earl of Denbigh, to guard the neighbouring seas. They are not able to go farther for eight hundred casks of salt meat are unfit for food, and plague has broken out in two of the ships.
It is said that the English troops maintained by this country in Holland will be withdrawn for the sake of economy. The leading object is to diminish expenditure so as to avoid having recourse to another Parliament.
Huntingdon, I4th September 1626.
The contributions which His Majesty expected from the provinces are almost reduced to a nullity so that, to provide for his most pressing wants, he has given orders to sell a number of estates which are the property of the Crown reserving only small returns from them as acknowledgment of homage. It is calculated that large sums will be obtained, but ready money may not be quickly forthcoming.
The arrival of Monsieur de Bassompierre, Ambassador Extraordinary of His Most Christian Majesty was expected in London last week. It is generally believed that his visit will be to the Queen to obtain information as to the causes of the dismissal of Her Majesty’s French attendants, and to observe the new Court with which she is surrounded, as well as to enquire into the extent of the landed estates set aside for Her Majesty’s jointure, and finally to perform the friendly offices needful in such a predicament as the present.
The Comte de Tillieres is expected to arrive with the Ambassador, but as he with his Countess and two sons were leading members of the late unpopular French household of the Queen, and as he is regarded with distrust, His Majesty sent a gentleman to France with a message that the Count could not be received.
The Queen is treated with the most tender solicitude. She is surrounded with ladies of the highest rank, as if to show the French Ambassador that she is both better served and with more deference than she was by her French attendants. If the change made does not nndermine her religious convictions it is otherwise of little consequence. If some fear is entertained on this subject, still there is room to hope that her constancy will prove an admirable example to the Catholics; and, if there are any waverers, it may confirm them in their faith.
The King has called upon the Mayor and Aldermen of London to provide eighteen ships to add to the fieet. They will be about two hundred tons burden each, and will be each armed with from eighteen to twenty-four guns. They are merchant vessels fitted out for the occasion. The owners are receiving money to enable them to prepare
f 2
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the vessels for sea as quickly as possible, to the coasts of England.
Their service is to be limited
London, 2nd October 1626.
The Koyal Commissioners met on Wednesday last for the first time to make a beginning of the sale of the landed estates of the Crown, this plan of raising money having been adopted in consequence of the determination of the inhabitants of the provinces not to contribute except through the action of Parliament. Only a few persons have consented to pay money, whilst the necessity of obtaining it increases daily ; especially to assist the King of Denmark whose army has been completely routed by Tilly which has been the cause of great sorrow in this country.
Means must be found to obtain money from the people to assist Denmark, but without the intervention of Parliament it is impossible. His Majesty’s subjects will not submit to taxation on any other terms, whilst he is wholly averse to it, and will not yield, unless he is reduced to extremity and pulled by the hairs of the head, so much does he dread returning to school with such inflexible masters.
Since the defeat of the King of Denmark the Privy Council has held many meetings in His Majesty’s presence. It has been resolved to dispatch ten thousand soldiers in aid; that is, six thousand who are in the service of Holland and tour thousand of those who served last year in the expedition to Spain and who are at present in the provinces, if the scarcity of money does not delay the fulfilment of this idea, as it is of great importance to act without loss of time.
The Earl of Denbigh, with his squadron of ten ships, is not to go to any distance from the east coast of the Island. At the same time it is calculated that the twenty sail provided by the City will be ready in eight days, although the citizens find some difficulty in collecting the necessary funds. The magistrates have therefore decreed that every householder shall advance in one sum tour years amount of the poor rate, which at present they pay in weekly instalments. The working men and others refuse to obey; it is quite evident that they cannot pay in one sum the amount of the tax for four years, although they can conveniently pay weekly. There is consequently no certain prospect of obtaining money or of equipping the ships in a satisfactory manner ; and therefore, when they do sail, they will not be able to go far from the coast.
Four ships belonging to Hamburgh were taken some, days ago and brought to the Thames, but are to be allowed to depart on condition of selling all the gunpowder on board which they meant to carry to Spain ; but the courtesy has been extended to them of .allowing them to take the grain with which they are laden to its destination, from the wish not to exasperate a people which purchases so extensively the woollen cloths of England. The Hamburgh Agents, who are here, have not yet succeeded in inducing this government to agree to withdraw the two men-of-war which are kept at the mouth of the Elbe to prevent their ships going to sea, at least those hound for Spain with ammunition and other supplies on board.
The gentleman sent to France by His Majesty to prevent the visit of the Comte de Tillieres to England has returned in a state of great mortification, their French Majesties having refused to receive him. Mons. de Bassompierre is anxiously expected. When he arrives it will he seen what course he will take to soothe the irritation now existing between the two nations, which would be still more violent on the otherHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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side but for existing domestic troubles which prevent them paying so much attention to what is going on here as would be the case under H‘ other circumstances. It is true that they have sent the Bishop of Mende, the Queen’s Almoner, to Rome, to give an account of the state of things to the Pope, a certain sign that they are not indifferent to the position of affairs. It is a mission, however, which is offensive to this country, which cannot see what Rome has to do with its concerns.
The Queen appears to be very happy and cheerful. She spends most of her time at Denmark House, which belonged to Queen Anne, the mother of the King, and is now hers with all its splendid fittings and furniture. Her Majesty is accompanied by the Duchess of Buckingham, the Marchioness of Hamilton, the Countess of Rutland, and the Countess of Buckingham, the Countess of Denbigh, and Madame Sauvage. This last with the third and fourth of these ladies are Catholics, and are permitted to go to Mass with the Queen in her little oratory, there being no chapel now as there was before the expulsion of the French. A suitable chapel however is being fitted up on the ground floor of Denmark House, so that Monsieur Bassompierre may see that there is no deficiency in this respect; whilst His Excellency will have every opportunity of observing that the Queen is much better served, for besides the eight ladies mentioned, Lord Percy is her Master of the Horse, Sir George Goring is Vice-Chamberlain, some of those who served Queen Anne now attend Her Majesty, and all the offices of her Court are being filled up.
The Duchess de la Tremouille has brought her married daughter from Holland. She is the wife of Lord Strange, and the Duchess is very desirous of attaching her to the household of the Queen ; but, with very little prospect of success, either because no more French are desired or because she has no influence with those who dispose of these offices.
The Earl of Arundel has again received His Majesty’s permission to come to London on private affairs, and the Earl of Bristol may absent himself for six weeks from the Tower, and live on his own estate, holding himself ready to return at any time he may be required to do so. He is to be brought before the Tribunal of the Star Chamber, to be examined as to the accusations brought against him in the House of Lords; at the same time it is possiblo that no steps may be taken against him, and he may be allowed to live in retirement at a distance from Court.
The Privy Council has promulgated a regulation which prohibits the importation of every description of French goods. If this is enforced it will cause a great outcry in France, especially if it includes French wines; for the French sell in England wines, of Gascony alone, to the value of five hundred thousand crowns annually. No one knows why an embargo has been laid on French goods throughout the Kingdom.
A residence was provided for Monsieur de Bassompierre, and his expenses were to be paid in the usual manner ; but, as the English Ambassador at Paris is not treated in this liberal way, the order has been withdrawn and the Frenchmen are looking about for houses.
London, 16th October 1626.
On Sunday last, His Majesty received Monsieur de Bassompierre in audience, at Hampton Court whither His Excellency was conducted by the Earl of Carlisle. After the usual compliments to their Majesties, and having presented his credentials, His Excellency, with infinite prudence, begged that His Majesty would be pleased to name Commissioners to meet him to consult over the best means of bringing to an end the differences existing between the two crowns principally on account of
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the late expulsion of the French from the service of the Queen. His Most Christian Majesty was desirous of knowing the real cause, and, that being explained, to punish according to their demerits such of his subjects as had deserved it. His Excellency also proposed to examine carefully the treaty of marriage to ascertain whether in this respect, as in all others, its true sense could be ascertained in a manner satisfactory to His Majesty. He explained that, besides his own friendly wishes, he was provided with Full Powers to bring the subjects of difference to a favourable conclusion, provided that in all that relates to the Queen her interests were considered. There is every appearance that all else will be easily settled, there being a good disposition on both sides, provided that no proposal is made for bringing the French attendants back to this Court.
We are now waiting to hear if His Majesty will consent to appoint Commissioners and this done if he will again offer to lodge and provide for the Ambassador in the usual manner, and if His Excellency will accept of this courtesy. It is already observable that, owing to his prudent and amicable approaches, things are now on a better footing as compared with their unfortunate position for some time past. There is a cloud however on the horizon on account of the arrival of Father Sancy, of the Order of the Oratory, who accompanies the Ambassador as his Chaplain. On his disembarkation a peremptory order was sent by the King that he should immediately return to France. This message the French Ambassador at once accepted as addressed to himself, and replied to the messenger who brought the order that Father Sancy was a subject of His Most Christian Majesty, expressly sent by him to accompany his representative, and that if he was sent back the Ambassador must consider himself as sent back also. Nothing further was said, and the Father accompanied Monsieur de Bassompierre to London; but he was not taken to Court, where he is regarded as a contumacious person who gave bad advice to the Queen when he was her Confessor.
The second part of the fleet sailed last week, but there is no news, except by letters from Plymouth, on the South-west side of this Island. They state that the first squadron under the Earl of Denbigh, which sailed some weeks before, had captured five French ships, on their voyage from Spain, loaded with merchandise which the English insisted on baptizing Flemish property. God grant that these spoils do not prejudice the negotiations in progress for a better understanding with France. There is also the circumstance that Monsieur de Soubise is at present within five miles of the Court, which can hardly fail to give umbrage to the French Ambassador.
Another attempt is to be made to obtain money by a new plan, all others having failed. His Majesty has called upon each of the Members of his Privy Council and has pointed out to them that now is the time to apply to themselves the arguments which they used to the people. Namely, the urgency of his needs for the defence of his kingdom; for giving assistance to the King of Denmark his uncle; for promoting the cause of the Palatinate ; and for the defence of the Protestant religion, which the Spaniards and the House of Austria wish to destroy. Little by little they try to crush Protestanism, and dangers gradually encompass it on all sides, it is consequently necessary at every sacrifice to support it. His Majesty therefore pressed each of them to pay at once the amount of five years taxation as a loan, which if collected would amount to five hundred thousand pounds sterling. His Majesty also desired that his orders should be sent to all the preachers in the kingdom to preach to the people in an ardent andHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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impressive manner on the duty and importance of giving of their sub- MSS 0P stance for the support of the good cause, also that all the officers of H. n. Serine, the crown should exert their authority with the same object.
Notwithstanding these efforts it still appears that the greatest repugnance is manifested to give money without the intervention of a Parliament, which the people call for and without which His Majesty will not be able to obtain the sum that he desires and that is really necessary.
The personage from Bethlen-Gabor had an audience of His Majesty almost like that of an Ambassador. A Royal carriage was sent for him, and he was accompanied to the Royal presence by a Master of Ceremonies being introduced to the king with the formalities usual with Ambassadors. He was again taken to London and to his hostelry—the same where the Ambassador from Denmark is living—and he has been allowed twenty crowns a day for his expences with four servants. Pie dines in company with the Dane who has an assignment of eighty crowns per day for his outlay.
The message from Bethlen-Gabor is expressive of his desire to join the league of England, Holland and Denmark, and to obtain a subsidy to enable him to attack the common enemy on his side also.
The Queen came on Wednesday to London to receive Monsieur de Bassompierre in audience and returned to Hampton Court in the evening.
To day His Excellency the French Ambassador left London to be received by His Majesty in private audience. The Duke of Buckingham shows him every courtesy, and from the external signs of good intelligence high hopes are entertained of an accommodation; especially as it is observed that the French wish it, probably because they apprehend that this country may make a peace with Spain. This would be easily brought about if some Prince of sufficient authority, and who at the same time w ould be disinterested, could be found to intervene.
Declaration of the true intent of His Majesty touching the request made to his subjects for their assistance in raising money in the form of loans.
Carolus Rex. When with the advice of Our Privy Council, We resolved, for the defence of Our flonour, Religion and Kingdom, to request Our beloved subjects to assist Us in the form of loans, We at the same time commanded Our Commissioners to go as soon as possible throughout all the Provinces and Cities of the Kingdom to carry into effect this Our request. It now appears to Us to be expedient to publish and declare to Our beloved subjects, Our intentions which are under the pressure of events, to provide for the defence of the public cause, and of the religion of the State and people. No other way being at present open ’to Us and it not being possible to avoid this way, We as King shall maintain this cause and that of religion, and preserve Our honour, assure the safety of Our Kingdom, and succour Our friends and confederates which We are bound to do by the obligations of the Sovereign power which under God We hold over you.
By these We publish and declare to Our beloved subjects, that Our true will is, that this path which necessity compels Us to take,—and necessity has no law,—is not meant to be in any way a precedent for the future. And because We hear that certain evil disposed persons, under the pretext of the common liberty, seek by the aid of faction or other indirect means, the ruin of religion and of the State, and, by attempting to delay the present remedy open the way to certain strange practices*8&
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E b'skrxne publishing amongst other statements that if this manner of raising Esq. * money is persevered in, it will overthrow Parliament and will introduce the custom of raising taxes annually in this way, We therefore publish and declare that We will not tolerate such statements and practices but will punish those who use them. Thus inasmuch as the sudden and important course of events is such as not to permit Us to lose so much time as the convocation of Parliament would require, and it being also foreign to Our feelings to take advantage of 'the love of Our people, or to make such loans annual or customary, it is rather in conformity with Our intentions to summon the said Parliament at all times and as soon as We can conveniently do, to continue it subsequently, and to recall it as often as reasons of State may require. The love of Our people towards Us will induce them presently to aid Our needs. We have this confidence in Our people.
Given at Our Court of Whitehall this 7th of October 1626 (old style), in the second year of Our reign.
London, 23rd October 1626.
His Majesty has not yet appointed Commissioners to confer with Monsieur de Bassompierre as requested by His Excellency. He intended to go to a place for hunting fifty miles from London, but having granted a private audience to the French Ambassador he was persuaded to change his mind and not to go. His Majesty, assisted by the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Conway, and other Members of his Privy Council, will listen to a statement of the case of the French. The demeanour of the French Ambassador is so conciliatory that it is wished, however difficult the case may be, to satisfy him. It is now thought that by taking a few French into the service of the Queen, excluding all those who were sent away, existing difficulties may be modified. But such is the antipathy with which this nation regards the hierarchy and supremacy of Rome that the clergy will not he received.
The Queen gave a private audience to the French Ambassador. There was a prevalent opinion that this would not be permitted, hut differences are being smoothed away. On the part of the French there is an apprehension that England will come to an arrangement with Spain, they even think that there is some private understanding that they will not press so urgently as the}' might otherwise do for the complete performance of the articles of the treaty of marriage.
The English Ambassador, Carleton, returned on Saturday last from the Most Christian Court, with handsome presents from their Majesties, a sure sign that he returned satisfied with the results of his mission ; and, such being the case, the French Ambassador must be treated in the same way, the only rock in the path being that he brought Father Sancy with him. He was a second time requested to send him hack to France, which he would have done if the request had been made in courteous terms. He keeps the Father strictly confined to the house, and a watch is kept over him to prevent his receiving any letters or messages from Court.
Every effort is made to raise money, but the people continue to exhibit the same indisposition to contribute without the intervention of Parliament. The proclamation of His Majesty has not produced the good effect which he anticipated, although he has declared that this collection of money under the form of loansis by no means to be understood as an interference with the privileges of Parliament, nor as a precedent for the future, but only to meet present necessities till such time as a Parliament can conveniently be summoned. There is no appearanceHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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that the determination of the people can be changed by this or any	mss. or
other means, except by process of Parliament, so that not even in this	*
way can money be obtained, and as the fleet is bringing nothing from — Spain it may Anally be necessary to yield to the general wish of the people and to summon a Parliament however contrary this may be to the wishes of those in power.
His Majesty has issued another proclamation prohibiting under severe penalties both soldiers and sailors from coming near the Court in troops.
This has been made necessary, inasmuch as a number of them tumultuously assembled on Saturday last and demanded their pay with the greatest insolence, attacking at the same time the carriage and servants of the Duke of Buckingham. They have been paid and dismissed to their quarters.
The Danish Ambassador and the Messenger from Bethlen- Gabor are pressing for money, but they are obliged to be satisfied with promises in the meanwhile. The first is of consequence, but the second much less so, and they must exercise patience.
The twenty war-ships provided by the city for His Majesty are ready, but they are very slow about sending them to sea; so much so, that many think that they will not leave the river this winter.
London, 80th October 1626.
His Majesty has at last appointed ten Commissioners to treat with Monsieur de Bassompierre on the proposals which His Excellency has submitted in writing. Several meetings have taken place, but as yet no agreement has been made, so great is the difference of opinion, so varied the sources of difficulty, particularly with reference to admitting French ladies and priests to the service of Her Majesty. Still it is hoped that things will end well. On this side there is the wish to satisfy the Ambassaddr, but on his he must not insist too much on points with regard to which there exists here a feeling of repugnance.
In all else His Excellency is made much of and treated with the greatest courtesy by the principal nobles of the Court and especially by the Duke of Buckingham, between whom and the Ambassador there is every sign of a friendly understanding and of a desire to complete the negotiations so as to establish good feeling between the two Crowns.
Although the Ambassador declines to have his expenses paid, which refusal has not been well received here, still the courtiers and especially the Duke of Buckingham dine with him, so that if we may judge from external appearances of good will it might be concluded that all would soon be well between the two nations. But I entertain doubts, for there are many difficulties in the way; there is the close vicinity of the two nations, there are diversities of interests, now increasing more than ever, and above all there is the trade which the French carry on with Spain on their own account and that of their allies.
The collection of money in the manner which I have described has proved more successful iu this neighbourhood than was thought possible.
If the more distant provinces follow the example, His Majesty may gain his object without having recourse to Parliament, however much it may be doubted.
It is reported that the fleet has returned to the west coast, bringing in some French and Hamburgh ships accused of having Spanish cargoes on board because they were on their return from Spain. We do not hear that the fleet has done anything else.
The presence of Monsieur de Soubise, brother of the Duke de Rohau, near London, and the report that he may go to sea in command of English ships, is regarded with suspicion by Monsieur de Bassompierre,90
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H ^Ikbik-e an<* ^ ma^e known to the French Court may raise a question of some Esq. ' importance.
Every effort is making to dispatch six thousand English soldiers from Holland to Denmark. They will be made up of three thousand maintained in Holland at His Majesty’s expense, and of other three thousand paid by the Dutch who will be replaced by men from England. Other three thousand soldiers of the six thousand paid by the King in Holland will be brought home to this country, then* time of service there having expired. They will be placed in garrisons in here.
When it is possible to do so, money must also be sent if the cause of the league is to be maintained, and at the present moment much encouragement has been derived from news that the peasantry o£ Austria having united had completely routed the Imperialists and Bavarians, as also that Mansfeldt or the Duke of Weimar, before uniting with Gabor, had defeated troops under Wallenstein.
This news is not universally believed, still the report produces its effect.
We hear that in various parts of France there have been seizures of English property in reprisal for the capture of French vessels. These are accidents which happen too often and are the causes of mutual dissatisfaction and disgust.
London, 6th November 1626.
The frequent meetings which the Marshal de Bassompierre has held with the English Commissioners has not as yet led to any settlement. Day by clay however the disposition to make concessions increases. On this side there is every wish to satisfy His Excellency, so far as it may be possible to do so, on the general heads of the marriage articles and even in matters of detail. A few French may be admitted to the service of the Queen, such as Ladies of the Bedchamber, and two gentlemen. It is also possible that they may so far yield on the English side as to receive eight Priests, provided that they are not Regulars, but as yet they are indisposed to receive a Bishop, on which point the Ambassador insists. With regard to the English Catholics it is conceded that some indulgences shall be extended to them, but after their past experience they attach little hope to the maintenance of any promises.
It is generally believed that the confiscation of English property in France, as an act of reprisal, must complicate the negotiations in progress, but these are things apart and have no connexion with the question at issue. The trade which the French carry on in Spain, will no doubt supply causes of complaint, so long as the English insist that French vessels do not cover or protect the transport of Flemish property.
Monsieur de Soubise has paid a visit to the French Ambassador without succeeding in removing the suspicions of His Excellency, who complains of having been thus intruded upon, as well as of the treatment which De Soubise receives at the English Court and of his correspondence with English Ministers.
The greater part of the English fleet returned last week with the exception of twelve ships which have not been heard of. The fleet has suffered severely from storms and has not been able to go more than two hundred miles from these shores, the wind having been adverse. On the return of a part of the fleet, immediate orders were given to the ships provided by the City to leave the river and to proceed to the Downs to there await further orders. Doubtless they will be kept there for good reasons, ready to go wherever it may be required, whilst the other shipsHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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go into harbour for repairs. The vessels provided by the City are of mss. or excellent quality, well armed and provisioned for three months.	H*
With reference to the dispatch to Denmark of the English troops now — in Holland, a certain Signor Filippo Calandrini, brother-in-law of Filippo Burlamacchi, has received ample authority to make arrangements for the departure of these troops, and with this object he is about to sail for Amsterdam.
The Marquis of Hamilton, a Scotsman who married the niece of the Duke of Buckingham, went to Scotland on Monday last. The vulgar say that he is disgusted with his wife, that he will have nothing more to do with her, and will not return to Court. Of course there is much talk on this subject and it is not easy to distinguish between what is true and what is false, and as this noble is of the Koyal house of Stuart no doubt reports are exaggerated.
Four ships have lately arrived from India, belonging to the East India Company, with cargoes on board which are said to be worth four hundred thousand pounds.
I hear at this moment that a courier arrived last evening at the French Embassy with express instructions that if the Ambassador did not receive precise replies as to details, and not merely those of a general description on the question of the marriage treaty, he was to return immediately. If this is true the English must make up their minds to satisfy his demands for I cannot believe that they will exasperate France in the present-state of affairs.
London, 13th November 1626.
The negotiations between the Marshal de Bassompierre and the English Commissioners were concluded on Saturday, when the Duke of Buckingham, who with his colleagues dined with the Marshal, took the documents to his house that he might afterwards lay them before His Majesty.
1 send the substance of the negotiation in the two sheets which I inclose. Copies were sent by Monsieur de Bassompierre to France by express courier for His Most Christian Majesty’s inspection. Before taking his leave next week, His Excellency is to witness a partial execution of the convention, and he is also to receive from the Court that hospitable treatment which up to the present time he has declined, and at the same time a magnificent gift from the King of the value of twenty or twenty-five thousand crowns; so that he may return home very well satisfied, the more so that he has also been successful with regard to the difficult proposal of attaching a Bishop to Her Majesty’s suite. It may be that His Excellency will also adjust the maritime question, so that French ships may trade in freedom without being molested by the English. This is a point of so much importance that it must be settled at some time, or it will remain an almost daily source of quarrel.
The Duke of Buckingham is preparing a sumptuous supper for “Sunday next, which is to he accompanied by a comedy, an interlude, dances, and other pastimes. A great intimacy is maintained between him and the Ambassador, consequently the Duke is much in favour with the Queen.
When the Marshal de Bassompierre has departed, Sir George Goring will he sent as Ambassador Extraordinary to the Most Christian Court to communicate the results of the late negotiations, and to give assurances of the good feelings of their Britannic Majesties towards the King and Queen of France. It is also thought that he may be charged to renew the invitation to France to unite with England in promoting the interests of Germany.92
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Nothing is heard of the return of the remainder of the fleet. The London ships are gradually dropping down the river to the Downs, but the general opinion is that, owing to the agreement with France, they will not go far from the English coast. This is a disappointment to Monsieur de Soubise who hoped to obtain the command.
The Royal Commission, for obtaining subsidies in the form of loans, is now at work in the provinces and, if it is as successful as it has been here and in this neighbourhood it is calculated that from four to five hundred thousand pounds will be raised, with no obligation to Parliament, the very name of which in time may be forgotten, and so the system in this country may be reduced to the same state as that prevalent in France.
Two gentlemen of station, who declined on principle to contribute to the loans, were immediately imprisoned by order of His Majesty. An example calculated to terrify others who may be badly affected to the public service.
The personage who is to go to Holland to expedite the departure of the English troops to Denmark has received his despatches, and only awaits a favourable wind to start. The two Yenetian Ambassadors are said to have taken a friendly part in promoting the agreement with France ; but it has been the Dutch Ambassador who was most zealous in good offices, for a friendly understanding between the two Crowns is of more importance to the States than it can be to the Venetians.
I enclose the substance of the written statement of the Marshal de Bassompierre, and of the reply made to it by the English Royal Commissioners.
Statement of His Excellency the French Ambassador Extraordinary.
In the articles agreed to between the Commissioners of King James the First of England on the one side, and those of His Most Christian Majesty on the other, for the marriage of the Prince of Wales with Her Royal Highness Madame Henrietta Maria, sister of His Most Christian Majesty, it was expressly agreed that the free exercise of the Catholic Apostolic Roman religion was accorded to that Princess and to all her household. That a Bishop with a sufficient number of priests was to be appointed to perform the ceremonies of that religion, and that all her officials and servants should be French Catholics selected by His Most Christian Majesty, and that should anyone of these die or be changed or dismissed, their places should be filled with other French Catholics.
These articles with many others, which as they do not bear on the late negotiations I omit, were signed on the 20th of November 1624, were subsequently inserted in the contract of marriage concluded at Paris on the 8th of May 1625, and were ratified on oath by His present Majesty with promises of inviolable observation.
It was further promised by His Majesty King James, of happy memory, in a special deed of the 32th of December 1624, that all his Catholic subjects should enjoy greater privileges and better treatment than had been stipulated for, in virtue of any articles agreed to in the treaty made on the occasion of the proposed marriage with the Infanta of Spain ; by which it was agreed that they should not be molested in their possessions and persons, nor compelled to take any oath contrary to their religion, so long as they behaved discreetly and rendered to their King the faith and obedience of true subjects. This deed was on the same day confirmed by the Prince his son, and subsequently, when he became King, it was ratified by another deed, on the 8th day of the month of July, confirming in every respect the first deed.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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The marriage having been happily completed between Charles, King of Great Britain, and Henrietta Maria of France, with mutual satisfaction, it was on that occasion again solemnly promised, and sworn-to, that the marriage articles should be inviolably observed in all that concerned religion, and this especially for the satisfaction of the conscience of the Queen Mother of France. His Most Christian Majesty fully believed that the agreements would be observed in the manner stipulated, but he has lately felt with heartfelt sorrow that, by the express commands of the King of Great Britain, the officers and servants of the Queen his wife had been compelled to retire from her presence and finally from the kingdom. This proceeding not being in accordance with the opinion which His Most Christian Majesty had formed of what was necessary to the happiness of the Queen his sister, married to a Prince, of such excellent parts, who had been held and who is held in such high esteem for his generosity and magnanimity, he cannot be persuaded that the King his brother-in-law, distinguished by the above virtues, and who has ever made it his object to preserve inviolably his word and faith, could possibly break them in relation to the convention made on his marriage which was to be maintained and observed in every point. Besides His Majesty the King of Great Britain had entered into these stipulations with a Prince who was his intimate ally, who has been a good brother-in-law and cordial friend. His Most Christian Majesty professes his belief that acting in anyway otherwise than was agreed upon, this union and new relationship, instead of binding the two Kings and their subjects more firmly in friendly alliance, may prove an evil soil in which will be sown the cold seeds of dissension between the two crowns at a time when their strict alliance is of so much benefit to the sovereigns their allies as well as to themselves.
Such are the causes which have moved His Most Christian Majesty to send the Marshal de Bassompierre, as His Ambassador Extraordinary to the King of Great Britain his brother-in-law, to demand in his name the re-establishment of what was contracted wherever the articles have been broken; His Most Christian Majesty being obliged, both for the salvation of the conscience of the Queen his sister and for his own reputation, to require that the faith pledged to him should now be maintained as it cannot be violated without manifest insult.
Lastly His Most Christian Majesty exhorts, and specially beseeches, the King of Great Britain that, in virtue of the promises made, he will give orders that his Catholic subjects be more kindly treated.
Saturday, 3rd November 1626.
Substance of the reply of the Koyal Commissioners to the statements of His Excellency the Marshal de Bassompierre, Ambassador Extraordinary of His Most Christian Majesty.
That our King was obliged to send away the French in the service of Her Majesty on account of their bad behaviour.
That the Bishop of Mantes came here invested with the authority of a Legate which was intolerable to this State.
That the French made the palace of the Queen a receptacle for Priests and Jesuits.
That the French rented houses in various places to open schools for the instruction of children in a religion opposed to that which is established.
That the French diverted the Queen from forming any affection for this people and from learning their language. ■
MSS. op H. D. Skbixe, Esq.94
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H	"that the French interposed in a bad spirit between the King and his
Esq. Queen and sought to alienate her from his love, the particulars of which — our King does not think it proper to declare except to the King of France alone if he wishes it.
Answer on the question of religion.
That the promises mentioned in the statement of his Excellency the Ambassador were conceded, for forms sake only, to obtain the dispensation of the Pope ; and without any intention of pressing their observance on the King, as was abundantly declared at the Court of France by his Most Christian Majesty’s Ministers to our Ambassadors and by the French Ambassadors to our Ministers here.
Concluding thus their answer with expressions of the utmost respect for the person of the King of France, and declaring at the same time that, if His Majesty is displeased by what has taken place, our King is desirous of giving him in the future every satisfaction : it being his earnest desire to preserve towards him a true regard and friendship.
On Saturday the 3rd of November the Commissioners visited the Ambassador to present to him special resolutions of the King in the following terms —
That all the ships and French property lately captured shall be restored. That with regard to the household of the Queen she is to have one bishop and twelve secular priests ; two ladies of the bedchamber, a principal chamberlain, a secretary, a physician, and surgeon, all to be French ; and that the chapel in the palace of St. James, which was begun for the Infanta of Spain, shall be completed for the use of the Queen and her suite.
English Catholic priests to be set free from prison, and to be taken across the sea by the Marshal de Bassompierre ; and as to the Catholic lay subjects of His Majesty it is intended to do something in their favour without entering into details.
London, 20th November 1626.
Although I stated in my last that the negotiations with the French Ambassador were concluded, I have now to report that they are wrecked upon new rocks. Those whose duty it has been to write the finished and formal copies of the settlement have so altered the words of the minutes agreed-to that His Excellency refused to accept them. The Duke of Buckingham again interfered and assured the Ambassador that the papers should be rewritten in strict conformity with the sense of the originals.
The Ambassador now awaits the partial realisation of the négociations. No doubt they will be carried out very unwillingly on this side, such is the dislike to the re-admission of French people to this Court and the indisposition to be more openhanded on the religious question ; but still they are anxious to send the Ambassador away satisfied, which would not have been the case had they not yielded on the question of admitting to Her Majesty’s service these few French attendants, other details being left to the management of his successor.
The Duke feasted their Majesties on Sunday in the most splendid manner, the Ambassador sitting at the same table with them, when they were waited upon and served by the Duke of Buckingham and ten other nobles. They were entertained before the supper with various musical performances, after it with dances and comedies ; but the principal spectacle was a marine view representing the sea which divides England from France, and above it the Queen Mother of France, sitting on aHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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regal throne amongst the Gods, beckoning with her hand to the King H	B
and Queen of Spain, the Prince and Princess Palatine, and the Prince ' esq. and Princess of Piedmont, to come and unite themselves with her there amongst the Gods, to put an end to all the discords of Christianity. A fanciful and mystic conceit which indicates a desire that such a peaceful result might be attained by the instrumentality pointed out in this fiction. The greater part of the night was consumed with dances and other pastimes, the whole being concluded with a splendid refection of sweetmeats; after which, the hour being late, their Majesties remained at the Duke’s residence to sleep. Next day the entertainments were renewed with royal magnificence. The expenses have amounted to some thousands of pounds sterling.
I believe that His Excellency will take leave of their Majesties on Sunday, to return immediately to Prance with his rich presents ; but I do not know whether before his departure he will be able to complete everything, particularly the details of the maritime question which, if not adjusted, must inevitably lead to new quarrels.
As to the marriage portion of the Queen, part of which is still owing, and the dowry to be settled on her here, it is not known if the Ambassador has made any arrangement. Probably he has left the question to the Ambassador in Ordinary who will succeed him. Various gentlemen of the Court, however, have received assignments of part of this money from the King, and they have made earnest representations to His Excellency for the payment at least of so much as they are to divide.
The ships provided by the City are in the Downs awaiting orders.
Those of the fleet which were missing are gradually airiving, some in England, others in Ireland; of two only there is no account.
It is said, that Lord Willoughby is to take the command of the English troops going to Denmark.
Everything possible is done to induce the people to subscribe to the loan, the money to bo paid at a later period, but a serious impediment to this method of raising money has been caused by the refusal of all the judges in the kingdom to sanction it by their signatures.
The difficulty has been increased by His Majesty’s dismissing from office the Lord Chief Justice of England.
London, 27th November 1626.
The Marshal de bassompierre met the Duke of Buckingham at the house of the Dutch Ambassador, and they once more revised and rewrote the exact terms of the negotiation as agreed-to regarding the Queen’s Household. I believe that these copies will not again be tampered with, especially as for some days the Duke has shown a strong desire to win over the French and to strengthen an alliance with them as much as possible. It will not be surprising if he proceeds in person to the Most Christian Court; provided that he is assured of a favourable reception, and of being met with a reciprocity of good will, all of which he trusts that the Marshal de Bassompierre will obtain for him in return for the honours and courtesies which the Duke bestowed upon him when here as well as from the personal intimacy between them.
It appears from all this that the English are once more to become French in sympathy, if the French are discreet enough to withdraw from their union with Spain, especially now that by the death of the Conde de Gondomar the compass to steer by is lost. It will be necessary that France should in some way compensate England, either by promoting her interests in Germany, or by not pressing the religious question too forcibly, or by making concessions on other points which96
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are particularly unpopular in this country. Concessions which it is easy to see will only be temporary will be broken and become the causes of new complications.
It will be absolutely necessary to adjust the questions connected with maritime affairs ; for, unless this is done, all is vain. The Ambassador says that he must leave this to his successor, who will be resident here, for his stay must now be short. He has prepared everything for his departure as soon as he has seen the ballet and the fête prepared for the Queen. His Excellency has received from the King a magnificent jewel of great value and from the Duke of Buckingham a present of horses of the purest English breed, which, added to the honours showered upon him, ought to send him away well satisfied.
It is proposed to divide the ships of war in the Downs into two squadrons ; one of which, combined with two Boyal Gralleons and fifteen Dutch men-of-war, is to cruise in the Spanish seas to annoy the Spaniards, the other is to guard the English coasts. A. Dutch Admiral is to be in command, but they may think better of this as in that case they will not agree when they are at sea and so disorder will prevail.
Lord Willoughby has refused to accept the command of the troops to be sent from Holland to Denmark, and they are considering the appointment of another officer. The agent who was sent to expedite the dispatch of the soldiers has been driven back by contrary winds ; consequently there is great delay, and the King of Denmark has sent a gentleman to press both for men and money. He informs His Majesty that although by chance he has lost a battle he is not discouraged and he has yet sufficient strength to maintain the common cause.
London, 4th December 1626.
Her Majesty the Queen gave at her palace on Friday last the fête and ballet which she prepared in commemoration of her birthday, and for the entertainment of Monsieur de Bassompierre before his departure. On Sunday he took leave of the King, ancf he has since then been engaged making preparations for his departure ; waiting only for a copy of the instructions to the two Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and for orders issued to certain inferior officers, here called Poursuivants and informers, to desist from molesting Catholic subjects in their persons and from searching their houses for priests or for objects appertaining to their religion. These being in conformity with promises made to the Ambassador. It has been a hard matter to obtain these concessions, which are of great importance to alleviate the treatment of these poor people, could they only be assured that they will be permanent which has never been the case.
With regard to the rest of his negotiations, his Excellency will take with him the formal documents which have been signed by His Majesty, and nothing now remains to be done except to send here those few French who are to be appointed to the service of Her Majesty, if it is really meant to send them, many believing that the French Court will be satisfied with its victory in argument and will not press the subject further.
The maritime questions, which are in reality the most important, are to be adjusted on the arrival of the Ambassador in Ordinary. In the meanwhile not to be idle on this side, and as a compensation for all that the French have done, it has been conceded to merchants, subjects of this country, to confiscate all the French goods which came from those ports and cities in which English property was seized, and, in the event of these not being enough, letters of marque will be issued to them to enable them to make reprisals at sea. It is not difficult to prophesyHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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that unless a method is found of putting an end to such proceedings these two nations will soon be on very hostile terms. There is at present a great increase of mutual ill will between them ; whilst the hostile feeling towards Spain is softened, and there is a disposition to come to terms with that country, and to restore the active and important commerce which existed in the lifetime of King James, of happy memory, and, what is besides of as much consequence, not to be obliged to conduct this trade through the French on disadvantageous terms.
The Ambassador of the King of Denmark, who has been here for four months, has now gone to France to ask for help in men for his King, in addition to the six thousand English troops from Holland, whilst it is proposed to send him two hundred thousand crowns from this country so soon as the money can be obtained which they are so busily trying to raise. But that is a somewhat long affair, as most of it must come from the more distant provinces, which the Koyal Commissioners have not yet reached, wrhere they are to be accompanied by members of the Privy Council to extend their authority especially in dealing with obstinate people unwilling to pay the five subsidies which his Majesty demands. Those who have little ability to pay are to be treated with consideration, especially as there never has been an instance- in this country of the people being called upon to pay the amount of five subsidies at once.
The other Personage, or Ambassador, from Bethlen-Gabor is still here; <and, except that his expenses have been paid, he has obtained nothing; but when money is got he may get some also, in the meanwhile he must wait.
About two months ago Signor Orazio Gentileschi, a painter, came hither from France; besides his employment in art, I hear that he treats of other matters of higher importance. He is frequently with the King and with the Duke of Buckingham whilst he writes a great deal. He has also made some secret expeditions to Brussels, so that I am inclined to think that this man is perhaps employed to make an opening in some manner with the Grand Duchess, and by her means to arrange a peace with Spain* I am the more persuaded of this from seeing the Duke promotes the transaction.
MSS. or H. D. Skrixe, Esq.
London, 11th December 1626.
His Excellency the Marshal de Bassompierre returned on Friday last to France, and by this time must have nearly reached his Court. As to his negotiations here the belief wavers whether the settlement j ust made will or will not be executed, many being persuaded that the French will shut their eyes, being satisfied with the mere appearance of their success in diplomacy, and will not send the French attendants here after all, or at any rate fewer, and these of a more ordinary quality than has been stipulated. But, before indulging in these speculations, it would be well to wait till we hear the resolution of His Most Christian Majesty after he has heard the statement of his Ambassador regarding his negotiations and the views of the King of England. We have also to learn whether his Excellency has been able to smooth the way for a visit of the Duke of Buckingham to the French Court as well as for his favourable reception and security.
The Duke shews a more than ordinary wish to make this journey under the pretext of visiting their Most Christian Majesties, of assuring them of his devotion, of adjusting the maritime question and others still unsettled which may create new differences between the two crowns, and perhaps to arrange some hidden object of his own. In short if the Marshal de Bassompierre, after seeing his King, should XJ 23533.	G98
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MSS. or encourage the Duke to visit the Drench Court, I believe that it will be easy induce	s0’ a^h°ugb his friends dissuade him for they
-—*	think that the French in general, for vai ious reasons, do not wish to see
him and that the Marshal may not have performed all the good offices which he promised to the Duke with whom he was on such friendly and intimate terms.
If this journey of the Duke does not take place, another person will be sent as Ambassador Extraordinary to endeavour to settle the maritime question for both nations on an equable and solid basis. Unless this can be done troubles cannot cease, the problem having now passed into such a state that unless a remedy be found an open rupture, as I have before said, must be the consequence.
