TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

in these foods. Meanwhile, to ease my heart, I nave written to his majesty the enclosed,* which, MY VERY GOOD LORD, I pray your lordship, to read advisedly, and to I send your lordship the certificate* touching deliver it, or not to deliver it, as you think good. the enrolment of prentices. We can find no God ever prosper your lordship.

ground for it by law. Myself shall ever be ready Yours ever, &c.

to further things that your lord ship commendeth; Fr. St. ALBAN, Canc. but where the matter will not bear it, your lordMarch 25, 1620.

ship I know will think not the worse, but the better of me, if I signify the true state of things

to your lordship; resting ever TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

Your lordship's true friend

and devoted servant, My very gooD LORD,

Fr. Bacon, C. S. Since my last to your lordship, I did first send

York House, this 29th of October, 1617. for Mr. Attorney-General, and made him know, that since I heard from court, I was resolved to further the match and the conditions thereof, for your lordship's brother's advancement the best I could. I did send, also, to my Lady Hatton, and My very good Lord, some other special friends, to let them know, I The liking which his majesty hath of our proceedwould in any thing declare myself for the match; ing, concerning his household, telleth me that his which I did, to the end that, if they had any majesty cannot but dislike the declining and terapprehension of my assistance, they might be dis- giversation of the inferior officers, which by this couraged in it. I sent also to Sir John Butler, time he understandeth. and after by letter to my lady, your mother, to There be but four kinds of retrenchments: 1. tender my performance of any good office towards The union of tables ; 2. The putting down of the match or the advancement from the mother. tables; 3. The abatement of dishes to tables; 4, This was all I could think of for the present. The cutting off new diets and allowance lately

I did ever foresee, that this alliance would go raised; and yet perhaps such as are more necesnear to leese me your lordship, that I hold so sary than some of the old. dear; and that was the only respect particular to In my opinion the first is the best and most myself that moved me to be as I was, till I heard feasible. The lord chamberlain's table is the

But I will rely upon your constancy principal table of state. The lord steward's and nature, and my own deserving, and the firm table is much frequented by Scottish gentlemen. tie we have in respect of the king's service. Your lordship's table hath a great attendance ;

In the mean time I must a little complain to and the groom of the stole's table is much resortyour lordship, that I do hear my lady your mother ed to by the bedchamber. These would not be and your brother Sir John do speak of me with touched; but for the rest, (his majesty's case consome bitterness and neglect. I must bear with sidered,) I think they may well be united into the one as a lady, and the other as a lover, and one. with both for your lordship’s sake, whom I will These things are out of my element, but my make judge of any thing they shall have against care runneth where the king's state most laboureth: me. But I hope, though I be a true servant to Sir Lyonel Cranfield is yet sick, for which I am your lordship, you will not have me to be a vassal very sorry; for methinks his majesty, upon these to their passions, specially as long as they are tossings over of his business from one to others governed by Sir Edward Coke and Secretary Winwood, the latter of which I take to be the

from you.

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hath an apt occasion to go on with subcommittees.

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.
God ever preserve and prosper you.

My VERY GOOD LORD,
Your lordship's true friend

I send your lordship a draught of a letter touchand devoted servant, ing the sub-commission,* written in wide lines, York House, Nov. 19, 1617. Fra. Bacon, C. S. because it may be the better amended by his

majesty. I think it is so penned as none can except to it, no, nor imagine any thing of it. For

the household-business there was given a fortTO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

night's day: for the pensions, the course which I MY VERY GOOD LORD,

first propounded of abating of a third throughout, Yesterday at afternoon were read at the table and some wholly, seemeth well entered into. his majesty's two letters, written with his own These be no ill beginnings. But this course of hand, the matter worthy the hand; for they were the sub-commission thrids all the king's business. written ex arte imperandi, if I can judge; and I God ever preserve and prosper you. hope they and the like will disenchant us of the Your lordship’s true friend and devoted servant, opinion, which yet sticks with us, that to-day

