TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.* I have in hand (taking other possibilities for advantage) to clear myself from the discontent, SIR, I pray try the concension I spoke to you October, 1606. Yours, FR. BACON. speech, or danger of others. And some of my of out of hand. For it is a mind I shall not debts of most clamour and importunity I have continue in, if it pass this very tide. So I rest this term, and some few days before, ordered, and in fact paid. I pray you to your former favours, which I do still remember, and may hereafter requite, help me out with two hundred pounds more for six months; I will put you in good sureties, and you shall do me a great deal of honesty and reputation; I have written to you the very truth and secret of my course, which to few others I would have done, thinking it may move you. And so, with my loving commendations, I rest SIR,-Finding, during Parliament, a willingness in you to confer with me in this great service concerning the union, I do now take hold thereof to excuse my boldness to desire that now which you offered then, for both the time as to leisure is more liberal, and as to the service itself is more urgent. Whether it will like you to come to me to Gray's Inn, or to appoint me where to meet with you, I am indifferent, and leave it to your choice, and accordingly desire to hear from you; so I remain your very loving friend, Gray's Inn, this 8th of Sept., 1604. TO SIR M. HICKES.* FR. BACON. SIR,-For your travel with all disadvantages, I will put it upon my account to travel twice so far, upon any occasion of yours; but your wits seemed not travelled, but fresh, by your letter, which is to me an infallible argument of heartsease, which doth so well with you, as I must entreat you to help me to some of the same. And, therefore, I will adjourn our conference to your return to the Strand, on Monday, where I will find you, if it chance right. And this day would I have come to your Friary,† but that I am commanded to attend the indictments at Westminster. And so I leave, to perceive your good disposition. TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.+ SIR,-There is a commission, touching the king's service, to be executed at your house, on Tuesday next; the commissioners are Mr. Recorder of London, Sir John Bennet, Sir Thomas Bodley, and myself. There are blanks left for other names, such as you in your wisdom shall think fit to fill. Mr. Horden is wished, for the better countenance of the service, and Sir Thomas Lowe is spoken of, but these and others are wholly left unto you. It will take up a whole afternoon, and, therefore, no remedy but we must dine with you; but for that you are not so little in grace with Mr. Chancellor but you may have allowance, the Exchequer being first full; hereof I thought most necessary to give you notice. So I remain Your assured guest and friend, FR. BACON. This Sunday at afternoon, August 6, 1609. TO SIR ROBERT COTTON.‡ SIR,-You may think the occasion was great and present, that made me defer a thing I took much to heart so long; I have in the blank leaf supplied some clauses, which, warranted by your kind respect and liberty, I wish were inserted for my father's honour, as a son, I confess; but yet, no farther than I have the two great champions, both truth and opinion, of my side. They be but three places, and that you may readily find them, I have turned down leaves; desiring you to reform the Latin or the sense by your better style and conceit, which done, if it please you (being but three pages) to have them written again, and so incorporate them into the copy you carry to the king, you shall content me much, who I think am no unfit man to give you some contribution or retribution to your worthy intention. So, in haste, Your assured friend, I remain company here at my mother's funeral, which I purpose on Thursday next, in the forenoon. I lare promise you a good sermon, to be made by Mr. Fenton, the preacher of Gray's Inn; for he never maketh other feast; I make none: but if I might have your company for two or three days at my house, I should pass over this mournful occasion with more comfort. If your son had continued at St. Julian's, it might have been an adamant to have drawn you; but now, if you come, I must say it is only for my sake. I commend myself to my lady, and commend my wife to you both. And rest Yours ever assured, This Monday, 27th of August, 1610. FR. BACON. TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.