The Ambassador de Bassompierre was to take with him from prison and from this country thirty priests, as well as to leave the condition of the Catholics in an improved state; but after all he did nothing, so that these unfortunates still remain subjected to the penal laws; and, although at the present time a plan has been suggested that they should pay a large sum of money annually to His Majesty so as to free themselves from the action of the laws, it is not believed that this is an honest proposal, but is rather intended as a shoeing horn to obtain money from the puritanical faction which is. on principle opposed to absolute monarchy and consequently to this new mode of levying taxes from the people without the approbation of their representatives. The Puritans however rather than that His Majesty should show any favour or indulgence to the Catholics will put their hands into their pockets and supply him to any amount.
In this neighbourhood they are pressing for payment of the loan with the greatest diligence, but they have not yet sent commissioners into the more distant provinces, whilst the fact that twelve noblemen amongst the first in the kingdom have absolutely declined to pay, combined with the refusal of the judges to recognise the legality of the demand, has cast on the project a chill which must increase the indisposition to advance money especially in remote places.
The armed ships provided by the City are still in the river, and the crews are consuming the provisions without useful employment of any kind.
Another body of about three hundred mutinous sailors have come to London, to demand from the Lord High Admiral payment of the arrears of wages due to them. Some companies of veteran soldiers have been employed to watch them, and to repress any tumult which may take place. The Duke is evidently quite resolved to go to France next week, but, even within so short a time, events may change as they have so often done before. The talk about the project varies from day to day, and obviously has little accurate foundation. The final decision must depend exclusively upon His Majesty, and its nature must be known to the Duke. Probably they are already better informed on the. subject in France than we are here.
General opinion is in favour not only of a settlement of the maritime disputes, which I have already alluded to, but also of making peace with Spain and the rest of Christendom. It is difficult, however, to believe that this can be brought about by the intervention of France. There is news o£ the Scilly Isles having been taken, by Dunkirk ships of war, which is very serious if it is true. If the Spaniards desire to keep them, they being on the way between England and Spain, they will fortify them.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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London, 18th December 1626. H
The Marshal de Bassompierre has been compelled by tempestuous r esq. weather to return to Dover. The Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Carlisle and the Earl of Holland, left London at three o’clock on Sunday morning to see His Excellency, and they returned to Court on Wednesday.
The object of this renewed conference is not known, but it may readily be surmised that whilst the visit was partly an act of courtesy, it also arose from a desire on the part of the Duke to consult him once more on the subject of his proposed visit to France. The Duke’s' earnest wish to go is obvious enough, and he has made every preparation for the journey ,* still many things may occur to induce him to hesitate before leaving this country, at a time of so much faction and international dissension and when an opportunity might thus be given to the Puritans of conspiring against him during his absence. In addition to these considerations, there is the opposition of his friends and relatives, who do not hesitate to say that he will fail in his embassy. Whilst everything is in this ambiguous state it is clear that the Duke must await the decision of France as to his reception before he can move.
In the meanwhile they are busy here attempting to lay down fixed and durable principles on which to negotiate the great maritime question which may serve as pretext for the Duke’s embassy ; but it is obvious that not only this subject but much higher political arguments must occupy him, whilst it may serve as the basis of another Ambassador’s negotiations. As for the true nature of the Duke’s diplomatic duties, these must depend on His Majesty; such as making peace with the Spaniards, through French influence and that of the Queen Mother, a project which is utterly hopeless. In a few days light may be thrown on the objects of this journey, involving so many questions of home and foreign policy.
Sixteen of the thirty priests who were liberated at the request of the Marshal Bassompierre are to go abroad as the condition of their freedom. As to the Catholic question generally, we are not as yet nearer any solution of it. Time is wasted in talk and nothing is done, although His Majesty declared that he meant to grant the Catholics certain indulgences, on condition of pecuniary composition payable yearly the amount of which I have not ascertained, but the powerful Puritanical faction opposes this scheme so obstinately that there is at present no hope of any amendment in the condition of the Catholics.
This week the Koyal Commissioners have been sent into several counties to obtain loans on the subsidies. There is no chance of their success in so unpopular an undertaking. They certainly will not procure the sums asked for, which are so much required, especially now that they are proceeding to a greater distance from London ; whilst the refusal of a number of peers to pay the demand, and the expression of the opinions of the judges adverse to its legality, encourage others to act in the same manner and to resist payment.
This city has sent the twenty armed ships which it provided to the Downs where they will remain for three months, till they consume their provisions, or so long as the fifteen galleons of the enemy are at sea.
It is now ascertained that the Dunkirkers have not taken the Isles of Scilly. The tumult made by the mutinous sailors has ceased, some of them having been paid and others put into prison.
The Dutch have several ships of war near the English coast destined to pass into the Spanish seas wThen they have taken on board provisions and other things needful.
Hews has come to-day from France that two hundred English and Scottish merchant ships laden with Gascony wine have been taken
a 2100
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MSS. op H.’D. Serine, Esq.
possession of in the river at Bordeaux. This act on the part of the French has caused great excitement in this country, as well as dread of consequences to trade. Besides ships and barques the French have captured from five to six thousand men, and two thousand pieces of artillery.
London, 2oth December 1626.
After the Duke of Bu ckingham’s interview at Dover with the Marshal de Bassompierre he returned here, whilst His Excellency the Ambassador again embarked for Calais on the following Friday. It is now said that the principal reason for the meeting was a letter written by the Marshal to the Duke, before his first embarkation, to inform the latter that the most Christian Court was not satisfied with the négociations here. It had been assumed that, seeing the intimacy which subsisted between His Excellency the Ambassador and the Duke of Buckingham, results more favorable to the French pretentions might have been secured. The Marshal under these circumstances requested the Duke not to go to France till on his arrival at his own Court he could personally explain what he had hitherto communicated by courier. Whether this be the truth, or only the ceremonial sense of the communication to prevent the Duke making his journey, we shall soon learn when the Marshal has reached Paris. The Duke continues his preparations so desirous is he of going, but, as I have already said, all his relatives and friends dissuade him as much as possible, in the hope that he will finally resolve to stay at home, •especially since this last embroilment with the French brought about by the capture of the ships at Bordeaux laden with wine on which also the French duties had been paid to the amount of thousands of crowns. The seizure has so irritated the people of this country that the Privy Council has published an edict expressly prohibiting the subjects of this realm, as well as foreigners, from importing French wine into Great Britain till further orders ; and the twenty ships-of-war in the Downs are to join some Boyal Galleons and other vessels, all of which have been ordered to proceed to sea and to capture and to bring into English ports all the French ships and boats which they meet with.
It cannot he believed that the Duke, with so dire a cause of dissension between the two countries, will now leave this Court, having besides so many other reasons for remaining. It will be absolutely necessary to find means of remedying this maritime question, for otherwise the two nations will soon be on the road to a complete rupture. The principal offence to the English consists in the resolution of the French to carry in their trading ships goods belonging to the subjects of Her Serene Highness the Infanta of Brussels, which goods the English insist on confiscating, thus creating innumerable difficulties, and rushing on so many hidden dangers, that to avoid them they would do well to shut their eyes to the transport of these cargoes. To delay longer the settlement of the whole question can only lead to the worst consequences, as day by day the feelings of both nations are becoming more exasperated. The merchants who have suffered the great loss at Bordeaux are loud in their complaints, for if no remedy is found many of them will be ruined. Neither will the French merchants in Gascony escape the effects of this blow, as to them it involves the loss of an annual sale of fifty thousand butts of wine. If, under such circumstances, the Duke of Buckingham cannot go to France, another Ambassador Extraordinary must be sent with full powers to arrange the question of capture. Before coming to any resolution, however, it will be prudent to hear what message will be sent by the Marshal de Bassompierre. In the meanwhile every thing ou this side is in a state of unprecedented disorder.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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Her Majesty the Queen in this extremity of animosity between the two countries, whilst no doubt she feels the difficulties of her position, acts with perfect calmness and is at this moment occupied with fourteen ladies of her court preparing a ballet which is to be performed at Xm§s. The greater number of the members of the Privy Council are now in the provinces trying to raise money, with what success we have yet to learm; but it may well be doubted whether the people who are so opposed to their proceedings, including peers of the realm, gentlemen of position, and others who refuse to pay, will listen to the commissioners. It will be much if they succeed in raising two hundred thousand pounds.
The personage who called himself the Ambassador of Bethlen-Gabor is at last gone with a present of eight hundred ounces of silver plate, which I believe to be the principal product of his visit to this court; but a promise has been made to him that his master will be considered a member of the league between this country and Holland and Denmark and others against the House of Austria. The Venetian Ambassador has not been successful in obtaining the liberation from prison of four Irish priests whose freedom was promised to him so long ago as July last. If they are set free they must leave this country yet may not go to Ireland, but must join instead eleven others released by the intercession of the Marshal de Bassompierre. The number was originally thirty the greater part however prefer to remain in prison in this country, maintained as they are by other Catholics, rather than to cross the sea and become mendicants amongst foreigners. < It is whispered here that if the Duke goes to France he will not be in a hurry to return to England, but will remain there or else will go to Turin till such time as, by the aid of Parliament, affairs are put on a better footing in this country and the King is restored to a better understanding with his subjects. The Duke would by this means escape the peril which must overtake him if a Parliament is summoned ; yet his power never has been greater than it is at the present time, but so much the greater is the hatred with which he is regarded by the people.
MSS. or H. 3X Skkiotb, Esq,
London, 1st January 1627.
The Duke perseveres in his resolution to visit the French Court as soon as the Marshal de Bassompierre gives him notice that he may safely do so, and he continues his preparations with the intention of going after Christmas. It is particularly desired to give his mission the character of a project to heal the wounds caused by mutual spoliations at sea. The popular belief points to another object which I alluded to in my last letter ; namely, that he will stay abroad till affairs in this country have been arranged by a new Parliament and till the King is reconciled with his people, whilst by his absence the Duke may escape a second outburst of Parliamentary wrath. Thus, if the reply of Mons. de Bassompierre is favourable, he will at once cross the sea; although there are so many reasons why he should not do so, such as absenting himself from the presence and protection of the King, and because he must be aware of the satisfaction with which the puritanical Calvinists will regard his departure and of the opportunity which will thus be given them of conspiring against him.
It is to be wished that some friend of his had sufficient influence to induce him to abandon his resolution. The intellect often fails in emergencies when its full strength is most needed.
There can be no prospect of the restoration of the ships with their cargoes of Gascony wine, to many a subject of no little thought. There may be some hope that, their first outbreak of excited feeling being over, the French may let the ships go, as they had already done102
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• MSS. or.
H. D. Serine, Esq.
with those belonging to the Scotch which were captured at the same time as the others. If they do not do so the two nations, as I have already said, are on the road to open hostilities, and I think I can see here that the spirit of the people is prepared for such an alternative.
There are, notwithstanding, those who are working hard to suppress these feelings and to discover means of adjustment for -the sake of the benefits which both nations reciprocally derive from each other. Every cause of delay is hurtful. Monsieur de Soubise, a Frenchman, does his best to add fuel to the flame, and hopes to obtain employment and to serve his party ; but it is impossible to believe that this nation will give a command at sea to a foreigner and a Frenchman.
The amounts of the loans on the subsidies are obtained without difficulty in some places, but in others more remote the people are very unwilling so that it is doubtful whether His Majesty will obtain so much as one half of the money required. Deputies have been sent from Scotland with a complaint and remonstrance to lay before His Majesty who on hearing of their object sent a gentleman of the court to meet them and to desire them to return home. The Scottish nation is not now possessed of the influence or emoluments enjoyed in the time of King James and consequently is discontented, but being a more resolute and determined people than the English it cannot be concealed that there may be troubles from that quarter also.
The Queen is preparing her ballet for the day of Epiphany and is waiting anxiously for the two French ladies and other French attendants, included in the negotiations of Marshal de Bassompierre which are to be considered real and substantial and not drawn up for forms sake, as the original marriage contract is now said to have been, which among many other provisions contained some for the benefit of the Catholic subjects of this couutry which have not been observed.
Hews has arrived that peace is spoken of in Germany and this if true may have its effect in this country, the more so that the people are not indisposed to it; but that the Duke of Buckingham should succeed in obtaining a treaty of peace through the agency of their French Majesties is incredible, although some of his friends maintain that he proposes to go to France with that object.
Her Majesty the Queen has gone into mourning for the Duke of Mantua.
London, 8th January 1627.
Their Majesties being occupied with the festivities of Christmas, business is not spoken of at Court or in the City. There is therefore little to say, except that the Duke of Buckingham, being resolved to go to Paris, has sent his horses, carriages, and luggage, to Dover to be ready to cross to France. Notwithstanding these preparations, I am certain that he will not leave London till the return of one or other of two gentlemen whom he sent to bring him the Marshal’s reply; nothing, however, has been heard from them, and this ominous delay and prolonged silence induce the Duke’s friends to urge him more than ever to stay at home. The French still keep the ships and wine captured at Bordeaux; but now such a number of French ships have been taken at sea or seized in English ports, some with very rich cargoes, that there is less anxiety about the restitution, and the value of those lost at Bordeaux is more than covered, whilst more are brought in daily, so that the French may be compelled to take the first steps towards a composition, Mons. de Soubise is not losing his opportunity, he is daily with the Duke striking the iron whilst it is hot, but I cannot persuadeHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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myself that they will give him a command over English ships. It may rather be that they will assist him in some other way and by his means H* foster other schemes, especially with regard to the affairs of Bochelle which it appears are at present in a perilous position.
The Scottish deputies although ordered to return came to London and presented themselves at Court. His Majesty has received them and treated them with unexpected kindness. The demands which they make refer in the first place to a reform of the conduct of those who are set over them to govern them ; and secondly that His Majesty should be pleased to withdraw the edict by which he resumed, and incorporated with Crown property, estates which his predecessors had granted to nobles on the abolition, by their consent, of abbeys and monasteries. They made also other requests which have not been published.
The Queen retired to her own palace on Saturday to observe the religious ceremonies of Christmas, and then returned to Whitehall where she is preparing the ballet.
Sir Edward Barrett, who two years ago was destined to be Ambassador in Ordinary to France, will now take his departure for the French Court having been re-appcinted. If nothing occurs to prevent this arrangement it may be considered an evident proof that the Duke of Buckingham is not going.
London, 15th January 1627.
Whilst so many believed that the Duke of Buckingham was about to start this week on his journey to the most Christian Court, in a moment the scene has shifted. He has ordered his servants with his luggage to return from Dover.. This shows that he is not going, at all events "“for some time to come. The cause of this sudden change of plan is not yet certainly known, although it is believed that his sojourn in England is better than any one beyond the sea, consequently he has allowed himself to be persuaded to stay at home, and near the presence of the King, especially at a time so fruitful in discords. It may also be found that the French are unwilling to receive him.
Sir Edward Barrett who was to have gone as Ambassador in Ordinary, who had received his credentials and wras ready to mount his horse, has been countermanded. I am of opinion that the capture of French ships made by the English, and which they are still making, being now nearly equivalent in number to those taken by the French must be the cause of this change, as I perceive that they pretend here that the French must take the first steps, and express a wish for restitution, before they dispatch Sir Edward Barrett or anyone else. If the other side would thus act, in that case they might send an Ambassador Extraordinary, in return for the embassy of the Marshal de Bassompierre, and the Duke of Buckingham might he selected; always provided that he is assured of his favourable reception in France.
In the meanwhile Captain Pennington has been sent to take command of the twenty armed vessels furnished by the City, and he is to make sail, but with what special orders we do not know. Though all believe that the squadron is to cruise on the French coast, and to capture all French ships which may fall into the net, and at the same time to watch over the interests of the Rochellese which are said to be in some danger. Thus it is obvious that the questions between these two nations become daily more entangled and plunge more deeply into a disorderly state; so that, if an immediate and prudent solution is not found, they are advancing to open hostilities, and such is the temper of both that this smouldering fire must soon hurst into flame. A certain Mons.
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Gouttier, a Frenchman and a famous performer upon the lute who has-given lessons on this instrument to Her Majesty, was arrested on Saturday evening by express command of His Majesty and conveyed to the Tower. The nature of the prison shows that this must be for some reasons of importance, and the occurrence has given occasion for much discussion. Mons. de Soubise is as busy as usual. He is provided by the Court with a house and furniture, but not with provisions, neither has he any employment. The Deputies from Scotland have not yet received any reply to their remonstrance.
The Queen’s ballet was to be performed tomorrow—the Epiphany,, but as her Majesty is suffering from toothache the performance is pur off till next Tuesday.
News of the death of Mansfeldt has been received by way of Venice and causes much and general regret.
London, 22nd January 1627.
The journey of the Duke of Buckingham to the most Christian Court is entirely overset and so is the mission of Sir Edward Barrett, neither being now spoken of; for it is persistently upheld that France must take the first steps towards a settlement of the maritime questions, and the restitution of the captures which have been made, there being now more than enough in hand here to balance the seizures made by the French at Bordeaux. The news arrived a few days ago that His Most Christian Majesty disapproves of the terms made by Marshal de Bassompierre. He thus administers a rebuff which makes it apparent that the ill humour of the French towards this people is on the increase, and this confirms the resolution here, which appears to me to be very decided, that they must be the first to move, and that the agreement with the Marshal de Bassompierre must be upheld at any cost; so that with these harsh feelings on both sides, they will be led little by little into war. In fact it may be now said that they have already reached this condition, capturing as they are doing both ships and property of which the English have probably taken the greatest quantity ; for without doubt if they persevere in this course the French will have the worst of it on the ocean, from the numerous privateers which plough these seas, whilst the twenty armed vessels provided by the City, with two Eoyal Galleons under the command of Captain Pennington, have sailed to plunder on the coast of France and daily seize French ships. It is thought that he has orders to enter the Port of Bordeaux, and to bring away the English ships by force, and to enter ports to pillage burn and destroy property. Much is talked here of such enterprises, but I am of opinion that hostile operations will not be pushed so far, as the French never could digest them, but that they will be satisfied to appropriate ships at sea, to assist the Bochellese, and to watch a number of transports employed to carry Spanish soldiers into Flanders. In conclusion the motives for an outburst are sufiieiently obvious, and the instruments most fitted to increase these are ready amongst whom Mons. de Soubise and men of his class take care that no time is lost.
The Mons. Gouttier, the lute player, remains in prison, and no one is allowed to see him ; nothing is known of him except that he is a worthless person, and at this Court he has talked of persons far above him in a manner which is intolerable. The King entertains an unfavourable opinion of him, and the Duke of Buckingham one which is still worse, as well as of the other Frenchmen remaining in the service of Her Majesty who will be got rid of like the first their conduct being so unsatisfactory.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION*
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Her Majesty in the present painful crisis of affairs is very well, but ^s|*o:p will not be able to perform her ballet till Sunday as she still suffers * Esq?1*35, from toothache.	—
In the course of this week Members of the Privy Council have visited the counties which have not yet contributed to the loans, only to encounter new difficulties caused by the unwillingness of the people to meet their demands ; they say, like all others, that if they are to be taxed it ought to be through Parliament and with its consent. The Dutch are demanding the restitution of ships and cargoes which the English captured, after the outbreak with Spain, under the pretext that, covered by the flag of Hamburgh, Dutch vessels traded with the Spaniards, carried Spanish goods, and thus promoted Spanish interests.
The Dutch Ambassador has repeatedly demanded restitution without being able to obtain it ; a deputation is now to be sent expressly to insist upon reparation, protesting that if this not granted they will capture English ships wherever they meet them at sea. Thus on that side also new elements of discord appear which, combined with so many others, certainly will not prejudice the Spanish cause.
London, 29th January 1627.
I have learnt that Monsr. Moulins, wno was formerly Secretary to His Excellency the Comte de Tillières, when he was Ambassador of His Most Christian Majesty in London, and who was afterwards left in temporary charge at this Court by the Marshal de Bassompierre, has been instructed, either by his King or by the Cardinal de .Richelieu, to inform the English Ministers that, if they are satisfied to name a day on which they will make restitution of captured Erench ships and property, the French Government will be equally ready to deliver up English property.
It does not appear that Mons. Moulins has received the answer to this message which he expected. He has been informed that as His Most Christian Majesty had declined to ratify the late négociations with the Marshal Bassompierre his Ambassador Extraordinary the Ministers could not believe or listen to this proposal unless some security was given to them, in which case they would give a reply suitable to the honour of their King. From this harsh answer it is quite evident that the relations between the two peoples become more and more unfriendly. The readiness with which a final rupture may be brought about is evident ; for instance, if Captn. Pennington with his little fleet commits some overt act not easily excusable, and they say here that he is quite prepared to do so, or if Mons. de Soubise, who is believed to have joined him as a volunteer, spurs him to hostile operations, the position of things may become very serious.
It is true that the Duke of Buckingham has sent an A-gent to Paris, a Frenchman of the name of Gerbier who is a dependent of his, to keep up the appearance of friendliness, but he is of too ordinary a station, and of too little authority, to hold out any hope of success.
The Members of the Privy Council who are in the provinces are reported to have met with a certain amount of success in some places, but with much unwillingness on the part of the people in others. This plan of raising money is tardy in its operation, and is detrimental and unpopular ; thus the King with all these disadvantages is not likely to get half the supplies which he requires, for a fresh fleet must be got ready for next summer and the number of ships will depend on the amount of money promised or forthcoming.
On Sunday Her Majesty has at last accomplished the performance of her ballet. The Venetian and Dutch Ambassadors were present and sat near the King. At first it was proposed to give them seats farther106
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apart, but the Venetian would not consent to this arrangement and consequently both Ambassadors were provided with seats more satisfactory to their dignity.
The Commissioners from Holland have not yet arrived to demand the restitution of ships and cargoes captured by the English. I do not think that they will be successful, the English complaining of the damage done by the Dutch to their ships and trade in the East Indies and make counter demands.
Since the last proposal made by the French through Monsieur Moulin s, and the answer given by the English Ministry on the subject of the release of ships and property which have been captured, the questions in dispute remain on the same unsatisfactory terms. It remains to be seen if any good effect is to be produced by the mission of G-erbier.
Captain Pennington has returned to this country without having inflicted any damage on the coast of France. This is a fortunate circumstance, as it holds out a hope that the aspect of things may change for the better, and that an accommodation may still be possible. Unfortunately, however, the disapproval on the part of France of the settlement made by the Marshal de Bassompierre can hardly fail to prove an impediment, especially if upon this side they insist on the maintenance of the compact lately made.
The differences between the two nations on this subject can only lead to deplorable results, and there can be no doubt that the discord is promoted by national antipathy on both sides. Some sort of hollow-truce may be patched up, but there is no hope of a sincere or durable reconciliation.
Mons. de Soubise, in consequence of Capt. Pennington’s return, is disappointed of his sea voyage, and has come back to London where a house has been provided for Mm and a pension ot 400 crowns a month.
They are about to send to Prance another gentleman named Clarke who has been employed several times in missions to that court by the Duke of Buckingham. On this occasion.it is probable that his negotiations will rather be with the Catholic Ambassador, or his representatives, than with the ministers of His Most Christian King. There is a wish here to effect a peace with Spain, and to leave no means untried to obtain this object.
France never will give any sincere aid towards this object, owing to the jealousy which exists between the two nations. The strongest motive on the part of the English is to restore their profitable trade with Spain ; with this object they would make peace if a mediator can be found, and if both nations can learn to forget the injuries which they have inflicted on each other, and if both can offer acceptable terms.
As to the Duke’s proposed visit to France it is no longer talked of, yet it might he revived if affairs took a more favourable shape and he could obtain some assurance of being received in a friendly manner. The loan moves slowly. Two hundred thousand crowns of the amount received have been assigned to the Admiralty to provide for the new fleet wMch is to be ready in the summer.
London, 12th February 1627.
As yet we do not see on this side any symptom of patching up the sores and disorders which prevail between this country and France. On the contrary it appears that the breach widens daily. The English hold fast to the last agreement with the Marshal de Bassompierre, and they insist also that, as regards the maritime question, the French shall take the first steps towards the restoration of captured ships seized byHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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them at Bordeaux, and this without the intervention of Ambassadors on one side or the other. I think that I see that on this side they are not in favour of negotiations, but hold that, as they have now taken property equivalent to what has been seized by the French, the latter should be the first to make restitution.
Notwithstanding all this, if Monsieur Gerbier, who was sent to the French Court by the Duke of Buckingham, should return with a statement that there is a willingness to send an Ambassador to negociate, there can be no doubt that a corresponding Ambassador would be sent from England. The mission of Mr. Clarke is, consequently, suspended till the return of Mons. Gerbier, or till he sends a courier stating what he has done. As I have already remarked, these personages are not of the rank which the importance of the affairs intrusted to them requires, and there can be but little hope of a successful issue of the mission intended to throw out feelers in the direction of Spain.
Thus if no remedy can he found, as confusion is everywhere increasing, and commerce is little by little steadily declining, this flourishing Island will lose more and more of her ancient power1, riches, and splendour.
Let us hope, however, that if able to accommodate matters with France and with Spain, especially with the last, England may recover, if not wholly yet in a considerable measure, an important share of the commerce with that state which she enjoyed before the occurrence of these internal and external disorders, for the prosperity and power of this kingdom depend on its trade, They have begun to make the necessary preparations for fitting out the fleets, which it is pretended will be in order next summer; whilst meantime every effort is made to provision ten out of the twenty ships of war provided by the City, and I know not how many Royal Galleons, with the intention of sending them all to sea. What the object may be is not precisely known, but most believe that it is to cruise along the coast not far from home.
Gouttier, the French lute player, was examined on Friday last before the Privy Council, and with the exception of some love passages, all else has been kept secret; but, after his examination, a Frenchwoman and two Frenchmen were immediately arrested and imprisoned. They are like himself of an ordinary class of servant of the Queen’s household. All those gentlemen, as well as others, who have refused to contribute to the loan have been called upon to present themselves before the Privy Council in London to explain the cause of their unwillingness. Already several have arrived, and are now waiting to see what His Majesty and the Privy Council will say to them.
The Commissioners who some days ago came to Court from Scotland with their remonstrance have been heard by His Majesty, and have now returned home satisfied with the promises which they have received. The Irish also make demands, especially that they should not be molested by English officers on account of their religion. They consent to maintain five thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry in conformity with the proposal which His Majesty made to them through the Yiceroy.
The questions connected with the loans on the subsidies are discussed with great warmth, but His Majesty is so resolved to have his money that he has imprisoned this day sixteen knights and gentlemen who ha ye absolutely refused to contribute. No doubt many others will follow their example and it will he found that the number of recusants is greater than the King is aware of. God grant that it may go no farther.
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Proclamation.*
Carolus Hex. To satisfy a humble petition made by Our Parliament, We have resolved to compel the enforcement of all the laws against Jesuits, Priests and other Papists, and from the profits derived therefrom, to increase Our income so as to be better able to meet the extraordinary expenses caused by the defence of Our States, the which Our determination, sealed with the G-reat Seal of England, We publish, and order to be registered by all Our Courts of Justice, so that it may be prosecuted as much as may be possible, and as We purpose Constantly to do with that expedition and diligence which the industry of Our Officers and Ministers of Justice may effect, the which however cannot be begun and made perfect at once, being a work which requires time.
Now as We find that divers of Our Subjects who are Papists, murmur and are ready to complain that the laws in vigour against them are so harsh and severe in several respects, involving certain pains and penalties, which if literally enforced would ruin them, and disable them with their families and in their substance and living, so that in the course of time they would become mendicants and must be supported by the Parishes in the places where they live, so that We could derive no farther benefit from them. We are therefore to take their humble petition into Our Eoyal Consideration, desirous always to conduct Ourselves in all things towards all Our subjects with equity and moderation characteristic of a good and just King.
For Our better information as to the facts, We address Ourselves to Our Eoyal Commissioners and to several of Our leading peers of the Eealm, and others of Our Council to Consider, carefully this affair, and not only to give us information, but to Council ITs in what manner We may grant due indulgence to the Papists, without however slackening Our hand in the prosecution of the laws against them, so as not to encourage them by this indulgence to persevere in their errors, and without destroying that portion of the profit which may be befitingly drawn from penalties against them. We have received from Our Commissioners such counsel that in conformity with it We have given orders and instructions to Our Commissioners whom We have employed for this purpose, advising them, under Our sign manual, that they should accurately observe and carry them info execution. And that there be no doubtful interpretation of this Our Clemency and moderation, and that those of Our subjects oppos ed to Our laws, may not believe or presume that by reason of any importunity, they may at any time put to silence the laws against them, whilst at the same time others of Our subjects who conform to Our laws and to the orthodox religion professed by ITs and Our English Church, may not feel any doubt of Our zeal and constant use of the said religion. We have therefore judged it expedient to make this declaration by which all Our subjects may feel assured of Our distinct and sincere intention, which will always be maintained by Us, not to depart in any way from Our first promise touching the execution in this case of Our laws, not wishing at any time or by any one, to be petitioned on this subject, with the intention of proceeding with such moderation that the whole world may be Our witness that We do not seek their ruin but rather their conversion. Wherefore amongst other things on which We have given orders in favour of Papistical recusants, we consent that they, or their friends for them, may let or lease, or rent those two-thirds of their lands or lordships
* This document, dated as above, is inserted in one of the files in the Archives, but is not accompanied by any letter explanatory of the circumstances of its publications.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.	109
which the strictness of Our laws prohibits, but with this condition that they pay that amount of rental that others would pay. Not wishing that this should be subject to misinterpretation, nor that it may result in any prejudice to Our service, We publish and declare by these presents that Our will is, that all those leases of lands of the Papists, which have already been contracted or agreed to be contracted under Our Great Seal, or from some other defect, may notwithstanding be carried out in the same manner as if contracted, or by other means to be contracted. We consent that the Popish recusants themselves or others for them within three months of the date of this, may make a composition of two-thirds of their land with Our Commissioners, otherwise that time being passed it will be possible for any one to rent them.
Given at Whitehall, 16th February 1627.
London, 19th February 1627.
Nothing comes from France either from Mons. Gerbier or by the express courier sent by Mons. Moulins to the French Court a fortnight ago. It may be inferred from these delays that the French are determined not to come to a hurried decision, but that the}' will consider well whether they will stand by the agreement made with the Marshal de Bassompierre, and consent at the same time to the mutual restoration of ships taken on both sides as well as to try to remedy the existing difficulties in maritime affairs with a view to their removal for the future, or whether they will persist in their negotiations, and require the entire and absolute observance of the first articles of the marriage contract, and insist that the despatch of an Ambassador and the restitution of the ships shall commence on this side. It will then be made manifest that they do not care for the friendship of this people, as they must be perfectly well aware that this nation will not condescend so far as to make the first concessions. They are waiting here to learn the final resolution of the Most Christian Court with some hope that it will be more moderate than some suppose, in which case on this side they will not be unwilling to come to a final accommodation in the present unfortunate state of home and foreign affairs.
The tempers of both nations are exasperated and the business and trade of merchants are falling into the greatest confusion.
Mr. Clarke has not yet taken his departure for the French Court; nor will he do so till news is received of the state of feeling towards England and whether there is any prospect of an opening however small towards an accommodation.
The provisioning of the ships goes on with but little energy although there are a number of Galleons, and of ships of war prepared by the merchants, to be got ready for sea by May, when they will be sent wherever necessity requires. There is some reason for thinking that, if by that time the disputes with France are not settled, the French may be the first to feel their powers rather than the Spaniards with whom there is so general a disposition to come to honourable terms of peace.
The sailors have again, in the course of last week, gathered tumultuously in the purlieus of the Court insisting upon payment of arrears ; ■a certain proportion has been given them and promises have been made to give them more in a few days, so once more they returned to their homes. People however live in anxious expectation of these outbreaks, and some company’s of the City trainbands have been stationed in the Duke of Buckingham’s residence to provide against disorders.
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H D^Skeiis-e	More knights and gentlemen with others come daily from the pro-
Esq. ’ Vinces, having been ordered by the Privy Council to present themselves in consequence of their refusal to contribute to the loans.
They remain in the neighbourhood of the Court but are treated with studied neglect, and they feel that their detention at their own expense is a contrivance to punish them which provokes them greatly, and only makes them more determined and indexible. This will no doubt strengthen others in their opposition and lead them to show equal decision, In short the present is a difficult and rugged state of things. On one side they cannot retire without loss of reputation, whilst on the other there is a firm determination not to consent to such an infringement of the laws, and of the privileges of the people, as is intended.
Thus any hope of receiving the money required diminishes daily. It is now thought that it may not amount to more than one third, whilst the payments made are in such small sums as to be quite insufficient to meet the public outlay.
Nothing more is said about the lute player and his companions. It is probably a mere matter of woman’s scandal, but he is likely to suffer for it for some time yet.
London, 26th February 1627.
A courier dispatched by the English Agent arrived from Prance on Tuesday last with information that his most Christian Majesty persisted in his disapproval of the late negotiation of the Marshal de Bassompierre: that he required the plenary observance of the first terms of marriage settlement: that an English Ambassador Extraordinary must be sent to his Court, but that he would not receive the Duke of Buckingham : and finally that the English should take the first steps to make restitution of captured ships.
The message goes on to say: that they will keep the negotiations open for the formal reduction of these conditions to terms which will not exclude all hope of accommodation ; and that the final resolution will be sent through Mons. G-erhier who was about to leave Paris in a few days.
Whilst waiting for the return of this Agent a sinister interpretation is given to these stipulations, as it is thought that they denote little goodwill. It will not be surprising if they resolve here to sell the cargoes which have been taken, especially those of a perishable nature. It is said that this will he done at the request of the proprietors, but as the money will be put into the Exchequer, and once there will not come out again, people do not believe their statement. There is besides no hope of an accommodation. The refusal to receive the Duke of Buckingham widens the breach still more; so much has been said of his embassy that it is now'' impossible to substitute another in his place, for it cannot he done with due regard to the national honour and reputation.
Whilst thus refusing to receive the Duke, the French demand that an Ambassador may he sent equal in rank to the Marshal de Basson-pierre. All this exasperates and increases the had state of feeling between the two nations ; and cannot fail to do so for some time to come, at least till the peccant humours now prevalent are well purged and have disappeared.
If Mons. Gerhier brings with him even the smallest appearance of conciliation I believe that on this side there would be a disposition to favour a temperate solution, but should this not be the case it may be concluded that affairs will go from bad to worse. The present disputehistorical manuscripts commission.
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with France more than ever points to an arrangement with Spain, if that country will consent to the peace which is here universally desired.
The members of the Privy Council are taking the greatest trouble to induce the recusants to contribute to the loans on the live subsidies. Many however remain firm and rather allow themselves to be imprisoned than consent to pay or acknowledge the justice of a method of raising money which they think prejudicial to their immunities and to the fundamental laws of the State. His Majesty is, however, quite determined to obtain money in this way, without the intervention of a Parliament; and having committed himself to this policy he cannot now retire from it, and either his subjects must give way, and be satisfied to obey his will, or His Majesty must so enforce his Prerogative as to lay on still heavier burdens ; for money he must have, and he will not hear of a Parliament except on condition that the Members do not intermeddle in questions affecting the Duke of Buckingham as the last insisted on doing. As, however, it will be impossible to prevent them acting in the same way, that method of raising money must be abandoned and another adopted. His Majesty has again and again declared that he does not intend this to be a precedent for the future, still his subjects appear to be so suspicious that numbers of them object to make payment. Thus the loans obtained are in small sums only, which are immediately expended with very little benefit. The large men-of-war for the new fleet are in preparation. It is said that with the Dutch contingent it will amount to one hundred and twenty ships which are to be ready for sea in May next. However this may be they are certainly making an effort to get ready a number of Galleons and other armed vessels, to be placed under the command of Captain Pennington, which are intended not only to be seen but to be felt by the French. Letters of a very unsatisfactory character have passed between Cardinal de Bichelieu and the Duke of Buckingham, the result of the Cardinal’s opposition to the visit of the Duke of Buckingham to the Most Christian Court. Such correspondence only serves to increase the existing ill feeling.
From nine to ten merchant vessels sailed this week from London for Leghorn under convoy of Dutch men-of-war.
MSS. OE H. D. SEEtlXE,
esq.
London, 29th March 1627.
There is little news to communicate from this quarter at this moment. We await the return of His Majesty to London to give that life and activity to affairs which depend upon his presence. In the meanwhile the differences with France, and the consequent unfriendly feeling, tend more and more towards strife rather than towards accommodation; although in reality there is a disposition towards the latter, if only a good mediator could be found who would put aside conditions, made by both courts, which are more matters of ceremony than of substantial importance.
If, as it is positively asserted, the couriers sent last week by their Excellencies the Venetian and Dutch Ambassadors were stopped at Dover and not allowed to pass, this can only be considered an indication that there is no wish to profit by their good offices in the way of mediation. The questions at issue are becoming more and more entangled, and the difficulty of coming to any peaceful solution is increased by the deep interest which is taken here in the safety of Bochelle ; a question which is made more embarrassing by the general belief that the French are determined to subjugate the Eochellese Huguenots, while the English are equally determined to save them at whatever price. The opposite views produce much bitterness of feeling on both sides. It is proposed to send an Agent to the Duke of Savoy and another to the112
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Duke of Lorraine, but with what objects it is impossible to divine ; possibly to inflame the first against the Genoese, and, under the pretence of a compliment to the second, to confer with the Duchesse de Chevrense who is living in exile from the Most Christian Court. It is impossible to believe that either the one or the other can interfere effectually in the adjustment of terms either with France or Spain.
Lord Carleton has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary to Holland. He was to have departed on Monday next, but for a Commissioner having arrived to demand the restitution of ships and property which it is asserted that the English have captured from the Dutch; His Excellency, before he leaves, must h&ve an opportunity of hearing the nature of these demands, and of the answer to be given to them, so as to be better prepared for the course which he is to follow in Holland, where it will be his principal duty to knit more firmly the good understanding with those states and to concert measures for promoting the interests of the Kochellese as well as generally to strengthen the alliances of England in Germany.
It may be that Lord Carleton will remain as Ambassador, an office which he held before, provided that the States will again permit him to take part in their Councils; a privilege which they refused to his successor, being desirous of avoiding the establishment of a precedent which might justify the French in urging a similar claim in favour of their Ambassador. The Dutch are however now quite resolved that no Ambassador shall take a part in their National Councils, in the manner granted to this country when it held Flushing, Brill, and Eammekens, as pledges for money advanced but which long since has been redeemed.
The squadron of men-of-war under the command of Captain Pennington will soon be ready to sail. As for the ships of the new fleet, which it is pretended are to be ready in May next, great is the noise of preparation; but in the absence of money we know not what to believe, nor whether the 6,000 men promised to the King of Denmark can be sent, so small are the sums obtained on loan by the Commissioners. A ship of war belonging to the Earl of Warwick has brought in a Portuguese vessel taken on its voyage to Brazil and loaded with merchandise to the value it is said of forty thousand crowns. In a short time the Earl will go himself with six good ships, fitted up, armed, and provisioned for six months at his own expense. It is his intention to cruise on the coast of Spain to annoy the enemy. Mons. Moulins who was left here by Marshal de Bassompierre received a letter of credence from His Most Christian Majesty in which he is invested with the title of Secretary. On presenting this letter he was not received in the manner which his rank entitled him to, and neither His Majesty nor anyone else vouchsafed a reply to his address; a certain sign of the hot blood which preponderates here.
London, 2nd April 1627.
The most important affair which at present occupies the Court here is the serious difference with France; which, however, there is some reason to think might be arranged if it could be done with repute, or even with the appearance of it which is held to be necessary to the dignity of so great a King.
