1619. OFFENCES OF PURSUIVANTS. 39 The "volume" referred to in the next letter appears to have been one of two about which the Bishop of Bangor (Dr. Lewis Bayly, author of the "Practice of Piety ") got into trouble about this time. But I do not know what the subject was, or the charge. The other book-" the great one"-was under examination in the beginning of February following. See Bacon's letter to Secretary Calvert, 5 February 1619. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.1 My very good Lord, I send his Majesty a volume of my Lord of Bangor's and my Lord Sheffield, whereof I spake when I left his Majesty at Theobald's. His Majesty may be pleased at his own good time and pleasure to cast his eye upon it. I purpose at my coming to London to confer with the Chief Justice as his Majesty appointed; and to put the business of the pursuivants2 in a way, which I think will be best by a commission of Oyer and Terminer; for the Star Chamber (without confession) is long seas. I should advise that this point of the pursuivants were not single, but that it be coupled in the commission with the offences of keepers of prisons hereabouts, it hath a great affinity; for pursuivants are but ambulatory keepers, and it works upon the same party (of the papists). And it is that wherein many of his Majesty's and the Council's severe charges have been hitherto unfruitful: and it doth a great deal of mischief. I have some other reasons for it. But of this it will be fittest to advertise more particularly what I have resolved of on advice, upon conference with the Chief Justice. I am wonderful glad to hear of the King's good health. God preserve his Majesty and your Lordship. I ever rest Gorhambury, this last of July, 1619. Your Lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. 1 Stephens's first collection, p. 240. From the original. Probably the cases formerly selected for example. See vol. vi. p. 378. 3 So in printed copy. GORHAMBURY, 3D. AUG. 1619. LORD CHANCELLOR VERULAM TO MY LORD WARDEN OF THE CINQUE PORTS.1 Whereas there are process gone out at Mr. Attorney General's prayer against Hugh Higginson and Josias Ente, concerning the business against the Dutchmen in the Star Chamber; out of a desire to preserve the ancient privileges and customs of your place, not to serve such process within your jurisdiction without your leave and consent, I thought good hereby to desire your L. for his M. service that you would cause them forthwith to be sent up to answer Mr. Attorney's Bill, and abide such further proceedings as the case shall require. The next letter, as I gather from the answer, p. 41, enclosed one for the King, containing good news of some kind; perhaps relating to the cause against the Dutch merchants, perhaps about the state of the revenue. I have not met with any of this date answering the description. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.2 My very good Lord, This day according to the first appointment I thought to have waited upon his Majesty and to have given him an account of my cares and preparations for his service, which is my progress. And therefore since his coming to Windsor is prolonged, I thought to keep day by letter, praying your Lordship to commend my most humble service to his Majesty, and to let him know that since I see his Majesty doth me the honour as to rely upon my care and service, I leese no time in that which may pertain thereunto. I see the straits, and I see the way out. And what lieth in one man whom he hath made great 1 S. P. Dom. James I. vol. cx. no. 10. Docketed "3d Aug. 1619. My L. Chancellor to the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Process ought not to be served out of the Chancery without leave of the Warden." A copy: modern, I think; from an original. 2 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. fo. 100. Copy by Meautys. No fly-leaf. Indorsed "To Lo. Marq. Buckingham." 1619.] NEW ASPECT OF THE BOHEMIAN QUESTION. 41 and trained, shall not be wanting. And I hope, if God give me life for a year or two, to give his Majesty cause to think of me seven years after I am dead. I am glad the time approacheth, when I shall have the happiness to kiss his Majesty's hands and to embrace your Lordship, ever resting Your Lordship's most obliged friend, York house, Aug. 28, 1619. FR. VERULAM, Canc. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.1 My honourable Lord, Your Lordship hath sent so good news unto his Majesty, that I could have wished you had been the reporter of it yourself; but seeing you came not, I cannot but give you thanks for employing me in the delivering of that which pleased his Majesty so well, whereof he will put your Lordship in mind when he seeth you. I am glad we are come so near together, and hoping to see you at Windsor, I rest Your Lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Easthampsted the 29th Aug. 1619. 