* SIR MICHAEL, I do use, as you know, to pay my debts with time; but, indeed, if you will have a good and perfect colour in a carnation stocking, it must be Jong in the dyeing: I have some scruple of conscience whether it was my lady's stockings or her daughter's, and I would have the restitution to be to the right person, else I shall not have absolution. Therefore, I have sent to them both, desiring them to wear them for my sake, as I did wear theirs for mine own sake. So, wishing you all a good new year, I rest Yours assured, Gray's Inn, this 8th of Jan., 1611. FR. BACON. The special love and favour which your honour, and gracious charters, are (under a pretence of dignity and honour to this university) either intended to be shaken, or wholly overthrown. We doubt not but your honour hath heard of a late petition preferred to his majesty by the mayor and others of Cambridge, (as they pretend,) to dignify the university in making the town a city; which, upon so fair a gloss, his majesty, out of his gracious favour to this university, hath referred to the order of Lord Chancellor of England, their high steward; the lord treasurer, our honourable and our most loving chancellor, and your honour. By this project, (though dignity and honour to us be the first colour they cast upon their suit, yet, by the cunning carriage of the business, and secret workings of friends,) we cannot but fear this shadow will be overcast with matter of such substance for them and their purpose, that it will either draw our former grants into question, or us to great inconvenience. Neither is this suspicion without a cause; first, for that, about six years past, the like petition was preferred and followed by them; at what time, by a secret view of their book, we perceived our best charters nearly touched: secondly, upon our earnest request to have a copy of such matters as they desire, they slight us, saying, "That were but to part the lion's skin :" thirdly, by experience we find the danger of trusting their kindness, for, upon our late sufferance of their last charter to pass, (without good advice of our council,) they both encroach upon our ancient grants, and enforce that charter not only against our privileges and customs, but the special proviso and reservation therein made for our former liberties. These peremptory answers and dealings of theirs, upon so kind and friendly usage and requests of ours, make us fear the sequel; for, that as yet we could never find, by any record, act, or wish of theirs, that this university ever received honour, dignity, or favour; in regard whereof, we earnestly entreat your honour to stand with our worthy chancellor and us in staying this suit, until we be truly informed how the town may receive grace and the university no dishonour. So, with our hearty thanks to your honour, for all your former favours showed us and this university, and with our daily prayers to the Almighty for your long life and happiness, we take our leave. Your honour's in all duty. This 9th of December, 1616. by word and writing, hath ever professed to learn- TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE VICE-CHAN ing and this university, makes us fly to your protection in a present danger, where we fear the chief nerves and foundation of all our jurisdiction, *Lansd. MS. xci. art 81, Orig. CELLOR AND OTHERS, THE MASTERS, AND THE HEADS OF THE HOUSES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.* AFTER my very hearty commendations, I have received your letter of the 9th of this present *Sloan MS. No. 3562, art. 25. We are left a little naked in the business of December, and have taken care of you rather ac- | A LETTER TO MY LORD OF BUCKINGHAM, TOUCHcording to your request than at your request; ING MOMPESSON'S BUSINESS OF INNS.* forasmuch as I had done it before your letter My Very good Lord, came. This you may perceive by the joint letter which you shall receive from my lord chancellor, my lord treasurer, and myself. And, for me, you may rest assured that nothing can concern you little, or more nearly, or afar off, but you shall have all care out of my affection, and all strength and help out of my means and power to conserve and advance your good estate and contentment. And so I remain Inns, by the death of Justice Nicholls; and my October 18, 1616. FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.* RIGHT HONOURABLE, The confidence which the townsmen have, in obtaining their charter and petition, makes us bold and importunate suitors to your honour, by whose favour with his majesty and protection, we again humbly entreat, the university and ourselves may be freed from that danger which by them is intended to us. By their own reports, it is a matter of honour and advantage for which they sue: when they were at their lowest, and in their meanest fortunes, they ever showed themselves unkind neighbours to us; and their suits with us, TO MY LORD OF BUCKINGHAM, TOUCHING MOM. I am much troubled in mind, for that I hear you are not perfectly well, without whose health I cannot joy, and without whose life, I desire not to be. I hear nothing from Mr. Mompesson, save that some tell me is knighted, which I am glad of, because he may the better