The Ambassador of Holland has offered the good offices of his government for the adjustment of the quarrel, should His Majesty be pleased to accept of them. To this friendly overture we do not hear that any reply has been given, with th€ exception of expressions of thanks in very general terms. In like manner the Venetian Ambas-HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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sador has tendered his mediation although he has not suggested that of H ^serine his Republic, probably because he has no instructions to do so, or he * Esq. has no wish to receive a negative in a merely formal manner. If the Ambassadors of these two Republics at the Most Christian Court also intercede, so far as we can learn they are not likely to be more successful, thus it may be concluded that there is much difficulty in coming to an accommodation, and that there is no wish on this side for intervention, so long as the French are bent on overthrowing the Rochellese whom the English are equally resolved to support,
Mr. Walter Montagu, a gentleman of the Court sent by the Duke of Buckingham to visit Lorraine and Savoy, left this on Friday last, with instructions to proceed in the first place to the Most Christian Court, to confer with the Abbé Scaglia and possibly with the Cardinal de Richelieu—that is if be is sought for by His Eminence. In case this should happen he is duly provided with credentials, and with other necessary introductions, to be used in the event of any desire being expressed to see him but not otherwise. From these steps it would appear that there exists a disposition to come to a direct negotiation, without any intermediaries of any kind. In the meanwhile there is no delay as to the dispatch of the squadron of Captain Pennington, or in hastening the armament of twenty other good ships which when united with his will proceed to watch over the safety of Rochelle, and perhaps will convey the Duke in person, although there are symptoms that His Excellency, notwithstanding his frequently expressed wish to go, still allows his friends to counsel him to stay at home and near the person of the King, and to send in his place Mons. de Soubise, brother of the Duke de Rohan, who is making every effort to be employed. Lord Carleton will not leave for his embassy to Holland till after Easter, and possibly may not go then, if it be true that Lord Conway, First Secretary of State, is about to retire, and that Lord Carleton is to take his place.
The 6,000 English troops in Holland, which are to pass into the service of the King of Denmark, must have departed by this time ; that is to say four thousand, for the number is to be made up by two thousand from this country and as many more as can be conveniently raised in Scotland.
Three ships of war and an armed pinnace are to be sent immediately to relieve the four vessels stationed at the mouth of the Elbe to prevent the people of Hamburgh from supplying the Spaniards or others with materials for ship building and with cordage and ammunition.
The Dunkirkers daily plunder some English vessel or other, and a few days ago eight small Dutch vessels bound for England, being driven by bad weather to the vicinity of the coast of Flanders, were taken with their crews and property to the value of 60,000 crowns ; and yesterday further intelligence arrived that three good Dutch ships, laden with merchandise worth it is said two hundred thousand crowns, were also captured.
The youthful Earl of Coventry only son of the Duke of Buckingham died on Saturday at the age of about two and half years.
London, 9fch April 1627.
The unfortunate condition of affairs with France continues without modification or hope of amelioration, both sides being unwilling to take the first steps towards reconciliation. If however the French should seize the opportunity of Mr. Walter Montagu’s passage through Paris, and should invite him to a conference, he might, in accordance with the instructions which he has received, break the ice and begin to spin the thread of friendly and favourable means of adjustment ; but if this U 23533.	H114
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mss. op does not happen the division must endure for some time longer, with H* ^Esq!™13* the risk of new mishaps such as are so likely to occur under such — circumstances.
In the meanwhile a beginning has been made in the City of the sale of French property, and Captain Pennington has been sent to the western coasts of the island, to bring here safely all the remainder of similar property detained in various sea-ports that it may also be sold and the proceeds paid into the Exchequer, with the intention it is said of subsequently restoring it to the owners when the French have given up all the English ships and property which they have captured. The money in the meanwhile will help to meet existing financial necessities. If, however, any good news from France should be transmitted by Mr. Montagu, there might in that case be some modification of these proceedings as well as of the immediate armament of the twenty ships of war which it was proposed to unite with the squadron of Captain Pennington for the defence of Rochelle.
According to persistent popular report, however, the Duke of Buckingham adheres to his purpose of going in person, and His Excellency has given orders for the preparation of ladders, explosives, and an infinity of war-like instruments. The idea is also prevalent that he is to take with him from four thousand to six thousand soldiers. Thus the appearance of a very formidable demonstration will be kept up; and, although they make believe that this small fleet of thirty ships is really about to sail towards Rochelle or some other part of the coast of France to attempt an important enterprise, it is impossible to credit the statement that the Duke will go so far from Court and the person of the King, a step which he has never yet taken.
The English troops left Holland for Denmark, under the command of Colonel Morgan, a brave veteran soldier, but hardly had they advanced beyond the confines when more than half of the men deserted; so that to make up the number of six thousand, which was promised, it will be necessary to send enough of men from this country. They are ready it is said to embark for Hamburgh in ships which will sail in company with others belonging to merchants and laden with woollen cloth. All of them will be conveyed by the men-of-war and the armed pinnace appointed to the station at the mouth of Elbe.
The capture made by the Dunkirkers of three Dutch ships has turned out to be a much richer one than was at first reported. It is now certain that the prizes amount in value to four hundred thousand crowns, and a number of Dutch and English merchants feel the blow very seriously. An Ambassador is expected daily from Denmark, the same who went hence to the Most Christian Court some time ago. He has returned here to urge the dispatch of all the assistance which can be given by this country to his King, and especially to hasten the departure of the Scottish auxiliaries who according to promise are to be transported free of cost to Hamburgh where the King of Denmark will deceive them into his pay, whilst the six thousand English troops are to be paid by commissioners of the Crown.
Dutch ships of war have brought to Dover a small armed ship of one hundred and twenty tons burden, and carrying eight pieces of cannon, with a crew of sixty men. This vessel has lately been taken from Dunkirkers but it had no merchandise on board. His Majesty has this day sent to demand of this city the whole of the loan on the five subsidies. The magistrates have consented to contribute to the amount of two hundred thousand crowns, provided that all the citizens are found ready to pay of which there are some doubts.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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The Danish Ambassador has arrived, and another gentleman or Am- mss. or bassador from the same Court, who has been at Venice, having embarked at Calais for Holland was taken prisoner by the Dunkirkers.	—
London, 16th April 1627.
Advice has been received of the arrival in Paris of Mr. Montagu, but not as yet that he has been invited by the Cardinal de Richelieu, or by any other Minister of His Most Christian Majesty, to confer on the subject of the disputes between the two nations. Still it is hoped that the French will make proposals to come to terms, as there are indications it is said of a more peaceful disposition on their part brought about, it is here believed, rather by their own internal troubles than by any friendly feeling. Some think that they desire peace because they are intimidated by the warlike preparations in progress here, and It is therefore wished not to lose the opportunity of obtaining better conditions than would be granted at another time. The Danish Ambassador, at his audience on Sunday, having done everything in his power to show the necessity of giving prompt assistance to his King, then stated that he was permitted by His Most Christian Majesty to offer his friendly intervention for the accommodation of existing differences between the two nations, and to say on the part of His Most Christian Majesty that he was so desirous of putting an end to them that he was prepared to meet His Majesty half way.
The King on hearing this offer, unwilling to show himself adverse to peace, or to receiving unfavourably any eligible opportunity of promoting it, replied that he would not decline the intervention suggested by His Most Christian Majesty. The Danish Ambassador has not heard any thing further from France since his interview with His Majesty,* consequently he has been unable to do more in favour of peace, hut has taken his audience of leave and has received the gratifying assurance that the sum of ten thousand pounds stg. would he paid monthly to the King of Denmark, and at the same time an equal sum for the payment of the Euglish troops in his service. Thus the dispute with Prance remains in the same unhappy position, -with no hope of an immediate solution for a long time to come. The general conviction here of the perilous position of the Rochellese and of other Huguenots is the cause of such ceaseless jealousy that I see that no proposals will be listened to till the French consent to come to terms on this vital question. The appearance of good will on the part of the French has not in my opinion been so real as the Ambassador and others have believed..
There is in short no prospect of anything but a long and difficult negotiation requiring others than the Dane to manage it, so that, unless such personages come on the scene, I have no hope of the termination of existing discord.
The Commissioner who came from Holland for the purpose has done everything in his power to obtain restitution of the Dutch vessels and property taken by the English after the rupture with Spain and disagreement with France, but as yet he has not been successful.
He has proposed to start with the questions connected with the first captures, and to discuss these in a friendly manner, and to provide against the occurrence of similar mistakes in future, so that trade may fall into its usual course without being subjected to similar dangers. Nothing, however, has been settled, and it is generally believed here that it is wished that Lord Carleton, who must soon visit Holland as Ambassador Extraordinary, should negotiate this question directly with the States.
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The results of this proposal are that the Commissioners and the Dutch Ambassador are much dissatisfied, and have expressed themselves on the subject with much haughtiness and warmth. Notwithstanding these occasions of offence the Dutch are so much under the necessity of remaining on favourable terms with this country, and this country equally so with them, that these and other differences will no doubt be reconciled.
London, 23rd April 1627.
The Dutch Commissioner has had an audience of His Majesty by whom he was referred to the Privy Council for an answer to his demand for the restitution of Dutch ships and property captured by the English men-of-war. The question of restitution will not be easily settled, as the English assert that the Dutch covered with their flag the transport of Erench goods.
The loan demanded in the City will not be readily paid, the excuses of the citizens are that so much money has been already lent, and that so much properly has been seized by the French, whilst trade is decaying day by day, that they cannot advance more and are hardly able to maintain themselves and families.
The Earl of Lincoln has been committed to the Tower, not so much for having refused to pay his share of the loan as for having dissuaded others from doing so. Many other gentlemen are also imprisoned because of their refusal. It becomes more and more difficult to raise _____ * * *
London, 30th April 1627.
The brief news which I have to give this week relates chiefly to the active preparations in progress to get the fleet, which is well provided with victuals and munition, ready for sea within a fortnight or three weeks.
The Duke of Buckingham shows so much earnestness in forwarding this expedition, and in making arrangements for his personal requirements, that people now begin to believe that he really means what he says and that he will command in person. He appears confidently to believe that by undertaking this voyage he will make so favourable an impression on the people that he will regain their confidence. More faith than usual is now placed in his statements, and his serious intention is also shown by the military costume which he wears, with an immense collar and a magnificent plume of feathers in his hat. He is preparing to take a part in a great action, but it is thought that His Exceliency will not be exposed to much danger.
He is to be accompanied by a number of the nobility, and by the care of his friends he has been provided with a guard of one hundred and fifty mounted Carabineers who will accompany the rest of the troops.
London, 19th May 1627.
The Harbours of the Kingdom have been closed for a month, and merchant ships are not permitted to sail. The reason is said to be that the fleet must first be provided with sailors. It was hoped that the ordinary couriers would be allowed to pass, but the regulation is to remain in force till the fleet sails for Portsmouth on the 22d of this month.
Opinions vary regarding the real destination of the fleet. Some suppose that it is meant to go to Hamburgh, others to Flanders or Spain; but the greater number agree in thinking that it will set sail for Rochelle and its islands, or to some other point on the coast of France. In spite of these discordant and uncertain notions it is apparent that the expedi-HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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tion will proceed to Rochelle, and this will be made still clearer if Mons. de Soubise and other French malcontents join it. The embarkation of H* infantry, cavalry, and so great a provision of munitions of war including materials for purposes of attack and fortification, shows that the object is to land somewhere and .both to seize and to maintain a position.
The time for an open rupture with France is at hand, nothing more being required than a hostile landing on French territory. Ceaseless attacks are made at sea on French shipping, to the loss and damage of the great French nation, and greater loss is inflicted than is received. French ships are repeatedly captured. Captain Pennington with only six ships of war has taken twenty vessels of the value of four hundred thousand crowns whilst letters of marque are given to whoever asks for them.
By Royal interdict the importation of French merchandise whether from France or elsewhere, or in vessels of any nation, is forbidden under pain of capture. The Venetian and Dutch Ambassadors have done everything in their power to prevent this war, but things have gone so far and such is the bitter feeling that their good offices are now too late. The Danish Ambassador having received his passports departed last week on board a Dutch ship of war, under the restriction that no one was to accompany him, except members of his family, and that he was to take no letters of any kind. I have reason to believe however that he carried packets both from the Dutch and Venetian Ambassadors. Before taking his leave he was gratified by receiving promises of payment of ten thousand pounds sterling a month to the Xing of Denmark and an equal sum for the pay of the English troops in his service.
A courier sent by Mr. Montagu from Turin has arrived here witli despatches to the Duke of Buckingham which give a favourable account of his first interview with His Highness. He is to remain till he receives replies to these letters.
The real object of his mission is not yet known, nothing beyond what has been already stated. The belief being that it is wished in the usual way to gratify the Duke with the appearance of demonstrations regarding Ins interests in France and Genoa.
It is possible however that there is more than this, because a second messenger has been hurried away, after the first one, with more despatches to Mr. Montagu and a sum of two thousand crowns in addition to the four thousand which he took with him; a large allowance for one who travels rapidly and has only two servants.
His Majesty has given the Order of the Garter to the King of Sweden, the Prince of Orange, and the Earl of Suffolk—having sent a Herald to the first two with the garter and other insignia. He has also made the Bishop of Durham and the Bishop of Bath members of the Privy Council, both are excellent and judicious men.
London, 1st June 1627.
Yesterday morning a courier who had been dispatched by the Captain of the harbour at Portsmouth arrived here, after a rapid journey, with information that a fleet of ships had been observed passing up the Channel apparently bound for Flanders. They were first estimated to be about sixty in number, with some large Galleons amongst them, but in reality they were not more than twenty-eight and were transports conveying from three to four thousand Spanish troops to Dunkirk.
The King immediately summoned a meeting of the Privy Council which sat for four hours, after which the Duke of Buckingham proceeded to the Downs, with the intention of embarking in one of the Royal
MSS. or D. Skeixe, Esq.MSS. OB H. D. Skrixe Esq.
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Galleons which, in union with other English and Dutch war ships summoned by His Excellency to join him, might attack the enemy and prevent them from reaching Dunkirk. If the news is true, and not merely a ruse, success may certainly be anticipated ; there is such a number of well armed ships, forming part of the fleet which is getting ready, in the numerous English harbours in the Channel, and the wind is adverse to the enemy and offers the English every chance of fighting with advantage.
In a short time we shall know the results of this sudden movement, as well as whether these ships are really Spaniards or belong to some other country, or whether the whole affair is only to make a show.
Everyone remains in the meanwhile with suspended judgment, inasmuch as this sort of performance is almost of annual occurrence.
Troops are ordered to proceed to Portsmouth, and have been increased in number to eight thousand infantry and two hundred cavalry. It may be that the Duke, having settled affairs with the pretended Spaniards, may sail for Portsmouth to follow up with the rest of the fleet his menaced attack upon Prance ; with which country all hope of peace diminishes, for matters become worse and worse from day to day with infinitely more damage at the present time to the French than to the English, who frequently bring into their harbours prizes of great value which are sold to the highest bidder. There is every appearance of reducing the maritime position of the French to a very low state. It would be absurd to make any comparison between the strength at sea of the two nations.
Unhappily affairs could not be in a worse state or more damaging to merchants and to trade generally. May it please God that this may not be of long duration ! The Duke of Buckingham invited their Majesties to a very beautiful fête given at his residence. A ballet was performed, with various interludes, representing the naval armament and its departure from this island. The Duke appears to have thought that the real fleet would be ready to sail sooner than is generally believed. It may be that, taking advantage of this pretended movement against the Spanish ships, he may go to Portsmouth and embark there, but everything is not yet ready. He has also private affairs to detain him, and Monsieur de Soubise has not moved from London although he is to be one of the principal actors in the expedition.
’ The Duke of Mantua has lately sent letters to the King and Queen to inform them of his succession to the Duchy. The letters were transmitted by Signor Gondi, Resident at Paris, to the Secretary of State here.
The Queen has already sent her reply, but the King will probably forward his by a certain Signor Laniere, a musician in his service, whom he sends to Mantua to purchase statues and pictures, the property of the late Duke Ferdinand, which are now for sale. I have been informed as a matter of courtesy by the Secretary of State that the English Ambassador at Venice has also received instructions to make purchases.
News has just arrived that the Duke of Buckingham embarked at Dover on board a ship of war, and that with four others, and eighteen smaller armed vessels, he sailed in a westerly direction to encounter the fleet believed to be making for Dunkirk with soldiers on board. We therefore await early intelligence of a great naval combat.
London, 18th June Î627.
The Duke, having embarked, sailed to meet the supposed Spanish fleet which turned out to be Dutchmen and Hamburghers. His Excellency came ashore at Portsmouth, and returned next day toHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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London. He must again go to Portsmouth where the fleet and army wait for him.
The King went yesterday to Portsmouth and has been followed by Monsieur de Soubise. His Majesty’s object is to hasten the completion of everything connected with the expedition which ought to sail in a fortnight at latest, after which in another fortnight we should hear of the outburst which is to take place. Three Frenchmen have been imprisoned this week in the Tower of London for forwarding intelligence to France, one of them being a stipendiary of His Majesty. Affairs with France are sadly embroiled, and as for trade it is in such a deplorable state that we do not even know how to send a letter across the channel with safety. On the question of peace we do not hear a word spoken. On that subject all is silence. Lord Carleton, Member of the Privy Council, leaves in a few days on his embassy to Holland, to commence negotiations, and probably he may meet there the Abbé Scaglia with whom he may have instructions to confer.
The ‘Duke is not yet gone, nor will he go till Monday or Wednesday next.
MSS. or H. D. Skuixe, •JOSQ.
London, 25th June 1627.
On the 13th of this month the King went to Portsmouth to review the troops, and to give orders for their embarkation on board of his fleet which consists of thirty-six good ships of war, with others for the baggage and necessary stores including some thousands of muskets and other weapons for the purpose of arming partizans after the landing takes place. There are two hundred horses also, and a good supply of corn to feed them which is already on board. The Duke of Buckingham also went to Portsmouth two days ago, carrying with him a large sum of money to pay the troops and mariners before making sail which cannot be for another fortnight.
Thereafter they must know more of the results of the expedition in France than we can do here. Some people persist in thinking that the object really is to make a desceut on Spain, but the majority are now persuaded that France is to be attacked—such is the evidence in favour of this opinion that there is no room for doubt. It may be that the Duke will not disembark in person, but will place the command of the military in the hands of Monsieur de Soubise and then follow up the attack—thus showing the enemies of this country that it has the means of setting armies on foot, and of employing them against others when it chooses, whatever they may think of its inability to do so.
After the fleet has assisted the operations of the Duke a part of it will be detached under the command of Captain Pennington to proceed to the Mediterranean, to attack and capture all ships there except those of the Venetians, Tuscans, and Sardinians. Notwithstanding such a limitation of the operations of the fleet it will in reality damage friends as well as enemies, and will create great confusion in trade.
The French prizes taken lately have been nearly all sold, and the money has been expended on the army and navy; it amounts to 500,000 crowns. Hardly a day passes that privateers do not bring French prizes into English ports. The French at present have the worst of it without any prospect of remedy.
The harbours being still closed, the Venetian Ambassador procured last week a Eoyal passport for the passage of a messenger who will go to Venice by France. Till such time as the fleet has left the seaports will not be opened, and I do not know how under these circumstances letters are to be sent or received by way of Calais without danger to the couriers who may be made-prisoners.120
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mss. of An exchange of prisoners is to take place this week. English Et* JRINE’ mariners at Dunkirk will be given for a Portuguese Friar and some —’	Spaniards and Flemings. It having been observed that the Friar is an
intelligent person he has been seen by His Majesty and the Duke; he has been courteously treated, and it is reported that he has been informed of the wish to come to an accommodation with Spain. If a mediator could be found peace would not be far off.
London, 2nd July 1627
The King remains at Portsmouth, or in its neighbourhood, profoundly interested in drilling the troops which he does almost daily. Pie frequently visits the ships to urge on the preparations for going to sea as quickly as possible. His Majesty dined on board the Admiral’s Galleon the Triumph, and whilst his servants were taking ashore the service of silver used daily at the Royal table the boat accidentally capsized and went to the bottom. It is said that no lives were lost only the plate, which, however, was afterwards for the most part fished up again. The Duke of Buckingham is now with His Majesty, and a further supply of 60,000 crowns was sent to him to-day; making 200,000 crowns which he will take with him, in addition to the 40,000 previously employed to pay the troops and sailors. The war-ships will not exceed thirty-six or forty in number ; the rest of the fleet will consist of vessels for the transport of soldiers, horses, war materials, provisions, and every kind of baggage.
With regard to Captain Pennington’s projected expedition to the Mediterranean it is to be hoped that it will be prevented by the remonstrances of the merchants who traffic with Turkey. They have represented to the Members of the Privy Council, how great must be the injury inflicted upon them, and upon others, if privateers enter that sea. Their object no doubt would be to attack only the Spaniards and French, but, as these nations carry on a large trade with Turkey, their ships could not be captured without damage and offence to the Turks. Retaliation would be the inevitable result to the great loss of the English traders. The Privy Council will reconsider the subject carefully, and I and others do all that we can to induce them to abandon the scheme. The Venetian Ambassador also makes urgent representations against our Italian seas being infested with ships of war and privateers, as it would inevitably injure Venetian commerce in various ways.
News has arrived this week of the death of the Duchess of Orleans, wife of the brother of His Most Christian Majesty, for whom Her Majesty with all her Court have put on mourning. An example which no doubt will be followed by His Majesty.
As a means of overcoming the great injury done to trade by the closing of the ports, the London merchants have negotiated with the Flemings to supply two vessels for the passage of the Channel.
At Dunkirk and also at Brussels the question of peace is discussed.
London, 5th July 1627.
The King returned from Portsmouth to London on Saturday last, and on the following Wednesday went to the country to hunt; Her Majesty the Queen will follow to-morrow.
The Duke of Buckingham having seen to the embarkation of all the soldiery went on board his Galleon, the Triumph, on the fourth of this month, and awaits a favourable wind to go to sea. His Excellency has detached Captain Pennington, with a squadron of ten ships, to Newfoundland to attack the French and Biscayan fishermen who are busyHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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there at this season. The number of ships of war which remain to accompany the expedition is now not more than thirty. About forty others complete the fleet, and take on board the troops which are divided into seven regiments of infantry with two hundred cavalry. There are also sixteen pieces of artillery with the necessary horses. It is thus evident that the force is destined to operate on land.
The entire fleet is arranged in three divisions, the first under the Duke of Buckingham who is Commander-in-Chief ; the second under the Earl of Lindsey, Yice-Admiral ; the third under Lord Denbigh, brother-in-law of the Duke, who is Bear-Admiral.
So confident is the Duke of success that, in anticipation of victory, he has made extraordinary provisions of a personal nature, including carriages and horses as well as saddle horses.
As soon as news is received of his landing and progress, reinforcements of at least three thousand men will be sent with whatever supplies he may require.
It may happen that the Duke, according to the nature of the advices which he receives from the English Ambassador in Holland—who is to confer with the Abbé Scaglia on the subject of his discoveries or negotiations at Brussels—may send the Bear-Admiral the Earl of Denbigh and his ships to attack the Spaniards on the coast of Spain. Orders have been given that the messenger from Holland is to seek the Duke on the coast of France.
The dispute with France then advances, increasing in bitterness and without hope of adjustment for a long time. We may soon hear of the good or evil results which attend the expedition, but it is possible that the news may reach Italy as soon as this country.
Nothing more is said of Captain Pennington's visit to the Mediterranean. The remonstrances of the merchants who trade with Turkey have produced such an effect that on his return from Newfoundland neither he nor anyone else will be permitted to interfere with the trade of that sea. The English ports are not yet open ; but it is hoped that, after the departure of the Duke, means will be found for the free transport of letters. It is now seven weeks since we have received despatches from any quarter.
Postscript of the 10th July 1627.
We have received intelligence that on the seventh of this month the fleet commanded by the Duke of Buckingham set sail with a very favourable wind, taking the direction of Bochelle and the Islands of Oleron and Rhe. It is now given out that his Excellency is to land at one of those places ; and, by Royal command, a prayer has been printed, to' be read in churches for the success and happy return of the expedition.
News has come by way of Hamburgh that the King of Denmark has captured English ships, laden with woollen cloths, under the pretext that money is due to him which has not been paid. If this is true, a new source of difliculties has been opened in a new quarter and many merchants will be ruined.
London, 16th July 1627.
I stated in my last letter, of the 10th, that the Duke of Buckingham sailed with his fleet on the 7th of this month, from which time nothing has been heard of him. Whether he has arrived at Rochelle, or at the island of Oleron, or that of Rhe, has not been made public. The weather being favourable, we ought not to wait long for news of the expedition. It is reported that the Roehellese are about to admit the Duke
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H d^Ikrin'e *n*° t^e^r C^J' Should they do so it would greatly facilitate the opera-Esq. ’ tions against the islands as well as the demolition of the fort of St.
Louis in front of the town. It is particularly wished to accomplish this because it is said that when His Majesty induced the Rochellese to come to terms with the King of France, the latter promised to destroy the Fort. Ships and additional troops are being prepared for the reinforcement of the Duke in case he has need of them. There is, however, some talk of accommodation, on the return of Mr. Montagu to this court from Turin, the Duke of Savoy having shown himself so desirous of acting as arbitrator between the two Crowns. Hostilities, however, have gone too far, and we shall now soon hear that they have been carried still further. The French will listen to no proposals of peace as long as the English army is on their coast, neither will they accept the Duke of Savoy as a mediator knowing how much he is influenced by the Duke of Buckingham. It is insisted that Mr. Montagu is about to return to Savoy, and that he will again visit Brussels on his way as he did on his journey to London when he was much made of. This suggests that there are some chances of negotiations of a peaceful character on that side also, in which no doubt Savoy desires to take part—indeed the mission of the Abbé Scaglia at Brussels and in Holland can have no other object however hopeless it may be at present.
I am of opinion, however, that it would be easier to come to terms with Spain than with France. The rumour which prevailed with regard to the former is much modified, and the King now expresses himself in gentler terms than was his custom. There is a general feeling of regret that the two countries cannot come to terms ; the disposition on this side is, undoubtedly, towards peace provided that Holland can be included. We are far, however, from such a conclusion unless the consent of Germany, on which power so much depends, can also be obtained.
The story of the seizure of English ships by the Danes was not true, it was a mere question between them and some Danish Galleons as to which should first lower their sails.
Two sons of Gentileschi the painter, who are in the service of His Majesty, will go to Italy next week on a special visit to Genoa, being provided with letters of credit for forty thousand crowns to pay for various pictures purchased there for the King.
The harbours are again open but no one can pass over to France, or come to this country from France, without the certainty of being made a prisoner.
London, 24th July 1627.
There is little to say this week, neither the King, the nobility, nor the Court, being in London. His Majesty has commenced his annual tour of hunting in various parts of the kingdom, and the Queen has
gone to take medicinal waters at Wellingborough.....................*
She will join His Majesty in about a fortnight, and they will remain in the country till the end of September.
Of the Duke of Buckingham, and his fleet and army, we ought to have some intelligence byway of France ; but not a word has been heard of him since he sailed, which excites a general feeling of surprise especially as the distance which he has gone is not great.
* The Italian Diplomatist expresses himself with the usual frankness of his countryfolk as to the state of Her Majesty’s health, which made her visits to Wellingborough desirable.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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Mr. Walter Montagu will soon leave on liis return to Turin, with the same title as formerly of Gentleman, in the Service of His Majesty. It appears that these negotiations were first suggested by His Highness the Duke of Savoy, from his earnest desire to act as judge and mediator between Trance and England. The offer made by His Highness was accepted on this side, as may be seen by a document given to him by Mr. Montagu, and by His Highness to Monsieur Marini Ambassador of His Most Christian Majesty. I enclose a copy of this state paper.
The French decline to accept of the Duke as mediator, or to listen to any terms of accommodation so long as the English threaten them at sea ; consequently Mr. Montagu’s negotiations are limited to making earnest representations on the part of the English for the re-establishment of peace with His Most Christian Majesty, of which he appears to entertain a lively hope. If his return to the Court of Turin is meant to excite the efforts of those who have held out those hopes, you will know sooner than we can ; unless, as seems likely, the whole affair proves to be a baseless chimera.
Mr. Montagu, acting in the name of the Duke of Savoy, has made pressing and effective representations to His Majesty in favour of the English merchants frequenting the harbours of Nice, Villa Franca, and Sant Ospizio. His Highness, if the merchants will do so, offers important privileges which are set forth in a pamphlet of which a copy has been sent to the King. Great efforts have been made to p ersuade the merchants, but I do not hear that they are disposed to desert Leghorn for any other port.
It is not the £rst time that the Duke has tried to induce the merchants of this nation to frequent his harbours; but hitherto he has not been successful, nor is it probable that he will be more so on this occasion notwithstanding the great intimacy between His Highness and the Duke of Buckingham.
In conclusion, the merchants tell me that, so long as they are received at Leghorn as favourably as is now the case, they will not leave it for other ports.
The loan on the five subsidies is not yet finished, and legal proceedings are taken against thuse who refuse. The prisons being full of such recusants they are to be removed to other parts of the kingdom to make way for other prisoners, so determined is His Majesty to succeed by this means.
Memorial given by Mr. Montagu to the Duke of Savoy and by His ■ Highness to Monsieur Marini, Ambassador of His Most Christian Majesty.
“With regard to the statement made by the Ambassador of His Most Christian Majesty, that the conduct of the King of Great Britain was inconsistent with his pledges, inasmuch as he had expelled the French attendants and had captured French Ships. Mr. Montagu, in the name of the King of Great Britain, replies that the public agreements made no mention of particular persons, and that His Majesty was not obliged to maintain the number of officials in attendance upon the Queen without a choice of persons who might be agreeable to him; but, having made a sacrifice and having consented to the replacement of all whom the Most Christian Ambassador de Bassorapierre named, he has since adhered to the treaty with inviolable fidelity.”
“ With regard to the capture of ships, the first vessels seized had issued from Spanish ports, and by all treaties it was permissible to detain them till such time as it could he decided that the merchandise which they carried belonged to Frenchmen, on proof of which some of them
MSS. or D. Skeixe, Esq.124
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mss, os? were restored. His Most Christian Majesty, however, authorised the H* d*e“E’ forfeiture of all English property in France, contrary to the treaties of — peace between the two Crowns, whereon reprisals were made by the English who thus sought to indemnify themselves for their losses/*
“ Again, in France, a general embargo was laid on English shipping, and at Bordeaux ships were taken, contrary to those agreements by which they are permitted to depart even in time of war. This conduct was the cause of all the subsequent violent proceedings at sea/*
“Although His Most Christian Majesty refused to ratify the treaty made by his Ambassador the Marshal de Bassompierre, the King of G-reat Britain has not failed to grant all that was required and agreed to, consequently it cannot be urged that His Britannic Majesty has not done everything in his power for the faithful maintenance of that contract. If the Most Christian King has since asked for something additional, which has been refused, the causes have been,—
“ First.—That France removed every means of negotiation—by recalling her Ambassador when the question of guarantees was under consideration. Secondly.—That a demand being agreed to, it ought not to be immediately followed by another still more exacting, seeing that His Most Christian Majesty had declined to ratify the treaty made by His Ambassador/’
“ It was not expedient that His Excellency the Duke of Buckingham, acting for His Majesty, should have volunteered any modification of the treaty, nor was it a fact that he sent Clarke and Gerbier to initiate any advance towards reciprocal adjustment in the absence of proposals made to him/*
u It is true that had the Duke been on the spot, seeing how little was required to make the treaty satisfactory to both parties, had the Marshal de Bassompierre, informed the French Ministers that they need have entertained no doubt that the Duke on his arrival would not have failed to give satisfaction to His Most Christian Majesty, which he might have done without any sacrifice of the interests of his master, there would have been no grounds for alleging that the Duke sent messengers instructed to admit that his King had granted too little, thus giving opportunity to His Most Christian Majesty to make farther demands/*
“ In conclusion, the King of Great Britain, on the appeal made to him by His Highness the Duke of Savoy, is satisfied to come to such an accommodation as may be considered honourable and durable. And that it may be known that the guarantees demanded by the English for the observation of promises and treaties are made more in sorrow than in anger—the King of Great Britain is satisfied that His Highness of Savoy may be constituted judge of past events and to place himself in the hands of His Highness to decide upon terms of accommodation/’
London, 31st July 1627.
Mr. Walter Montagu left London on Tuesday last, to return to the Court of Savoy. He embarked for Holland, and being provided with a passport of Her Serene Highness the Archduchess he will visit Brussels ; after which he will proceed to Lorraine.
It is not known what is to be the nature of his negotiations, nor whether they are to extend further than those already described.
The Abbé Scaglia is expected here 'to exercise his powers of persuasion with the English merchants, to induce them to frequent the harbours of the Duke of Savoy ; but His Highness is more popular with the English Government than with the people.
The Queen, with His Majesty’s permission, has sent to France Mr. Thomas Graham, a gentleman of her suite, to visit the King herHISTOKICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION,
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brother, Her Majesty being unwell $ also to offer her condolence to mss. or the Duke of Orleans on account of the death of the Duchess of Orleans.	—
The message which was sent last week to the Agent of France has been repeated as a positive order to leave this country without delay.
He was desirous of communicating with his Court, or that he should receive a written order to leave : but his request has not been complied with, and he is preparing to depart. He has sent a courier to France, but it is doubtful whether he will be allowed to pass in the present state of affairs.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has been ordered to retire to his residence in his diocese, and to remain there secluded during His Majesty’s pleasure. It is said that the cause of this measure is his opposition to the King’s demand of loans from his subjects. However this may be, the archbishop’s disfavour has been ripening for some time ; for during the last Parliament he showed a want of confidence in the Duke of Buckingham and he favours the Puritanical faction and is hostile to the Roman Catholics.
A certain Mr. Clarke has been sent to the King of Denmark with bills for twenty thousand pounds ; he is also in charge of one thousand four hundred soldiers, sent to fill up the ranks of the English troops.
Orders have been issued to raise two thousand men, to send to the Duke of Buckingham, and also to supply provisions. Nothing is as yet known of the progress of the expedition except that it was met in the 46ih parallel of latitude. News is impatiently looked for, but whatever the results may be they will be known in Italy before intelligence reaches this island.
London, 2nd August 1627.
News has been received of the arrival in Holland of Mr. Walter Montagu, who by this time has probably reached the Court of Savoy to continue his negotiations with little prospect of His Highness the Duke accomplishing that which he wishes of being the sole arbiter between the two Crowns—for although the King of England, not to disapprove of that which Mr. Montagu has done in his name, is apparently entirely satisfied, on the other hand the King of France is not so ; consequently the negotiation becomes a mere matter of empty form, the more so that it is now certain that a battle has been fought between the English and French troops in the island near Rochelle.
The Abbé Scaglia remains in Holland, and is not to come here so soon as was expected ; probably he is waiting for the return of the Duke of Buckingham, his intimate friend, the better to advance the negotiations with which he is charged, the nature of which however we have not ascertained. According to common report the Abbé is in Holland to impede rather than to promote peace with France, unless his sovereign can be the sole umpire, whilst Holland is equally desirous of playing that part. He will come here afterwards with the consent of France, or whenever she may be compelled to give it by the arms of England, and will remain in this country till he obtains the recognition of the Duke of Savoy as King. For this Mr. Montagu has already paved the way, and he has now returned to Turin with the intelligence that it will be successfully accomplished.
Such is the gossip in the mouths of the principal members of the Court, of the Ambassadors and others, but whether it has any real foundation we shall soon hear.
Of our Duke of Buckingham we have no account except that he is in the islands off Rochelle, and particularly in that of Rhé, but what he126
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H. dS1kkine ^as Jet done 1S not known, or is kept concealed; bnt this secrecy Esq. * naturally leads to the suspicion that ail is not well. Preparations are in the meanwhile in progress to send men and provisions to his assistance.
The French diplomatic agent left on Monday last, thus the quarrel with France has reached its climax.
The Court amuses itself hunting sixty miles from London, but a few members of the Privy Council remain here to attend to business and to find money to provide for demands as they present themselves.
London, 14th August 1627.
On Monday last a special messenger, sent by the Duke of Buckingham to His Majesty, brought intelligence of the landing of his army, and of the capture of the island of St. Martin de Rhé but not of the fort which, still holds out. There is however good hope of its reduction as tho English are masters of the island and of the sea.
Although I feel certain that the narration of these events must already have reached Italy, I am notwithstanding desirous of sending the statement made by the Duke of Buckingham so that the two accounts may be compared.
So soon as St. Martin is taken it is believed that the expedition will capture the island of Oleron and will then attack the fort of St. Louis in front of Rochelle.
Such is the conflagration which has been lighted in these parts, which not all the water thrown upon it—by Holland, Venice, Savoy and - other places—can extinguish.
It will not be surprising if the Duke of Buckingham should show himself on the coast of Spain, with his Galleons, before returning to this country. Encouraged by his first success he will be desirous of showing the world that his King and nation are strong enough to present a bold front to two Kings at the same time.
Here in the meanwhile they take into anxious consideration how money is to be obtained for the continuation of the war. The King has summoned the Privy Council to attend him in the country to consult over this important subject. It is thought that His Majesty may resolve to summon Parliament, as by no other means can he be provided with the sums made necessary by the rupture with France. This step being decided upon, Parliament will be summoned in the absence of the Duke of Buckingham in the hope that under these circumstances it will not resume the thread of its complaint against him.
In conclusion, the dance has begun and they dance to the music made by the French malcontents. We hear that several of these on the landing of the English forces, threw off the mask and declared themselves, also that the Duke de Soissons had passed the mountains and laid siege to Grenoble in Dauphiné, but of this we do not believe a word.
In a short time the whole story will be published. Pending events, a gentleman of this Court has been sent to Denmark to explain the motives which have induced the King to take up arms against France. The message is somewhat late and unseasonable.
The Earl of Warwick who went to sea some months ago with war-ships fitted out at his own expense, and provided with letters of marque, has returned to England having made no captures, but he has been beaten by Portuguese Galleons, and is now in harbour for repairs, with the intention of again going to sea.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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Statement enclosed being a relation of the progress made by His Britannic Majesty’s army under the command of the Duke of Buck- H‘ ingham.
“ The fleet, consisting of about eighty ships of different descriptions, left Portsmouth on the 27th of June last- On the 28th it was off Plymouth, and on the 29th saw land on the 47th parallel of latitude. Between the 30th of June and the 1st of July, thirteen sail of Dunkirk ships were seen and chased for twenty-four hours without overtaking them. Owing to the state of the sea the fleet did not come together again till the 10th of July, when the ships met at the east end of St. Martin de Rhe, where they anchored, and the crews rested for one day and two nights.
“ On the 12th, two thousand soldiers were landed under the fire of the ships’ artillery ; although at first repulsed by an attack of one thousand French infantry and two hundred cavalry, they finally succeeded in establishing themselves in the island not, however, without loss in the first failure many being drowned when retiring before the enemy.
“ The Duke had also landed, and seeing this confused repeat he went on board the nearest vessel, and sword in hand, by threats and entreaties, he f induced the soldiers to do their duty and to follow their officers, amongst whom Colonel Burrowes and Colonel Brett especially distinguished themselves.
“ On the 15th the army marched in good order, and on reaching the village of St. Marie summoned it to surrender; which done, it advanced on La Flotte which in like manner surrendered. On the 18th a Council of War was held which decided to march upon and to attack the chief place in the island, the town and fort of St. Martin. On the 17th, whilst moving forward, the army was met by the French cavalry and infantry evidently bent on fighting. The Duke of Buckingham placed himself at the head of the troops and they advanced as the enemy retired, and the English troops reaching the vicinity of St. Martin’s encamped on the east side. About half past four the town sent notice of surrender, and the Duke of Buckingham, having quartered troops within it, joined those in command of Colonel Burrowes near the sea shore whence he saw that the French had set fire to three English ships which they liad captured some time before.
“ His Excellency then went on board ship to give orders to bring provisions ashore, the French having removed everything of the kind into the fort contiguous to the town of St. Martin’s. They battered the town day and night, and although they have kept up this fire from Tuesday to Friday night, only one English soldier has been hurt.
“ The Duke has ordered twenty pieces of field artillery and nine sakers to be landed to batter the fort, whilst the pioneers are executing the necessary works.”