Fr. Bacon, C.S. will be as yesterday, and to-morrow as to-day, so York House, 27th Nov. 1617. as there will be (as he saith) acribus initiis, fine

Sir Lyonel Cranfield is now reasonably well incurioso,

recovered. I hold my opinion given in my former letter, that the uniting of some tables is the most passable way; but that is not all, for when that is done, the king may save greatly in that which

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. remaineth. For if it be set down what tables My very good LORD, shall be fixed, and what diet allowed to them, my I thought fit by this, my private letter to your steward (as ill a mesnager as I am,) or my Lord lordship, to give you an account of such business Mayor's steward, can go near to tell what charge as your lordship hath recommended unto me, will go near to maintain the proportion; then add that you may perceive that I have taken that care to that some large allowance for waste (because of them I ought, and ever shall in those things the king shall not leese his prerogative to be de- you recommend or remit to me. ceived more than other men,) and yet no question For the suit of the ale-houses which concernthere will be a great retrenchment. But against eth your brother, Mr. Christopher Villiers, and this last abatement will be fronted the payment Mr. Patrick Mawle, I have conferred with my of arrears. But I confess, I would be glad that I lord chief justice and Mr. Solicitor thereupon, and might see, or rather, that a parliament may see, there is a scruple in it, that it should be one of and chiefly that the king (for his own quiet) may see, that upon such a sum paid such an annual Draught of the Subcommission : retrenchment will follow : for things will never My Lords, be done in act, except they be first done in

In this first and greatest branch of our charge concerning

our house we do find what difficulties are made, and what conceit.

time is lost, in disputing and of devising upon the manner of I know these things do not pertain to me; for doing it, whereof the matter must be, and is so fully resolved. my part is to acquit the king's office towards God, Neither can we but see in this, as in a glass, the like event to

follow in the rest upon like reason. For the inferior officers by administration of justice, and to oblige the in every kind, who are best able for skill to propound the rehearts of his people to him by the same, and to trenchments, will, out of interest or fearfulness, make dainty maintain his prerogative. But yet because it is to do service ; and that which is done with an ill-will will

never be well done. Again, to make it the act of the whole in hoc, that the king's case laboureth, I cannot but table, for the particular propositions and reckonings, will be yield my care and my strength too in counsel, too tedious for you, and will draw the business itself into such as it is, which cannot be so much as it was length; and to make any particular committees of yourselves

were to impose that upon a few which requireth to be carried between our Lady-day, and Michaelmas last. indifferently as the act of you all. For since the great officers But whatsoever it is, it is wholly his majesty's themselves think it too heavy for them, as our state now is,

to deal in it, without bringing it to the table, with much more without any deflexion.

reason may any particular persons of you be loath to meddle As soon as I find any possibility of health in in it, but at the board. In all which respects we have thought Sir Lyonel Cranfield to execute a sub-commission, fit, (neither do we see any other way,) that you send unto us I will by conference with him frame a draught of the names of the officers of our Exchequer and our Custom

House, and auditors out of which we will make choice of a letter from his majesty, for which there is the sone few, best qualified to be subcommittees, for the better fairest occasion in the world; and the king hath ease and the speeding of the business by their continual prepared it as well as possible. God ever pre- incline to be to attend the principal officers in their several

TO THE KING.

the grievances put down in parliament; which if ted, being principal sinews of his majesty's auit be, I may not in my duty and love to you ad- thority. Therefore the course will be (as I am vise you to deal in it; if it be not, I will mould advised) that for this heinous misprison (that the it in the best manner and help it forward. The party without all colour or shadow of cause should stay is upon the search of the clerk of the parlia- threaten the life of his judge, and of the highest ment, who is out of town; but we have already judge of the kingdom next his majesty) he be found, that the last grievance in 7mo. is not the same first examined, and if he confess it, then an ore with this suit; but we doubt yet of another in 30. tenus ; if he confess it not, then an information in the