4. The new turn in the Bohemian question was not long in coming; and it is much to be regretted that the view which Bacon took of it at the time cannot now be ascertained. The fact however that his advice was offered, and (whether followed or not) was at least respectfully considered, is itself worthy of notice; the rather because it may possibly lead to the recovery of certain missing papers; which may have been only mislaid; but if separated from the rest of the collection would not be easily recognised as his. The case upon which he had now to advise was very critical and difficult. The Bohemian quarrel had hitherto concerned England only as it affected the progress of the reformed religion and the peace and prosperity of Europe. She had as yet no separate or selfish interest in the issue. But she was now about to be drawn into the game, by no fault of her own, under very inconvenient conditions. On the 10th of March 1619, by the death of the Emperor 1 Harl. MSS. 7006. Orig. Docketed "My Lo. of Buck" to y' Lp." Matthias, Ferdinand of Styria had succeeded, in virtue of a previous election, to the crown of Bohemia. On the 16th of August-two days before he was unanimously elected Emperor of Germany-the States of Bohemia deposed him, and elected in his stead Frederick the Count Palatine of the Rhine, head of the Protestant Union, and James's son-in-law; expecting of course that he would bring the strength of England with him. The English people were delighted at this triumph of Protestantism in the person of the husband of their favourite Princess, and would have rushed to his support at once. But James had always disapproved on principle of rebellion and usurpation; and not being ready to throw his principles overboard merely because the offender was his own son-in-law, he was far from being ambitious for him of the offered dignity. He had not yet satisfied himself that the revolt against Matthias was justifiable; and now they had taken upon themselves to depose the new King, who held his title by their own election, and to offer the throne to a stranger. Such a proceeding was contrary on the face of it to all his ideas of what was legitimate as between subjects and kings, and would have been enough of itself to deter him from becoming accessory, though after the fact. But even if he had seen no overruling objection to the proposal in point of principle, a man so full of thoughts and apprehensions could hardly be blind to the hazards in point of policy. In accepting the Bohemian crown, Frederick involved himself in a war against the Emperor, who already (as James knew by the report of his own ambassador) counted victory certain. He had had no experience in war; nor had he ever shown any genius for command. He had no general of tried ability under him. He had neither men nor money enough for the work; and yet he was not a man who had nothing to lose, for his own Palatinate was by its position particularly vulnerable. He would be a stranger in his own kingdom; his councillors, his nobility, and his people alike unknown to him. How many, or whether any, of the other Protestant princes of Germany would affront the Emperor by helping him, no one could tell. The virtues which subsequent trial proved him to possess-spirit, courage, a religious faith in the sanctity of his cause, and an almost heroic incapacity to believe it lost-he had not yet given proof of. Altogether it had the look of an unhopeful enterprise; and though we may not appeal to the event for proof that it would have been unfortunate had England entered into it with all her heart (because the event might in that case have been different), it was plain to dispassionate observers, though fully sympathising with the popular 1619.] THE BOHEMIAN CROWN OFFERED TO FREDERICK. 43 wishes, that England was not in a sufficiently commanding position to make the difference great. Writing on the 11th of September, Chamberlain says to Carleton "We hear that the Palsgrave is crowned King of Bohemia, so that there is now no place left for deliberation, nor for mediation of peace, till one side be utterly ruined. God send him good success; but surely it was a venturous part, and likely to set all Christendom by the ears. The world thinks it was a plot of the Prince of Orange and the Duke of Bouillon to draw in our King nolens volens: but how he is every way provided for such a business you know, or may easily guess." Such was the case upon which Frederick now sent to ask his father-in-law's advice. His ambassador delivered his message to him on the 3rd of September; overtaking him at Bagshot, on his way to Windsor; where (according to Camden) he arrived the same day. His answer at the moment was that "he would consider of it." At Windsor he was to see Bacon; and it appears by the next letter that he had a "discourse" with him there, of an important character, though on what particular subject we are not informed, which was followed within a day or two by a letter (addressed to Buckingham apparently on the 8th) of " advice touching the business of Bohemia." On the 10th, a full account of all the past negotiations was laid before the Council by the King's command; and the Board was preparing to deliberate upon the advice which they should offer, when the discussion was interrupted by news that Frederick had made his choice and elected to accept the Bohemian crown. This letter of Bacon's has not been preserved, and all we know of it is gathered from Buckingham's answer, as explained by the docket, which Stephens (who first printed the letter) seems to have overlooked; though without it we should not know that the King had consulted Bacon about the Bohemian question at all. Both letter and docket are here taken from the original-now in the British Museum. TO THE LORd Chancellor.3 My honourable Lord, As I was reading your Lordship's letter, his Majesty came, and took it out of my hands, when he knew from whom it came, before I could read the paper enclosed; and told me that you had done like a wise counsellor : 1 S. P. 11 Sept. 1619. 2 Annal. App. 3 Harl. MSS. 7006. Original. Docketed by Meautys, "My L. of Buckm to yr Lp., signifying his M. well taking of your advice touching the business of Bohemia." |