The following is a list of the killed on the English side:—General Sir William Haydon, of the Artillery Monsieur de S*. Blancard, Lieutenant of Monsieur de Soubise, Lieut.-Col. Thornehurst, General Yorke, Captain Babington, Captain Glyn, Captain Goreing, Captain Blundell, Captain Coventry, Captain Woodhouse, Captain Heathie, Captain Powell, Captain Morgan Powell, Captain Heatherstone, Lieutenant Anderson, Lieutenant Sydenham, Lieutenant Gresham, Mr. Johnson, engineer, Ensign Champernoun, Ensign Gordon, Mr. John Temple, Mr. Green Peterden. The wounded are :—Sir — Blundell, Sergeant-Major of the Camp, Colonel Sir — Rich,* Colonel Sir — Conway, Sir — Greenfieid,
MSS. or D. Semite, Esq.
* The Christian names of knights are almost invariably omitted.128
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MSS. or Sir — Hawley, Captain Abraham, Captain Eutherford, Lieutenant ’ esq.*™' Markham, Lieutenant Thorney, Ensign Ben net, Mr. Conway.
London, 28th August 1627.
Leaving on one side the present position of the Duke of Buckingham in the island of St. Martin de Bhé, and the history of his progress—as you must have ample information in Florence, probably of a more accurate description than that which we receive here —I shall limit myself to stating that they are getting ready three thousand English troops, that Scotland is to furnish two thousand and Ireland the same number, and that these will be sent as soon as possible with supplies of money and provisions. The Earl of Holland, Privy Counsellor and Captain of the Guards, is to be in command, being an officer who is much trusted by the Duke.
Although there will be much difficulty in finding money it must be found, and London must supply the greater part of it. The country is at open war—it is in no respect deceptive as some think, but a reality—with a better chance of ^making peace with Spain than with France.
The Dutch Ambassador has offered the good offices of his Govern -■ ment in the interests of peace, but up to the present time he has only received replies in general terms. The idea here is that any demand for peace should come first from France—than which according to all appearances nothing can be more remote—or that no one should interpose except the Duke of Savoy in conformity with the promises of Mr. Montagu. It is wished to give the whole honour to him, partly because this Prince is a valued and intimate friend, and partly because it is hoped that His Highness will operate if needful with the Comte de Soissons.
The Abbé Scaglia is still in Holland, and his frequent interviews with the English Ambassador is a cause of jealousy on the part of others. When he has completed his negotiations where he now is it is thought that he will come to this country to carry out the second part of his instructions, although as I have already stated it is believed that he will first await the return of the Duke. An Ambassador from Denmark has arrived in London. Without loss of time he proceeded to the country to see His Majesty. It is believed that he also brings offers of service in the name of his King, for the restoration of peace, and also to make proposals for the settlement of the affairs of the Prince Palatine as well as of his own, and finally to ask for money.
The Ambassador from Mantua has not yet returned from the country, to which he went on Saturday last to liave audiences of their Majesties, but as they are at present in different places his audience has been delayed.
It has been proposed to issue a printed notice to merchants to inform them that they may send their ships to the island of S t. Martin de Bhé, which was anciently a hereditary possession of the crown of England. The publication, however, has been suspended as premature, as it may be as well to hear first of the capture of the fort of St. Martin which is still occupied by the French although it is besieged by the English both by sea and land.
It appears that the Danish Ambassador is also Chancellor of the King of Denmark, and that he was in Holland when, meeting the Duke of Buckingham on the part of this country, the offensive and defensive league against Spain and the House of Austria was signed. His Excellency has brought with him a coadjutor who also bears the title of Ambassador.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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The Mantuan Ambassador lias been received with great distinction, ^s|*^irE particularly by the Queen ; but an order has been issued not to incur * Esqf1 Ej such heavy expenses on account of Ambassadors, and for this reason His Excellency has not been entertained with the usual magnificence.
Venice has not visited him, insisting that he should be the first to pay that compliment, although the usage at this Court is that the new comer is first visited by the Eesidents.
London, 3rd October 1627.
We are not certain when the reinforcement under the command of the Earl of Holland will move to the assistance of the Duke of Buckingham, but it will go as soon as means of transport are provided.
The Duke of Buckingham writes that he has no doubt that he will be master of the fort in a fortnight from the date of his letter ; but news having arrived at the same time that the French have succeeded in succouring it, with men ammunition and food, it is therefore altogether doubtful whether he will be able to take it so soon. The two thousand troops from Ireland, and the same number from Scotland under the command of the Earl of Morton, have arrived. In the Isle of Bhé they only wait for these to enable the English troops to assault the fort of St. Martin and so to have done with it. It is evident that there is a determination to vigorously prosecute the war which has been commenced. The two Danish Ambassadors, however, have striven to bring about an agreement ; they have earnestly represented that as their King, to his great damage, had plunged into war with the Emperor, from regard to His Majesty, so it was felt that His Majesty, from similar motives of regard, should make peace with France, seeing how much harm was done to the common cause by this war. The King replied that the war was absolutely necessary, and that it was beneficial to the common cause, as he knew for certain that the two kings in the last treaty made in Spain, had agreed together, and bound themselves by secret articles, to extirpate the Protestant faith. Notwithstanding, such was his desire to gratify the King bis Uncle, that if the French, who had been the first to give occasion for this war, should be the first to ask for peace he was prepared to give a favourable answer. The Ambassadors were far from being satisfied, and made similar representations to the Privy Council but only received the same reply.
Fiilling back once more to the King they informed His Majesty that they were about to return home through France, that they would arrive in France direct from England, and being the Ambassadors of so near a relation of His Britannic Majesty they thought that they should be pi'ovided with documents which might be of service in case a favourable opportunity of negotiation occurred. No reply was vouchsafed to this proposal, except that they might depart when they pleased and that should the French make proposals for peace they would receive an immediate reply.
The Ambassador from Holland warmly seconded the efforts-of the Danes, as did the Venetian, who, whilst expressing himself very clearly, was at the same time careful not to commit his Republic to such a difficult negotiation. All these good offices have been vain. There is the national antipathy to overcome ; there is a determination to see the conclusion of the expedition uuder the command of the Duke of Buckingham, and that, with sword in hand, he should compel advantageous terms of peace.
The Abbé Scaglia writes that he has received credentials trom the Duke of Savoy for the States of Holland, and for this Court also ; but that he would not be able to make use of the first, as they arrived too U 23533.
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late, but that he would visit England soon to present the others; it is still my belief that he will not come till the Duke returns. Mr. Montagu remains at Turin, but we do not hear that his negotiations strengthen the position of the Duke as a mediator; and the Earl of Carlisle will not be sent as Ambassador, as has been proposed, inasmuch as his presence is needed at home and there is an indisposition to incur the expense of such an embassy.
Three Dutch ships with rich cargoes from the East Indies have been seized in the harbour of Portsmouth, whereat the Dutch Ambassador makes a great clamour. The King, in reply to his complaint said that he could not refuse justice to his subjects for their losses in the affair of Amboyna. The Ambassador replied that this question was under discussion in Holland, by duly appointed Commissioners, and that it was improper, pendente lite, to take the law into their own hands. His Majesty promised that nothing would be touched in the ships till the inquiry terminated, but that he wished that steps should be taken to expedite the questions at issue.
But for the absolute necessity of a good understanding between the two nations such proceedings would soon lead to serious misunderstandings.
The youthful daughter of the Duke of Buckingham has been created Duchess of Buckingham, with transmission of the title to her heirs in case the Duke, her father, should not have a son. This proceeding is of rare occurrence in this kingdom, and may prove quite unnecessary. The Duke and Duchess are young, and the Duchess at the present time is pregnant.
The Mantuan Ambassador has departed without being visited by the Venetian. He was presented by the King and Queen with jewels of the value of four thousand crowns. His Excellency returns home by France, having embarked in a man-of-war, placed at his disposal by the Dutch Ambassador, one of the squadron which cruises off Dunkirk.
London, 20th October 1627.
The Earl of Holland has not yet left Portsmouth, for the Isle of Rhe, with the English troops with which he is to reinforce the Duke of Buckingham; but he ought to go very soon, that is, so soon as the wind is favourable. It appears that he has been waiting for a supply of forty thousand crowns which he is to take with him.
There is no news, as yet, of the taking of the fort, and the anxiety of the people increases, for the delay may be prejudicial, as winter is approaching when the ships will not he able to keep the sea with safety.
The Danish Ambassadors have done everything in their power to bring about an accommodation between the two Crowns, but they have not met with any favourable response. The wish on this side is in favour of direct negotiations between the two powers rather than through others.
The Ambassadors have taken leave of His Majesty, and will cross over to France in a few days unless they are induced to delay their journey by the arrival of a Danish gentleman who is said to he a diplomatic agent of the King.
Captain Trevor, the commander of the ships stationed at the mouth of the Elbe, has been detached by order of His Majesty to watch five galleons built in Holland for His Most Christian Majesty, so that they might be prevented from reaching their destination in France. The English Captain finding two of them in the Texel, where they wereHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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waiting for the other three, immediately attacked them, and driving one of them ashore captured the other. This ship is called the Holy Ghost, and has been brought here ; is of eight hundred tons, and is armed with twenty-four bronze and twenty-four iron guns. There is a cargo on board of two thousand corselets, and two hundred barrels of gunpowder.
There have been great rejoicings over this capture, and Captain Trevor has been sent to follow up his good fortune, as the English are determined to prevent the French from becoming strong at sea. It appears that the French insist that the Dutch were bound to protect the ships in their ports. However this may be, this line vessel which is in excellent order will be got ready immediately to go against them.
The newly arrived gentleman from Denmark was received in audience by the King yesterday. It is said that he made the same representations as those previously offered by the Ambassadors on the subject of a peace with France, and he showed some letters written by His Most Christian Majesty in which he expressed the satisfaction with which he would hear of the intermediation of the King of Denmark.
The Ambassadors have again asked for an audience, which has been granted with the condition that it is merely of a private character. It is evident that the temper here is not such as the Danes wish, the English being desirous of taking the Isle of Rhe before consenting to treat of peace.
The Earl of Holland has not yet sailed with his troops. The Danish gentleman proposes to accompany him and to land at Rochelle where the French Court is said to be at present. The other Ambassadors will also go to France, but by a different route.
London, 26th November 1627.
The Duke of Buckingham has finally abandoned the siege of the fort of St. Martin de Rhe, and has returned to this country with the remains of his army. It is here said that the cause of his retreat has been the want of reinforcements and supplies, because the Earl of Holland who was to have taken them was unable to sail from Plymouth owing to contrary winds. Thus the Duke, with weakened forces, was unable to resist the attack of from three to four thousand French infantry and two hundred cavalry, sent from the Island of Oleron, which assailed him unexpectedly and compelled him to return to his ships. The troops fought bravely, and the Duke defended himself courageously sword in hand. About four hundred men were lost in the retreat with several officers of rank, besides the small body of cavalry, amounting to about one hundred and twenty men, the commander Lord Mountjoy being taken prisoner. The artillery was saved with the exception of one gun, and the wounded men were transported on board ship.
From their dislike to the Duke of Buckingham the people exaggerate the amount of loss, but the King retains his personal regard for him. As soon as His Majesty heard of his return he sent the Earl of Montgomery, Lord High Chamberlain, to meet him with one of the Royal carriages and bearing a letter written by his own hand in affectionate terms. As a further pledge of his regard he sent the Duke a magnificent diamond bracelet.
We expect to hear this evening at Court the real story of this retreat. It may be believed that preparations to compel it had been planned at Paris some time ago, as it took place on the ninth of this month.
It is asserted that the Duke left eight hundred men in Rochelle who must be immediately reinforced as they are in great peril and may be taken by
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MSS. of H. 3). Sktline, Esq.
the French. I am persuaded that whatever it maybe resolved to do will now be done quickly, for the men who were to be forwarded to the Isle of Khe are ready. Probably they will hasten their departure, for neither His Majesty nor the people are discouraged by the bad success of the first expedition.
The return of the Duke may throw some light on the questions which are debated as well as on the best course to be pursued and the defence to be made of his management.
The Danish Ambassadors remain here on one pretence or other. One of them is unwell, and they make the most of his malady. It is believed that they are on the watch for an opportunity of promoting peace between the two Crowns, which, owing to the prevalent exasperation, will be much more difficult than they seem to imagine.
As the Ambassadors are badly provided with money for their expenses, besides the usual gifts of silver gilt plate, His Majesty has presented them with a thousand pounds sterling.
The Abbe Scaglia, now that the Duke his oracle has returned, will explain the details of his negotiations which he has hitherto spoken of in general terms only and as he felt inclined. He wishes to take a leading part in the great policy which has failed so deplorably and which he desires to revive in its pristine vigour. The infinite number of negotiations which from time to time have been broached from that quarter have never led to anything but the merest shadows and to some jealousy between the crowns. It may be anticipated that the present projects will produce no other results.
As to the harbour of Villa Franca, which he wishes to induce the English to frequent, I think that it will prove to be the most important negotiation which he has in hand. He and others have done all in their power with representations, court influence, and with hat in hand, to make the merchants frequent those ports of Nice, Villa Franca, and St. Ospizio, and to witness in those places the courtesy with which they will be received. The Ambassador has not however been able to persuade the principal merchants. He has found some on the west coast who to please him have promised to send two or three small ships laden with salt fish. At the same time nine large merchant vessels with rich cargoes of merchandise will sail for Leghorn, of which three will go on to Constantinople one of them having on board the Ambassador Wich who goes to the Turkish Court to relieve the present Ambassador Rae.
Monsieur de Soubise, who went with the Duke of Buckingham, has returned to this country to the general regret, for he is not popular. It is believed that it was he who suggested the expedition to Rochelle.
Sir Kenelm Digby, who has lived some time at Florence, is preparing two or three armed ships to go to sea with letters of marque. They say that he will pass the Streights of Gibraltar, and into the Medi-teiTanean, to damage the rich trade between Marseilles and the Levant.
By order of the Privy Council, the privilege to transport woollen cloth to Dunkirk, accorded to an English merchant who lives in Antwerp, has been withdrawn; the result of the clamour of other merchants who had not the same licence, and of his refusal to take an oath offensive to his conscience as a Roman Catholic. Unless His Majesty shows more clemency in this case than the merchants the man may lose his property and get into great trouble at the same time.
London, 22nd December 1627.
Buckingham arrived at this Court on Saturday the 17th of this month. Be was met by friends, relatives, and almost all the gentlemenHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.	183
o£ the Court, in carriages which amounted to seventy in number. The King, who had written him a letter to assure him of his unaltered regard, invited him with friendly words to come to Court as usual, without apprehension of any kind, as His Majesty was well aware that the Duke on his part had not failed to do everything that it was possible to do; that if he had not succeeded the fault was not his but rather that of his officers, whilst the King also blamed himself for not having sent the reinforcements which were necessary; he even went so far as to ask the Duke to forgive him. On the Duke’s arrival at Court, the King, to confirm all that he had written, received him publicly with every demonstration of regard.
The Savoyard Ambassador went to meet the Duke eight miles from London, and the Yenetian visited him early on the following morning. All the officers of His Majesty, the Members of the Privy Council, and the greater part of the nobility, have acted in the same manner; many no doubt from a desire to please the King, and some from motives of fear rather than from any other sentiment.
Every day the true nature of the retreat from the Isle of Rhe is further disclosed. It took place with a great loss of men, both of infantry and cavalry, of cannon, standards, and reputation. The loss of forty-four colours, which remain as trophies in the hands of the French is deeply mortifying.
In short the total loss has been very heavy, amounting to two thousand, whilst four colonels and a great number of gentlemen remain prisoners.
Notwithstanding that Buckingham is upheld by the King he never has been more unpopular with the people, and an order has been issued to preachers commanding them to refrain from speaking of him, and of the retreat from Rhe, in their sermons. Another edict to the same effect is expected, but the greater the number of prohibitions so much the worse for his reputation as they only increase the hatred with which the Duke is regarded; the effect of which would soon be seen but for the protection extended to him by the King.
Consultations take place as to what is best to be done ; the remnants of the regiments of soldiers have been disembarked to be made up to their full numbers, but the season is unfavourable and there is a want of money and of leaders. The possibility of sending succour to the Rochellese occupies the minds of all. Two deputies from Rochelle have come over with the Duke to solicit aid, and there is every wish to comply with their requests.
As to any prospects of accommodation, these are more remote than ever, and when the Ambassador of Savoy bas heard the sentiments of Buckingham he will agree to them, whether they be for peace or war, because he hopes to avail himself of his influence to insure the success of his negotiations in the interests of the harbour of Villa Franca. He has also spoken to the King who is desirous to satisfy him on that head.
The Yenetian Ambassador tells me that Savoy urges the King to issue his command to English merchants to trade at Villa Franca, and that he hopes to obtain this order through Buckingham. Keither the Ambassador nor I believe that such a step will be taken, so prejudicial to other Princes who are friends of the Crown. If any such order is issued, the Yenetian is prepared to protest. The merchants in general are wholly opposed to the scheme and would remain so in spite of any such Royal order, which however I hope will never be issued. I am persuaded that they never will consent to send their si ips to Villa Franca. So
MSS. or D. Skrxn-e, Esq.134	HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION«
mss or they assure me they will not incur risks in the sale of their merchandise or -^en	c^^meras of any necessitous Prince.
—‘	I labour principally amongst the merchants on this subject although
I am not fortified by the authority of the Grand Duke, without which I could not exert myself in higher quarters however desirable it might be to do so.
The brief friendly correspondence which took place with the Archduchess of Flanders on the subject of peace with Spain has entirely ceased.
The Spaniards having seen the breach with Prance have declined to treat, which causes much disappointment here as it was wished to come to terms of peace with that power the better to conduct the war with the other.
London, 11th December 1627.
Since the return of the Duke of Buckingham from the Isle of Bhe, nothing has been so much thought of as the providing of reinforcements of soldiers, and of victuals to be sent to Rochelle. Notwithstanding the utmost diligence these cannot be ready in time to satisfy the earnest wishes of this people, which considers the welfare of the Rochellese of such importance to their cause. The two Bochellese Deputies who came with the Duke of Buckingham also make earnest representations that their countrymen are in great peril if they are not succoured immediately.
The fragments of the army are dispersed in the western maritime provinces and the fleet will he kept on the coast, under the command of the Earl of Holland, to watch against the fifteen galleons which have issued from the port of Dunkirk with the intention of joining I do not know how many Spanish and French ships of war that are intended to act against the United Kingdom, and particularly Ireland where however they will meet with the most determined resistance.
With regard to any accommodation with these two Crowns there is not a shadow of hope. It is true that the long stay of the Danish Ambassador, and the negotiations which they carry on with the Duke, lead many to think that matters are not in so desperate a state as they appear to be, especially with France ; there being many who exert themselves to bring about a peace with that country, for the sake of their particular interests, who at the same time are indifferent as to the conditions of affairs with Spain.
The Dutch have sent Ambassadors here, and to France, who unite with those of Denmark, Yenice, and others, to do their best to patch up a peace. It so happens, however, that each of them is privately desirous of appropriating the exclusive honours of the negotiations which somewhat prejudices their public efforts.
The Ambassador of Savoy bas his pretensions apart, and the Duke of Buckingham siding with him would give him special advantages were it not for the prejudice thereby caused in France which excludes him from the office of intermediary. In short, all depends upon finding a practical solution, which at the present time has become more than ever embarassing on botb sides.
There was a sanguine hope that peace would be. made with Spain, and negotiations were in progress at Brussels when the breach with France, so much to the advantage of the Spaniards, took place. At the same time the success of the Emperor still farther contributed to banish any prospect of peace, for under the circumstances the Spaniards would listen to no proposals. No mediator has been found who could influenceHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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them favourably ; but rather fomenters of the existing disputes. Thus H pSfEEiNE any treaty of peace is rendered very difficult of attainment.	r Esq.
The Chevalier Petrovich embarked this week for Leghorn, on his way ““ to Constantinople as Ambassador in Ordinary, his instructions being to make representations in favour of Germany.
It has been finally determined to send the Earl of Carlisle, a Scottish noble, as Ambassador Extraordinary to Lorraine and Savoy; and, as I have already remarked, His Excellency cannot do less than visit Brussels, being provided with a passport by Her Serene Highness the Archduchess. In that case he may again take the opportunity of attempting to open friendly relations ; if not, he may learn what are the prevailing opinions, so as to regulate his proceedings in Lorraine and Savoy. In my opinion such a visit of a public official to the court of an enemy must affect his subsequent journey and proceedings.
Again the King has been greatly pressed by the Ambassador of Savoy to order his subjects to visit the port of Yilla Franca with their galleons and other merchant ships. His Majesty referred the question to the consideration of His Privy Counci], which, having heard the statements and arguments of the Ambassadors, the privileges offered in the harbour, the advantages to trade, and also His Majesty’s wish to gratify Savoy, conferred with the principal merchants who opposed the proposal, observing that Yilla Franca was out of the way, was also without established merchants, without capital, and in the territory of a necessitous Prince with whom they were not disposed to treat. That during the troubles of a time of war, the only port open to them had been Leghorn, where they had experienced excellent treatment from the Grand Duke of Tuscany and his subjects, and that they could not and would not think of abandoning that post for any other in Italy. Should His Majesty issue such orders to them as were suggested they would break up the corporation of Levant trades called the “ Turkey Company.”
If* the merchants remain firm the Savoyard Ambassador will be sent home again, with the small gratification of having succeeded in obtaining a promise that two ships, partially laden with salt fish and ballasted with sand, will proceed to Yilla Franca ; this favour having been obtained after taking much trouble.
The Abbé Scaglia wishes to remain at this Court as Ambassador in Ordinary for Savoy,but, on the arrival of two Ambassadors Extraordinary from Holland who will endeavour to persuade the government to make peace with France should they have some measure of success he will probably be required to leave to prevent him from embroiling the negotiations.
London, 28th December 1627.
The City of London has finally decided to hand the King four hundred and fifty thousand crowns, on condition of being credited by His Majesty with seven hundred and fifty thousand, secured upon landed estates of the crown which the citizens may hold or sell as they think best. The money thus raised is to be used for payment of arrears to the army and navy as well as for preparing another expedition in spring.
At the same time the Royal Galleons and other ships of war, which have suffered in the expedition to the Isle of Rhé, will be repaired and got ready for sea. Seven ships, including two Galleons, were totally lost during a tempest. A squadron will be maintained under the command of the Earl of Denbigh, brother-in-law of thé Duke of Buckingham, who takes the place of the Earl of Holland who last week returned to court.136
HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
MSS. of His Most Christian Majesty has sent in charge of a gentleman of his 'DjjgQRINE’ Court,# as a gift to the Queen his sister, Lord Mountjoy and other —*	English prisoners taken in the Isle of Rhe. Lord Mountjoy was in
command of the cavalry during the expedition, and was treated, as well as the other prisoners, with great distinction and kindness by the French. Iiis Lordship was presented to Her Majesty with a list of the other prisoners given up, who either had not arrived or were not of a station to be presented at Court. The French gentleman is lodged and his expenses are paid by Lord Mountjoy, at the express desire of the Court, in acknowledgment of the honours conferred on the English prisoners in France. It appears to me that advantage will be taken of this circumstance to obtain some good fruit from it, whilst, in a similar spirit of courtesy, eight French gentlemen, who were taken prisoners in the Isle of Rhe, have been set free equally without conditions. They also have been treated with the greatest consideration, have been entertained at a banquet given by the Countess of Denbigh, first Lady of Honour to the Queen, and have been presented to both their Majesties. Care has been taken that the same ceremonies should be observed in every respect as in the case of Lord Mountjoy, and they will be sent to His Most Christian Majesty in the charge of Monsieur Dalbier, a German follower of the Count de Mansfeldt. The embassy of the Earl of Carlisle to Lorraine and Savoy, if not entirely given up, is suspended in consequence of the capture by French troopers of Mr. Montagu in Lorraine, when his papers were taken from him and he was conveyed to Paris. An unfortunate event calculated to neutralize the good effects of the exchange of prisoners. It is hoped that His Highness of Lorraine will make every effort to obtain the liberation of Mr. Montagu.
We hear that the Dunkirkers lost four ships of war, and that the Dutch also have lost four ships, in the late gale which is described as having been of so terrible a nature.
The two Danish Ambassadors having finally received their presents, and a gift of four thousand crowns for expenses,resolved to depart on Saturday last and to go to France.
London, 18th January 1628.
The Citizens of London are now paying the sum of four hundred and fifty thousand crowns, according to the agreement lately made under the conditions which I have described. Soldiers and sailors are being satisfied by the discharge of their arrears of pay ; ammunition and food are collected to be sent to Rochelle, although by no means so expeditiously as the Rochellese agents desire. The preparation of a new expedition occupies the general attention, and the means of paying the cost are under His Majesty’s consideration, the methods suggested requiring much thought as certain to be unsatisfactory to the people.
Last week the French envoy who brought over Lord Mountjoy and the other English prisoners returned to France after being honourably treated at Court. The Queen presented him with a valuable diamond in token of her satisfaction.
The small number of French prisoners taken in the Isle of Rhe, who are to be sent to France, have been entertained by the Duke of Buckingham. Such courtesies show an improved temper on both sides, and but for the burning question of Rochelle might lead to amendment in the relations of the two countries; but on this unhappy topic both are
* Monsieur de Meaux, a gentleman in the service of the Cardinal de Richelieu.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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equally resolute, the one to subjugate the other to uphold the Rochellese. To this insoluble dispute is to be added another of equal difficulty arising from the existing navigation laws. The French insist upon a free ocean, and the right of traffic with Spain, without visits to their ships, and search of their cargoes, made by the English. These visits have been a leading cause of the existing rupture.
The French never will submit to this right, or to the class of searchers who are in most cases guided by private ends rather than by considerations of public interest, and who, under the pretence of finding Spanish merchandise in French ships compel them to come to this country to be tried in the English courts. Such disputes are very hard to settle.
The arrival of the Dutch Ambassadors Extraordinary by the first favourable wind is looked for. They have been sent by the States in the interests of peace as well as to treat of affairs on their own account. I believe that their representations will be respectfully listened to, but the Rochellese quarrel bars the way ; and, so long as that is the case, neither these Ambassadors nor anyone else can succeed. The other questions of reprisals and restitution of prizes are apparently in so hopeless a condition that the Ambassadors might as well have stayed' at home.
The Danish Ambassadors who were lately here have now gone to France to do what they can to promote peace. The Yenetian also works in the same direction and has made offer of the conditional good offices of his government. The Republic is ever unwilling to interfere without some certainty of success.
The Embassy of the Earl of Carlisle to Lorraine and Savoy is definitively postponed for reasons which I have already described.
An important change in diplomatic relations has occurred here. The Abbé Scaglia does not go to Court so frequently as has been his custom, the cause being the displeasure of the Duke of Buckingham for the following reasons. Close to the Ambassador’s house is that of the Viscountess Purbeck, wife of a brother of the Duke who is of unsound mind and who consequently does not live with her. This Lady having been accused of infidelity was condemned, in conformity with the laws of this country, to do penance, by standing in church, during the time of service in the presence of the congregation, clad in a white sheet with a white rod in her hand. The officers of justice went to her house to take her to the place fixed upon for the execution of her sentence, but they did not find her as she had escaped with the connivance, it is said, of the Ambassador of Savoy. Now, as this affair was regarded with particular interest by the Duke from his desire that the lady should be punished for the wrong which she had done to his brother, and the shame which she had brought on his whole house, he took it very ill that by the help of the Ambassador she had escaped doing penance.
The Ambassador on the other hand justifies himself, and says that he was incommoded by a mob of four or five thousand persons who blocked up the street in front of his house preventing all ingress and egress. Some of his gentlemen, therefore, dressed his page as a woman covering his face with a mask. The mob and the officers of justice followed the carriage, and the street was cleared. Lady Purbeck took the opportunity of escaping, but he had nothing to do with that. The Duke by no means accepts of this explanation as canonical; and, whether it was done with or without the knowledge of the Ambassador, he is greatly displeased, which has been shown by his refusing to accept a new year gift from the Abbé of two pictures.
This joke perpetrated by the geatlemen of the Embassy has impaired the confidence and intimacy which before existed between the Ambas-
MSS. of D. Skriite, Esq.138
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MSS. or sador and the Duke of Buckingham and his family, and no doubt has prejudiced the Ambassador’s interests. He has changed his resi-— dence and no longer visits the Court as he formerly did, staying from after dinner till midnight, but remains at home profoundly mortified. This is by no means displeasing to the Courtiers, who were rather tired of him and of his ways. The King has liberated from prison and sequestration all those gentlemen who last year refused to pay their shares of the loans on the subsidies. This great act of grace has so gratified the people, and so smoothed their temper, that it is thought that if a Parliament was summoned there would be a favourable disposition to grant His Majesty the supplies which he is so much in need of.
The Ambassador of Venice also meets with mortifications, like others; two of his parcels of letters have lately been intercepted in passing to and from Calais. His Excellency has made a great outcry, but hitherto has received no satisfaction beyond a promise of the restoration of the letters.
The French surgeon in attendance on Her Majesty has been consigned to a secret prison, for having sent letters to France containing information of proceedings at this Court, and in particular statements adverse to the Duke.
London, 31st January 1628.
The City of London has paid, up to the present date, one half of the money which it agreed to give to the Court, and it will pay the balance when the Crown estates are finally made over in security for the money advanced.
It is intended to send as soon as possible a force of five hundred infantry to Rochelle with ammunition and provisions. The safety of that place is an object of heartfelt interest to this people, to be maintained in the first place as having been the object of a solemn compact, and in the second as part of the ancient policy of this kingdom, which, if steadily adhered to, will always prove a sharp thorn in the side of France. The French, conscious of this, will not accept of any proposals for peace, although made by friends, so long as the question of Rochelle remains in its present state ; therefore there can be no hope of peace between the two nations, especially if it be true, as has been said, that the Ambassadors Extraordinary who were to come from Holland to intervene in favour of peace have returned to the Hague because His Most Christian Majesty would not tolerate their visit to this country, with any such object, unless the States would in: the first place ratify a Treaty with France which His Majesty insists upon.
The French prisoners were sent to France on Saturday last only, and not with Monsieur Dalbier, as had been arranged, hut with a secretary to the Earl of Holland who in His Majesty’s name is to present them to the Queen Mother. The French, who desired to have a more distinguished person, or one equal in rank to the gentleman whom their King sent with the English prisoners, are offended. In every other respect they have been treated with especial courtesy.
The Abbe Scaglia has effected so much, through the good offices of the Earl of Carlisle, that finally he has succeeded in placing himself on abetter footing with the Duke of Buckingham and his family ; obviously, however, with some loss to his private interests, for he can hardly hope to recover entirely his former position of confidential intimacy.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.	139
The Venetian Ambassador received his two missing packets of letters from Court on Saturday, after a detention of a fortnight, the packets having been opened and sealed up again. His Excellency has made vehement complaints, and His Majesty, in offering an explanation, said that the opening of the letters had not proceeded from any doubt of the Ambassador personally, but that it had been done to remove a suspicion that the packets contained letters from the French residents here and from other malcontents. This mode of procedure had been adopted in the hope that it would be excused by such a friend, and His Majesty begged him to pardon the zeal of his Ministers, for having.done that which they considered of so much importance to his service. At the same time the King offered whatever satisfaction might be esteemed necessary, which His Excellency believes to mean a public condemnation of the servant of the Governor of Dover who first laid hands on the letters and opened them and then sent them open to the Duke of Buckingham.
The Ambassador replied that he would communicate with his Kepublic, and would state the facts as favourably as possible, and the explanation being received he thought that there would be no objection to accept the reparation offered.
As has been foreseen the Hamburghers are becoming more and more imperialist and consequently the Privy Council has given notice to merchants, subjects of this Crown, to abstain from sending woollen cloths to that city, and to withdraw as soon as possible whatever goods and effects they may have there. The business of these merchants therefore diminishes daily, to such an extent that divers of them have retired from the trade.
London, 6th March 1628.
I have already mentioned the resolution taken to summon Parliament for the 27th of this month, to enable His Majesty to bring his requirements before it, and at the same time to demand supplies. The meeting, however, has been delayed till the 8th of May, to give the King the opportunity of making another effort to obtain money from his people, and he has sent Eoyal Letters to all the provinces of the Kingdom to collect the amount of three subsidies or about eight hundred thousand crowns. At the same time he has issued to nobles, warrants, which are here called Privy Seals, for one hundred thousand crowns.
I am able to assert that His Majesty has failed in both cases, having encountered the repugnance and decided opposition of the people, so he is made aware that by such means he never can attain his object; consequently he has reverted to his first idea of assembling Parliament on the 27th of this month and has recalled his letters and Privy seals by proclamation.
As it now appears that there will be no further change, and that Parliament will meet, the usual tumults are taking place in the provinces on the election of Members, with every appearance of the success of the Puritanical party, which will be in the ascendant, predominating over that of the Established Church; whilst some of those who last year refused to advance money on loan, and were consequently imprisoned, are now opposed to government and take a lead in the opposite faction.
The return of these persons as Members will harden the determination of ‘ His Majesty, whilst they will scarcely attain their objects. The people are in suspense, and feel but little hope of fortunate results from this meeting of Parliament, for although the unpopularity of the Duke of Buckingham is undiminished still his influence is feared.
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Monsieur Dalbier has been sent into Germany to raise twelve hundred cavalry and to bring them over to this country, which with the distribution of other troops in this neighbourhood is regarded by the people with great dissatisfaction as they are wholly unaccustomed to garrisons. Certainly Parliament will be unable to tolerate their presence.
The sailors of the fleet which was at the Isle of Rhe have risen in mutiny, demanding their arrears of pay in an insolent manner; they assembled in front of the house of the Duke of Buckingham with the intention of committing some outrage, and were driven away sword in hand. Some days after they were paid a considerable portion of their wages, with the money provided by the City, and were sent to their ships.
The Earl of Denbigh, brother-in-law of the Duke, has not yet left the harbour of Plymouth with the supplies which are to be sent to Rochelle, because, so it is said, he did not find them ready, nor the ships of war which ought to accompany them repaired, nor anything provided. It is hoped however that all will soon be done, although it is feared that no success will be attained if it is true that the French have closed the mouth of the harbour by sinking twenty-seven large ships.
Two Ambassadors from Holland have arrived, but, because in their official entrance into the City they were not provided with royal carriages which is invariably the case on similar occasions, they have expressed so much dissatisfaction that they have been conducted beyond the bounds of the City, and Royal carriages being provided they entered in state and were duly received in audience next day. In a private interview with His Majesty, they expressed to him the strong and friendly desire of the States to assist in promoting peace and healing the differences between this Crown and His Most Christian Majesty, which would be so much for the benefit not only of those States but also of Denmark and the common cause of religion. They besought His Majesty to give his earnest attention to the subject and to grant them his effectual assistance in opening negotiations, and with this object to name Commissioners with whom they might treat on this important subject. His Majesty was far from averse to their proposals, provided that eveiything is done with due consideration for his honour, and immediately named twelve of the Members of the Privy Council to negotiate with the Ambassadors. Thus they have made a beginning of their work, and the others who went from this to France have begun theirs. There is, however, every appearance of its being a long and difficult negotiation, at all events so long as Rochelle resists her King.
The Dutch Ambassadors have not yet united themselves in friendly co-operation with the Venetian, for he insists on the formality of a first visit from Ambassadors who do not represent a crowned head. His Excellency has not yet received the satisfaction which he demands on account of the seizure and opening of his packet of letters. The man who is accused, and who is in prison, the Ambassador knows to be entirely innocent, which he is desirous should be made known to the King ; but as explanations would implicate persons in high quarters neither he nor any one else will enter into them. He is entirely satisfied that His Majesty had nothing to do with the transaction, and equally that he entertained no suspicion of him personally or doubt of his integrity. His Majesty has made him a special grant of a Royal passport, assuring the free transport of his despatches to France, which passport, although at first delayed by the Ministers whose duty it was to prepare it and who have been cold and unfriendly, has been delivered to him at last upon his expostulation, with the condition, however, that under no circumstances is he to inclose any letters but his own—now heHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.	141
may safely forward his despatches every week, whilst others in these troubled times must wait for opportunities. There is such uncertainty both in despatching and receiving letters that there is universal disorder and th e interests of trade suffer in an especial manner.
The Venetian Ambassador has sent a written statement to the Privy Council relating the facts of the retention of his packet, His Majesty having referred him to it for satisfaction. He has not named the persons whom he is inwardly persuaded are the culprits, nor does he demand any special form of satisfaction or degree of punishment of the offenders ; but he points out that, in other States, any one who violates the correspondence of a private person is punished by the loss of his right hand, and that any one who opens the letters of a Prince may suffer death. Making no suggestion he leaves it to the Privy Council to decide what should be done. The Privy Council is taking time to make its reply, and we must wait to see what means it will take to satisfy the Ambassador and to screen the offenders.
The nephew of Bethlen-G-abor has been presented to the King by the Duke of Buckingham, and after kissing hands presented a letter from his uncle. The Dutch Ambassadors have made a demand for six thousand English troops, with their wages paid, to enable them, as they explain, to resist the Imperial forces which are approaching the frontiers of eastern Friesland. I am afraid that, in the present necessitous state of affairs, their wishes cannot be complied with unless Parliament should open the national purse.
The meeting of Parliament holds good for the 27th, no change having beenmade. All theMembers are now elected; and although, the greater number are Puritans, still it is hoped that considering existing necessities, both internal and external, they may be disposed to grant His Majesty a considerable, sum of money.
The Duke of Buckingham went two days ago to Plymouth to hasten the Earl of Denbigh and the supplies which are to proceed to Rochelle, but it is feared that they will not be able to reach it, if, as I have already stated, the French have closed the mouth of the harbour.
The Dutch Ambassadors frequently meet the Commissioners to arrange as to terms of peace between the two Crowns, and they find on this side very favourable inclinations; but,till such time as wre hear what has been done by their colleagues in Prance, no judgment can be formed of the success of the negotiations which, as I have repeatedly said, will be long and difficult with the question of Rochelle in its present position.
His Majesty has again resolved to send the Earl of Carlisle to Lorraine and Savoy to proceed afterwards to Venice. The motive for this mission I believe to be a desire to make a return for the visits of Ambassadors rather than any special purpose cr object, and to make a friendly demonstration at a time of such universal discord.
On Sunday last Monseigneur de Saint Michele, a Frenchman, arrived in this city, sent by the Princess of Piedmont, with a beautiful present for the Queen from her sister, consisting of a cabinet chiefly of rock crystal full of nicknacks, with some pieces of cloth of gold and silver^ and vases containing jessamine water, the whole said to be of the value of twenty thousand crowns. It is greatly prized by Her Majesty, and will be used for the adornment of her study or boudoir.
The Privy Council has not yet given any reply to the written statement of the Venetian Ambassador. I believe that, for reasons which I have already explained, His Excellency will remain here, although he may not receive any farther explanation.
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MSS. op	London, 25th March 1628.
Rm Esof™’ There is little news to forward this week from this Court. Parlia-— ment will meet in two days, and as the Puritanical party will be in a majority in the House of Commons, which represents the constituencies, it is feared that the new assembly, beginning where the last left off, will resume the old complaints against the Duke of Buckingham, and in that case, will come to an abrupt end; for it is impossible to believe that the King, to gratify the people, will in any way give him up, hence it is easy to foresee that so long as Parliament obstinately refuses supplies, unless its grievances are first attended to, it will in that case be very soon dismissed and recourse will again be had to the royal prerogative to raise money.
The Duke of Buckingham is expected this evening from Plymouth, where he has put matters in order for the departure of the succours to Rochelle, and he has returned to make arrangements, in his quality as Master of the Horse, for the Royal Procession when the King opens Parliament.	>
It is believed that notwithstanding this journey, and the pains which have been taken by the Duke, the expedition will not be ready to sail in less than a fortnight,, to the great mortification of the Deputies from Rochelle who are full of impatience for its departure fearing that it may arrive too late to enter the harbour.
The negotiations of the Dutch Ambassadors make no progress owing to the state of the question regarding Rochelle.
