309 CHAPTER VII. A.D. 1618. APRIL-DECEMBER. 1. ÆTAT. 58. THE spring of 1618 was remarkable for unusually bad weather, and an unusual want of interesting events for news writers. For the weather, it was observed that during the whole of April "not a day had passed but that within the compass of 12 hours there had been either rain, hail, snow, or frost." And for news, it was noted that a race from St. Albans to Clerkenwell between two men on foot had interest enough, though run on a very "sour and foul" day, to bring out all the fashionable world to witness it. "All the Court, in a manner, Lords and Ladies, some further off some nearer, went to see this race, and the King himself almost as far as Barnet... insomuch that it was verily thought that there were as many people as at the King's first coming to London." Events of great importance were on their way, but for the present the surface of affairs in England was very tranquil. Two short letters in answer to communications from Ireland of no recent date serve to remind us that Bacon continued to watch the course of affairs there with interest. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND.2 My Lord Chancellor, I will not have you account the days of my not answering your letter. It is a thing imposed upon the3 multitude of my business to lodge many things faithfully, though I make no pre 1 Chamberlain to Carleton, 10th April, 1618. 2 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 93. Copy. No docket. The Lord Chancellor was Dr. Thomas Jones, Archbishop of Dublin, who died April 10, 1619. (Note by Birch.) 3 So in the copy. I suppose it should be "imposed upon me by the " etc. sent return. Your conjunction and good understanding with the Deputy1 I approve and commend; for I ever loved intire and good compositions, which was the old physic, better than fine separations. Your friendly attributes to me I take as effects of affection; which must be causes of any good office wherewith I can requite you. We conceive that kingdom is in growth. God send soundness to the increase; wherein I doubt not but your Lordship will do your part. God keep you Your Lordship's very loving friend, York-house, 15 April 1618. FR. BACON, Canc. TO THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF IRELAND.2 My Lord Chief Justice, I thank you for your letter, and assure you that you are not deceived, neither in the care I have of the public in that state, nor in my good wishes and the effects thereof, when it shall lie in my power towards yourself. I am glad to receive your testimony of my Lord Deputy, both because I esteem your judgment, and because it concurreth with my own. The materials of that kingdom, which is trade and wealth, grow on apace. I hope the form, which giveth the best living of religion and justice, will not be behind; the rather by you, as a good instrument. I rest Your Lordship's assured friend, York-house*** of April, 1618.4 FR. BACON, Canc. About this time we hear of Bacon going "in all his pomp" to hear the Archbishop of Spalato preach at Mercer's chapel: "which 1 Sir Oliver St. John, afterwards Viscount Grandison. He died at Battersea in Surrey, December 29, 1630, aged seventy. (Note by Birch.) 2 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 94. Copy. No docket. 3 In Stephens's catalogue (Birch MSS. 4259) I find among the letters addressed to Bacon the following entry, under date 30 Nov. 1617. "I crave pardon '-an account of the state of Ireland-Sir Will. Jones." Sir William had been appointed Chief Justice in May, 1617. See Ch. IV. § 9. 4 Date omitted. The letter seems to have been copied in a hurry. was not so strange," adds the reporter, as not a month since to see him in the same state go to Sir Baptist Hickes's and Barnes's shops to cheapen and buy silks and velvets." As it is not said that this was his ordinary practice, we may suppose that he found it convenient on that occasion to take them in his way from his Court. Buckingham's bad habit of writing letters in favour of parties having suits in Chancery was not discontinued; as will be seen by those which follow; but I do not perceive in them any evidence of a desire to interfere, more or otherwise than in those which we have seen already. And Bacon had at this time a fresh reminder that his place did not raise him above criticism. A suitor who felt aggrieved with one of his orders, complained of him to the King in an elaborate pamphlet, as having cancelled two decrees made by his predecessor, without cause, without matter, without any legal proceedings, without precedent, upon the party's bare suggestions, and without calling him to answer. The style of the complaint was thought by the King a fit subject for censure in the Star-chamber; where the complainant was heard at large, in Bacon's absence, and failing to justify his language, was sentenced by Coke (who as the last appointed councillor spoke first-and with whom all the rest agreed) to be punished according to a precedent made while he was himself Attorney General. The sentence, as we learn from Chamberlain (5 May 1618), was severe;-to be imprisoned, to pay a fine of £1000, to ride with his face to the horse's tail, and to lose his ears. "Which, though at first sight" he says "it may seem a hard sentence, yet upon the matter he deserved somewhat: and there is hope it was rather in terrorem than to be put in execution." TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.3 My honourable Lord, Understanding that there is a suit depending before your Lordship between Sir Rowland Cotton plaintiff and Sir John Gawen defendant, which is shortly to come to a hearing, and having been likewise informed that Sir Rowland Cotton hath undertaken it in the behalf of certain poor people; which charitable endeavour of his I assure myself will find so good acceptation with your Lordship that there shall be no other use of recommendation: yet at the earnest request of some friends of mine I have thought fit to write to your Lordship in his behalf, desiring you to 1 Chamberlain to Carleton, 20 April, 1618. S. P. vol. xcvii. no. 33. 