For the business of Mr. Leviston, for your Star Chamber, and he to remain where he is till lordship’s sake (who I perceive keeps your noble the hearing. But I do purposely forbear yet to course with me, in acquainting me with these have him examined till the decree or agreement things) I shall apply myself unto you, though in between him and my Lord Aubigny (which is my nature I do desire that those that serve in the now ready) be perfected, lest it should seem an court where I sit, though they be not in places oppression by the terror of the one to beat him of my gift, and so concerns not me nor my place down in the other. Thus I ever rest in profit; yet I wish, I say, I might leave them

I

Your lordship's true friend and devoted servant, in as good case as I find them. And this suit

Fr. Bacon, Canc. concerneth the main profit of the six clerks, who York House, Jan. 25th, 1617. though they be of the master of the rolls his gift, I pray your lordship to pardon me, if, in respect yet they serve in my court. But my greatest of a little watering in one of mine eyes, I have doubt is, that the grant cannot be good in law; written this letter, being long and private busiand that it is not like those other precedents, ness, in my secretary's hand. whereof I have received a note. For the difference is, where things have been written by all the clerks indifferently and loosely, (in which case the king may draw them into an office,) and where they have appertained to one especial office; IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, in which case the king can no more take away Finding as well by your majesty's despatches the profits of a man's office than he can the pro- and directions to your council, as now by speech fits of his land. Therefore, I think your lordship with Mr. Secretary Laque, that your majesty is may do well to write to Mr. Solicitor and Şer- content to be troubled with business of sundry jeant Finch, or some other lawyers that you trust, natures, I thought good, according to the duty of or such as Mr. Leviston trusteth, being persons of my place and the necessity of the occasion, to put account, to inform you of the point in law before you your majesty in mind, that on this day sennight, proceed any further : for without that all is in vain. being Friday in the morning, I am, according to

For the business of Hawkyns, touching the custom, to give a charge and admonition to the register for the commission of bankrupts, I am judges and justices of peace now before the cirnot yet satisfied, likewise for the law, nor for the cuits, wherein I am humbly to crave your maconveniency, but I rather incline to think it may jesty's pleasure and directions. pass; and I have set it in a course by which I I have for your majesty's better ease set down may be thoroughly informed.

the heads, which by the prescript of your book, For Sir Rowland Egerton's cause, and his and out of the consideration of the present times, lady's, the parties have submitted themselves I have thought fittest to be remembered. I have unto me, and are content to do it by bond, and also sent your majesty the last account of the therefore, I will undoubtedly make an end of it judges' circuits, not to trouble you with the readaccording to justice and conscience.

ing of them all; but to the end, that if upon my For Sir Gilbert Houghton's business I am in memorial, or otherwise out of your majesty's own very good hope to effect your lordship's desire for memory which is above memorials, you should his good.

have occasion to resort to those accounts, the For Moore's business, concerning the printing papers may be by you. of books, after hearing all parties, I have sealed The point of greatest weight in my opinion is his patent; but for his former patent of salt 1 the carrying of a balanced hand at this time in dare not do it without acquainting the council the matter of recusants, in regard of the treaty therewith, which I am ready to do, if he require with Spain. For it were good in respect of your that course to be taken.

people, that there were no note made, that the If his majesty at any time ask, touching the string is relaxed, and in respect of the treaty, Lord Clifton's business, I pray your lordship that it is not strained: and therefore the proceedrepresent to his majesty thus much, that whatso- ing in those causes be rather diligent than severe. ever hath passed I thank God I neither fear him I am wonderful glad to hear that this extremity nor hate him; but I am wonderful careful of the of weather, which I think the Muscovite hath seat of justice, that they may still be well muni- brought with him, hath not touched your majesty,

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whose health and ease is far dearer to me than my Secondly, The warrant (as is acknowledged) life, with all the appurtenances. God ever pre- came only from my Lord of Suffolk, and not from serve and prosper you.