A gentleman sent by the Duke of Lorraine has just arrived at this Court. Without being able at present to penetrate the motives for this mission, it is generally thought that in all probability it has reference to the arrest of Mr. Montagu, by French troops on Lorrenese ground, when he was on his return from the Court of the Duke of Savoy. The gentleman is provided for in the Palace of His Majesty, to the great admiration of all on account of this most unusual circumstance.
The Earl of Carlisle is preparing to leave on his embassy to Lorraine, Savoy, and Venice, and has received thirty thousand crowns to meet his expenses. It is said that he will go in a fortnight at latest, taking the road by Flanders, with a passport granted by Her Serene Highness the Infanta, which she has been pleased to give him as Earl of Carlisle, but not as Ambassador, so as not to awaken the jealousy of the French.
The negotiations of the Venetian Ambassador regarding the opening of his despatches are not yet completed; he has not. yet received any reply or offer of satisfaction from the Privy Council. He is waiting to hear from his own Government on the subject, after which he may resume his pressing representations so as to come out of the question with credit.
His Majesty has this week created three Earls and three Barons, all warm parfcizans of the Duke of Buckingham and all of. whom have given large sums for the honour. One of the Barons is a Catholic, the others are Protestants.
Five Priests and two Benedictine Fathers have been taken in the house of a Catholic gentleman and have been imprisoned. If this Parliament lasts it wifi doubtless after the usual fashion fall foul of the unfortunate Catholics.
London, 3d April 1628.
Parliament was opened on the 27th of last month. In his speech on the occasion His Majesty stated to the Members that he had called them together to ask them for money to meet his present necessities, which asHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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they themselves well knew were great in various respects, therefore he exhorted them to supply him speedily and in such a manner that he might not only be prepared to meet his enemies, but also to assist his friends and particularly the King of Denmark. He wished frankly to inform them that, although by that authority which God had placed in his hands he might have obtained money from his subjects by other means, he had not insisted on doing so, from a desire to gratify his people and because he was willing to try once more the way of Parliament which they so greatly preferred and were attached to. He was resolved, however, on his part to adopt other means if they did not supply the requisite amount without delay. He concluded by observing that he did not express himself in this way from a desire to threaten ; he offered no threats except to his equals ; he wished them to know his intentions, and to behave like good subjects, so that he might act in conformity and forget the offence given him by the last Parliament.
The King having concluded these few words made a sign to the Keeper of the Great Seal to continue the address. He did so by dwelling upon the necessity which His Majesty lay under for supplies. He describes the sales which had been made of Royal estates, of jewels, and of plate belonging to the Crown, sacrificed solely to maintain the honour and reputation of this kingdom, and to give assistance to His Majesty’s allies in Germany, as well as to promote the cause of the Palatinate, in which undertakings he had been involved by Parliament, which, in the time of his father, King James of happy memory, had given such assurance of support that he had consequently entered into war with ardour and had formed the requisite alliances. He recommended the Members to cast passions aside and to supply His Majesty with a liberal grant, that he might, as promptly as possible seeing that the times required it, give aid to the King of Denmark and his other allies in Germany against the ambitious House of Austria, as well as defend himself from his enemies who by their great preparations were becoming very formidable.
Up to the present time the Members of Parliament have done nothing but verify the elections, and take the necessary steps to assert their privileges and immunities which in their opinion have been tampered with and almost broken down ; considerations which touch them to the very quick and are felt to be of the greatest impoitanee. Parliament is resolved, is in fact obstinately bent, upon a settlement of the questions involved before proceeding farther with business. It is hoped that His Majesty will not refuse to satisfy the Commons, at .all events in such cases as by no means touch the Royal Prerogative.
If matters can be arranged without dispute, the grant of supplies will quickly follow, possibly without any renewal of the questions hostile to the Duke of Buckingham, The new Parliament, like its predecessors, already shows a disposition to pass new repressive laws against the unhappy Catholics, for a proposal has already been made to take their children from them and to bring them up as Protestants at the public expense.
The Earl or Bristol, who on account of his transactions in connexion with the proposed Spanish marriage has been for some time in prison and in great trouble, has now been granted his privileges as a Peer of the Realm and will take his place in Parliament; so will the Earl Marshal, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and other nobles. Whence it may be hoped that there will be a change for the better, and that harmony being restored between the King and his people all may now be well.
Pour small ships laden with wheat and other provisions have been sent to Rochelle with orders to enter the harbour, if they can do so ; but,
MSS. oe H. D. Semite, Esq.H4
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H d^Ikrine ifthey cannot> wait sea f°r the arrival of the Earl of Denbigh with Esq. * the rest of the succours which are to be sent immediately.
The negotiations of the Dutch Ambassadors do not make progress, as I said in my last. The Envoy of the Duke of Lorraine after communicating to the King the promise of His Most Christian Majesty to give up Mr. Montagu departed with a very handsome present.
The gentleman who accompanied the French prisoners to the Court of France has come back with a beautiful gift from the Queen Mother, and was greatly pleased with his reception. This may be regarded as a sign of some softening of the relations between the two countries, and holds out some hope of the possibility of an accommodation between them.
The Earl of Carlisle ought to leave soon, but it is believed that be is waiting to see what turn Pailiamentary affairs will take.
The Yenetian Ambassador has received instructions from his Republic this week by express courier. He is to absent himself from Court, and from all intercourse with the Ministry, till he has received satisfaction for the opening of his despatches. The Yenetian government reserves a right to judge of the nature and amount of the reparation which may be offered, before it is accepted by the Ambassador. By the same courier His Majesty received letters from his Ambassador at Venice informing him of the state of feeling in the Yenetian Senate, and describing the orders sent to the Yenetian Ambassador. His Majesty immediately sent three members of the Privy Council to assure the Ambassador once more of his regard for the Republic and for bis person, and to apologise for an act for which he was prepared to give every satisfaction in his power, offering at the same time to keep the person who had opened the packet in prison as long as the Republic chose,* and His Majesty also requested the Ambassador to convey the assurance of his desire to make reparation, and to be forgiven for an act not done with any evil intention.
As to the Ambassador’s visit to Court, for his greater honour His Majesty would send a Member of his Privy Council and one of his carriages for him to bring him to the Royal presence, when he would repeat in person the message which had sent to His Excellency. The Ambassador replied that he would convey His Majesty’s message to the Venetian Republic by the express courier who had just arrived.
The two Dutch Ambassadors Extraordinary and the Venetian have at last exchanged visits. It was managed in this way, the Dutch resident Ambassadors asked all three to dinner. It was understood that this was to be equivalent to a visit. The Dutch Ambassadors then visited the Yenetian next day and his Excellency returned their visit. With Savoy he remains on the same terms as heretofore.
London, 15th April 1628.
As yet Parliament has done nothing except petition His Majesty to put in force all the penal laws enacted by previous Parliaments against the Catholics. His Majesty has replied that, approving generally of the object of the petition, be would take into consideration the best means of satisfying the Members in reference to its details, and would communicate his resolution in due time. His Majesty reminded them that they ought to take into their immediate consideration the supplies which he needed for objects the nature of which was stated in a paper prepared by one of his Secretaries of State and brought before them in his name, for the season was advancing and it was necessary to place him in a position to provide for the defence of the three kingdoms and to assist his allies.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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The proposals seem to Parliament extravagant and almost impossible H •of realisation, involving as they do the expenditure of millions of * esq. ducats. Nevertheless, when they have been carefully considered, if the House may at the same time state its views clearly of the nature of its privileges and immunities, which are inconsistent with His Majesty’s assertion of his rights to raise money from his subjects without the intervention of Parliament and also to imprison those who refuse to pay, then they might be disposed to grant a considerable amount of supplies without reviving the charges against the Duke of Buckingham. These questions are of such importance, and the settlement is pressed with so much earnestness, that I hardly see how this is to be done without a struggle of some duration. Both Houses of Parliament are to observe a religious Fast, a ceremony consisting in staying in church all day, listening to prayers and sermons, followed on the second day by their •communion. All the inhabitants of this city join in the observance, and the whole nation is ordered by Royal Proclamation to hold the Fast, when they will pray for the maintenance of the Church and faith, for the preservations of the three kingdoms and their allies, and finally for ■divine assistance to vanquish their enemies.
The Venetian Ambassador has sent off the express coui'ier to Venice with a statement of the proposals made by His Majesty, and till he receives a reply from the Republic he will not present himself at Court.
The expedition destined for Rochelle remains at Plymouth to the surprise of every one.
Postcript of the 17th April 1628.
The House of Commons having received a message from His Majesty recognising its immunities and privileges, has to day declared its willingness to vote the amount of five subsidies, equal to the sum of one million five hundred thousand crowns. The Act is not yet passed, nor is the .time of payment fixed, but this should be done without delay as at the present moment there is no disagreement between the King and Parliament.
The following are the statements which were made in the House of Commons on the 5th of April last by Sir John Coke, Secretary of State and Member of the Privy Council, on the subject of granting supplies to His Majesty.
First, for raising ten thousand infantry, and for providing them with arms, clothing, and yearly maintenance. These troops may also serve abroad.
Secondly, for one thousand cavalry, and for their yearly maintenance.
Thirdly, for raising six thousand infantry, and for their arms, clothing, and maintenance in the service of the King of Denmark.
Fourthly, for providing thirty galleons armed and provisioned for the defence of the seas and coasts of the United Kingdom.
Fifthly, for providing ten galleons in the same manner, to be sent to the Baltic.
Sixthly, for ten galleons for the defence of Rochelle.
Seventhly, for building twenty galleons yearly for three years and for providing everything necessary for them.
Eighthly, to pay the arrears due to soldiers and mariners, and to supply the office with funds for providing ammunition, artillery, provisions and other requisites.
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London, 58th April 1628.
His Majesty has been pleased to give a detailed and favourable reply to the petition of Parliament against the Catholics, and already the effects are seen of the rigorous enforcement of the laws against them.
The five subsidies to be given to His Majesty are not yet voted. The House is so eagerly occupied with the question of its privileges, which, as I explained in my last, negative the prerogatives of the King to levy taxes without the consent of Parliament and to imprison those who refuse to pay such taxes. These are questions which are surrounded by difficulties, but which it is to be hoped may be solved to the satisfaction of all who are interested in them. In the event of a favourable settlement the Commons will at once proceed to vote the supplies and to fix the time for the payment of the money which His Majesty has so much need of.
The Earl of Carlisle leaves to-day on his embassy. He intends to pass through Flanders but some think that he will not visit Brussels, others that if he does so it will be with no views to negotiations unless the Spanish Ministers give him an opening.
It is now generally asserted that the fleet with the supplies for Rochelle sailed three days ago from Plymouth. Many disbelieve the report.
Parliament, being of opinion that the quartering of troops in various parts of the country is unusual and illegal, and that, on account of the expense as well as of the insolence of the soldiery to the inhabitants, it is desirable to free the provinces from this grievance, has therefore petitioned His Majesty to remove them. A favourable answer has beeu received and His Majesty will consider how he can accomplish the object of the petition.
Mr. Montagu, who was made a prisoner in Lorraine by French troops, has been set at liberty, by the influence of Her Majesty the Queen, and has arrived at Court.
The commencement of a war in Montferrat gives the people here some hope that the attention of the French will be withdrawn from Rochelle.
Petition of Parlliment against the Catholics.
Presented to the King on the 10th of April 1628.
We Your Majesty’s most faithful and obedient subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal with the Commons of the Kingdom in Parliament assembled, having with our great satisfaction obtained Your Majesty’s pious and gracious consent for the celebration of a general Fast to appease therebye the wrath of God, and at the same time provide against those evils which are apparently impending over us. We now offer Your Majesty our humble thanks, and inasmuch as the hidden sins of the people are undoubtedly the cause of the open evils which at this time have fallen upon us, amongst which it plainly appears by the word of God that idolatry and superstition are the most enormous, but that we may have reason to hope that by abandoning those sins which separate God from us, and that the blessing of God may descend upon our act of public humiliation, we therefore humbly and zealously petition Your Most Sacred Majesty that you will be pleased to put in motion all the existing laws against Jesuits, Religious Orders, and others who also have taken orders under the authority of the See of Rome, and in the most strict sense against those who have most seriously offended against the clemency of Your Majesty, that they may be left to the rigour of the law without admitting any intercession in their favour, and also thatHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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those disaffected subjects who have sheltered or concealed this generation of vipers in their houses may suffer all the pains and penalties which the law has so justly declared against them.
2dly. That Your Majesty may be pleased to command that the ports of the kingdom may be carefully watched, and that the charge of visiting ships to discover and arrest any Jesuits and Members of Eeligious Orders who may come into the kingdom, as well as sons of Papists sent across the sea to be taught the poisonous doctrines of rebellion and superstition, shall be given to persons of approved religion and fidelity, and that all who may be convicted of having allowed any Papist to enter the country, or to depart from it, may be punished as by law established.
JEL
MSS. or D. Semite, Esq.
3dly. Pem ember in g that tremendous peril, never to be forgotten, which included the most sacred person of Your Majesty, with the whole representative body of the kingdom, practised and conspired by reason of the free access of the Papists to this city of London, and to the Court of Your Majesty, may you be pleased to put in force those laws which prohibit them from coming nearer than ten miles from London, as well as that other law which, when in the country, relegates them to their houses and a circuit of five miles, and that in all cases where they may have obtained licences to come to London, these being illegal, shall without delay be delared null and void.
4thly. It having been generally believed that within the last two or three years large sums of money have been obtained from Papists in this kingdom, a small portion of which has been paid into Your Majesty’s Exchequer, so that not only have private persons been enriched, but greater encouragement has been given to Catholics to keep priests in their houses, to perform the mysterious and juggling rites and ceremonies of their superstition without apprehension, as if, judging by those practices, a hidden toleration had been extended to them, therefore we pray that Your Majesty may be pleased to take this into your special consideration, and immediately to abolish this mystery of iniquity, shrouded over and concealed by pretexts of composition, quit-rent, contract, or pre-contract, which only serve to deceive Your Majesty and to evade the law, whilst to others a source of corruption, and of serving their private ends and interests.
5thly. Whilst the persons of Ambassadors of Foreign Princes and of members of their families are free to exercise their religion, it ought not to be tolerated that their houses should be constituted chapels or asylums for Papists who are subjects of Your Majesty, nor should these be permitted to assist at masses or participate in superstituous ceremonies, which are offensive to God, and a scandal in the sight of Your Majesty’s loyal and religious subjects. We pray that visits to such places shall be absolutely prohibited, and that guards may be placed so as to arrest all who may be seen on their return, so that they may be severely punished.
6thly. No office of any authority and command within the provinces of the kingdom, nor over the galleons of Ycur Majesty should be given to any Papist, or to any one who has not communicated for a year, or to any who may be suspected of Papistry, or to any Governor or Lieutenant-Governor of a county, justice of the peace, or captains or other officers specified in the Act of the third year of King James of happy memory, Your Majesty’s father, and that any who by connivance may have obtained any such office, may be, by Your Majesty’s order, forthwith dismissed.
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MSS. op 7thly. All judges and officers of justice, to whose care and fidelity are entrusted the execution of the law, should by Your Majesty’s ~r-	express command enforce all the existing laws against Jesuits, Religious
Orders, and other Papists, and that they should from time to time report to the Lord Keeper so that Your Majesty may be duly informed.
8thly. That finally, to uproot the Papists, and to raise up and train a holy generation, and to sanctify a peculiar people, till such time as an Act can be passed for the education of their children in the doctrines of our holy faith, in a manner we trust calculated to unite the people under Your Majesty in one faith and one doctrine, and till we consider what pains and penalties may be imposed, may Your Majesty be pleased to take into your royal consideration this our humble petition proceeding from true hearts religiously devoted to God, and to the service of Your Majesty, and to the preservation of your most sacred person. With our most zealous feelings we present this petition to your gracious approbation.
The King’s reply to the Petition of Parliament against the Papists.
1st.'To the first head of the Petition »His Majesty replies that in conformity with their request he will enforce the laws against Jesuits and members of Religious Orders ordained by the See of Rome, and further that he will give the strictest orders to all officers of the Crown to discover and imprison them and to leave them to the rigorous application of the law, with this reservation, however, that if after they are found guilty His Majesty thinks fit to delay the execution of the sentence against any of them he may do so, and banish them far from this to the Castle of Wisbeach, where they will be kept safely as prisons, and prevented from the exercise of their religious functions and from spreading their superstition and their dangerous doctrines, .and that those who harbour them may be left to the rigour of the laws.
2dly. As to the second head His Majesty concedes what is desired, and with this object will give orders to the Treasurer, Admiral, and Warden of the Cinque Ports, that each of them in the execution of their duties may diligently execute the terms of this article by giving strict and precise commands to their officers to be vigilant, it being His Majesty’s desire that all those officers should keep their eyes open and watch those Papists, who have habitations which are so placed that they may have ready opportunities both to transport and to receive by sea those specified under this head, which vigilance His Majesty will recognise as good service, as well as that of whomsoever may give information against any officer who has connived at any transgression of this article, so that he may be duly proceeded against.
3dly. On the third head His Majesty will give orders to prevent Papists approaching his Court, as well as for executing the rest of the article, and that the law may take its course, and all licences which are illegal may be revoked and annulled. -
4thly. With regard to this head His Majesty is well pleased to punish past and to prevent future abuses and frauds mentioned, declaring that it will be considered good service on the part of everyone, wrho may give information of any such abuses, either to himself, his Secretary of State, the Judges or other officers, of any means of discovering this mystery of iniquity, commanding every one of those officers to whom information may be given by no means to neglect acting upon it, but toHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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do their utmost to clear up the truth of the case by giving over into the hands of justice all delinquents that they may he duly punished, and H* to prevent any secret toleration which may be practised His Majesty will rigorously enforce the laws.
5tlily. On this head His Majesty is also satisfied to prohibit and restrain all Papists from frequenting the houses of Ambassadors, and will give orders to keep strict watch to arrest all those who may do so and to punish them accordingly.
6thly. With regard to the sixth head, His Majesty believes that it is already executed with due care, but, to escape all risk of oversight, His Majesty will give orders to the Lord Keeper to consult, in the course of the next term, all the Judges of the Kingdom so as to obtain information from them of the actual condition of things in the provinces, so that, should it be needful, reforms may be made. Orders also will be given to Admirals and other officers to make careful inquiry, amongst those in authority under them in His Majesty’s ships of war, to remedy any abuse should any such exist.
7thly. On this head His Majesty concedes all that is asked for.
London, 9th May 1628.
Parliament becoming daily warmer in its resolution to clear up the questions relating to its privileges before passing the Acts for granting supplies, His Majesty, to facilitate matters, determined to go on Monday last to the House to satisfy the Members and to try to induce them not to pursue farther the delicate subject of the nature of his Prerogatives. Having seated himself on the throne he made a declaration, through the Lord Privy Seal, that the privileges of Parliament continued in their pristine vigour, and he pledged his Poyal word that he would maintain them intact in future ; he therefore exhorted them to leave needless discussion, owing to the prejudice thereby caused to the national interests, and to give their exclusive attention to business, more particularly to the supplies which they had promised, so as to enable him to provide for the internal and external necessities of the kingdom without loss of time.
His Majesty believed that by these statements on bis part, and by the voluntary pledge of his Poyal word to maintain their privileges, he would anticipate the proposed declaration of Parliament, and that it would be satisfied to accept of his assurances without discussion. But there is as yet no appearance of the success which His Majesty anticipated; on the contrary, the Members are more than ever sullen and resolved to pass a special Act, to be confirmed by the King, so that should he insist on their acceptance of his pledge, instead of giving his formal consent to an Act of Parliament, he will only produce, if not a bad effect, certainly a great loss of time, seeing that the House is determined to consider no other business till this question is settled in a satisfactory manner.
The fleet with provisions and help for Kochelle sailed from Plymouth on Sunday last, and as the weather is fine it is calculated that by this time it must have arrive at its destination. There is an anxious wish for news; particularly whether it has been able to enter the harbour, as besides the necessary supplies it is provided with fire ships by the aid of which to force a passage.
The Earl of Carlisle is gone to Holland on his way to Lorraine, Savoy, and Venice, as Ambassador Extraordinary. It may he anticipated that the results of his embassy will be more showy than substantial.
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MSS. op H. D. Sprite, Esq.
The negotiations of the Dutch Ambassador for peace between the two crowns are making no progress whatever, they even seem to be farther off from this object. The belief apparently is that if succours are successfully thrown into Rochelle, of which no doubt is entertained, France being deprived of all hope of taking the town will desist from the enterprise, and will be disposed to give ear to proposals for an accommodation ; whilst the English, if successful, will be equally favourably inclined.
The war in Italy on the question of Mantua is favourably regarded here, and will be fomented as much as possible in the hope of thereby withdrawing the attention of the French from Rochelle, but on the other hand this may be an additional cause of rupture between the two crowns.
A great number of Dutch vessels, Hamburghers and others, passed the seaboard of England on their way to India and other parts of the world. Mistaken for French and Spanish ships the country flew to arms, but when it was ascertained that they were friends the order for the march of troops to various parts of the coast was countermanded.
London, 24th May 1628.
Parliament has done as yet no business of importance. It is spending its time in debates on the grave questions connected with the assertion of its rights and privileges, as well as those of the subjects of the realm, but it is making no progress towards the desired end because its claims are so wounding to the Royal prerogative.
The Members although anxious not to appear doubtful of the promise which His Majesty gave them to maintain their privileges, still persist in their desire to secure it in the form of a special Act of Parliament, assented to by His Majesty; whilst, on the other hand, the Ring is keenly sensible of their distrust and obstinacy and has sent various messages to induce them in a good-tempered manner to put an end to this grave question; but without producing any other effect than to confirm them in their resolution.
His Majesty has again addressed them—on this occasion by letter— to press upon their serious consideration the state of affairs in Europe, and of his own in particular, and the consequent necessity for prompt supplies ; calling upon them to think of this without farther loss of time, and that with regard to their privileges, he again desired to assure them that he would maintain them intact, especially the right on which they so strongly insisted that no subject should be imprisoned without, the assignment of the reason, except that he must reserve to himself and his Privy Council the right to do so in cases of emergency the nature of which coxtld not always be revealed for reasons of state.
The expression cases of emergency55 in no way pleases Parliament, it asks for a clear explanation of it, and what are the bounds of it. The King observing their stubbornness sent one of his Secretaries of State to insist that without farther delay the Members should grant the five subsidies, as that was the day on which His Majesty had said that he would prorogue Parliament, and that if they did not take advantage of it he would be under the necessity of having recourse to other means of attaining his object. What will be done after this very precise declaration of His Majesty we shall see to-day or to-morrow. Such is the heated state of feeling that some outburst must take place, probably followed by serious disorders. This peril is increased by the growing determination of the Members of Parliament not to fail in their objects. They maintain that no subjects can be imprisoned without an explana-HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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tion of the reasons of their imprisonment, so that without loss of time	0I.;
they may invoke the protection of the laws. Also that no Member can H. D. Serine, be burdened either in purse or person without the consent of Parliament.
Also that the provinces cannot be harrassed by illegally quartering troops on them ; and that when there is no war within the kingdom, military law cannot be tolerated. These questions may not be easily adjusted.
Notwithstanding all these difficulties it is hoped that when Parliament has seriously considered His Majesty’s necessity for immediate supplies it may for the time being put these questions on one side, and so far yield as to gratify His Majesty by providing the necessary funds, whilst he also will be ready to make the concessions which are demanded.
It is now seventeen days since the fleet sailed for Bochelle, but there is no news whether it has succeeded in its object, which is the cause of much anxiety owing to the earnest desire felt by all to relieve the inhabitants.
There arrived in this city on Monday evening a certain Signor Barozzi, secretary it is said of the Prince of Piedmont but sent by the Duke his father. He was presented yesterday to His Majesty by the Abbé Seaglia. We do not know as yet what is the object of his mission, but no doubt it has reference to the affairs of Montferrat. The disturbances in Italy will be promoted here to withdraw the attention of the French from Bochelle, and may also assist the schemes of the Dutch Ambassadors which are at present at a standstill. Notwithstanding that Parliament lias fixed the times for the payment of the five subsidies, that is two in the month of July, two in December, and the last in March 1629,—whilst the Catholics are to pay double the amount, being treated as aliens,—the Act has been read once only. Parliament hesitates to read it a second and third time so as to pass it in the usual manner, apparently thinking it essential not to do so till the question of privilege is settled.
London, 5th June 1628.
The two Houses of Parliament have at last agreed to unite in the Petition of Bights, setting forth the four heads of the immunities and privileges of the subject described in my last despatch and now to be presented to His Majesty for his Boyal Assent and approbation. The Upper House has prepared the way with a declaration, already presented to His Majesty, which maintains that there is no wish to throw obstacles in the just execution of, or to diminish, the Boyal Prerogative; but rather to aid and defend it in conformity with the oath taken by the peers at the coronation. This declaration has smoothed the path towards an accommodation, and has greatly gratified the King. He immediately admitted all the peers to his presence that he might thank them, whilst he gave them all his hand to kiss in token of his satisfaction. Seeing that this question of the liberty of the subject and the preservation of the Boyal Prerogative is settled, people live in hope that no new difficulties will arise, but that Parliament will immediately complete the grant of the five subsidies, and will then be prorogued to the satisfaction of the King and people ; a consideration of no little importance seeing how much doubt and apprehension has been prevalent. The fleet has not, succeeded in giving assistance to Bochelle; some attribute this to the incapacity of those in command, others to the impossibility of entering the harbour. The ships have returned, and the King is so greatly mortified and displeased that he has sent three gentlemen with his commands that it must again go to Bochelle and make152
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H ÎPIkrine ever7 eff°rt enter the harbour and to succour the inhabitants. There Esq. ' is a report that the place has capitulated to its King which although not yet substantiated still suggests very serious reflections un the subject of the injury done to the Protestant religion, and equally so on the important fact that the warlike enterprises of this people are not now attended by the success which formerly characterised them. The mission of Signor Barozzi to this Court, from the Duke of Savoy, has not done more than to explain to His Majesty the reasons wThich induced His Highuess to attack Monferrat, as well as for his alliance-with the Spaniards which he declares to be necessary and beneficial to the common interests and particularly so to those of His Majesty to which he professes himself devoted.
It is also understood that he will intervene diplomatically should there be any approach on this side to an agreement with France, so that the Duke of Savoy may not be left on one side but may still take an active, part i n terminating the war.
This appears to be reasonable and is in harmony with the diplomacy of the Abbé Scaglia.
There also arrived here three days ago a gentleman, sent by the Duke-of Lorraine, who has been with the King. There is a general belief that,, inasmuch as the Duke has been at Paris, His Serene Highness has sent this gentlemen to assise in negotiating terms of accommodation between the two crowns, at which the Dutch Ambassador still works with unflagging zeal.
Lord Carleton, Ambassador in Holland, is expected daily ; they say he is much dissatisfied, the cause of his dissatisfaction being a declaration made by the States against the retention last year of three ships with rich cargoes belonging to their East India Company which were taken in reprisal for certain English property seized by the Dutch in the East Indies.
The English Ambassador has protested, and the Dutch have retorted with another protest. This appears a more serious case than it really is, for it will be limited to the East Indies where the Dutch are much stronger than the English who are likely to have the worst of it.
The Dunkirkers make themselves bitterly felt, they have lately taken five English and three Dutch ships principally laden with materials for ship building. It is wished to find a remedy for tlieir insolence, but this; is as hopeless as it has proved to be to prevent the fall of Stade.
London, 14th June 162S.
The two Houses of Parliament having presented to the King their Petition of Bights received on Monday last this reply:—that His* Majesty desired that reason and justice should be done to every one, in conformity with the laws and customs of the realm, and that the statutes should be duly put in execution, so that no one might have reason to complain of wrong, or of oppression, or of any infringement of liberty, to the preservation of which, as well as that of his prerogative, His Majesty held himself to be conscientiously bound.
This reply has proved in no respect conformable to the wishes of Members of Parliament ; it appears to them too indefinite, and to have fallen short of the King’s promises ; hence, whilst the amicable settlement of everything was confidently hoped for from the reply now given by His Majesty, there is a renewal of jealous feeling. and an amount of disappointment which will not only lead to a refusal of supply but to other results of the most serious consequence. The Members during theHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION,
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last three or four days have been expressing themselves with great energy, H being determined to represent to the King, both orally and in writing, that the principal cause of existing internal and external disorders is the absence of wise administration. All enterprises have ended in disasters, there has been great loss of treasure, of officers and soldiers, of ships and sailors, and worst of all of the ancient good name of the nation.
Parliament is now consulting and is desirous of coming to a resolution if not prevented doing so by another message from the King. When His Majesty heard of the dissatisfaction caused by his reply to the petition, and of the intention to remonstrate on the present condition of affairs, he sent to say that his reply to the petition had been ample and that he would not withdraw it, therefore the Commons should give their attention exclusively to business, without entering upon new questions, as His Majesty meant to prorogue Parliament on the 21st of the present month.
What may be the result of this very decided communication will soon be seen, but from the temper of the M embers it may be doubted whether it will produce a beneficial effect; still, I think that in the present conjuncture of affairs, with the interest of the Kingdom and of its allies at stake, necessity will compel the King and his subjects to come to an understanding. The fleet is in Portsmouth harbour for the repair of the ships, and to take on board more provisions; some of them on their return from Rochelle fell into the hands of the Dunkirkers, whilst most of the others have suffered serious damage. It has therefore been determined to increase the number, and to send the fleet back to Rochelle to provision that place, and Monsieur de Soubise is to accompany the expedition, as he maintains that the harbour is not sealed upj but that with a high tide and a determined effort it may be forced. Others are of opinion that both time and money will be thrown away. Signor Barozzi, who was sent to this Court by the Duke of Savoy, is now gone, without having done more than deliver his message which I have described, and the gentleman from Lorraine is also about to leave, having done as little ; everything in fact depends on the issue of events at Rochelle. The two Danish Ambassadors who some months ago went from this Court to that of His Most Christian Majesty have again returned here to take up the thread of the negotiations for promoting peace between the two crowns, as well as to obtain assistance for their King; a matter of serious importance, but which at the present moment they will find it very difficult to bring to a successful issue.
The report that the Earl of Carlisle has been at Brussels, and has been received in audience by the Serene Infanta, has revived the feeling here, which previously existed, that possibly there may be an opening for peace on that side, which might be even more welcome than with France. In whatever way affairs may be adjusted, provided it can be done with credit, there would be a disposition here to make peace with both powers.
The House of Commons received on Thursday morning another message from His Majesty requiring and commanding it to abstain from debating questions calculated to discredit His Majesty’s Government and Ministers, and calling upon the Members to limit themselves to the completion of business in hand, for the time was short and the King was resolved to prorogue Parliament on the day which he had fixed. This message produced so much excitement that the Members were unable to contain themselves, and there was an outburst of their long suppressed wrath against the Duke of Buckingham, naming him unanimously as the originator and leading cause of these discords. They
MSS. or D. Skrine, Esq.IU
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M, pfsiotiirB would have proceeded still farther but for a second message from His £sq- * Majesty, expressed in more conciliatory terms, explaining that he had no intention of prejudicing their privileges, and assuring them that he was satisfied to leave them to debate whatever they thought necessary provided that they did not attack his government. This message so far pacified the Members of the House of Commons that they did not pursue farther their attack upon the Duke, but resumed the thread of their business, particularly that of a Demonstrance to be laid before the King, on the existing state of internal and external affairs and praying for a remedy, expressed in such respectful terms that His Majesty cannot do less than listen to them favourably. After this tempest it is hoped that a calm may follow, and that finally the questions at issue may be settled to the general satisfaction without further encounters of hidden rocks and quicksands.
The Duke addressed the House of Lords with reference to the injurious remarks made against him in the other House, and offered to justify himself whenever his accusers, leaving the domain of mere generalities, brought forward their statements in detail. It is thought that on this occasion the House of Commons has not made much by its attack upon the Duke.
London, 19th June 1628.
The unusual delay of the Antwerp courier has given me an opportunity of now adding to my last that both Houses of Parliament have agreed to present a Remonstrance to His Majesty, as well as another brief address drawing attention to the Petition of Eights inasmuch as a good understanding between the King and his people depends upon the reply. They therefore again humbly pray that His Majesty may be pleased to give them a distinct assurance from the throne. His Majesty, desirous of satisfying them, went that same afternoon to the House of Peers and seated on the throne received the second petition, and immediately said in few words that as they were not satisfied with his first answer, which he had given them by the advice and consent of the Privy Council, he had come there in conformity with their wishes, and he desired that the Petition of Eights might then be read which was done at once by the Secretary of Parliament. Thereon a reply was read by the Secretary of State in the following words ££ Let it be exactly done as is desired’5 after which His Majesty added with his own mouth that having done his part it rested with them to do theirs for if this Parliament had no fortunate issue the fault would be theirs.
This sudden resolution on the part of the King to please his subjects was entirely unexpected, and has caused the greatest joy and contentment to the people in general who show their feelings by extraordinary demonstrations, and by the ringing of bells, and by fireworks in every part of the city.
London, 26th June 1628.
After his Majesty had entirely satisfied both Houses of Parliament on the subject of their liberties and privileges,-in conformity with their Petition of Eights, the House of Commons at once proceeded to grant the five subsidies and sent the Act to the Upper House for confirmation. This being done the consideration of the Eemonstrance on the state of the kingdom was resumed. As it was already far advanced it was made ready for presentation next day. It has been reduced to nine heads, the first expressing the fears entertained of innovations in religion, the second of innovations in government, the third dwelt uponHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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the bad success attendant on the national enterprises, the fourth on	ivrss. or
the decline of strength of the kingdom, the fifth on the want of military	D..skkine,
stores, the sixth on the decay of trade, the seventh on the want of ships	-—*
and mariners, the eighth on the had guardianship at sea, and the ninth on the excessive authority of the Duke of Buckingham and its abuse as the chief cause of the evils fallen on the King and kingdom, and consequently that it ought to be considered by His Majesty whether he ought to be so near the Royal person and a member of his Council.
On each of these heads ample and clear explanations are given. Sanguine expectations have been formed of the results to be expected from this urgent remonstrance. It is generally felt, however, that after his Majesty has received it, and has said that he will consider it, he will consent to nothing prejudicial to the Duke of Buckingham, His Majesty being exceedingly displeased that after he had advised the House not to refer to the Duke, he has been named with so little courtesy and respect.
Thus to the general regret of Members of Parliament the Duke will retain his position, and Parliament will be prorogued so soon as the House of Lords has passed the supplies, which will be in the course of this week. His Majesty detains one of his Secretaries of State at Portsmouth to hasten the expedition for the relief of Rochelle, to which twenty more ships will be added, as it is determined to make every effort or at all events to show the world that everything has been done that could be done. Notwithstanding this zeal few believe that the ships will be ready to sail in good time.
The Danish Ambassadors have had an audience of His Majesty, a mere formality for they are unable to report that any advance has been made towards an accommodation between the two crowns; so, leaving that subject on one side for the present, they devote themselves to procuring pecuniary assistance which is very needful at this . time.
Colonel Morgan, who has lately arrived from Stade, bas remonstrated in strong terms on the necessity of sending assistance to the King.
The ‘Venetian. Ambassador now goes to Court as usual, having been conducted there on the first occasion in one of the Royal carriages, attended by the Earl of Exeter, a Member of the Privy Council. His Excellency was received by the King in public audience with the greatest affability, and two days after had a private audience so that the negotiation regarding the retention and opening of the letters has been finally and peacefully settled.
London, 1st July 1628.
On Tuesday last the House of Lords passed the Bill granting the five subsidies, so that the King may receive payment on the dates fixed by Parliament. On the same day His Majesty received and heard the Remonstance prepared by the Housp of Commons, containing the nine heads which I specified in my letter of the 26th of June, with the addition however of long paragraphs directed against the Catholics, against the Countess of Buckingham, mother of the Duke, who is mentioned as a Papist and protector of Papists, against the Bishops of Winchester and Bath, accusing them of being Armenians, and finally against the Duke of Buckingham as the chief cause of all the evils of the state. The Kings answer was brief and pungent, be said that having a short time previously conceded all that bad been asked on the subject of privilege he never expected that the Members, not satisfied by so much grace on his part, would have thus proceeded to intermeddle in questions of religion and state, which they156
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H iPIkriite ^ no^ un^ersianc^»	^een otherwise, he would have taken their
Esq. ’ Remonstrance into consideration, and if necessary would have given an answer in conformity with their merits.
This reply has so offended the Members of Parliament that had the supplies not been voted it may well be doubted whether they would have been granted whatever the consequences. His Majesty is, however, free from this danger, and in a few days he will terminate this Session, without giving a further reply, unless before the Members return to their homes he may wish somewhat to smooth matters, so that if he should again call them together towards the end of the year they may not be in the temper in which they now are. Every effort is made to despatch the expedition to Rochelle, but maritime preparations are far more tedious than those connected with land service so that it is still doubtful if the ships will be ready so quickly as the Agents for Rochelle desire.
Colonel Morgan is to be despatched with troops collected from the provinces, His Majesty having promised to free them of the presence of soldiers so soon as he had money with which to pay them. It is thought strange that the Earl of Carlisle when in Brussels was lodged and provided for by the Archbishop and was admitted to two audiences. The King to shut the mouths of those who murmur expresses his disapprobation, and says absolutely that he gave no such commission but that the Ambassador had merely complied with the courteous invitation of the Infanta and had excused himself saying that he could not do less than accept the compliment.
The opinions regarding this affair vary with the tendencies of the speakers, most think that an accommodation would be acceptable to the Court and merchants but in no way whatsoever to the Puritans.
On Saturday last in a violent tumult of the populace an Englishman known as Doctor Lambe was assailed whilst going about his own affairs in the streets of the city. He was abused and vituperated by the mob as a magician and sorcerer in the service of the Duke of Buckingham, and they murdered the object of their fury with sticks and stones; it being shown by their ontcries what they would have done to the Duke had he fallen into their hands, when they could thus assassinate a man whose only fault it was that he was in the Duke’s service.
London, 12th July 1628.
The Queen has urged the King not to assent to the Act which Parliament had passed against the Roman Catholics. It will in my opinion, as well as in that of others of the same faith, be a breach of the concessions formerly made in their favour.# By their request I have made a representation, and the Venetian Ambassador has also had an audience of His Majesty with a similar object, and some good has been done. The visit of the Ambassador Lord Carlisle, to Flanders, and his interview with the Archduchess which it is said took place without instructions, has been of a mysterious nature. Of an equally mysterious character is that which is to he made to Spain by Mr. Endymion Porter, a gentleman of the King’s Chamber and formerly a page of Count Olivarez, who is to be sent in the first place to Italy as a purchaser of pictures for His Majesty.
The disposition to make peace with Spain is at the present time very apparent. All that is wanted to bring it about is a mediator.
* This letter is in cipher and somewhat obscure, a translation appended to it is imperfect.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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The close of Parliament has been dark and stormy, and consequently H Ml the breach between the King and his people is now wider than it has * eSq. ever been before.	—
London, 12th July 1628.
His Majesty having maturely considered the Remonstrance of the House of Commons, and finding it arrogant and very little to his taste, not only would not give any further reply, but, by dismissing the Members to their homes on Thursday last, the 6th inst., he evidently desired to prevent the presentation of another Remonstrance, on the question of dissolution, which was in preparation. His Majesty also stated verbally, that whilst he would maintain the privileges of the Members, in agreement with his answer to their Petition of Rights, he would of his own Prerogative and authority appropriate the receipts of the Custom-house 'without the consent of Parliament, in as much as former Parliaments had always granted these payments to provide for the defence of the high seas whilst this one had refused to do so. This has been a bitter dose to Parliament, as it will probably show if his Majesty summons it again on the 30th of October next the day to which it was adjourned by the King. But His Majesty may by Proclamation adjourn it again till February, or even to a later date, according to what may seem necessary or advisable.