fight with the bull and the bear, and the Saracen's head, and such fearful creatures. within these few years, have caused us to spend of apprentices, I doubt we must part it; but yet I For Sir Robert Killigrewe's suit of enrolment our common treasury, and trouble our best friends, thority which the very bare title of a city will February, 1616, *Sloan MS. 3562, art. 41. suppose it be left valuable. may Your office is despatched, and your books in effect. I have given his majesty an account of those things wherein I have received his pleasure from your lordship by this letter which I send open. Good, my lord, once again have care of your health; and learn what Cardanus saith, that more men die of cold after exercise, than are slain in the wars. God ever keep you. Your lordship's true and much devoted servant. A LETTER FROM HIS MAJESTY TO YOUR LORD- Right trusty and right beloved counsellor, BEFORE your letters came to us, we had been informed of the pains and diligence you had showed in our service, which we take very gra ciously at your hands, and thank you for it, desiring you still to continue in the course whereinte + Ibil * Addit. MS. Mus. Brit. No. 5503, fol. 98. steward: forasmuch as I have but even newly FR. ST. ALBan. you have made so good an entrance, and have taken the right way of examining the business. And, whereas, you give your opinion of the mint, we have thought fit to remember unto you the usual form which we have ever used in matters of consequence, that when you have taken the laborious part upon you in examination of the business, we first here report of the whole proceeding, before we give our resolution thereupon. And, therefore, until we hear the report of it in particular, we cannot conclude with you. As for the point of the stay of commerce, we agree with A LETTER FROM MR. FRANCIS BACON TO THE you in opinion thus far, that you call three or four of the aldermen whom you shall think fittest, and assure them, in our name, that we see no likelihood or reason of raising our coin, for aught we have yet heard, but rather of the contrary; and that the raising of the value of the coin will be the last course we shall take, when we see no other means left; for which we yet see no cause, and, therefore, the stop of money is needless. As for the committee, we think it fit that they should continue to meet, until we have brought the business to such ripeness, that by the report thereof, at our return, we may perfectly understand every particular. Given at our court at Newmarket, this 4th of December, 1618. A LETTER TO MY LORD BUCKINGHAM.* MY VERY GOOD LORD, Your lordship's former letter was honourable, but this your latter letter was both honourable and comfortable; for which I yield your lordship humble thanks. And for my liberty, as your lordship hath, in your letter, vouchsafed to show a great deal of tenderness concerning the same, so you will be nobly pleased to take some opportune time to move it; the rather, for that the season cometh on now fit for physic, which at this time of the year I have ever used; and my health never so much required. I ever humbly rest Your lordship's most obliged friend 5th March, 1621. LORD PRESIDENT OF YORK, IN FAVOUR OF MR. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD Lordship, I have been moved to recommend a person and suit to your lordship, which I assure myself, if it may take place with you, I shall not lose credit with you by; for both I know perfectly the honesty and sufficiency of the man, and that which is the next point, I am so well acquainted with his dutiful affection to your lordship, as I dare undertake no servant of yours shall be more observantly and in court, that Mr. Secretary Herbert shall have faithfully at your commandment. It is conceived conferred upon him the place of secretary there, whose good will, by that which we do already find, Mr. Edward Jones hath reason to hope well of for a deputation. There rest two points, the one her majesty's good allowance, and the other yours. The former whereof I hope he shall have good means to procure, and the second is that which I am to sue to your lordship for. Wherein to move you, besides the fitness of the man hardly to be matched in any other particular, I will undertake for his thankfulness in as good a manner as any other can be whatsoever; and all the poor credit myself have with you, which I have not been unmindful to cherish, I desire may appear in this suit rather than in any motion for myself. And so, with my humble signification of duty, I commend your lordship to God's goodness. At your lordship's honourable commandment, FR. BACON. TO MY VERY LOVNG FRIEND, THE MAYOR, &c. WHEREAS I am given to understand that there are some differences lately risen between the now mayor and aldermen, and other the members of that corporation, touching the election of the mayor next to succeed; wherein all parties have, according to charter, appealed to me as their high *Addit. MS. 5503, fol. 105, 1. + MS. Cole, Mus. Brit. vol. xx. fol. 229. A LETTER TO MR. MATTHEW.