Mr. Chancellor, and yet my lord was wont to Your majesty's most faithful and boast, that since he was treasurer, all commissions

most obliged servant, and contracts for sale of the king's land were

Fr. Bacon, Canc. broken off and ceased. This Friday morning,

Thirdly, The rate of the moneys paid by the the 6th of February, 1617. Your majesty will be pleased your answer be gentlemen, amounteth to but thirteen year's pur

chase, which is a plain gift of a good proportion with me on Thursday at noon, or soon after it.

of value. 1 If his majesty, now informed, iterate his man

date, it is done, and I excuse; but I could wish TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

his majesty would refer it to the commissioners MY VERY GOOD LORD,

of the treasury how the gentlemen may be other

wise satisfied. Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer hath signified to me, this day, that yesterday his majesty commission of the wards in Ireland, which, this

I received, yesternight, a brave account of the called him to his coach and said to him, that one that had used ill speech of me should be called one year, is advanced from two hundred pounds before me and make his submission to me, and, per annum to four thousand pounds, which is thereupon be called before the council and receive twenty fold multiplied. This I write for two

I a sharp reprehension, and so be enlarged. And reasons. First, because I glory in it, because it Mr. Chancellor could not tell me who the person

was my work wholly: next, because his majesty was, but after, by some letter he received from may take occasion by this to look better to the my Lord Clifton, and speech with a man of his, improvement of his wards in England in due

time. God ever preserve and prosper you. he perceived it was he. I pray your lordship, in humbleness, to let his

Your Lordship's most obliged

friend and faithful servant, majesty know that I little fear the Lord Clifton,

FR. VERULAM, Canc. but I much fear the example, that it will animate ruf

York House, fians and rodomonti, extremely, against the seats July 27, 1618. of justice, (which are his majesty's own seats) yea, and against all authority and greatness, if this pass without public censure and example, it TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. having gone already so far as that the person of a baron hath been committed to the Tower. The

MY VERY GOOD LORD, punishment it may please his majesty to remit,

I am very glad to hear of the honour his majesty and I shall not formally but heartily intercede for intendeth to my noble lady, your lordship’s mother. him, but an example" (setting myself aside) i This, amongst many other things, showeth, in wish for terror of persons that may be more dan- your lordship, good nature, which is the root of gerous than he, towards the least judge of the all virtues, next religion. Besides, it doth sort kingdom.

well in states, when place and power do meet,

and stand not too far at distance. Therefore, it may please his majesty to speak of it with myself and my lords when he cometh

For the passing of it by direction without bill next; and in the mean time I will command from signed, it cannot be in law. So is Mr. Attorney's his majesty, the master of the rolls and Mr. At- opinion, and so is mine; and, therefore, there is torney, who were appointed by the table to exa

presently a bill sent with an endorsement of passmine him, to tay. God ever prosper you.

ing it by immediate warrant, and this antedate. Your lordship's true friend

For the antedate, I must present his majesty and devoted servant,

with my caution, and with my obedience. Fr. Bacon, Canc.

For the statute tieth me from antedates; and,

indeed, the mischief is infinite : for, by that means March 17, 1617.

the king may grant any land, &c., and take it

away a month hence, and grant it another by an TO THE MARQUIS OP BUCKINGHAM.

antedate. And, surely, were it land or the like, I MY VERY GOOD LORD,

would not say absit, or your majesty cannot do it I pray your lordship to signify to his majesty for the world; or your majesty is sworn, and I am that I thought it my duty to stay at the seal, a sworn; or such brave phrases: but, surely, (I say) book of Sir Francis Steward's and Sir James I would in humbleness represent it to his majesty. Averlony, &c., of £200 land in charge in fee sim- But the case of honour differeth; for, therein ple: my reasons.

his majesty's prerogative and declaration is absoFirst, It is a perpetuity, and so much rent in lute, and he may make him that is last to be tirst. diminution of revenue certain.