The Acts which His Majesty has assented to this session have been for the most part of a private character, and few have been public. Of these there are two against the Catholics ; one of which is a breach of all the treaties made in their favour for the last sixty years, regarding compositions made with the Crown and other usages involving the temporary or apparent transfer of their property to Protestant friends or relatives to escape the action of the law and the loss of all that they possessed. The other Act declared that whoever sent his children abroad for education in the Catholic faith should not only lose all his property but should be subject to imprisonment for life.
His Majesty refused to assent to the first Act, as it interfered with his prerogative, but assented to the second as of minor importance.
Now that the sittings of Parliament are at an end for some time, and the Members sent to their homes, His Majesty will be chiefly occupied with the payments of the first two subsidies, which must be paid without opposition ; although very unwillingly so by the Puritans, whilst by the terms of the Act the Catholics are to pay twice as much as the Protestants.
The fleet for the assistance of Rochelle has not yet sailed, for several warlike engines are in preparation as well as ten ships with light draught of water, which are to contain these machines and are to be armed with artillery.
The Duke of Buckingham says that he will command the expedition in person, hut, as it will be a very dangerous one, he is advised by his friends to stay at home.
The Danish Ambassadors are assured that assistance will be given to their King when the subsidies are paid.
Mr. Endymion Porter is gone to Genoa where he will embark for Spain to treat with Olivarez in the hope of bringing about an accommodation. Peace with Spain is much desired at the present time, and it is believed that Savoy is giving its assistance. Porter will be accompanied by an Irish Dominican Friar who lately came from Spain with a statement of the inclination of the Count Olivarez to make peace with England. Probably Porter will send this Friar to Spain before him to prepare the way and to inform the Count Olivarez of the nature of his158
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H iPserine Emission, and to obtain His Excellency’s approbation of bis visit to Spain; Esq.	' as be is provided with instructions to open up tbe question of peace, to
— suggest tbe appoint of Commissioners, and to ask that a place of meeting may be named.
In tbe meanwhile till tbe Friar has bad time Porter will visit tbe Italian Courts.
If tbe Spaniards are disposed to listen to these preliminaries they will find this country very willing to enter into negotiations, and especially tbe Duke of Buckingham, for tbe promotion of his own interests; for be now well knows by experience bow necessary* it is that amidst so many wars tbe King should have tbe help of bis people, whilst they are so opposed to the Duke that be is in danger of falling from power.
London, 25th July 1628.
Since tbe prorogation of Parliament to tbe SOth of October next, nothing is attended to, except to gather in tbe sum of four hundred thousand crowns, which is about the amount of the first two subsidies, so as to expedite various matters and especially tbe assistance to be given to Rochelle; with which object, as I explained last week, they are now preparing fireships with stones and engines on board which are intended to force the entrance of the harbour. Every effort is made to get the fleet ready for its departure, but it is doubtful whether it will be so for a fortnight yet.
The King intends to go to Portsmouth where the mass of this naval force, which is so much more powerful than the last, now is, and he will not leave that place till it sails.
The Duke of Buckingham says that he will take the command ; but, all his friends and relatives do all that they can to turn him from this idea, the enterprise being of so dangerous a nature. It is hoped that he will be guided by their advice unless as is suggested by some he means to effect a diversion by attacking some other place.
When his Majesty returns from Portsmouth it is said that he will go to Scotland to be crowned; and to keep his promise of visiting that part of his Dominions; but there is no certainty of this, nor does the time seem to be suitable in the present position of affairs.
The Queen is preparing to go to Wellingborough to take the waters there as she did last year.
To the King of Denmark no supply of money has yet been remitted although it is constantly spoken of. In the meanwhile funds have been sent to Holland to pay those two or three thousand English troops which Colonel Morgan led from Stade, who with their colonel and some reinforcements perhaps may be again forwarded to the same parts.
The Ambassador of Savoy is preparing to leave next week by way of Flanders, but if he goes in the first place, as he says he will, to see*the King at Portsmouth he will greatly delay his departure.
The Duke of Buckingham has resigned one of his offices, that of Warden of the Cinque Ports. It is a charge of much importance and His Majesty has bestowed it upon the Earl of Suffolk, a confidential friend of the Duke of Buckingham.
The Earl of Melbourne (Marlborough ?) has resigned his office of Lord Treasurer, receiving in compensation fifty thousand crowns ; and the office has been at once bestowed on Lord Weston, a worthy man, also an intimate friend of the Duke.
The Earl of Dorset has been appointed to the office of Lord Chamber-lain to the Queen, which at one time was held by the Comte de TillieresHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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before the expulsion of the French, after which Lord Goring was made V ice-Chamberlain.
In compliance with the representations of the Dutch Ambassador, His Majesty has consented to set free those ships which many months ago were seized at Portsmouth with rich cargoes on board when on their way from the East Indies. It has been made a condition that Holland shall send Commissioners here, empowered to give satisfaction for the numerous injuries inflicted upon English merchants in India.
Mr. Endymion Porter will go next week to Flanders, and afterwards to Spain, but it is uncertain whether he will take Italy on his way. It is enough to know that he is to endeavour to open negotiations for peace with Spain, towards which object the Spanish Secretary of State has oeen working. Peace is much desired here and this is made known to the Spaniards. There are some who maintain that England and Savoy do all this with no other object than to arouse the apprehensions of the French.
London, 5th August 1628.
On Monday His Majesty proceeded to Portsmouth and the Duke of Buckingham is to follow him to-day. His Excellency having remained here for a short time for the discharge of public and private business. It appears that he is determined to take the command of the naval expedition and to do all that he can to assist Bochelle ; but, as I have already hinted, it is thought that there is some other design afoot, and this is the more readily believed because there is news from Calais of great preparations for defence along the French coast.
The day before the departure of the King the following- Members attended a meeting of the Privy Council. The Earl of Lindsey Lord High Chamberlain, the Earl of Denbigh, Viscount Wilmot, Lord Newburgh Chancellor of the Exchequer, and I know not how many more Irish Viscounts and English Lords. The day was happily ended by the restoration to His Majesty’s favour of the Earl of Arundel, the Countess, and their son. This took place at the residence of the Duke of Buckingham who presented the Earl to the King who received him most graciously and twice gave him his hand to kiss. The Earl and his family have been in disgrace for two years; now he may go with them where he pleases, may attend Court on the King’s return to London, and will resume his seat at the Privy Council.
The proposed visit of His Majesty to Scotland will not be made till next month, and even then may come to nothing. If it does take place then, to save time His Majesty will travel post.
The Ambassador of Savoy is booted and spurred ready for his journey, and Mr. Endymion Porter will go with him as far as Brussels, and, after they have stayed there a short time, perhaps to Italy. The Venetian Ambassador had an audience with His Majesty on Sunday at which he made an urgent complaint, on the part of the Bepublic, of a certain Digby, who, provided with letters of reprisal by the English Admiralty against the Erench and Spaniards, entered the Adriatic and insisted on visiting all the vessels which navigate that sea, had landed by force at Zante spite of the representations of the officers of health, had attacked Venetian vessels and others even within their harbours, and had committed an infinity of insolent acts which were described to the King by the Ambassador. His Majesty requested that these complaints should be put in writing and given to his principal Secretary of State that they may be answered.
His Majesty has presented the Ambassador of Savoy with a cross of diamonds of the value of six or seven thousand ducats. A noble and
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H. i)S!kRiNE extraordinary present ; but the intimate relations with the Duke of Esq, ’ Savoy, whether they be real or only ceremonious, are at all events such 7 that on this occasion more has been done than is usual.
Yarious English Noblemen have been appointed to high offices in the Court of the Queen.
London, 19th August 1628.
His Majesty has been hunting in the New Forest, not far from the harbour of Portsmouth where the greater part of the fleet is assembled, but the Duke of Buckingham who is to command it has not yet left London, being detained by business; after which he will hasten to join the King who has pressed him to come and embark.
The fleet consists of one hundred and fifty ships, between large and small ones, with eight thousand mariners and four thousand troops. It is provided with fireships and engines to remove obstacles to entering the harbour of Rochelle.
By some it is questioned whether after all this attempt will be made, for it is asserted that it is impossible to force the way and that some other enterprise is intended to create a diversion in favour of Rochelle* However this may be, slow progress is made in the preparation of the fleet ; everyday discoveries are made of new wants, and spite of every effort a fortnight may still elapse before it is ready.
The Ambassador of Savoy still loiters. He is probably waiting for despatches, from Italy and from Brussels, relating to the object of his journey and to the .mission of Mr. Porter which it is pretended is to purchase pictures for the King.
A Proclamation has appeared, which commands all the authorities in the Kingdom to put in force the laws against the unhappy Homan Catholics, particularly Jesuits and members of other religious bodies. This is manifestly a sign that in case His Majesty has occasion to summon Parliament he wishes to conciliate the Members by thus gratifying their strongest prejudices.
The Yenetian Ambassador is about to send his Secretary to France, with what object is not yet known.
A dispatch from the Earl of Carlisle has arrived from Turin in nine days and was immediately sent to the King. It is believed that it includes the letters to the Ambassador of Savoy with the reply which he was waiting for the absence of which delayed the departure of His Excellency and that of Mr. Porter.
London, 21st August 1628.
The Secretary of the Yenetian Ambassador is about to depart for France to visit the camp of the Most Christian King; he will probably be the carrier of this letter as far as Calais. The cause of this very sudden mission has been the receipt by the Yenetian Ambassador of a despatch from his colleague in France containing a proposal for new terms of accommodation between these two crowns before the English can have time to put to the proof whether they can or cannot succour Hochelle.
The proposed terms have been favourably received on this side, particularly by the Duke of Buckingham, and a ready consent has been given to the Ambassador to send his Secretary with a statement which, so far as I can conjecture, is to this effect: that they are prepared to enter into an agreement provided that Rochelle does not fall under the absolute power of His Most Christian Majesty.
Nevertheless, as the time is short, they will dispatch the fleet to Rochelle, and, on its arrival, if Buckingham, who is invested with ampleHISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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authority to hear or to propose terms or to conclude an accommodation, ^s|- op is able to do so with due regard to the honour and reputation of the	* Esof1^
King and the safety of Kochelle, all will then have been done, or at all — events tried, which the Ambassadors of Holland and Denmark were authorized to do. These Ambassadors have kept the negotiations open for a long time, and at the present moment are acting with even increased zeal; probably, because they have perceived in the French some appearance of an inclination to make peace; consequently, acting in concert with Venice, they have also sent messengers to France.
The mission to Spain by way of Italy and Genoa is I believe changed thus far, that Sir Francis Cottington, who has been much in Spain and was a confidential agent of King James, will now take the place of Mr. Endymion Porter. I think, however, if the plan of Venice, Holland, and Denmark, for making peace between France and England succeeds, that there will he found those who will prevent any accommodation with Spain. Buckingham will lend a willing ear especially if the Earl of Carlisle, now in Savoy, can induce that Court to join with France and to fall upon Spain. Such ideas are entertained by Buckingham and others* but they are subject to variation from day to clay. It is impossible to convey any news which can be absolutely depended upon.
That which is agitated one week may be cast aside next week; nothing is certain. In conclusion there is a tendency to negotiate with all. kings sword in hand, whilst the disposition really is to make peace on any terms. With regard to the affairs of Italy it is necessary that she should he on her guard.
The Ambassador of Savoy will embark to day at Gravesend for Holland whence he will go to Brussels.
London, 25th August 1628.
The Duke of Buckingham left this city on Tuesday last for Portsmouth, to make every effort to put to sea at once ; but I do not believe that he will he able to do so sooner than the time which I have already mentioned.
The Ambassador of Savoy sailed on Monday for Holland whence lie will proceed to Brussels to resume his negotiations in person. Mr. Endymion Porter has accompanied him. He is to cross the sea and to go so far on his projected journey to save his feelings, his appointment being well known ; but substantially the management of the negotiations will be in other hands as I stated in my last inclosure.
The Venetian Ambassador has not yet sent his Secretary to the French Gamp. I hear that he is waiting for a more favourable reply than that which has been given him. If that reply does not anticipate the sailing of the fleet it will be useless ; and the same fate will attend the negotiations of the Dutch Ambassador, however zealously they may be prosecuted.
Colonel Morgan will be sent to the aid of Denmark with some few English troops, but as the cost of the fleet has somewhat exhausted the exchequer his expedition must be delayed.
The Queen is still at Wellingborough but more on account of her taste for the country, and because the dances of the peasantry amuse her, than for her bodily benefit from the waters which are so diluted by the rain that at the present time they are of little service.-
Warden, Bedfordshire, oth September 628. Immediately after my arrival at this place, the news reached me of the tragical end of the Duke of Buckingham at Portsmouth. The U 23533.	l162
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H. d.Skeixe, author of it is in the position of a gentleman, and it is said that the cause *Esq. * of his act was that the Duke refused to give him the Company of "”r~ Infantry which he maintained was his by right when his Captain died.
He avenged himself by a stab with a knife which killed the Duke before he had time to say a word.
The news of this fatal blow has spread rapidly over the whole kingdom; and, if I may express myself frankly, the appearances of satisfaction are almost universal. His Majesty more than any one is touched to the quick by this assassination, he feels it so much that they say that he is both profoundly afflicted and incensed.
The Duke’s relatives and dependents are those who will be most affected by this loss. As to others, they rejoice in the prospect of dividing the spoils and the offices which he held in the government. All the principal Members of the Privy Council went immediately to His Majesty to offer their services, and as all the active management of the government was in the hands of the Duke it will require sometime to make the arrangements which may be rendered necessary by a possible change of policy in home and foreign affairs.
It is only too evident that the people are gratified by the death of the Duke, and they seem to think that they have gained by the act of his slayer that deliverance which Parliament never could obtain. The murderer is named Pel ton. He is a prisoner and will be strictly examined to discover if he has accomplices, after which in conformity with the laws he must die.
With regard to the numerous offices held by the Duke they will be distributed when His Majesty returns to London. The Queen will join him having left Wellingborough.
Such is the intelligence which I have been able to obtain at a hundred miles distance from Portsmouth and the Court. I have written to a friend in London to forward direct to Florence any further intelligence of importance. I hope to be in London in a fortnight and to resume my correspondence.
The death of the Duke took place on Saturday the 2nd of this month. The Puritans now will gain ail that they desire, the Catholics will be losers. As to the transactions with Spain promoted by the Duke they will be overset for the Puritans are hostile and rather lean to peace with France.
It is said that the King is attacked by smallpox.
London, 16th September 1628.#
The Venetian Ambassador on the 10th inst. having received a courier from his colleague at the French Court, who is at the camp before Rochelle, immediately went to Court and has not yet returned. The Secretaiy who brought the despatches says that but for the death of the Duke of Buckingham everything would have been settled with France, inasmuch as His Most Christian Majesty had agreed to the proposals of the Duke. The despatch (written before the Duke’s death was known) invites him to visit France as Ambassador when everything would be arranged. The Secretary further informed me that if the expedition had not sailed, neither would it sail; but, however that might be, the Ambassador is authorised to arrange matters with the King, and peace will be made, and- Rochelle left to its King. He also told me
* This singular letter, in very indifferent Italian, is written by the President Salvetti’s correspondent; it is of no value except where it states that the Lord Treasurer Weston was a friend of Salvettfs, an important consideration when connected with its influence on the despatches.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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that the leader of the expedition had orders to ascertain what the French had to say, and to do whatever he can for peace without sue- H. couring Rochelle. It is not however believed that the fleet can have arrived there.
Cottington is not going to Spain, Endymion Porter has made secret negotiations with Her Serene Highness the Infanta at Brussels and is gone to Lorraine.
The Treasurer Weston a particular friend of Salvettfs is now at the head of affairs.
Lord Carlisle is recalled. Felton is in the tower, as also one Savage who says that Felton offered him money to murder the Duke.
Their Majesties will be here in ten days. Orders have been given to bury the body of the Duke on the 29th of this month without any pomp.
London, 16th September 1628.
On the 23rd of August (Stile Anglio) an English soldier, Felton by name, killed the Duke of Buckingham at Portsmouth, with a knife, whilst he was conversing with some officers in an antechamber where there were upwards of eighty persons. The blow was given so suddenly that it was not actually seen by any one. The Duke was beard to exclaim, “ Yile animal, you have killed me,” and with his own hand he drew the knife from the wound; then, stepping back as if to draw his sword, he fell to the ground and blood flowed from his mouth and nostrils. In seven or eight minutes he expired without uttering a word.
On the fall of the Duke many of those present drew their swords and turned towards Monsieur de Soubise who was in the anteroom, and who ran a special risk of being killed from the circumstance that several took it into their heads that he had struck the blow inasmuch as about an hour previously some warm words had passed between him and the Duke in public. The actual murderer, seeing that the crowd threw itself upon Soubise, called out, <e the Duke is dead, and it was 1 “ who killed him.55 One of those standing by with his sworn drawn, made a lounge at him. This Felton parried, and throwing down his sword said, u do what you like with me.55 He was made prisoner, and being questioned he said that he had struck the blow and that he had intended to do so for some days. Being asked if he was sorry for what he had done said “ No,55 and that if it were still to do, he would do it, having no fear except of the displeasure of G-od.
On the 4th. of September he was brought to London and committed to the Tower. It is said that he will be tortured to discover if he has accomplices, and then he will be put to death.
The body of the Duke was brought here, and from a distance of three miles from London it was accompanied by eighty carriages and about two hundred torch bearers.
His Majesty has ordered the Privy Council to provide whatever is required for a solemn funeral ceremony, but as there is no money to spare it is doubtful whether any splendour is possible.
The Courts of the King and Queen have put on mourning. His Majesty is deeply grieved; he remained for two days shut up in his apartment and gave no audience to anyone. He sent a message of condolence to the Duchess and informed her that he would extend the protection of a husband and father to her and to her children. These are a girl and a boy.
No one of the offices held by the late Duke has yet been filled up except that of Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy. The fleet, consisting of eighty-six sail, departed yesterday the 5th of September.
l 2
MSS. of D. Skeine, Esq.164
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H iPixaixE The General is Lord Willoughby, the Lieutenant Lord Morton, and the Esq. ' third in command is Lord Mountjoy who commanded the Cavalry in the — Isle of Rhe.
It is held that without fail the fleet will succour Rochelle inasmuch as it has been stated that a tempestuous sea has removed all the defences made by order of His Most Christian Majesty, and it is also said that His Majesty has left the camp of the besiegers.
The Earl of Holland has been appointed Master of the Horse for six months, and it is believed that he will be succeeded by the Marquis of Hamilton, a Scottish Hobleman, provided that he marries the widow of the Duke of Buckingham.^
The Courts of the King and Queen ought to arrive in London in a week. Then it will be seen how the different offices will be distributed, and what will be the inclinations of His Majesty.
The Danish, Dutch, and Venetian, Ambassadors have returned after an absence of sixteen days with the Court. So far as it is possible to form an opinion they have not been able to do anything, and the journey which the Venetian Secretary was to make to France has been countermanded. in like manner Sir Francis Cottington is not to go to Spain.
The English hold that, if they can succour Rochelle, His Most Christian Majesty will be compelled to make peace with the Huguenots, and with England, and to turn his attention to the affairs of Mantua in Italy.
London, 20th October 1628.
It is now nearly a month since the fleet sailed from Portsmouth and no intelligence whatever has been heard of it, except that it had anchored in front of Rochelle to wait for the high tide at the time of full moon on Friday last to enable it to enter the harbour.
All people are anxiously desirous to learn what the Earl of Lindsey,f who is in command of the expedition, has been able to do in favour of the Rochellese, either by arms or by negotiations. He has sufficient powers for either alternative, although it is generally believed that he will have recourse to the first, it being held that the defences are in reality much weaker than the French describe them to be.
If the Duke had not so unhappily fallen, I believe that peace would have been made without recourse to arms, seeing that the good offices of the Ambassadors of Venice, of Denmark, and of Holland, had so far arranged matters that the Duke, invited by the French to do so, would have landed from the fleet and as Ambassador would have adjusted everything. His death has made a change of scene, insomuch that the same absolute authority has not been given to the General who is now in command.
There remains, however, I do not know exactly what remnant of the transactions of the Venetian Ambassador conducted with the King’s consent; he may endeavour to come to an arrangement, whatever the success of His Majesty’s arms, but I think that no resolution can in reality be adopted till the result of the expedition is ascertained. I would add for the information of your Serene Highness that the Rochel-lese do not lament the death of the Duke of Buckingham whom they suspected of having deserted their cause. This has also been the belief of Monsieur de Soubise.
I have already described in two letters to your Serene Highness the manner of the death of the Duke of Buckingham. I have now to add
* He was already married to the late Duke’s niece, f Lord Willoughby created Earl of Lindsey.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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that a few days ago he was interred in Westminster Abbey, without pomp H of any kind in order to escape any demonstration of public fury.
John Felton who killed him with a single blow of a knife was imprisoned in the Tower and has been rigorously examined without ascertaining that he had accomplices. He says “ that he did it moved by zeal, and by reading the Remonstrance presented to the King by Parliament in which he was denounced as the causa causarum of the national ills. He must pay for what he has done with his life, but he knows how to die and that he will soon be forgotten/’
The King was greatly grieved by the death of the Duke, and the Queen expressed her participation in his sorrow and did all in her power to comfort and console him. Her Majesty went personally to visit and condole the Duke’s relations, an act upon her part which has greatly gratified the King by whom she is more than ever beloved ; and, were she not so youthful, and so carried away by her companionships, it would be an easy matter for her to make the King do whatever she pleased, so much is he attached to her.
Their Majesties are at Hampton Court and in excellent health and are enjoying the pleasures of the chase.
Ttie offices of the late Duke have not yet been distributed, several of them have been put into commission. The Privy Council now manages everything, and of this Council Lord Treasurer Weston, the Earl of Pembroke, and Lord Carlington, have the ear of the King in all matters of importance.
Parliament ought to have met on the 30th of this month, but it has been prorogued by His Majesty to the 30th . of January next as it is wished to see what may be the result of the expedition to Rochelle, and of the negotiations of the Venetian Ambassadors as well as of those of Mr. Endymion Porter who went first to Brussels where he had an interview with the Archduchess. Her Serene Highness provided him with a Spaniard who, as her Secretary, protected him during his journey by post through France. He had shaved off his beard so as not to be known. His object is to ascertain if there are such favourable dispositions that a person of more importance might be sent, probably Sir Francis Cottington, to come to an understanding with those who govern and with the merchants also.
A gentleman sent by the Duke of Lorraine has been here lately ; what his object may have been is not known except that he inquired for the health of His Majesty who was reported to have the smallpox. It is thought that his real object has been to observe what changes have taken place in the government of the country, in consequence of the death of the Duke of Buckingham, and in the relations between it and His Serene Highness.
A monk has been condemned by the Judges to be hanged and quartered in Lancashire. This is the first whom they have executed for a long time, and it is said that His Majesty does not approve of the conduct of the Judges in this case.
The Earl of Carlisle, His Majesty’s Ambassador in Italy, has been recalled ; and I believe that the death of the Duke must have made Mm wish more than once that he was in this country, as in the present conjuncture of affairs his absence must be hurtful to his personal interests.
The English Ambassador at Venice has written that differences have sprung up between the Pope and your Serene Highness with reference to the affairs of the State of Urbino and that the Emperor has assisted you with promises and otherwise. In consequence of this intelligence I have been questioned by several persons of this Court.
MSS. or D. Skrine, Esq.166
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MSS. op H. D. Skkine, Esq.
London, 24th October 1628.
The fact that the Court is in the country, occupied with the pleasures of the chase, leaves me this week without English news of any kind ; whilst we are deprived of foreign intelligence, and we clo not know whether the fleet has been able to assist the Bochellese, considered here a matter of the first importance by reason of the consequences which the success of the attempt may produce on the policy of this country, both in relation to internal and foreign affairs as well as on the negotiations now on the tapis for the adjustment of relations with France.
There is naturally great impatience that for forty days no news has been received whether the powerful fleet has performed the object with which it was sent or has not done so. v
Colonel Morgan, who fought in aid of Denmark and who Anally yielded Stade to the Imperialists, will again be sent to these parts with two thousand English troops that he may throw himself into G-luckstadt for the defence of that place ; but he is not to go immediately as he must wait for soldiers who are at present with the fleet.
It appears that there has been some attempt at commotion in Ireland, the Yiceroy having imprisoned a number of Irishmen accused by him of maintaining intelligence with the Spaniards. His Majesty without loss of time has sent a commission to the Irish Chancellor and others to inquire into the truth, and a message to the Yiceroy to suspend the action of the law, and not to meddle farther, quite as if His Majesty privately believed that, seeing the small regard which the Yiceroy has for the Irish, his conduct towards them calls for explanation. Felton, who killed the Duke of Buckingham, has not yet been sentenced, from a desire to ascertain, before he is put to death, whether he had any accomplices*
Postscript of the 25th October 1628.
Last night the Yenetian Ambassador received an express courier from the French camp before Bochelle bringing despatches from his colleague. The courier has been only five days on his journey. The Ambassador went to Hampton Court this morning to see the King to give him the intelligence which he had received and a statement of the progress of the negotiations of his colleague in favour of an accommodation with His Mos£ Christian Majesty.
Mr. Walter Montagu also appeared this morning, having come by sea, and bnnging, it is believed, similar news to that of the courier, for His Majesty unexpectedly visited London to consult with the Privy Council before giving an answer to the Ambassador. The news brought is far from satisfactory. The expedition has been unable to succour Boehelle ; many fine ships have been lost, and worse still there is no prospect of being able to do anything.
The King is now consulting with his Privy Council as to what is to be done ; whether to revictual the army and to send orders to make another attempt, or whether to withdraw the fleet and to leave the question in the hands of the Yenetian Ambassador.
I believe that the King inclines to the first opinion and, should it prevail, I apprehend that we may look for more dangers encountered and fresh disasters sustained.
London, 26th October 1628.
The King, with the advice of his Privy Council, has resolved to provision the fleet without loss of time and to send express orders to follow up the enterprise whatever the difficulties to be encountered,HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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His Majesty being called upon, both by his conscience and for the maintenance of his reputation, to relieve the Rochellese.
Mr. Montagu did not come directly from the fleet but from the Most Christian camp, having landed on pretence of negotiations for exchange of prisoners. He had a lengthened interview with Cardinal Richelieu who informed him of the negotiations of the Venetian Ambassador, after which, accompanied by a gentleman of the suite of the Cardinal, he was conducted to St. Malo in Normandy where he embarked for England to give information to His Majesty.
The Venetian Ambassador anticipated Mr. Montagu, his courier having arrived the day before, and His Excellency informed the King of Mr. Montagu’s arrival and of his interview with the Cardinal, not without displeasure and some jealous feeling that the negotiations might be withdrawn from his hands and the honour of them given to Mr. Montagu.
Eut as affairs are now conducted by the Privy Council, and no longer by one head only as in the time of Buckingham, Mr. Montagu has been sent back to St. Malo where he will find the French gentlemen waiting for him ready to conduct him to the camp. He is to express generally the desire on this side to come to terms with France and he is to press the Ambassador to obtain a detailed reply, as it is here wished to arrange everything; nothing remaining, as I have been informed by the Venetian Ambassador here, except to settle a particular article of the negotiations between the late Duke and the Marshal de Bassompierre, regarding the Household of the Queen, and to press the Cardinal to make certain concessions on this subject which he had previously declined to do.
The Ambassador has sent the courier back to France, with information to his colleague of the dispatch of Montagu; and he holds another ready to convey the principal and detailed answer in which Rochelle is in no way mentioned, France having so willed it from its desire that England should not meddle in the affairs of French subjects or otherwise treat writh reference to them except in the way of intercession.
With regard to the affairs of Rochelle people hope, what they wish for, that there soon may be an accommodation with France, and that peace may be made with Spain also, for a courier has arrived today from Mr. Endymion Porter by way of Flanders bearing despatches for the King. Although the precise contents are not known, it is easy to see that there is a confirmation of favourable news from Spain and a corresponding sympathy with the wishes of this country for peace.
Therefore peace is hoped for on that side also and it is desired by the King and by his government who are anxious alike to escape the necessity of having recourse for money to the Puritans, who would take advantage of the opportunity to drive a sharp bargain.
His Majesty the Privy Council and all moderate persons desire peace with both crowns, but the Puritans with that of France only.
London, 1st November 1628.
I gave intelligence last week of the negotiation by Mr. Montagu and of his return to the Most Christian Camp, and to the fleet, charged with a general answer regarding the subject of reconciliation with the French and at the same time with a detailed message to the Earl of Lindsey, commander of the expedition, requiring him to make another attempt to force the harbour so as to show that His Majesty, feeling bound by conscience and by his honour, has done everything in his power to succour the Rochellese and has directed the leader of his fleet and army accordingly.168
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MSS. op H. D. Skrine, Esq.
Persisting in this resolution to tempt fortune once more, provisions and ammunition are to be dispatched immediately to the fleet; although there is an inward conviction of the impossibility or success and that the fall of Rochelle is a mere question of days. There is at the same time an intense wish that it should not take place in the presence of the English fleet.
The Venetian Ambassador is at Court daily and exerts himself to the uttermost to bring his proposed treaty of peace to a successful issue, and having on his side the Queen, who now exercises a great influence on the Xing, His Excellency is not without hope of success although there still is obstinacy to overcome for, even within the present week, a hostile proclamation was issued by the King’s orders forbidding his subjects, under heavy penalties, from exporting to France either provisions or ammunition.
The Ambassador has not given up hope of a successful termination of the negotiation which he presses ardently. He says that the King has given him his word that he will come to terms, but that it is evident that His Majesty still wishes to see the upshot of the operations of his fleet at Rochelle with the intention of subsequently acting as may seem expedient.
With regard to the negotiations with Spain, if it is true that Sir Francis Cottington is to go to Brussels in a few days to see the Archduchess, it may in that case be believed that that treaty is also on the road to adjustment, and perhaps with as good an appearance of ending well as that with France promoted by the Queen, by Denmark, Venice and Holland, with some others who however are all with the exception of the Queen opposed to the Spaniards.
Of Irish affairs there is no further news, and of the expedition of Colonel Morgan to assist Gluckstadt and Krempe nothing can be known till the return of the troops now with the fleet.
Their Majesties are now in London with all the Court, and two days ago the Marquis of Hamilton returned ; being summoned to do so by His Majesty who has made him Master of the Horse, an office which was held by the Duke of Buckingham. Fie must therefore remain in the society of the niece of the late Duke, whom he married but for whom it appears that he does not care.
London, 6th November 1628.
All this Court and Kingdom long inexpressibly to hear what the fleet has been able to do for the relief of the Rochellese, after receiving the last instructions, sent by Mr. Montagu, to make another attempt. It is not unreasonable to suppose that certain news may come soon unless it has been thought necessary to wait for the tide of the full moon of this week. In the meanwhile all is in abeyance here, more particularly with reference to the negotiations ol the Venetian Ambassador, who for the time being is prevented making any advance from the desire on this side to delay till the results of the action of the fleet are seen.
In the treaty of peace in preparation the Rochellese will not be mentioned, because the French will have it so; and the English are apparently unwilling to pledge themselves farther in their cause, having no hope left of making such conditions as they wish. They prefer to do all that it is humanly possible to do to assist them and, failing in the effort, to leave them to capitulate on the best terms which they can obtain without interference on their part.
The Venetian Ambassador gives his utmost attention to his negotiations ; he is daily at Court conferring with the most important Members of the Privy Council to try and come to an understanding with them.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.	169
In short with the exercise of his good offices on this side, and with the expedition of couriers too and fro every week, he does as much as it is possible to do : but, His Majesty having said that it is necessary to await the result of the attempt to relieve Rochelle, his diligence at present only serves to keep his hand in, so that no one else may interfere to gather the fruits of his labours. Amongst many others, Denmark and Holland are covetous of the honour, as they were the first to sow good seeds, and His Majesty declared to them in writing that their good offices were pleasing to him. In conclusion we must wait for news from Bochelle, we shall then see on which side there is reason and who is to have the credit.
As to affairs with the other Crown, there are good hopes of success, as soon as news arrives of the negotiations of the gentleman sent to that Court, in spite of the interests and the opposition which counteract them.
The Earl of Arundel has been recalled by His Majesty to take his place in the Privy Council. The Countess and her son and daughter-in-law have come to Court. This Earl is one of the first persons in the Kingdom for ancient family and great ability. By reason of differences with the late Duke of Buckingham* he has been exiled from Court for three years and has been out of favour with the King. Now that lie is replaced he will take a distinguished part in the government of the State.
London, 17th November 1628.
Although indirect news has arrived of the reduction of Bochelle by the King cf France, and that it is known that the Dutch Ambassador has received letters to that effect from Paris, still it is not believed by His Majesty and by many of the Court ; partly because no intelligence has come from the fleet, and partly because there is the greatest unwillingness to believe in the possibility of this defeat without having succeeded in inflicting any damage upon the enemy.
If the news is true, we ought soon to hear of the return of the fieet together with the manner and conditions of the surrender of the place. It is very apparent here how deep the grief is with which this loss is regarded from the failure uf the attempt to render assistance, and partly by reason of the waste of life and treasure which has been made to so little purpose. These misfortunes are imputed to the unhappy management of the dead Duke on whose memory the people’s wrath is discharged.
The Venetian Ambassador every hour expects the arrival of an express courier from France who will convey to him the opinion of His Most Christian Majesty after this important victory. Should that opinion be of the same nature as before the conquest of Bochelle His Excellency will then push his efforts for the adjustment of the differences between the two crowns; although I am of opinion that there are more difficulties to be overcome than the Ambassador is aware of, amongst which is the King of England’s disposition to make peace with Spain.
London, 25th November 1628.
Certain news has arrived of the reduction of Bochelle which has been heard here with the deepest concern. Had this country abandoned this cause sooner it would have been more economical and the Bochellese might have saved thousand of lives.
* The Resident evidently forgets here the precise circumstances and does injustice to the Duke of Buckingham.
MSS. of H. D. Serine, Esq.i7o
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The fleet lias been dispersed on its return by teFrible tempests, and is now appearing gradually at various points of the west coast. Serious apprehension is felt that we shall hear of wrecks, and the serious damage of most of the ships. Officers have been sent to the different seaports provided with sums of money to pay off the soldiers and mariners as they arrive, so as to put an end to unprofitable outlay and to sa.ve the provinces from the necessity of maintaining them of which such bitter complaints were made in Parliament. This is a manifest indication of a desire to listen to terms of accommodation with France which the Venetian Ambassador on this side continues to push energetically; and with this object he sent this week an express courier to his colleague in France to renew the negotiations, and to endeavour to bring them to a close, which may perhaps be facilitated by the circumstance, on the other side, that they do not insist on the restoration of the French attendants on the Queen which is so obnoxious to the feelings and opinions of the King.
There still remains this difficulty that England being desirous of making peace with both Crowns which is to have the precedence P Or, if it be necessary to make peace with one only, which is to be selected ? Arguing for and against, and the question beiDg reduced to considerations of interest, honour, and durable peace, intelligent people think that, all conditions being weighed, Spain is preferred as compared with France, not so much from the fact of the smaller profit in trade derived from the latter as by reason of the long existing antipathy between the two nations which has been lately revived by so much mutual offence, as well as by a prevalent conviction of the instability of the French; whilst, so far as the Spaniards are concerned, the only exception taken to them is their overstrained zeal for their religion and the common belief that they aim at universal sovereignty.
Such are some of the arguments which are advanced and debated in this country, without however coming to any conclusion.
If the special inclination of the Puritans be considered, the effectual intervention of the Queen, the friendly offices of the King of Denmark, of the Venetian Abassadors, and of many others, France will be placed first in the negotiations even at the risk of excluding Spain. On the other hand, considering the motives which influence Princes in such transactions, it may be assumed that the aim will be to make peace with both crowns. In that case Spain must necessarily be placed first; not that peace with France is less desired, but in the conviction that there must be peace with Spain if it is to be maintained with France. There remains this difficulty that, if in the negotiations any preference is shown for Spain, France will not come to terms so readily as she would do if exclusively dealt with.
We must soon know what fruits may be gathered from the negotiations of the Venetian Ambassadors with France, and of Mr. Endymion Porter in Spain. Meanwhile the jealousies amongst Diplomatists, as to who should be the first to succeed, are fomented here, for the promotion of English interests, in the efforts now making to come to terms with both powers; failing which then to do so with the power which offers the best terms which I believe will be Spain.
It has not yet been determined whether the two thousand infantry promised to Denmark shall be selected from the soldiery just returned or from others. Either way the expedition is procrastinated to the great regret of the Ambassadors.
O	O
The Marquis of Hamilton has been placed in possession of his office as Master of the Hprse, and thereon he has consummated his marriage,HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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made years ago with the niece of the late Duke of Buckingham, which up to the present time he has refused to do.
Sir Francis Cottington, who was at one time Agent in Spain, who took a part in the negotiation of the Spanish marriage, and who was lately nominated to conduct the peace negotiations with that power, was yesterday made a Member of the Privy Council. He is a person of ability and the friend of a peaceful policy.
London, 2d December 1628.
The fleet has appeared, but much damaged by the sea, and with the total loss of some of the smaller vessels. The G-eneral, with the rest of the officers, have come here to pay their respects to His Majesty and to give him an account of their voyage. The troops are disbanded and sent to their homes, each receiving two crowns for their expenses, from which I infer that there really is an inclination towards quiet and that all now points to a general peace, although the Puritans are violently opposed to any reconciliation with Spain and are supported by persons of high position as well as by some foreign states who have little regard for that crown. Negotiations with both France and Spain are notwithstanding in progress.
The Venetian Ambassadors do their part with France, whilst others do theirs at Brussels, to assist a settlement with Spain. The former expect new conditions on the part of Plis Most Christian Majesty since his victory at Rochelle, but I know not, as yet, what statement may come from Mr. Endymion Porter, who is in Spain. Everyway I believe that the disposition of the King is entirely in favour of peace with the two Crowns. But with which first ? This is the question which the negotiators weary themselves to overcome, in the hope that, if no difficulty be started on the part of Spain, and that their efforts may not be defeated by the Puritans who in anticipation of the meeting of Parliament are preparing for the struggle, they may in spite of all such hindrances hit the mark with Spain with which there are not so many questions to settle as with France.
News has come this week from Holland that the Dutch fleet, which was sent some time ago to the West Indies, has taken four Spanish Galleons from La Plata, and twelve other ships laden with merchandise, the whole being estimated to be worth twelve millions of florins which is equal to five millions of crowns. This has greatly encouraged the Puritanical party which is consequently more than ever disposed to press for the continuation of the Spanish war. I believe, notwithstanding all this, that no change will take place in the negotiations in progress, nor that His Majesty will abandon his first purpose, although advantage may be taken of the disaster in making the conditions of peace.
The return of Mr. Endymion Porter is daily expected, and by him the views of the Spaniards will he made known, at the same time we shall hear what is to be the final determination here; we shall learn also what turn the negotiations of the Venetian Ambassador are taking for every hour he expects a courier with the reply of the French.
These are the only negotiations which agitate the Court at present, everyone waiting with the greatest anxiety to hear the results.
The Dutch gentlemen overcome by excessive joy on account of the news of the success of their fleet against the Spaniards, whether from having drunk too much or for some other reason, were in great danger two days ago of being burnt alive in their beds, having in their jubilation set the house on fire without knowing how. It was burnt to the ground and they lost all their furniture.
MSS. or H. D. SXRINE, Esq.172
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MSS. or One of four ships the property of the East India Company, lately ar-H*	rived from India, was driven from the Downs by the late tempest into the
— Dutch seas where it was lost, the cargo being worth eighty thousand pounds sterling.
Every day disputes arise between sailors and His Majesty’s Customhouse officers, The sailors refuse to pay the usual duties, insisting that Parliament did not grant them to this King as it did to his father. There is great embarassment at Court as to the best means of amending this, seeing that Parliament is about to meet. It is a question of the greatest consequence and, unless a remedy is found, the royal power will suffer, as day by day there are symptoms of the growing and daring opposition of the people.
London, 9th December 1628.