2 See Yelverton's speech, in a full report of the case printed in Blackbourne's edition, vol. i. p. 104. Harl. MSS. 7006. f. 85. Orig. Docketed by Meautys, "The Marq. of Bucking to your Lp. in the behalf of Sir Rowland Cotton." shew him what favour you lawfully may and the cause may bear, in the speedy dispatch of his business; which I shall be ever ready to acknowledge, and rest Your Lordship's most devoted to serve you, Whitehall, the 20 day of April, 1618. G. BUCKINGHAM. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.1 My honourable Lord, I will not go about to excuse mine own fault by making you believe his Majesty was backward in your business; but upon the first motion he gave me directions for it, which it was my negligence (as I freely confess) that I have no sooner performed, having not been slack in moving his Majesty, but in dispatching your man. All is done which your Lordship desired, and I will give order according to his Majesty's directions, so that your Lordship shall not need to trouble yourself any farther, but only to expect the speedy performance of his Majesty's gracious pleasure. I will take the first opportunity to acquaint his Majesty with the other business, and will ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Theobalds, the 8 of May. G. BUCKINGHAM. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.3 My honourable good Lord, Whereas in Mr. Hansbye's cause, which formerly by my means both his Majesty and myself recommended to your Lordship's favour, your Lordship thought good upon a hearing thereof to decree some part for the young gentleman, and to refer to some masters of the chancery (for your farther satisfaction) the examination of witnesses to this point, which seemed to your Lordship to be the main thing your Lordship doubted of, whether or no the leases conveyed by old Hansbye to young Hansbye by deed were to be liable to the legacies which he gave by will, and that now I am credibly informed that it will appear upon their report and by the depositions of witnesses without all exception that the said leases are no way liable to those legacies; these shall be earnestly to intreat your Lordship that upon consideration of the report of the masters and depositions of the witnesses you will for my sake shew as much favour and expedition to young Mr. Hansbye in this cause as the justness thereof will 1 Harl. MSS. 7006. f. 87. No year-date. Docketed by Meautys, “My Lo. of Bucking to my Lo." 2 I do not know what the businesses were to which this letter refers. 3 Harl. MSS. 7006. f. 89. Docketed by Meautys, "12 Junii, 1618, The Ear of Bucking to your Lp. in the behalf of one Mr. Hansbye." permit. And I shall receive it at your Lordship's hands as a particular favour. So I take my leave of your Lordship, and rest Greenwich, the 12 of June, 1618. TO THE LORD Chancellor.1 My honourable Lord, G. BUCKINGHAM. Understanding that the cause depending in the Chancery between the lady Vernon and the officers of his Majesty's household is now ready for a decree, though I doubt not but as his Majesty hath been satisfied of the equity of the cause on his officers' behalf, who have undergone the business by his Majesty's command, your Lordship will also find their cause worthy of your favour: yet I have thought fit once again to recommend it to your Lordship, desiring you to give them a speedy end of it, that both his Majesty may be freed from farther importunity, and they from the charge and trouble of following it: which I will be ever ready to acknowledge as a favour done unto myself, and always rest Your Lordship's faithful friend and servant, Greenwich, the 15 day of June, 1618. My honoured Lord, TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.2 G. BUCKINGHAM. I writ unto your Lordship lately in the behalf of Sir Rowland Cotton, that then had a suit in dependence before your Lordship and the rest of my Lords in the Star-Chamber. The cause I understand hath gone contrary to his expectation, yet he acknowledges himself much bound to your Lordship for the noble and patient hearing he did then receive, and he rests satisfied, and I much beholding to your Lordship for any favour it pleased your Lordship to afford him for my cause. It now rests only in your Lordship's power for the assessing of costs, which because I am certainly informed Sir Rowland Cotton had just cause of complaint, I hope your Lordship will not give any against him. And I do the rather move your Lordship to respect him in it, because it concerns him in his reputation, which I know he tenders, and not the money which might be imposed upon him, which can be but a trifle. Thus presuming of your Lordship's favour herein, which I shall be ready ever to account to your Lordship for, I rest June 29, 1618. Your Lordship's most devoted to serve you, G. BUCKINGHAM. 1 Harl. MSS. 7006. f. 91. Orig. Docketed, by the other secretary, “15 Jun. 1618. My Lo. Marqs of Buck. to yo' Lp. on the behalf of the officers of the household in a cause depending between them and the Lady Vernon." 2 Ibid. f. 93. Orig. Docketed by Meautys, "29 June, 1618. My Lo. Marqs of Buckm to yor Lp. on the behalf of Sir Rowland Cotton." |