And, therefore, upon his majesty's signification

:

of his pleasure upon the endorsement of the bill hath been yielded communibus annis, by a medium signed, I take it I may lawfully do it.

of seven years.

If the king be pleased to grant I am here rejoicing with my neighbours, the me this, it will a little warm the honour he hath townsmen of St. Albans, for this happy day, the given me; and I shall have a new occasion to be 5th of August, 1618.

as I ever have been, and shall be Your lordship's most obliged

Your lordship's obliged friend friend and faithful servant,

and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

FR. VERULAM, Canc. Gorhambury.

October 9th, 1618.

York House,

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. My very good Lord,

I thank your lordship for your last loving letter. My very GOOD LORD, I now write to give the king an account of the This morning Mr. Attorney came to me and patent I have stayed at the seal. It is of licence desired of me many writs of ne exeat regnum to give in mortmain eight hundred pounds land, against most of the Dutch merchants, and withal though it be in tenure in chief to Allen, that was let me understand that there was a discovery of the player, for an hospital.

an infinite transportation of gold and silver out I like well that Allen playeth the last act of his of this realm, by the said Dutch merchants, life so well; but if his majesty give way thus to amounting to millions; and that Sir John Britten amortize his tenures, his courts of wards will had made a book thereof, and presented the same decay, which I had well hoped should improve.

to his majesty; and further that his majesty had But that which moved me chiefly is, that his directed him to prosecute the same; and had also majesty now lately did absolutely deny Sir Henry given to Sir Thomas Vavisor the forfeiture of Savile for two hundred pounds, and Sir Edwin such ten of them as he should choose. Sandys for one hundred pounds, to the perpetuat- Hereupon, I thought it my duty, as in a matter ing of two lectures, the one in Oxford, the other in of great weight, to signify to his majesty, by your Cambridge, foundations of singular honour to his lordship, what I conceive. majesty, (the best learned of kings,) and of which The discovery I think very happy: for, if it be there is great want; whereas, hospitals abound, true, it will be a great benefit to his majesty; it and beggars abound never a whit the less. will also content his people much, and it will

If his majesty do like to pass the book at all; demonstrate also that Scotland is not the leech yet if he would be pleased io abridge the eight (as some discoursers say,) but the Netherlanders hundred pounds to five hundred pounds, and then that suck the realm of treasure; so that the thing give way to the other two books for the Univer- is very good. sity, it were a princely work. And I would make But, two things I must represent to his maan humble suit to the king, and desire your lord- jesty: the first, that if I stay merchants from ship to join in it, that it might be so.

their trading by this writ, I must do it either ex preserve and prosper you.

officio, or by special warrant from his majesty. Your lordship's most obliged

If ex officio, then I must have more than a bare friend and faithful servant, surmise to grant the writ upon, so as I must be

Fr. Verulam, Canc. acquainted with the grounds, or at least appearYork House, this

ance of proofs. If by special warrant, then I 18th of August, 1618.

desire to receive the same. The other is that I I have written to my Lord Chamberlain, being humbly beseech his majesty that these royal Chancellor of Oxford, to help in the business. boughs of forfeiture may not be vintaged, or

cropped by private suitors, (considering his majesty's state as it is,) but that Sir Thomas Viva

sor or Sir John Brittain may have a bountiful and TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

gracious reward of their discovery, but not the MY VERY GOOD LORD,

prime, or without stint. Looking for matter of service, I have found out In sum, I would wish his majesty to refer the a suit for myself, and it is proper for me more whole business and carriage of the same for his than all men, because it is within the accompt of honour and profit to the commissioners of treathe hanaper. But I have made a law to myself, sure, or because it is a legal forfeiture to myself, Mr. that I will never beg any thing, which shall not Chancellor, Sir Edward Coke, and my Lord Chief bring a gain to the king; therefore, my suit is to Justice of England, and by us his majesty shall faria the profits of the alienations, yielding a be assured to know the best cause for his justice, thousand pounds a year more to the king than honour, and profit, and that he may dispose what

God ever

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