The payment of the troops and sailors is hastened as much as possible, and the men are sent to their homes so as to save the Royal purse from farther depletion and the provinces from the cost of maintaining them. The ships are in various harbours for repairs which are‘much needed after their disastrous expedition. It now appears that sixteen have been lost with all their officers and at least five hundred men between soldiers and their crews.
At last Colonel Morgan lias been sent witli fifteen hundred men, whom he brought with him from Stade, to throw himself into G-liick-stadt on the Elbe. The inhabitants would not receive the troops, not being able to maintain so many mouths ; orders have therefore been given to supply without loss of time a large sum of money, for provisions for the troops, in order to do all that is possible for the safety of the place.
With regard to the treaties of peace with the two crowns, it does not appear to me that auy progress is made. The Venetian Ambassador •has not received any communication from France since the reduction of Rochelle, they augnr ill here of the disposition of France in consequence of this suspicious delay.
As to the other treaty, although advice has been received of the arrival in Brussels of the Spanish Plenipotentiary, there is no appearance here of any increase in the usual pace; and that which is done is done coldly, amounting to nothing more than the appointment up to the present time of selected members of the Privy Council, to consult over what may be fitting or the reverse, and to settle what ought to be demanded and what conceded, in case of reaching the consideration of the details of a treaty which at present is only expressed in general terms.
Mr. Endymion Porter ought to have returned from Spain by this time ; when he comes, possibly he may bring something to warm the negotiations, if the powerful Puritanical faction, with the aid of Parliament, does not throw everything into disorder to promote the arrangement with France which the Puritans ardently support ; a policy in which they may easily succeed, whilst the Ring with a few of his councillors pursue a course devoid of decision or steadiness of purpose, when duty calls for both.
We have here at present a Muscovite Ambassador who has come to congratulate His Majesty on bis succession to the throne. He was received by the Magistracy of London with the usual ceremony observed towards Ambassadors. He has in fact been sent by merchants who trade in Muscovy. To-morrow being Sunday he will be received in audience by His Majesty with the usual pomp. He has not brought any presents, such as sables and other rich furs of that country, consequently the merchants here who pay all his expenses may send him home without presents or with some of small value.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION,
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Yesterday sentence was at last pronounced on John Felton and on Monday next he will be executed. He will only be hanged, the law not permitting any severer penalty for homicide.
#The Abbé Scaglia formerly Ambassador from Savoy to this Court has written to His Majesty that he has been invited by Count Olivarez to visit Spain to treat orally with reference to certain interests. With the consent of his Sovereign and that of the Earl of Carlisle, when in Spain he would interpose his good offices, and he asks that an English Galleon may be provided to enable him, as soon as he has completed his negotiations, to set out at once for England to give an account of his proceedings. Orders have been given to get ready a good ship to go to the coast of Galicia, to bring him away and to land him in this country. Thus this policy is still alive and Savoy is still at work in the interests of peace.
MSS. or H. D. Skrixe, Esq.
London, 16th December 1628.
We are this week without news of importance. Preparations are making for the meeting of Parliament, which takes on the 30th of next month, and to extract new subsidies from it. His Majesty in anticipation of its meeting, and to gratify it, has declared publicly, through the Lord Keeper, that it is his will and that he commands all judges and other officers to put vigorously in force the penal law against the Roman Catholics ; and in particular that members of religious orders be sought out everywhere and imprisoned, and brought to trial and condemned, in conformity with the rigour of the law, but they are not to be put to death without reference to His Majesty.
It appears that the King does not wish that the extreme penalty of the law should be inflicted upon them, but that they should be sent to finish their lives in a certain castle far from this where malaria prevails.
With regard to lay Catholics, they are to be confined to certain places and must pay punctually the usual exactions. All this is to please the Puritans and to conciliate the new Parliament; but, as with these people it is a maxim to oppose everything, never to be satisfied, with the present, nor to agree with what is proposed for the future, so it may be believed that all these anticipations and preparations, which are already regarded with suspicion, will not produce the effect which His Majesty supposes, but that as usual lie may encounter in the body of the Members the same turbulent spirit as before.
It does not appear that the death of the Duke of Buckingham, who was held to be the originator of all the evils of the State, has in the least modified their peccant humours or their small regard for the monarchy. Hence I conclude that without the greatest dexterity, and display of magnanimity, His Majesty will not succeed in inducing the Puritans to vote large supplies.
The King and his people in no way get on well together and I fear, if he cannot succeed in subduing them, that the affairs of this Kingdom will go very badly, seeing that the Puritans win more space to act with increasing daring against the King who unless he makes peace abroad will never know it in his home and will never be an absolute monarch.
As to the negotiations with the two Crowns apparently they are gone to sleep, nothing is heard from either. The Venetian Ambassador is in
* This paragraph to the end of the letter is in cypher.MSS. of H. D. Skuike, Esq.
174	HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
great trouble on account of the delay made by France, with accounts of the decision of the King of France after his great victory at Rochelle. This Court consequently entertains a very jealous feeling caused by this unusual coldness on the part of France and thinks that it entertains very different intentions from those held before its victory.
As to Spain I can add nothing, the Ambassador, Mr. Endymion Porter, not having returned. I foresee how much depends on the manner in which Parliament and the King come to terms, on these depend the resolution of His Majesty whether it is to be peace or war.
John Felton has been hanged in this city and his dead body sent to Portsmouth, where he committed the murder, where it will be hung and left on the gallows permanently in the sight of all the people.
II.—Documents illustrating- the Life op Salvetti.
The Gonpaloniere to James I.
Sacred and Royal Majesty, Lucca, the 27th of April 1607.
We feel so certain that Your Majesty justly abhors those who dare to plot treason against their Princes or national rulers, that we, referring to a certain Alessandro Antelminelli, a citizen of Lucca, who lives in your most happy State, under the name of Amerigo Salvetti a Florentine, supplicate Your Majesty by this letter, that you will he graciously pleased to deliver up this man, as guilty of high treason, against this Republic, to an authorised agent, who will be there to receive him, and to bring him within the reach of jnstice, for which we shall ever remain your greatly obliged servants, ready at all times to do everything in our power for Your Majesty’s service.
Beseeching the Almighty for Your Majesty’s preservation and happiness.
We are Your Sacred and Royal Majesty’s Most humble Servants,
For the Elders,
The Gonpaloniere.
Sir Henry Wotton to The Gonpaloniere.
Magnificent Sirs,	Venice, 5th May 1607.
George Roche, a gentleman of my family who is greatly confided in by me returned here yesterday evening. He informed me of all that had been said to him at Lucca, all of which is satisfactory to me. I think, therefore, that it would be now well that a trustworthy and capable person should be appointed, with whom I may converse on subjects of reciprocal interest and importance.
I write this letter with my own hand, as this appears to me to be suitable to the circumstances of the case. I should have sent George Roche with it, had I not been apprehensive of rousing suspicion, especially as it would be necessary for him to pass through the States of a Prince, who is very inquisitive and who has been lately, if not offended, at least not too well pleased with the necessary performance of a duty within his dominions by the said George Roche.#
I retain the letter written to His Majesty, till such time as we have adjusted the reciprocal business which may best be done viva voce, and
* This was the delivery of a summons to return to England, to Sir Robert Dudley calling himself Earl of Warwick who at the time was befriended by the Grand Duke.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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if it appears to you desirable I would send a trustworthy person with a cipher for future use. I hope to be of service to your noble Eepublic H* not only on the present occasion, but perhaps also in matters of more importance which I shall make known to you. I kiss your hands.
I am of Your Magnificences,
With every assurance of sincerity and secrecy,
The Humble Servant,
Henry Wotton.
The Gonfaloniere to Sir Henry Wotton.
Noble and Dear Sir,	The Palace, Lucca, 24th May 1607.v
We give you for your instruction the following statement which was yesterday approved by their Eminences the Magistrates in Council.
“ Although George Roche entered into negotiations, regarding the reciprocal services alluded to by the English Ambassador with the person whom we appointed, to replace the Magistrate previously in office, who first opened the transaction, nevertheless the said George Roche assigned no reasons. We, therefore, think it desirable to send an eminent and sagacious citizen, such as the importance of the case requires, to Venice, provided with credentials to the English Ambassador, that he may explain to his Excellency, that a certain Magistrate here has specific orders to obtain possession of the person of Alessandro Antelminelli, by every possible means, the said Antelminelli being at present in England.
The Magistrate having been informed that Mr. George Roche an English gentleman then in Lucca would willingly give ear to any proposal for the attainment of his object, an arrangement was made to pay him two thousand crowns in gold, if within the term of two years, he delivered up the said Antelminelli at present called Amerigo Salvetti, on the shore at Viareggio within the territory of Lucca. Whilst this negotiation was impending, a letter came to hand, from his Excellency the English Ambassador at Venice, directed to the Magnificent Messer Nicolao and the respectable Ascanio Saminiati two of the Magistrates, by which letter it has been seen that his Excellency willingly promises to employ his influence for obtaining possession of this man from His Majesty the King of England. An Agent may therefore be sent, not only to return courteous thanks, but also to inquire what his Excellency means by subjects of reciprocal interest, the nature of which has not been explained and farther to request that he will be pleased to show their eminences what is meant at the end of his letter by his statement of his willingness to be of service to the Republic, not only on the present occasion, but also in a matter of more importance. .
To induce the Ambassador to explain the nature of the reciprocal services which he wishes to promote the Citizen may state that although no arrangement was made with George Roche, except that above described, by anyone in authority here, nevertheless his Excellency will find a ready disposition on the part cf the Magistrates to serve His Majesty in the manner which he desires. The Citizen must make every effort to obtain a clear reply to his inquiries calculated to be satisfactory to the Magistrates, of which reply it is hoped that he may be the bearer. Without a precise knowledge of the circumstances alluded to by tbe Ambassador all is dark and nothing can be done.
With regard to the results aimed at we incline to the opinion that the Eminent Council cannot promise to hand over any prisoner.
MSS. or D. Skrine, Esq.176
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MSS. op H. D. Skjrine, Esq.
Francesco Tegrini to The Gonfaloniere.
Illustrious Sir,
God be thanked I arrived at Venice in safety on Thursday the last day of May. I gave out that I had come to visit this city solely for my gratification, never having seen it before, and I conducted myself in such a manner that no one could suppose that I am here on public business. I feel certain that my real object will not be discovered, for I have given no one an opportunity of forming an opinion.
The morning after my arrival, desirous of executing my commission, I went out without my servant, and taking a gondola I was conveyed to the house of the English Ambassador. I was announced as a Lucchese gentleman, and the Ambassador advancing to meet me, at once divined from whom I came, and conducted me to a room, when, having dismissed those who were in it, he shut the door and requested me to explain the cause of my visit.
I thanked His Excellency on the part of my Lords, and told him that their Excellencies having seen his letter to two of the Magistrates of Lucca, containing particulars of much importance, had thought it expedient to appoint me to convey their reply to him, so that I might personally explain their views, as His Excellency would see by the credentials which I now presented to him.
He took the credentials and read them with much attention, and then remarked that all was well and that he would be glad to hear me. In accordance with my instructions I explained to him the nature of the business agreed upon with George Eoche. He interrupted me, saying that Eoche was entirely in his confidence, and was so trustworthy that he was informed even of the most important secrets, and therefore he wished him to be present at our interview, as be might have occasion to refer to him. He then called him into the room, requesting me in the most courteous terms to permit him to be present. I immediately resumed my remarks, and informed him that one of the principal magistrates of the Eepublic of Lucca was specially instructed, to obtain by every means, possession of the person of Alessandro Antelminelli, who is at present resident in London under the name of Amerigo Salvetti. It was made known to this magistrate that Mr. George Eoche would listen favourably to an arrangement, consequently a negotiation was opened with him, and an agreement was made to pay him two thousand ducats, provided that within the term of two years he delivered Antelminelli on the beach at Viareggio to the authorities of Lucca. Whilst this transaction was in progress, two Magistrates of the Eepublic received a letter from your Excellency, in which you expressed a wish to benefit the Eepublic, in consequence of which communication
We think it desirable however to obtain more accurate information regarding the rank of this Englishman and of the reasons why the King wishes to obtain possession of him, as well as why he is absent from bis own country.
It is left to the judgment of the Citizen who is to go to Venice to decide whether he will return after performing his mission, or whether he will remain and write as to what has been done. He may decide in accordance with what may seem to he most expedient for the attainment of his object, which is to understand his Excellency, and to obtain from him an explanation of the words at the close of his letter.
This is all that occurs to us, and with the most humble reverence, we are
The Gonfaloniere and the Citizens Deputies.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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their Excellencies have sent me to declare their humble thanks to you, in reply to your infinite courtesy, and to ascertain what are your proposals referred to in the words “ reciprocal benefits.” I also requested the Ambassador, in pressing terms, to honour me with his confidence so far as to explain what those things are which he alluded to near the end of his letter, which are of so much importance to the Republic of Lucca. I also said, your Excellency may repose every confidence in the good faith of the Republic and on the permanency of its feelings of obligation. I dwelt at some length on this portion of my subject.
The Ambassador listened with much attention, and replied that he was much obliged to the illustrious magistracy for the favour which they had conferred upon him, by sending a gentleman to treat with him personally; he regretted the inconvenience to which I had been exposed, and assured me that I should meet with the most straightforward treatment from him. He said that he hoped that the results would finally be satisfactory to His Majesty the Ring, his »vaster, and to the Republic of Lucca. He then explained that about three years ago, accompanied by his nephew he came to Italy with this man. He believed him to be a Florentine as he said he was—and he knew that he was a pensioner of the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
When they were together at Pisa, Antelminelli was recognised as a Lncchese, and the account which he then heard of him so completely undeceived him that he forbade him his house. His Excellency further told me that whilst Antelminelli lived in the house of his nephew, he was not known to be a traitor, but now knowing him to be so, he conscientiously believed him to be deserving of punishment, and he was strengthened in this opinion, acting as he was now doing in the service of the Republic.
The Ambassador then went on to say that Roche had given him an account of the negotiation and that his Excellency preferred the project of an exchange. Interrupting His Excellency, I said to him, that my information did not agree with that statement. The Ambassador then asked Roche for an explanation, and he replied, that he had spoken with Ascanio Saminiati several times, and with one of the Deputies in his presence, suggesting that an exchange might be made.
The Ambassador resuming, said that it was of little importance whether I was aware of it or not, in its letter to the King the Republic says, that it abhors traitors to their sovereigns and I must believe that its practice must he in harmony with its principles. I desire to serve the Republic, and in return, I hope that it will do His Majesty a signal favour by arresting a certain person who gives himself out to be a Captain, and who is the adherent of an Englishman resident at Pisa with his wife, who calls himself an Earl although he is not so.
It will be an easy matter to obtain possession of the Captain for he is an inquisitive person and may be readily induced to come to Lucca. Should he do so and should the Republic show me that it wishes to please His Majesty, we shall then so proceed, that Antelminelli may be brought to Viareggio and your Excellency may he satisfied. With regard to this man Elliot whom we wish to be delivered up, he is a traitor to his Prince, and is in the service of the Grand Duke, who has acted as an enemy of my king for some time, receiving and protecting any malefactor who may rebel against His Majesty. This pretended Earl is contumacious, and the King having required him to return to England under threat of a penalty if he does not do so, he has refused to obey. George Roche conveyed His Majesty's summons to this refugee, and for this reason he has incurred the displeasure of the Grand U 23533.	M
MSS. op H. D. Serine, ■ Esq.178
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H d^Ikbiite -^u^e w^° pensions both Dudley and Elliot. Little does the King care Esq. for the displeasure of the Grand Duke who acts in this unfriendly maimer.
The Ambassador went on to say, that he was anxious that I should feel satisfied that he had no intention of taking advantage of me in this transaction, but such was the importance of not losing the present opportunity that he must press the Republic to do this favour to the King without loss of time. The service which it required would be performed at a later period, Antelminelli was known to be in London, and the necessary orders regarding him would be issued.
I replied, that he might feel satisfied that the Magistrates would never act unreasonably ; if they hated and persecuted subjects of their own guilty of treason, they equally hated traitors against other princes; I therefore believed that the Republic was disposed to serve His Majesty, and that for my part I should not fail on my return to my country,— which would be as soon as his Excellency was graciously inclined to set me at liberty,—to bring his wishes clearly before the Magistrates ; but before departing, I must request him to honour me so far as to explain the meaning of the words at the close of his letter referring to advantages to the Republic. Sir Henry Wotton thanked me for what I had said, and made a sign to Roche to leave the room ; he then informed me that for about two months he had been aware that negotiations were in progress which although they did not directly touch the interests of the Republic, they might do so indirectly ; these were that the Grand
Duke and...................# intimately associated with Holland had
invited him and shown him the way to make himself master of one of the harbours belonging to the King of Spain in Tuscany, he did not know precisely which, but was advised that it was either Porto Ercole, Telamone or Yiarreggio. I remarked that Yiarreggio belonged to the Republic of Lucca, he replied—true, but such is my information, the transaction is quite certain, but I am not exactly informed as to the details, I shall however know what they are in a few days, and I shall send you information, but that 1 may write to you with perfect safety it will be necessary for me to provide you with a cipher. A knowledge of the information which I now give you cannot fail to be of service to the King of Spain. I request that if in Lucca you hear of anything inimical to the interests of my King you will inform me. I shall thereby be obliged and we may thus establish a friendly correspondence, the more so that we have interests in common and we are both opposed to the Duke of Florence. To this I replied that the Republic of Lucca on account of its small size and for reasons connected with its preservation and that of its territory, was of necessity cautious, keeping its eyes open to its own interests. Doubting all, still it possessed to believe all, and ever kept itself within the limits of those observances which were due to the Grand Duke, of whom it was my duty to speak with the respect befitting his greatness. I fully believed that if his Serene Highness could render a service to His Majesty of England he would do so with the greatest solicitude.
The Ambassador then said that it would be desirable to fix upon someone through whom letters might be safely transmitted. I replied that on my return to Lucca I should refer this to the Magistrates, and that everything needful would be done. I proposed to return to His Excellency, the second day of Easter, to receive his reply to the credentials and at the same time the cipher above-mentioned, together
Cipher which cannot be read hut is the name of a person.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.	179
with the other symbols which he wished to give me, and so I took my leave.
On the evening of the same day, George Boehe called upon me, and told me that the Ambassador would like to see me next day between thirteen and fourteen o’clock. I called upon His Excellency as requested, and he explained that during the night he had carefully considered the nature of our negotiation, and drawing from his pocket a silver box, he took out of it, the written obligation given to Boche by the two Deputies and handing it to me said, that it could not be made public on either side with due consideration for the dignity of the King, therefore, he requested me to restore it to my Lords. He added that he would write to the King and would assign good reasons for the arrest of Antelminelli whom her knew to be in London. He would thereafter write to Lucca to explain the motives upon which His Majesty was acting, and he requested me to write by this days post to the Eulers of the Eepublic to press them in his name to agree to his wishes, justified as this would be by the nature of the request which they had made to him. He also urged me to wait in Venice for the reply, on the arrival of which, if favourable he would send an express courier to England. His Excellency then gave me a written description of Elliot which I inclose. Eeflecting on the fact that he had reiterated several times that this Elliot was a pensioner of the Grand Duke, I could not refrain from reminding him of the great respect with which we were compelled to regard His Highness, and that therefore the negotiation was one of no common difficulty, to which he replied that he was conscious that we were in a position requiring us to act with great prudence, but Elliot once made a prisoner, the deed would be excused by stating that it had been done from motives of respect for the King of England, and at the request of his Ambassador in Venice.
How far such excuses as these may be thought of value is not for my consideration but for your judgment. His Excellency explained that he would forward the letter of the Eepublic addressed to His Majesty by tbe express courier, but he wished it to be first sent to Lucca to be rewritten and to be redirected to His Majesty tbe King of Great Britain, as otherwise he would be offended. I did not fail to apologize for the mistake saying that we were not aware of the change of title, The Ambassador added, that for very special reasons he wished their Excellencies the Magistrates to give a written obligation to the King that if Antelminelli was not found guilty of high treason he should be sent hack to the place from which he had been taken.
Having replied that I should give a faithful account to the Magistrates of all that he had said, I took leave, with the intention of writing these particulars to you and waiting here for your reply.
• I do not know whether you will approve of this resolution, but it seems to me that I cannot do less. Pardon me if I have erred and cover the weakness of my judgment with the shield of my good intentions in your service.
With my humble salutations,
I am your most obedient servant,
Francesco Tegrini to the Magistrates or Lucca.
Illustrious Signori,	Venice, tbe 16th of June 1607.
I did not write by last post because I had nothing of importance to say in addition to my previous letter, nor have I received, any communication from Lucca, which I greatly desire, having no farther in-
Mr 2
MSS. of H. D. Skrixe. Esq.180
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structions. I hope that I shall hear on Wednesday what is the decision of your Excellencies, when I shall act in conformity with my duties.
This morning I called upon the English Ambassador, not having done so since my last visit. I informed him that I had not received any reply to the letter which I had written in his name to the Magistrates, and that therefore I was unable to say more to him at present, but that I hoped soon to receive fresh instructions when I should lay them before him. With regard to the delay which has taken place I informed him that was the usual practice of the Republic to consult very carefully over matters of business. The Ambassador accepted the apology, thanking me in friendly terms for the trouble which I had taken by visiting him. He then informed me that he had written to England to make sure of the arrest of our friend, he farther said that he had learnt that the Captain came frequently to Lucca to visit his countrymen in prison, so that it would be an easy matter to make sure of him.
After a brief discussion of these points, he turned to the subject of general news, and told me that it was fully believed in Venice that the sister of the King of Spain was about to marry the Prince of Tuscany, but that for his part he did not believe it, because the Ambassador of His Highness was not in favour of the Spanish Court.
If the marriage took place the Kin^s, both of England and Prance, would he dissatisfied, and His Excellency showed me in the clearest manner how little friendly feeling exists at present between his King and the G-rand Duke. He then spoke of the Tuscan flotilla which His Excellency believes to be destined against the kingdom of Cyprus, with the intention, if His Highness can obtain even temporary possession of it, to assume the title of king of which he is very ambitious. I thanked His Excellency for the news which he had given me, and I then asked him if he had any further intelligence as to which Port was to be occupied by the Dutch, for great would be the obligation of the Republic if he could give me any certain intelligence on this head. He replied that he had heard nothing more, and I then took my leave.
(Signed)	Prancesco . Tegrini.
The Magistrates of Lucca to E. Tegrini (Draft).
We received your letter of the 2nd instant, with the description of the marks for the identification of Robert .Elliot the Englishman. We have laid your letter before the Council and we are instructed to say in reply that you may again return with every precaution as to secrecy, to the Ambassador, and that you may say to him that whilst the Signoria is disposed to serve His Majesty, especially on the present occasion and to make the exchange proposed, nevertheless the transaction is not free from difficulties on their part, from prudent considerations, well known to your Excellency. The Signoria require more time before coming to a decision. In the meanwhile it is desirable to remove every appearance of communication between you and the English Ambassador, communication which might be observed if you remain longer in Venice and are seen to frequent his house, it is therefore thought to be desirable that you should return here, bringing with you the cipher offered by his Excellency, by the help of which the farther consideration and final decision of this business may he communicated.
Thank his Excellency in the meanwhile for the information which he has already given with the complimentary language due to his rank, and invite him to make us aware of anything regarding these affairs which may come to his knowledge.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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As it appears that his Excellency is desirous of establishing a medium of correspondence, you may propose to him the mercantile house of Signori Franciotti and Bartolini, advising his Excellency to inclose his letters written by himself and addressed to the Magistrate Massacincoli under cover to Signor Ascanio Saminiati and this again under cover to the above merchants. You say in your letter that tne Ambassador has returned the agreement made with George Eoche, but you did not enclose it. It will be well to bring it with you, torn in such a manner that if it is lost no one will be able to read it.
Return as soon as possible and may you have a prosperous journey.
Sir Henry Wotton to------------
Illustrious Sir,	8th July 1607.
I have received your friendly letter of the 28th ultimo. You have acted very prudently in not having given my letter to the prisoners, although I had provided against any inconvenience which might have resulted from yonr doing so. It is true that mention is made therein of a friend of mine who has returned to Lucca, but that is applicable also to the person of Signor Antonio Santini.
Perhaps when it was heard that I had written to the prisoners 83 (Captain George Elliot) who is curious to know all that happens, might the sooner fall into the net. But I place myself in your hands, you are on the spot and can judge best what is to be done. I thank you for your courteous and humane offices in favour of the prisoners.
The opinion gains strength here that 44 (the Grand Duke) will take 2128343532 (Cyprus) believe me in that case the gentlemen here will not sleep. At a more convenient time I shall write of other matters. With most sincere regards I kiss your hands.
Your affectionate Servant,
92 (Henry Wotton).
[The following is the official letter written to Teodoro Paleologo the Bravo who undertook the assassination of Salvetti in 1597. It is addressed to Signor Teodoro Paleologo of Pesaro.]
“ Very magnificent Signor. I have heard with much pleasure that you keep me in your remembrance as I do you, and to show you my confidence in you I take an opportunity of employing you in my affairs. By the bearer of this you will be informed what it is that I require, and I beg and request that you will place entire confidence in him. I on my part shall not be ungrateful for besides the usual reward of your work I think of securing you a pension.”
(Signed) Francesco Andreotti.
The following note is appended. “ The Magistrate Andreotti subscribed the above letter without understanding either to whom or to what place it was to be sent, or what was its object, in fine knowing nothing of its meaning.
[The Grand Duchess Christina of Lorraine and Maria Maddalena Regents of Tuscany appear to have required an account of the pretender] Earl of Warwick then a resident in that country. Salvetti forwarded the following statement:]
London, 15th October 1621.
To obey the wishes of your Excellency expressed in your letter of the 4th of last month calling for a statement of the genealogy of this Earl of Warwick. I shall begin with John Sutton alias Dudley his grandfather, because I find that all that has been written or said of the real182
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MSS. OB H. D. Skbixe, Esq.
descent of this family before Ms time is both very obscure and not trustworthy, therefore I do not touch upon it.
John Sutton Dudley then, having reached his majority exhibited a subtle and energetic character. About the year 1546 taking advantage of the minority of King Edward the Sixth, and an active part in the prevalent faction, he acquired the character of a man of ability and valour especially with the Catholics. With their aid and that of friends (whom by his influence he had raised to positions of dignity, having also acquired for Mmself the titles of Viscount Lisle, Earl of Warwick, and finally Duke of Northumberland) he attained to such power, that he was able to cause the imprisonment of the Duke of Somerset, maternal Uncle of the King and Protector of the realm, as well as that of members of his party, all of whom he caused to be beheaded. This done thinking all England on his side he aimed still higher and intrigued to make himself master of the Crown in the following manner:
The Duke of Suffolk of the family of Grey married Frances the daughter of a sister of Henry VIII., father of Edward VI.* by whom he had three daughters the eldest of whom was Lady Jane Grey. This lady at the instigation of the Duke of Northumberland was named by the dying King, his successor to the throne, to the exclusion of Mary and Elizabeth his father’s daughters. This done the Duke brought about the marriage of his second son Lord Guilford Dudley with Lady Jane Grey. On the death of King Edward, Lady Jane and her husband, were proclaimed Queen and King of England, but Mary the true heir displaced them, and becoming Queen, imprisoned her opponents and caused them to be beheaded as well as the Duke of Northumberland the author of so much wrong. The Queen also degraded his descendants from titles and fortune.
Of eight sons which this John Duke of Northumberland had by his wife Anne the daughter of Sir William Guilford, Ambrose and Eobert alone survived. They were restored to their titles by Elizabeth when she became Queen, Ambrose as Earl of Warwick and Eobert as Earl of Leicester. Ambrose died without sons. Eobert was treated with special favour by Queen Elizabeth. He privately married Amy the daughter of Sir Hugh Eobsart, who in descending the stair of the house in which she lived fell and broke her neck, it being generally believed that the fatal accident was brought about by her husband* She left a son, called Lord Denbigh, who died when seven or eight years old. Afterwards by reason of the marked regard of the Queen, who did not like married people being herself a maiden, the Earl who shared the ambition of his father and whose aims were high, being at the same time crafty, without religion and sensual in his habits, gained the love of Douglas Howard Lady Sheffield a widow, and of this union was born Eobert Dudley who at the present time is in Italy under the title of Earl of Warwick. After a time Leicester thinking no more of Lady Sheffield, secretly married Lettice the widow of the Earl of Essex. Notwithstanding that Lady Sheffield had maintained that Leicester was her husband and that she had only concealed the marriage at his desire
* Salvetti here falls into error in his genealogical researches. Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk married Mary Tudor the sister of Henry VIII. and widow of Louis XII. King of Prance. The issue of this union was Frances who married Henry Grey Marquis of Dorset, the eldest daughter of this marriage was Lady Jane Grey, who was born at the family seat in Leicestershire in 1537. The statement above that the Duke of Northumberland gained the confidence of the Catholics is inconsistent with the fact ?,£ the elevation of Lady Jane Grey to the Throne, a Protestant to the exclusion of the Catholic Princess Mary who displaced her rival after a reign •£ nine days.HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
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from fear of giving offence to the Queen, no sooner did she hear of his h.b.SkrJte, secret marriage to Lady Essex than she married the Chevalier Stafford Esq. forgetful of her own honour and the claims to legitimacy of her. son.
At the beginning of the reign of the present King James, Sir Robert Dudley desired to prove the marriage of his mother with the Earl of Leicester and consequently his own legitimacy and claim to the titles of Earl of Warwick and Earl of Leicester. The case was brought before the Star Chamber. He was opposed by the Earl of Lisle, the son of a sister of his father, who maintained that he was the true heir.
The claimant Robert Dudley being unable to prove the marriage of his mother lost his cause. Infinitely disgusted and offended he left this country taking with him the daughter of a cousin-german and abandoning his wife and three children.
Opinions as to his legitimacy differ. The King neither considers him legitimate nor an Earl. His friends maintain that his father married Lady Sheffield, but they are unable to account for her marriage during the lifetime of her husband, an act so injurious to the alleged legitimacy of her son. That the Earl had deserted her and married another would not have prejudiced her cause, as he was a man known to be indifferent to how many wives he married, and who, if he thought that they lived too long, sent them to paradise before their time.
The adversaries of Robert Dudley make these assertions, and state further that the late Earl refers to him in his last will in the following terms “I leave to my natural son Robert/’
In short this pretended legitimacy of Sir Robert Dudley is so obscure, that beyond his personal friends no one believes it, and the feeling is strengthened by the odium with which he is regarded on account of his plurality of wives. His first wife was a lady of the Cavendish family who with her children by him is dead. The second wife was a daughter of Sir Thomas Lee of an ancient family held in high esteem. She is now living with her three children—who are of marriageable age—-on a property settled upon her by her husband and is much respected and of the highest character.
The third wife, as he calls her, is now with him in Italy, a daughter of the house of Southwell and of his cousin german. Sh§ left England with him in the dress of a page, and they were married it is said at Lyons, under the pretext that neither his first nor his second marriages were valid alleging that when young he had pledged his faith and contracted himself to another young woman and he held that in consequence of this contract both his1 subsequent marriages were void and that this with Miss Southwell was the only true marriage, as it had taken place after the death of the lady to whom he had been affianced.
This is all that I am able to say to satisfy your curiosity. I am unable to travesty the story as Doctor Dempster does^ who is seeking to gratify his wishes rather than to speak the truth.
As to the title of the Duke of Dudley it is entirely his own invention, no such title is known in England, he has probably adopted this title finding that his assumption of the territorial titles of Warwick,
Leicester or Northumberland is offensive to the King. These titles were borne by members of his family, but bis name is Sutton.
Archives, Florence.	Amerigo Salvetti.
[This statement of the Tuscan Resident is entirely in harmony with the declaration of Sir Henry Wotton when he alludes “ to an Englishman resident at Pisa with his wife who calls himself an Earl although he is not so.” He was a man of ability and celebrated for his skill in hydraulic engineering. The deaths of two of his children are recorded in documents in the Archives at Florence.]184
HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.
III. Key to Cipher used by Sir Henry Wotton.
The following are the keys to the ciphers which Sir Henry Wotton sent to the Magistrates of Lucca, by the help of which his letters may be read. Unfortunately another cipher occurs to which there is no key; it is used in the letter referring to the revelations which His Excellency made regarding a project on the part of the Dutch to seize PortErcole, Telamone, or Yiareggio. No allusion to this notable plan is found in Muzzarosa’s history of Lucca, and it was probably a canard, for it is impossible to suppose that the Dutch, however much they disliked the Spaniards, would try one of three harbours so utterly valueless for commercial purposes, two of them fatally unhealthy, and the third, Viareggio, not only not a Spanish possession, but owing to the vicinity of Leghorn useless except for coasting trade.
A	B	0	D	E	E	G	H	1	L	M	N	0	P	Q	R	S	T	Y	Z
1	23	21	24	31	25	26	27	28	8	51	29	32	34	9	35	6	36	37	38
J Ambassador of England.		" Alexander Antelminelli.	
Ambassador of Spain.		King of England.	
Doge of Venice.		Republic of Lucca.	
Duke of Florence.		King of Spain.	
G-eorge Elliot	83	Galleys -	65
King of England	39	Ammunition	67
.Republic of Lucca	42	Marriage -	68
Republic of Genoa -	43	Shore at Viareggio -	72
Duke of Tuscany	44	Port Ercole -	73
Prince of Tuscany -	45	Telamone -	24
Duke of Savoy	47	Elba	75
Prince of Savoy	49	Peace -	77
Duke of Mantua	52	Truce -	78
Prince of Mantua	53	War -	29
Archduke Ferdinand	54	A0 Antelminelli	82
Queen of Spain	55	Warwick at Leghorn	84
Duke of Lerma	56	Wife	85
English Ambr in Spain	57	F. Tegrini -	86
King of France	58	Two prisoners	87
Don Giov1 de Medicis	59	English Privateers in the ser-	
Don Ant0 de Medici -	62	vice of Tuscany	88
Duke of Modena	63	G. Roche -	89
Ships -	64	Henry Wotton	92
Money - -	66		185
INDEX.
A.
Abraham, Captain, wounded at Rhe ; 128. Adriatic, the, Sir K. Digby’s attack on ships in; 159.
Alberstadt, his death ; 77.
Algiers; 32.
corsairs of; 11.
Amboyna, affair of; 130.
Amiens ; 12, 15, 18, 20.
Amsterdam, loan negotiated at; 43. Anderson, Lieut., killed at Rhe ; 127. Andover, Viscount, made Earl of Berkshire ; 45.
Andreotti, Francesco, letter of; 181. Annandale, Earl of (1626) ; 82.
Anne, Queen, of Denmark; 85.
Anstruther, Sir Robert, his mission; 8. Antelminelli, Alessandro, alias Salvetti: account of; 1, 2. his son; 2.
papers concerning; 174 et seq. Antwerp; 1.
English merchant at; 132.
Argyle, Earl of, his son; 50.
Arminianism :
edict against; 76.
Bishops charged with ; 155.
Arundel:
Earl of, Earl Marshal; 16,21.
----imprisoned for his son’s marriage;
50, 52.
----attempts for his liberation; 52,
53, 54, 56.
----removed from the Tower; 57.
----petitions of the peers concerning;
59, 63, 65, 66.
----again confined; 76.
----released for a time; 81, 85.
----privileges restored to ; 143.
----his restoration of favour; 159,
169.
Countess of, imprisoned; 50, 73. Aston, Sir Walter, ambassador to Spain; 6, 58, 67.
Austria, revolt of peasantry in; 80, 90.
B.
Babington, Captain, killed at Rhe; 127. Baibani, Michele, letter of; 2.
Ballets; 96, 105, 118.
Baltic, the; 145.
Baltimore:
Lord (1625), declines office ; 3.
-----in Ireland; 15.
Barbary, coast of; 32.
Barozzi, Signor, his mission from Savoy; 151-153.
Barrett, Sir Edward, ambassador to France; 55, 103, 104.
Bartolini, Franciotti and, merchants; 181. Bassompierre:
Mons. de, ambassador from France; 83, 84, 85.
-----received at Hampton Court; 85.
-----Commissioners conferring with;
88-91.
----------agreement with ; 92-94.
-----visit of M. de Soubise to; 90.
-----Buckingham’s entertainment in
honour of; 94, 95.
-----the Queen’s fete to ; 96.
-----his return to France; 97,99,100.
-----disapproval of terms made by;
104, 105, 106, 110.
-----his treaty; 123, 124.
Bath:
the, knights of, creation of; 44. Bishop of; 117, 155.
Bedford, Melchbourne, letters from; 31-35.
Benevolences:
demands on the provinces for; 78,79, 81.
their expected effect; 81. failure of; 83, 84.
Bennet, Ensign, wounded at Rhe; 128. Berkshire, Earl of; 45.
Bethlen-Gabor:
Prince of Transylvania; 90.
-----reception of envoy from; 87, 89,
97.
-----his departure; 101.
—-— his nephew in England; 141. Blainville:
M. de, ambassador ; 34, 36.
-----refused audience; 46.
■----at Greenwich; 47, 48.
------- affray with his servants; 49.
-----his complaints unsatisfied; 54.
-----attempts to pacify; 57.
-----his delay to return home; 58.
------departure of; 60, 61.
-----presents to ; 61.
Blundell:
Captain, killed at Rhe; 127.
Sir —, wounded at Rhe; ib.186
INDEX.
Bohemia, King of, the Prince Palatine; 18. Bongi, Salvatore; 2.
Bordeaux, ships taken at; 100, 102, 104, 106, 124.
Bossi, Signor Andrea; 65. Boulogne-sur-Mer; 10, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21.
Breda; 7.
surrender of; 20, 21, 22.
Brett, Colonel, at Rhe ; 127.
Brill; 70, 112.
Bristol:
Earl of (1626), petition to recover his privileges; 59.
-----still a prisoner; 61.
-----trial of; 62 et seq.
-----his articles against Buckingham; 66.
-----his speech in Parliament; 68.
—	the Attorney-General’s reply to; 71.
-----his case stopped by the dissolution; 75.
-----imprisoned in the Tower; 76, 77.
-----released from the Tower; 85.
-----to appear before the Star
Chamber; ib.
-----privileges restored to ; 143.
Brooke, Lord (1625) ; 10.
Bruce, Colonel; 36.
Brunswick ;f
alleged defeat of Tilly at; 71.
Duke of; 41.
Brussels; 156, 161, 165.^ ^
ships belonging to citizens of; 36. English resident at; ib, secret negotiations with ; '97.
Montagu at; 124.
Archduchess of; 33.
Buckingham:
Duke of (1625), after James I.’s death; 3.
-----Ms favour with Charles I.; 3, 6.
-----his proposed visit to Erance;
4, 5.
-----as Lord High Admiral; 7.
-----Lord Treasurer; 10.
------- abandons the siege of fort St.
Martin; 131.
-----causes of his retreat; ib.
-----sent to Erance; 14, 17.
-----his command of the fleet; 15.
-----his reception in Paris; 18, 19.
-----gifts to; 19,20.
.....—. general by sea and land; 26.
-----Charles’s ill-humour with; 28.
-----complaints against; 29, 30, 31.
-----Charles’s avowal concerning; 31.
-----his mission to Holland; 34, 37,
38, 40.
-----generalissimo; 35.
-----at Harwich; 37.
-----Bishop of Lincoln and; 38.
—	Lord High Admiral; 49.
-----opposition by Parliament to;
49, 51.
----- his resolution carried by the
peers; 51.
Buckingham—cont.
Duke of, principal accusations against ; 51.
-----Lord Arundel and ; 54, 56.
-----his creature Phillips; 58.
-----his imputations on Lord Bristol ;
59, 61 et seq.
-----indisposition of ; 60.
■	---- charged with poisoning James
I. ; 62.
-----list of grievances against ; 64.
-----his great power and influence ;
69, 70, 71.
■	--his reply to accusations ; 72.
-----made Chancellor of Cambridge
University; ib.
-----charges against, defeated by the
dissolution; 75.
-----to be brought before the Star
Chamber; 76.
-----his command of the fleet ; 78,
81.
