To effect both which, we humbly presume to present thus much unto your majesty as our opinion. First, that an information be put into the star-chamber, as we formerly advised, against your attorney as delinquent, against the mayor, etc. as interested, and against the recorder also, mixtly with some touch of charge. That the submission by letter offered by Mr. Attorney is no way satisfactory for your majesty's honour; but is to be of record by way of answer, and deduced to more particulars. That any submission or surrender of the patents by the city should be also of record in their answer; and no other can be received with your majesty's honour, but by answer in court: the same to come merely of themselves, without any motion on your majesty's behalf directly or indirectly; which being done in this form, it will be afterwards in your majesty's choice and pleasure to use mercy, and to suspend any farther proceedings against your attorney. That it is of necessity as well for the putting in of this information, as for your majesty's other urgent and public services in that and other courts, to have a sequestration presently of your attorney, and a provisional commission to some other, during your majesty's pleasure, to execute that charge. For both which, instruments legal shall be provided as soon as your majesty's pleasure is known. To which we humbly and dutifully submit our advice and opinion, beseeching God to bless your majesty's sacred person with continuance and increase of much health and happiness: wherewith, humbly kissing your royal hands, we rest Your majesty's most humble and faithful subjects and servants, FR. VERULAM, Canc. GEO. CALVERT, T. ARUNDEL, ROBERT NAUNTON, At your majesty's Palace of CCXXXV. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Stephens's My very good Lord, I HAVE lately certified his majesty on the behalf of Sir George Chaworth, by secretary Calvert, touching the place of a remembrancer in chancery for setting down of causes. And because the gentleman telleth me, the king thought my certificate a little doubtful ; he desired me to write to your lordship, touching my approbation more plainly. It is true, that I conceive it to be a good business, and will be for the service of the court, and ease of the subject; I will look it shall be accompanied with good cautions. We ruffle over business here in council apace, and I think to reasonable good purpose. By my next I will write of some fit particulars. I ever rest Your most obliged friend and faithful servant, June 21, 1620. second collection, P. 110. CCXXXVI. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Ibid.p.111. My very good Lord, THE tobacco business is well settled in all points. For the coals, they that brought the offer to secretary Calvert, so very basely shrink from their words; but we are casting about to piece it and perfect it. The two goose-quills Maxwell and Alured have been pulled, and they have made submissions in that kind which the board thought fit: for we would not do them the honour to require a recantation of their opinion, but an acknowledgment of their presumption. His majesty doth very wisely, not shewing much care or regard to it, yet really to suppress their licentious course of talking and writing. My old lord Burghley was wont to say, that the Frenchman when he hath talked, he hath done; but the Englishman when he hath talked, he begins. It evaporateth malice and discontent in the one, and kindleth it in the other. And therefore upon some fit occasion I wish a more public example. The king's state, if I should now die and were opened, would be found at my heart, as queen Mary said of Calais; we find additionals still, but the consumption goeth on. I pray God give his majesty resolution, passing by at once all impediments and less respects, to do that which may help it, before it be irremediable. God ever preserve and prosper your lordship. Your lordship's most obliged friend 23 July, 1620. and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. I have stayed the thousand pounds set upon Englefield for his majesty, and given order for levying it. Stephens's CCXXXVII. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. lection, My very good Lord, second col p. 112. ONE gave me a very good precept for the stone; that I should think of it most when I feel it least. This I apply to the king's business, which surely I revolve most when I am least in action; whereof at my attendance I will give his majesty such account as can proceed from my poor and mean abilities, which as his majesty out of grace may think to be more than they are, so I out of desire may think sometime they can effect more than they can. But still it must be remembered, that the stringing of the harp, nor the tuning of it, will not serve, except it be well played on from time to time. If his majesty's business or commandments require it, I will attend him at Windsor, though I would be glad to be spared, because quick airs at this time of the year do affect me. At London, and so at Theobalds and Hampton-Court, I will not fail, God willing, to wait upon his majesty. Mean while I am exceeding glad to hear his majesty hath been lusty and well this progress. Thus, much desiring to see your lordship, cujus amor tantum mihi crescit in horas, as the poet saith, I ever remain Your lordship's most obliged friend Gorhambury, this 30th of Aug. 1620. FR. VERULAM, Canc. CCXXXVIII. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Stephens's My very good Lord, I WRITE now only a letter of thanks to his majesty, for that I hear, in my absence he was pleased to express towards me, though unworthy, a great deal of grace and good opinion before his lords; which is much to my comfort, whereunto I must ever impute your lordship as accessary. I have also written to him what signification I received from secretary Naunton of his majesty's will and pleasure, lest in so great a business there should be any mistaking. ports The pain of my foot is gone, but the weakness doth a little remain, so as I hope within a day or two to have full use of it. I ever remain Your lordship's most obliged friend second collection, p. 113. 2 Octob. 1620. FR. VERULAM, Canc. CCXXXIX. To the KING. It may please your Majesty, But I hear that I THOUGHT myself an unfortunate man that I could not attend you at Theobalds. your majesty hath done, as God Almighty useth to do, which is to turn evil into good, in that your majesty hath been pleased upon that occasion to express before your lords your gracious opinion and favour towards me, which I most humbly thank your majesty for, and will aspire to deserve. Secretary Naunton this day brought me your pleasure in certain notes; that I should advise with the two chief justices, old parliament-men, and Sir Edward Coke, who is also their senior in that school, and Sir Randall Crewe the last speaker, and such other judges as we should think fit, touching that which mought in true policy, without packing or degenerate arts, prepare to a parliament, in case your majesty should resolve of one to be held; and withal he sig Ibid.p.114. Stephens's nified to me some particular points, which your majesty very wisely had deduced. All your majesty's business is super cor meum, for I lay it to heart, but this is a business secundum cor meum; and yet, as I will do your majesty all possible good services in it, so I am far from seeking to impropriate to myself the thanks, but shall become omnibus omnia, as St. Paul saith, to attain your majesty's ends. As soon as I have occasion, I will write to your majesty touching the same, and will have special care to communicate with my lords, in some principal points, though all things are not at first fit for the whole table. I ever rest Your majesty's most bounden 2 Oct. 1620. and most devoted servant, Your majesty needeth not to doubt but that I shall carry the business with that secrecy which appertaineth. CCXL. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. My very good Lord, YESTERDAY I called unto us the two chief justices, and serjeant Crewe, about the parliament business. To call more judges, I thought not good. It would be little to assistance, much to secrecy. The distribution of the business we made was into four parts. I The perusing the former grievance, and of things of like nature which have come since. II. The consideration of a proclamation, with the clauses thereof, especially touching elections; which clauses nevertheless, we are of opinion, should be rather monitory than exclusive. III. The inclusive: that is to say, what persons were fit to be of the house, tending to make a sufficient and well-composed house of the ablest men of the kingdom, fit to be advised with circa ardua regni, as the stile of the writs goeth, according to the pure and true institution of a parliament; and of the means to |