+ I hope it may stand with your business to come hither down to me on Monday or Tuesday next. My Lord Digby I understand is in town, my Lord of Doncaster not hastily expected, the king far off. I pray you, if your business be not very important, let me see you one of those days. I do hear from you by Mr. Meautys that I am still much bound to my Lord Digby. I take it, I *MS. Lansd. Mus. Brit. vol. ccxxxviii. fol. 126. directed Mr. Meautys to tell you, that having somewhat better signs of my lord marquis's good disposition towards me, than when I wrote to my Lord Digby last, I would raise my request to his lordship, that, whereas I desired his lordship to move a temporary leave to come to London next Lent for my health, and Easter term for my business, he would now (if he so think it convenient) deal for a release of the confinement indefinite, for the same reasons of an infirm health; and the settling the poor planks on my wrecks will continue still. If my Lord Digby make haste to court, I pray do this before you come down to me; if not, you may defer it till we have spoken. God keep and prosper you. 15th February, 1621. Your most, &c. A LETTER TO MY LORD TREASURER LEA.* MY LORD, I humbly entreat your lordship and (if I may use the word) advise your lordship to make me a better answer. Your lordship is interested in honour in the opinion of all that hear how I am dealt with. If your lordship nalice me for Long's cause, surely it was one of the justest businesses that ever was in Chancery. I will avouch it; and how deeply I was tempted therein your lordship knoweth best. Your lordship may do well to think of your grave as I do of mine, and to beware of hardness of heart. And as for fair words, it is a wind by which neither your lordship nor any man else can sail long. Howsoever, I am the man that shall give all due respects and reverence to your great place. LETTERS FROM THE LAMBETH LIBRARY, NEVER BEFORE PRINTED. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.* GOOD MY LORD, Procure the warrant for my discharge this day. Death, I thank God, is so far from being unwelcome to me, as I have called for it (as Christian resolution would permit) any time these two months. But to die before the time of his majesty's grace, and in this disgraceful place, is even the worst that could be; and when I am dead, he is gone that was always in one tenor, a true and perfect servant to his master, and one that was never author of any immoderate, no, nor unsafe, no, (I will say it,) not unfortunate counsel; and one that no temptation could ever make other than a trusty, and honest, and Christ-loving friend to your lordship; and howsoever I acknowledge the sentence just, and for reformation sake fit, the justest chancellor that hath been in the five changes since Sir Nicholas Bacon's time. God bless and prosper your lordship, whatsoever become of me. Your lordship's true friend, living and dying, FR. ST. ALBAN. Tower, 31st May, 1621. Endorsed, To the Marquis of Buckingham, from the Tower. EDWARD FRANKLIN TO LORD ST. ALBAN.+ SIR,-You falsify the common proverb: Out of sight, out of mind. Distance of place makes *MS. Gibson, Lambeth Library, 936, fol. 147, Orig. + MS. Gibson, Lambeth Lib. 936, fol. 210, Orig. VOL. III.-22 no divorce of your love; but present or absent you baulk no opportunity for my good. I shall never deserve your love unless that which is mental may requite that which is real; and that good prayers may be balanced with good deeds. Touching the present overture, (the errand of your letters,) though there be a great conflict within myself, yet nor must nor will I hold you in long suspense. Though I could content myself with the obscure condition of my country fortune, yet should I not neglect and slight the fair opportunities of my better preferment. It is a sullen, stoical humour, not to be drawn out of a dark retired corner into the warm and open sunshine. But I cannot resolve on the sudden: my present affairs being somewhat involved and perplexed. Respite me (I pray) but till the funeral; and then (God willing) I shall visit London, and give up my determinate and satisfactory answer. Meanwhile, I desire my thankful love may be tendered to that honest Mr. Hatcher. So I rest a devoted homager to your virtues; or (if you suspect a compliment) Your assured friend, ED. FRANKLIN. Cressingham, April 30, 1625. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.† MY VERY GOOD LORD, Your lordship's former letter was honourable, this later is kind and loving; wherein I took much comfort. This I protest to God, who Addit. MS. Mus. Brit. 5503, fol. 109 b. † MS. Gibson, Lambeth Lib. 936, fol. 210, Orig. P |