-----his bad bealtb ; 81.
-----contract for his little daughter’s
marriage; 82.
-----his friendliness to Bassompierre ;
89.
----- attack on his carriage and
servants; ib.
-----sumptuous entertainments by;
91, 94, 95.
—	his proposed visit to Erance ; 97 -------going to Erance ; 102.
-----his journey stopped; 103,104.
-----his agents Moulins and Clarke ;
105, 106, 107, 109, 124.
—:— refused as ambassador to Erance ;
no.,
-----üiehelieu’s opposition to ; 111.
-----death of his son; 113.
-----his expedition to Rochelle ; 114,
116.
-----his military costume and guard ;
116.
----- sent to attack the supposed
Spanish fleet ; 117,118.
-----fête given by ; 118.
-----embarks at Dover ; ib.
*— at Portsmouth ; 118, 119, 120.
-----on hoard the Triumph ; 120.
-----sets sail for Rhe ; 121.
----- the Archbishop of Canterbury
and ; 125.
-----more men and provisions sent
to ; ib.
-----his capture of Rhé island ; 126,
127.
-----Ms daughter made Duchess ;
130.
-----Ms reception at Court ; 132,133.
-----great unpopularity of; 133.
-----his quarrel with the Abbé Sca-
glia ; 137, 138.
-----his unpopularity ; 139.
------- demonstration of sailors before
Ms house ; 140.
-----at Plymouth ; 141, 142.
—	promotion of his friends ; 142,INDEX,
187
Buckingham—cont.
Duke of, outburst of Parliament against; 153 et seq.
-----bis speech to the peers; 154.
-----advised not to go to Bochelle :
157, 158.
-----resigns one of his offices; 158.
----his departure for Portsmouth ;
161.
-----account of his murder; 161-163.
-----effect of his death; 162.
-----preparations for his funeral;
163, 165.
■----his widow ; 164.
-----his niece, Lady Hamilton 91.
Countess of; 19.
----an alleged Papist; 155.
Duchess of; 85.
----gives birth to a son; 39, 40.
Buondelmonte, Signor; 2,
Burgh, Colonel ; 35.
Burlamacehi, Eilippo; 91.
sent to Prance; 59, 80.
Burrowes, Colonel, at Bhe; 127.
0.
Cadiz, English fleet near; 38, 39.
Calais; 13, 42, 48, 50, 52, 54, 100, 115, 159, 160.
Calandrini, Pilippo; 91.
Canterbury; 14,19,20.
Charles I. and his Queen at; 21. Archbishop of (1625) ; 16.
-— instructions to, about Catholics; 96.
-----his opposition to the King’s demands ; 125.
-----favourable to the Puritans; ib.
-----privileges restored to; 143.
Carew, Lord, made Earl of Totnes; 45. Carey, Lord, made Earl of Monmouth; 45.
Carleton, Sir Dudley or Lord:
his embassy to Holland; 70, 71. ambassador to Prance; 81,82. his return from Prance; 88. ambassador to Holland; 112, 113, 115, 119, 152.
Carlington, Lord; 165.
Carlisle:
Earl of; 41, 58, 85, 99, 130.
-----his embassy to Lorraine; 135-
156, passim.
-----despatch from; 160.
-----'his recall; 163, 165.
-----his mission to Spain; 173.
Catholics, the:
Charles I. and; 4, 5. and dames I.’s funeral; 9,10. ordinances concerning; 12, 13. Parliament opposition to; 24-29. proclamation against; 31. oppression and disarming of; 37, 40.
Catholics, the—cont.
limited to certain districts ; 43. in Ireland, toleration of; 44. peers at the coronation; ib. intended penalties on; 49. bad state of; 54, 73, 78. priests to be set free; 94. orders concerning molestation of; 96. ^
liberation of the priests ; 98, 99, 101. demands from Ireland; 107. proclamation against priests, &c.; 108.
arrest of priests; 142. the new Parliament and ; 142-144, 155.
petition of Parliament against; 146. to pay double subsidies; 151, 157. Henrietta Maria’s efforts for; 156. passing of Acts against; 157. proclamation against; 16Or penalties enforced against; 173. Cavendish family; 183.
Cecil:
Admiral, his fleet sent to Ireland; 43.
Col. Edward, his appointment to the fleet; 29,32.
— squadron under; 34, 35.
General, in Ireland; 47. Champernown, Ensign, killed at Bhe; 127. Charles I.:
at his father’s death-bed; 2. proclamation of; 3. renews the state appointments; ib. arrangements for his marriage; 4, 5, 7, 8.
his sister; 6.
regulations of his household, &c.; 6. his manner of business; 7. his marriage by proxy; 10, 11. his clemency to the Catholics; 12,13. his present to the Erench ambassador; 15.
at his father’s funeral; 16, 17. speech on opening Parliament; 23. Parliament opened at Oxford by; 29. in the Hew Forest; 31, 32. his defence of Buckingham; 31. at Plymouth; 32-34, 38. his scheme for loans; 34, 36. preparations for his coronation; 41-43.
his coronation and opening of Parliament; 44, 45.
attempts to coerce Parliament; 50 et seq.
defends Buckingham ; 51, 64. as Prince, in Spain; 59, 63, 64. imprisons members of Parliament; 64.
Ms declaration concerning Lord Arundel; 69.
his admonition to Parliament; 73,74. demands a loan from the City; 76, 77.
private advance to ; 78.
his manifesto on the dissolution; 79.188
INDEX.
Charles I.—cont.
his reform of the revenue; 80. free tables at his court; ib. his proposed journey to Scotland ; 82.
sale of crown estates by; 83. his new plan for raising money ; 86, 88, 89, 92, 95, 98, 99. declaration of; 87.
his proclamation against soldiers and sailors coming near the Court; 89. imprisons non-contributors to the loans; 107, 111, 116. his proclamation against Jesuits, &c.; 108.
his purchase of statues, &c.; 118,122. j reviewing troops, &c. at Portsmouth; 119, 120.
his annual tour of hunting; 122, 126. expected to call a Parliament; 126. his kind reception of Buckingham from Rhe; 131,133. loan from the City to ; 135. releases those imprisoned for nonpayment of subsidies; 138. further efforts to get money; 139. sale of royal estates by; 143. and the Catholics; 144, 146. his reply to petition of Parliament; 149.
his declaration on the privileges of Parliament; 149, 150. declaration of the peers to ; 151. his reply to Petition of Right; 152-154.
his answer to the Remonstrance; 155 et seq.
purchase of pictures by; 156, 160. dismisses Parliament; 157. visits Portsmouth; 158, 159. in the New Porest; 160. reported to have the smallpox; 162, 165.
his grief at Buckingham’s death ; 162 et seq.
his attachment to the Queen; 165. Ghevreuse:
Duke de; 5, 8, 9, 10, 22-32 passim.
----gift to; 27.
Duchess of; 23, 26, 27, 30, 32, 112.
----her daughter; 28.
Chiaus, his mission ; 11.
Clarke,’—, his mission to France; 106, 107, 109, 124, 125.
Cleveland, Earl of; 45.
Cloth, black, distribution of, for James I.’s funeral; 9, 10, 14.
Coke, Sir John, Secretary of State; 145. Conde, Prince de; 63.
Constantinople:
ambassador to; 11, 58, 59, 132, 135. English trade with ; 132.
Contarini, Angelo, ambassador from Venice ; 65, 76, 77.
Conway :
Colonel; 36.
Sir —, wounded at Rhe; 127.
Mr., wounded at Rhe; 128.
! Conway—cont.
Sir Edward, made a peer; 4.
Lord, Secretary of State; 10, 12, 88.
----speech of; 29.
----retirement of; 113.
Cossaro, Marc Antonio, Venetian ambassador ; 76, 77.
Cottington:
Sir Francis, his mission to Spain ; 161-165 passim.
----going to Brussels; 168.
----a privy councillor; 171.
Cotton, Sir Dodmore, going to Persia ; 60.
Coventry:
Captain, killed at Rhe; 127.
Earl of, Buckingham’s son, his death; 113.
Sir Thomas, Great Seal given to ; 38. ---- his speech on opening of Parliament; 45.
Cromwell, Lord (1625) ; 36.
Customs, the, disputes with sailors about; 172.
Cyprus; 180, 181.
D.
Dalbier, Mons.; 136, 138, 140.
Danvers, Lord, made Earl of Denbigh ; 45.
Delawarr, Lord, Rear-Admiral; 36. Dempster, Doctor; 183.
Denbigh :
Earl of; 45, 159.
----Vice-Admiral; 35.
----war ships under; 83, 84.
---- French ships captured by; 86,
89.
----division of fleet under; 121.
----squadron under; 135, 144.
---------delayed at Plymouth; 140,
141.
Lord, son of Amy Robsart; 182. Countess of; 19,85.
----banquet given by; 136.
Denmark, and King of:
Prince Palatine and; 8. his expected visit t’o England; 70. subsidies to; 43, 53, 59, 66, 73, 78, 84, 89, 115, 117, 125, 157, 158. ambassador's, &c. from; 54, 56, 60, 78, 114, 115, 117, 128-137.
—— suite and expenses of; 80. recruits wanted for ; 77. defeated by Tilly; 84.
English troops to be sent to ; 90, 91, 92, 95, 96.
envoy from, goes to France; 97. men promised to; 112, 113. departure of English soldiers for; 114.
alleged seizure of English ships by;
121, 122.INDEX.
189
Denmark—cont.
infantry to T>e raised for ; 145.
Charles Ids desire to aid ; 143.
Digby :
Sir Kenelm, armed ships prepared by ; 132.
---- his attack on Venetian ships ;
159.
Doper, Captain, letters of marque granted to; 54.
Dorset:
Earl of; 41.
----Lord Chamberlain; 158.
Dover; 4, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 20,21, 42, 46, 99, 100, 102, 103, 111, 114. plague in; 8. governor of ; 139.
Dudley:
family, account of; 182. alias Sutton, John; 181, 182.
Sir Robert, pretended Earl of Warwick ; 174 note, 181-183.
Dunkirk:
loss of war ship by ; 18, 19. army at; 33.
Marquis Spinola at; 33. seizure of ships bound for; 35, 36, 37. ships from, depredations by, &c.; 58, 98, 99, 114, 127, 152, 153. exchange of English prisoners at ; 120,
supposed Spanish fleet bound to ; 117, 118.
transportation of woollen cloths to ; 132.
Durham, Bishop of; 117.
E.
Easter, English observance of; 8.
Efhats:
Marquis d’, ambassador; 23, 24, 25.
-----gift to ; 27.
■----the Catholics and; 28.
Elbe, the river; 78, 84, 113, 130, 172. Elizabeth:
Queen, her manner of giving audience;
7.
----- her dislike to married people;
183.
Princess Palatine; 6.
Elliott, Capt. Robert; 2, 177-181.
Essex:
Earl of, (temp. Eliz.) his widow married to Leicester; 182, 183.
-----(1625), squadron under; 34,
35.
-----return of his squadron; 40.
Estates, crown: sale of; 83, 84.
pledged to the City; 135, 138.
Exeter, Earl of; 155.
F.
Fast, a:
descriptions of; 26, 79. to he observed by Parliament and the nation; 145.
Felton, John:
his murder of Buckingham ; 162, 163. examination of; 3 65. his execution; 173, 174.
Flanders :
Archduchess of; 39. merchants’ letters seized; 40. war declared with; 41, 42. preparations against; 43.
Fleet, the. See Navy.
Florence; 132.
Archives of; 1.
Salvetti at; 1.
Flushing; 70, 112.
Forest, the New, Charles I. in; 31, 32, 160.
Forests and parks, royal, proposed sale of; 80.
Fosse, M. de, French ambassador; 55. France:
and Charles Ids marriage; 4 et seq. and the accession of Charles L; 4, 5. English ships lent to ; 11-33 passim, 42, 65.
Queen Mother of; 12, 18, 20, 21, 58, 94.
ambassadors from; 13, 14, 15, 34, 36, 83, 84, 85, et passim.
----- at the opening of Parliament ;
23.
-----and the English Catholics; 25.
-----gifts to ; 27,
-----refused audience ; 46, 47, 48.
crown pieces of, in England; 34. ill feeling towards England ; 39. claims by merchants of; ib.
English ships seized by; 48, 49, 52, 60.
retaliations on; ib.
Lord Carleton’s embassy to; 81, 82,
88.
importation of goods from, prohibited; 85, 100.
retaliations on English ships; 90, 96. Buckingham’s mission to; 97, 102.
-----stopped; 103, 104.
seizure of ships and artillery by ; 100,
102.
Bassompierre’s terms disapproved of; 104.
proposed restitutions to; 105. widening of breach with England ;
106, 109, 110, 112.
Montagu’s mission to ; 114, 115. prospects of peace with; 115. preparations for an open rupture with; 117.
its maritime position; 118.190
INDEX,
France—cont.
losses inflicted on, by privateers ; 119.
negotiations for peace with; 122 et seq.
agent of, ordered to quit England ; 125, 126.
Denmark urges peace witb; 129,130, 131.
ships of, built in Holland, captured; 131.
mediations for peace witb ; 134, 136.
kind treatment of English prisoners by; 136.
renewed attempts to promote peace with; 153, 160, 161, 167.
effect of Buckingham’s death on peace with ; 162, 164.
Franciotti and Bartolini, merchants ; 181.
Friesland; 141.
Funeral of James I., description of; 15-17.
G.
Galicia, coast of; 38.
Garter, the:
knights of; 41. order of; 117.
Gascony merchants ; 100.
Genoa ; 22, 30, 46, 47, 56, 122.
reported defeat of; 8, 9.
Gentileschi, Orazio : a painter; 97. his sons ; 122.
Gerbier, agent in France for Buckingham;
105, 106, 107, 109, 110, 124.
Germany :
Calvinists of; 36. and the war with Spain ; 42. Gibraltar, Straits of; 132.
Gluckstadt; 166, 168, 172.
Glyn, Captain, killed at Rhe ; 127.
Gondi, Signor, resident at Paris ; 118. Gondomar, Conde de :
his mission to England ; 9, 22, 32. alleged conspiracy of Buckingham with; 66, 67. his death; 95.
Gordon, Ensign, killed at Rhe ; 127. Goring :
Captain, killed at Rhe ; ib.
Sir George, in France ; 5, 8, 14, 85.
-----ambassador to France ; 91.
Lord, Yice-Chamberlain ; 158. Gouttier, Mons. : arrest of ; 104. examination of; 107, 110.
Graham, Thomas, his mission to France ; 124.
Gravesend ; 161.
Greenfield, Sir —, wounded at Rhe $ 127.
Greenwich:
palace at; 12, 19, 77.
M. de Blainville at; 47.
Grenoble, reported siege of ; 126. Gresham, Lieut, killed at Rhe ; 127.
Grey, Lady Jane, account of her family; 182.
Guilford, Sir William, his daughter Anne; 182.
H.
Hague, the ; 6.
Hamburgh :
and the war with Spain ; 42.
ships from ; 60.
complaint from; 78.
capture of ships from; 84.
supplies to Spain from ; 89, 113.
ships seized; 105.
soldiers embarked for ; 114.
English traffic with ; 139.
Hamilton :
Marquis of; 164, 166.
----leaves his wife ; 91.
---- his marriage to Buckingham’s
niece ; 168, 170.
Marchioness of; 19, 85.
Hampton Court ; 41, 85, 87, 165, 166.
Charles I. at ; 24.
Harseen, Mons., from Holland ; ib. Harwich, Duke of Buckingham at; 37. Hawley, Sir —, wounded at Rhe ; 128. Haydon, General Sir William, killed at Rh6; 127.	^
Heatherstone, Captain, killed at Rhe ; ib. Heathie, Captain, killed at Rhe; ib. Henrietta Maria, Queen :
her marriage ; 10 et seq. her dowry ; 10, 12.
English opinion of; 22. her indisposition; 23. settlement of her household; 25. her attendants and clergy dispersed ; 34-38 passi?n.
her alleged treatment of a minister ; 38.
not at the coronation or opening of Parliament ; 43, 44. acts in a pastoral; 47. arrangements for her devotions in Denmark House ; 57. payment of second half of her portion ;
59, 78, 80, 81, 95. her liking for Buckingham ; 62. her religious observances ; 77. her Protestant attendants ; 80, 82. her French servants and clergy dismissed ; 82, 83.
the great care shown towards ; 83. her interview with Bassompierre; 88.
her life at Denmark House ; 85.INDEX.
191
Henrietta Maria, Queen—cont.
proposals and statements regarding her French attendants ; 89, 91-94. entertainment given by; 96. ballet preparing by ; 101-105. her lute-player arrested ; 104. arrest of her French servants ; 107. at Wellingborough; 122, 158, 161, 162.
sends an envoy to France; 124. English prisoners presented to; 136. her French surgeon ; 138. present from her sister ; 141. her efforts for the Catholics ; 156. appointments of English in her court; 160.
her sympathy with Buckingham’s family; 165.
Holland:
English in service of; 4, 7, 15, 17, 26, 29, 43.
negotiations with; 22. ambassadors from ; 24, 26. Buckingham’s mission to; 34, 37, 39, 40.
great losses by; 38.
English troops in ; 53, 83, 84, 90, 91. difficulties about an English ambassador to; 70.
its designs on Spain ; 70, 71. jewels sent to; 76.
commissioners from; 106, 115, 116, 130.
offers to mediate with France; 112. its secret trade with Spain; 105.
Eord Carleton ambassador to; 112, 113, 115, 119, 121, 152. ambassadors excluded from their Councils; 112.
its mediation between France and England; 125, 128, 150. ships of, seized at Portsmouth ; 130. ambassadors from, dissatisfied with their reception; 140.
----their dispute with Venetian ambassador ; 140, 144.
••---demands for assistance by; 141.
ships of, seized ; 152, 159.
Spanish ships taken by; 171.
Earl of (1625), death of; 21.
----(1626) ; 41.
----his embassy to France; 42, 43,
45.
----at Dover; 99.
----to command troops sent to Rhe ;
128, 129, 130, 131.
----fleet under; 134, 135.
----bis secretary; 138,
— master of the horse; 164.
Howard, Colonel; 36.
Huguenots, the ; 10, 13, 22, 30, 45, 63, 65, 111, 115, 164.
Huntingdon, letters dated at; 30, 83.
I.
India :
ships from; 91.
* English property in, seized by the Dutch; 152.
East, Company of, loss of ship by; 172.
Ireland; 9, 15.
fleet sent to ; 43.
Catholics in, toleration of; 44, 45.
----demands of; 107.
defence of; 53.
imprisonment of priests from; 101. troops to he furnished by; 128, 129. Viceroy of; 166. the Spaniards and; ib.
j.
James I.:
account of his death; 2. removal of his body; 4, 6. his character; 4. his funeral, cost of; 6, 7.
-----preparations for; 9, 11, 12.
-----account of; 14, 15-17.
inquiries into the cause of his death ; 61, 62.
induced hy Buckingham to write to the Pope; 67. letter to; 174.
Jewels, crown, attempt to pledge; 76, 77. Jesuits :
proclamations against; 108, 160. petition against; 146-148.
Joaehin, Mons., ambassador from Holland; 24.
Johnson, engineer, killed at Rhe ; 127. Joinville, Prince de; 9.
K.
Killigrew, Sir Robert, his- embassy to Holland; 70.
Krempe; 168.
L.
Lambe, Doctor, murder of; 156. Lambeth Palace, prisoners in; 50. Lancaster, Duchy of; 4.
Laniere, Signor, musician ; 118.
Lee, Sir Thomas, his family; 183. Leghorn ; 54, 59, 111, 123, 132, 135.192
index.
Leicester, Earl of, Bobert Dudley, bis wives; 182, 183.
Lennox :
Duke of, his daughter married ; 50. Duchess of, imprisoned ; 50.
----still in confinement ; 73.
Levant, the ; 132, 135.
Ley, Lord, made Earl of Marlborough ; 45.
Lincoln :
plague in ; 6.
Bishop of (1625), at the death bed of James I. ; 2.
----his sermon on James I. ; 17.
----his speech to Parliament ; 23.
----Great Seal taken from ; 38.
Earl of, committed to the tower ; 116. Lindsey :
Earl of, division of fleet under; 121.
----Lord High Chamberlain ; 159.
----commanding expedition to Bo-
chelle ; 164, 167.
Lisbon, expected attack on ; 36, 37.
Lisle, Earl of ; 183.
London :
Denmark House; 4, 6, 16, 23, 25, 77, 85.
----temporary chapel in ; 24.
----fitted up like a nunnery ; 57.
St. Bartholomew’s Church ; 2.
St. James's Palace, chapel in ; 57, 94. Tower; 57, 104, 116, 119, 163. Westminster Abbey ; 14.
----coronation of Charles I. in ; 44.
----Buckingham buried in ; 165.
Whitehall, documents dated at ; 88, 109.
----Palace ; 22.
reception of Charles T. and his queen at; 22.
plague in (1603) ; 27.
----(1625) ; 8-46 passim, 71, 77,
79.
its loans to Charles I. ; 9, 14, 76, 77, 78, 135, 136, 138.
French and Flemish merchants in, asked for a loan ; 80, 81.
4,000 soldiers to be raised by; 82. called upon to provide eighteen ships ;
83, 84, 90-107 passim. loan on subsidies demanded from ; 114, 116.
merchants, effect of closing ports on ;
120.
petition against presence of Papists in ; 147.
Lorraine :
D uke of ; 41.
----ambassadors or envoys from;
41, 152, 153, 165.
----ambassador to; 135, 136, 141,
142.
----Montagu’s mission to ; 112, 113.
Duchess Christiana of; 181.
Lucca ; 1.
magistrates of; 1, 2, 175 et seq. letters dated at ; 174, 175, 180.
M.
Malaga; 58.
Maltravers:
Lord (1626), his marriage ; 50.
—~ still in confinement; 73. Manchester, Earl of; 45.
Mandeville, Viscount, made Earl of Manchester; 45.
Mansfeldt:
Count, English serving under; 4,7, 24.
-----subsidies to ; 53, 59, 73.
-----defeat of; 66.
-----his reported defeat of Wallenstein ; 90.
-----his death; 104.
Mantes, Bishop of; 93.
Mantua:
Duke of; 118.
-----mourning for ; 102.
-----ambassador from; 128,129,130.
Marini, French ambassador at Turin; 123. Markham, Lieut., wounded at Bh4 ; 128. Marlborough, Earl of (1626) ; 45. Marriage contract; 82.
Marseilles; 132.
May, Sir Humphrey ; 4. j Meaux, M. de ; 136.
Mediterranean, the; 119-121, 132. worms in ; 18.
(?) Melbourne, Earl of; 158.
Mende, Bishop of; 42, 56, 62, 85.
with Queen Henrietta Maria; 25. Middleburgh in Zealand, commissioners at; 71.
Milan; 2, 8.
governor of; 49.
Monk, a, execution of; 165.
Monmouth, Earl of (1626) ; 45.
Montagu:
Walter, sent to France ; 32, 48, 78.
-----his visit to Lorraine; 113.
-----in Paris; 115.
-----at Turin; 117, 122, 123.
-----money sent to ; 117.
-----his second mission ; 124, 125.
-----arrested by the French ; 136,142,
144.
-----release of; 146.
-----his return to England; 166, 167,
170.
Montferrat :
war in; 146. affairs in; 151, 152.
Montgomery :
Earl of; 14,131.
-----contract for his son’s marriage ;
82.
Morgan :
Colonel, his command in Denmark; 114.
-----troops under; 155,156,158, 161,
166, 168, 172.
Morton:
Sir Albertus, in France; 14, 20.
-----sent to Holland; 22.INDEX.
193
Morton—cont.
Sir Albertus, returns from Holland; 33.
—	his death ; ib.
Earl of, Scotch troops under; 129. Lord; 164.
Moulins:
Secretary to French Embassy; 105, 106, 109.
his cold reception at court; 112,113. Mountjoy:
Lord; 164.
—	taken prisoner; 181, 136. Mulgrave, Earl of; 45.
Muscovy, ambassador from; 172.
N.
Nassau, Prince Henry of; 7.
Navy, the;
strengthened by Charles I.; 4, 7. loan of ships to France; 11-83 passim, 42, 65.
great impressment of sailors; 15, 17. defective provisions for; 20. preparations of, at Plymouth ; 29, 30, 32.
strength of, at Plymouth ; 34. accusations against Buckingham regarding ; 51. increase of; 58. appointments to the fleet; 78. squadron under Lord Denbigh; 83, 84.
further increase of; 89. return of the fleet; 90, 92. mutinies in; 98, 99, 109, 140. preparation of a new fleet; 106, 110. lack of sailors for; 116. royal inspection, at. Portsmouth; 119, 120.
repair of the fleet; 135. disasters of, at Rochelle; 166, 167. Newburgh, Lord; 159.
Nice; 61, 123, 132.
Northampton, letters dated at; 41. Northumberland, Duke of, Dudley, account of; 182.
o.
Ogle, Colonel; 17, 20.
Oleron, island of ; 121, 126, 131. Olivarez :
Count, his page ; 156.
— negotiations with ; 157. Abbé Scaglia and ; 173.
Orange :
Prince of; 117.
----* (1625), his brother; 7.
Orleans :
Duke of; 125.
Duchess of, her death ; 120, 125. U 23533.
Oxford :
Parliament at ; 27,28, 29, 30, 46, 51. plague at ; 29.
Earl of, Lord Chamberlain ; 59.
p.
Palatine :
Prince; 33, 95, 128.
-----his son ; 37.
— his Crown jewels ; 43,
----- his misfortunes ascribed to
Buckingham; 68.
—- his hereditary dominions ; 79. Paleologo, Teodoro, letter to ; 181.
Palmer, Sir Henry, Rear-Admiral; 36. Paris, Notre Dame ; 11.
Parks and forests, royal, proposed sale of ; 80.
Parliament :
election of members ; 5.
Charles I.’s first speech to ; 23. urged to grant money ; ib. the Catholics and ; 24, 25, 26, 27, 49. two subsidies voted by ; 27. its objection to war ; ib. its resistance to demands for money ; 29, 30.
dissolution of : 30,31. opening of (1626) ; 44, 45. grievances of ; 46, 47, 48. its hostility to Buckingham ; 49, 51. grievances discussed by ; 50 et seq. its attempts to impeach Buckingham ; 53 et seq.
its list of grievances against Buckingham; 64.
members imprisoned ; 64, 65, 69. members committed to the Tower ;
72.
still reluctant to grant supplies *, 72,
73.
the King’s final admonition to; 73,
74.
declaration and remonstrance of ; 74,
75.
dissolved ; 75.
peril of Buckingham with ; 101. meeting of, delayed ; 138. tumults on elections to ; 139. its disposition to grant supplies ; 141. Charles I.’s speech on opening of ; 142. its opposition to the Catholics; 143, 144.
consideration of supplies urged on 144, 145.
fast to be observed by ; 145. object for which supplies are to be granted by ; ib.
remonstrates against quartering of troops ; 146.
its petition against the Catholics'; ib. -----— the King’s reply to ; 148.
N194
INDEX.
Parliament—cont.
dissatisfied with, the King’s declarations ; 149.
debates on its privileges ; 150. the Petition of Right; 151-153. its outburst against Buckingham; 153,154.
grants five subsidies; 154, 155. Remonstrance on state of the kingdom by; 154 eiseq. close of its sittings ; 157. preparations for meeting of; 173. the King’s attempts to gratify; ib. Peerages, purchase of; 152.
Pembroke :
Earl of (1625); 10.
----his heir; 82,165.
Pennington :
Captain, command given to ; 103,
—■— on the French coast; 104-106.
—	new fleet fitting under; 111, 312,113.
—	sent to the western coast $ 114. ------ships taken by ; 117.
----his projected expedition	to the
Mediterranean; 119, 120, 121.
■---sent to Newfoundland;	120.
Percy, Lord; 85.
Persia:
ambassadors from, dispute between ; 47-50, 60.
silk trade with ; 47-50. ambassador from, present to Charles j I.by; 52.	j
----his return home 5 60.	;
Peru, treasure fleet from; 38, 39, 411 81. Pesaro; 181.
Peterden, Green, killed at Rhe; 127.
Petition of Rights; 151 et seq.
Petrovich, Chevalier, ambassador to Turkey; 135.
Phillips, Sir Thomas; 58.
Pictures ; 118, 122, 156, 160.
Piedmont:
Prince of, his envoy; 54, 63.
----Ms secretary; 151.
Princess of; 141.
Pisa; 177,183.
Pisano:
Signor, Venetian ambassador; 65, 66, 70, 76.
See Venice.
Plagues ; 6-46 passim, 71, 77, 79. Plymouth; 15, 17, 26, 127, 141, 145, 146, 149.
cost of soldiers at; 29. preparations at; 29-35. note of fleet sailed from; 35. arrest of M. de Soubise at; 38. return of the fleet to ; 40. new fleet at; 54.
Pope, the :
James I. and; 67. and English affairs ; 85.
Porter :
Endymion, sent to Spain; 67.
—— his mission to Spain ; 156, 157/ 159, 160, 161.
Porter, Endymion—cont
----- sent to Lorraine ; 163.
----at Brussels ; 165.
----his journey through France ; ib.
----in Spain; 171, 172, 174.
Porto:
Ercolo; 178.
Maurizio; 61.
Portsmouth; 117.
troops ordered to; 118.
Charles I. and Buckingham at; 118, 119.
sail of Buckingham’s fleet from ; 121, 127.
Dutch ships seized at; 130. fleet at; 153, 155.
Charles I. at; 158, 159. fleet for Rochelle at; 160.
Felton’s body sent to ; 174.
Portugal, friar from, a prisoner; 120. Poulett, George, M. de Soubise placed with; 38.
Powell:
Captain, killed at Rhe; 127.
Capt. Morgan, killed at Rhe; ib. Priests, proposed banishment of; 25,26. Purbeck:
Viscountess, penance to be done by; 136.
*---her escape; ib.
Puritans, the; 49, 98, 99, 125, 139, 141, 142, 156, 162, 167, 170-173.
R.
Rae, Ambassador to Turkey ; 132. Rammekens; 112.
Revenue, the scheme for reforming; 80. Rhe:
isle of, the expedition to; 121,125-128.
list of killed and wounded at; 127. siege of fort St. Martin at; 129-131. great English loss at; 133.
Rich:
Colonel; 36.
Sir —, wounded at Rhe; 127. Richelieu:
Cardinal; 105, 136 note.
----Ms opposition to Buckingham;
111, 113.
I	Montagu and ; 167.
{ Richmond: l	Duchess of; 14.
Surrey, letters dated at; 27-29.
----plague at; 30.
Riviera, the; 30.
Robsart, Amy, daughter of Sir Hugh, her death; 182.
Roche, George, Ms mission to Lucca; 174-181.
Rochelle and the Huguenots, attempts to i relieve; 11, 26, 42-50, 60, 63, 65, 103-j 174 passim.INDEX,
195
Rohan, Duke de, his brother; 89, 113. Rutherford, Captain, wounded at Ehe : 128.
Rutland:
Earl of, (1625) ; 15, 16.
Countess of ; 85,
s.
Sailors. See Navy,
St Blaneard, M. de, killed at Rhé ; 127. St. Denis ; 4.
St. George, Madame ; 30.
St. Leger, Sir William ; 35«
St. Louis, fort of ; 46.
St. Lucar, English fleet near ; 38.
St. Malo, Montagu at ; 167.
Saint Michele, M. de, present brought by ; 141.
St. Ospizio, trade with ; 132.
St. Peter, Erench ship ; 49.
Salisbury; 34.
Salvetti:
Amerigo, account of ; 1.
-----documents illustrating his life ;
174-183.
Saminiati, Ascanio ; 175, 177, 181.
Saucy, Eather, chaplain to the Erench Embassy, difficulties about ; 86, 88.
Sant Ospizio ; 123.
Santini, Antonio ; 181.
Sauvage, Madame ; 85.
Savage, Eelton and ; 163.
Savoy, Duke of (1625) ; 8, 47.
ambassadors of; 41, 65, 133, 135. his agents in England ; 56, 58, 60,71, 75.
trading privileges granted by ; 61. mission to; 111.
Montagu’s negotiations with; 122, 123,125. Nee Turin.
English merchants trading with; 123, 124.
his attack on Montferrat; 151,152. ambassador from, present to ; 159.
....— departure of ; 160, 161.
Scaglia:
Abbé, envoy from Savoy; 41, 42, 45, 46, 56, 76, 113, 119-135 passim, 151, 152.
and Lady Pnrbeck ; 137.
Scilly isles; 98, 99.
Scotland:
Charles’s proposed journey to ; 82. complaint and remonstrance from ; 102, 103.
more resolute than England; 102,103, 107.
men to be raised in ; 113. troops to be furnished by; 128, 129. coronation of Charles I. in ; 158,159. Sejanus, Buckingham compared with ; 64, 65.
Seville:
projected attack on; 38. inundation at; 54.
Sheffield:
Lord, made Earl of Mulgrave; 45. Lady, the Earl of Leicester and; 182.
----her son Robert Dudley; 182.
Ships. See Navy.
Shirley:
Sir Robert, dispute about his embassy from Persia; 47-50. going to Persia; 60.
Siena; 57.
Silk, Persian; 47, 50.
Silver plate, sunk at Portsmouth; 120. Soissons, Duke de; 126, 128.
Somerset, Duke of, Protector; 182. Soubise:
Prince or M. de, his ships ; 30, 33, 65.
----defeat of; 33.
----reported to be at Plymouth; 35.
----arrest of; 36, 38.
----treatment of; 42.
------ near Hampton Court; 86, 89.
*---his visit to Bassompierre ; 90.
----his hope of a command; 92.
----command to ; 102.
----house, &c., provided for; 104,
106.
----a volunteer in the fleet; 105,
113.
----and the Rochelle expedition;
117,118.
----at Portsmouth; 119.
----Ms lieutenant killed; 127.
----his return from the Rhé expedition; 132.
----to go to Rochelle; 153.
----present at Buckingham’s murder; 163.
—— Ms suspicion of Buckingham; 164.
Southwell family ; 183.
Spada, Cardinal; 57.
Spain:
Charles I. and; 4; 7, 9. expected war with ; 7, 9.
Sir Walter Aston’s return from ; 6. intended attack on ; 13, 15, 18, 27, 29, 32.
candlesticks made in; 16. complaint from ; 19* forces assembled by ; 21.
Gondomar’s mission to England; 22. Charles and Buckingham in ; 31. seizure of ships from; 35, 36. expedition to; 36. recall of envoy from ; 39. another fleet prepared against; ib. war declared with ; 41, 42. preparations against; 43. trade of German towns with ; 42. Ireland’s relations towards ; 45.
Capt. Doper’s expedition against; 54, English trade with; 58. better feeling towards ; ib.
Prince Charles in; 59, 63, 64, 66-68. company forming against; 60,196
INDEX.
Spain—cont.
Buckingham’s alleged negotiations with ; 66-68.
designs of Holland on ; 70, 71-formidable fleet of; 72. treasure fleet of; 78, 79, 81.
Charles I.’s manifesto against; 79. supplies furnished hy Hamburgh to ; 84.
squadron sent to annoy ; 96. making peace with ; 98, 99, 106, 107. Holland’s secret traffic with ; 105. supposed fleet of, in the Channel; 117,118.
declines to treat for peace ; 134. desire for peace with ; 156, 157, 159. Endymion Porter’s mission to ; 165, 167, 170.
arguments for making peace with ; 170.
the English Puritans’ hostility to ; 171,172.
Spinola:
Marquis; 20, 21.
----~at Dunkirk ; 33.
Stade; 155, 158, 166, 172.
Stafford, Chevalier, his marriage; 183. Star Chamber, the ; 4, 85,183.
Buckingham to be brought before; 76.
Statues ; 118.
Strange, Lord, his wife ; 85.
Stuart:
Lady Elizabeth, her marriage ; 50.
Sir Francis, squadron under ; 34, 36. Subsidies, levying of; 86 et seq., passim. Suffolk:
Earl of, late Chancellor of Cambridge University ; 72.
— grants to ; 117,158.
Duke of, Grey, account of his family; 182.
Sutton alias Dudley, John; 181, 182. Sweden:
and the Prince Palatine ; 8.
King of; 117.
Sydenham, Lieut., killed at Rhe ; 127.
T,
Tables, free, at court, custom of; 80. Tantucci, Federigo ; 57.
Tegrini, Francesco, letters of; 176-180. Telamone ; 178.
Temple, John, killed at Rhe ; 127.
Texel, the ; 130.
Thames, the:
ships of war in ; 10. captured ships brought into ; 37. Theobalds; 15.
'Charles I. proclaimed at; 3. Thornehurst, Lieut.-Col., killed at Rhe; 127.
Thorney, Lieut., wounded at Rhe ; 128. Tilli&res, Comte de ; 24, 28,30, 82, 83, 84, 158.
Tilly :
reported defeat of ; 71.
' his defeat of Denmark ; 84.
Titchfield, the Queen at ; 34.
Totness, Earl of ; 45.
Transylvania, Prince of. See Bethlen-Gabor.
Tremouille, Duchess de la ; 85.
Trevor, Captain, ships captured by; 130, 131.
Triumph, the, admiral’s ship ; 120.
Turin; 61, 101.
Montagu at ; 117, 122, 125, 128, 129. Turkey :
English trade with; 11, 120, 121. Company, the ; 58, 59, 135.
Turner, Dr., his accusations against Buck- -ingharn; 51.
Tuscany :
Duke of ; 135,
----pensioner of; 177, 179.
Regents of; 181.
u.
TJrbino, state of ; 165,
V.
Valentia, Lord, Vice-Admiral; 35, 36.
Valtelline, the, France and ; 54, 56, 78.
Vanmule, Mons., envoy from Flanders;
39.
Venice:
affairs of the Valtelline and ; 78.
offers to mediate with France ; 112, 113.
letters dated at; 174, 179.
ambassador from; 6, 47, 48, 58, 63, 65, 66, 70, 76, 77, 92, 101-138 passim.
----and James I.’s funeral; 14,17.
----his letters opened; 139,140,141,
144,145, 155.
---- his complaint against Digby:
159. #
----his negotiations for peace with
France ; 160-174.
English ambassador at; 165.
Viareggio ; 175, 176, 178.
Villa Franca ; 61, 123, 131, 133, 185.
Ville-aux-Cleres, Mons. La; 4, 24, 25, 26,
W-
Wallenstein, reported defeat of; 90. Warden, letter dated at; i 61. Warsley, letters dated at ,* 36-40. Warwick, Earl of:
ships of war fitted up by ; 112. failure of his expedition; 126,INDEX.
197
Warwick, Earl of—cont.
Sir R. Dudley pretended ; 114 note, 181-183.
Ambrose ; 182.
Weimar, Duke of, his reported defeat of Wallenstein; 90.
Wellingborough, Henrietta Maria at; 122, 158, 161, 162.
Wentworth, Lord, made Earl of Cleveland ; 45.
Weston, Lord, Lord Treasurer; 158, 165. Wich, ambassador to Turkey; 132. Willoughby:
Lord, Lord Chamberlain; 59.
—	his command of the fleet; 81.
—	his command in Denmark; 95,96.
—	general ; 164.
Wilmot, Yiscount; 159.
Wilson, Mr. Heath, his translation of Sal-vetti’s letters ; 1.
Winchester, Bishop of ; 155.
Windsor, knights of the garter at; 41. Wines, Gascony, sale ofj in England ; 85, 99,101.
Wisbeach Castle, Jesuits, &c. in ; 148. Woodhouse, Captain, killed at Ehe *, 127. Wotton:
Sir Edward, his son ; 1.
Sir Henry, and Salvetti; l, 2.
----letters of and to ; 174.
----cipher used by ; 184.
Y.
York, Archbishop of, instructions to, about Catholics ; 96.
Yorke, General, killed at Rhé ; 127
z.
Zante, Sir K. Digby at ; 159,L O K DOK: Printed by Eyre and Spotxisvoodb, Printers to the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty.
Eor Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.