Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

hath been used. And after the assembly of all these, that some of your majesty's counsellors of state, that are best acquainted with the case, should openly declare, that this form of proceeding against Sir Walter is holden, for that he is civilly dead. After this your majesty's council learned to charge his acts of hostility, depredation, abuse as well of your majesty's commission, as of your subjects under his charge, impostures, attempt of escape, and other his misdemeanours. But for that, which concerns the French, wherein he was rather passive than active, and without which the charge is complete, we humbly refer to your majesty's consideration, how far that shall be touched. After which charge so given, the examinations read, and Sir Walter heard, and some to be confronted against him, if need be, then he is to be withdrawn and sent back; for that no sentence is, or can be, given against him. And after he is gone, then the lords of the council and judges to give their advice to your majesty, whether in respect of these subsequent offences, upon the whole matter, your majesty, if you so please, may not with justice and honour give warrant for his execution upon his attainder. And of this whole proceeding we are of opinion, that a solemn act of council should be made, with a memorial of the whole presence. But before this be done, that your majesty may be pleased to signify your gracious direction herein to your council of state; and that your council learned, before the calling of Sir Walter, should deliver the heads of the matter, together with the principal examinations touching the same, wherewith Sir Walter is to be charged, unto them, that they may be perfectly informed of the true state of the case, and give their advice accordingly. All which nevertheless we, in all humbleness, present and submit to your princely wisdom and judgment, and shall follow whatsoever it shall please your majesty to direct us herein, with all dutiful readiness. York House, this 18th Your Majesty's most humble

of October, 1618.

and faithful Servants, &c.

To the Lord Chancellor.*

My honourable Lord,

Whereas there is a cause depending in the Court of Chancery between one Mr. Francis Foliambe and Francis Hornsby, the which already hath received a decree, and is now to have another hearing before yourself; I have thought fit to desire you to shew so much favour therein, seeing it

* Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006.

concerns the gentleman's whole estate, as to make a full arbitration and final end, either by taking the pains in ending it yourself, or preferring it to some other, who your lordship shall think fit: which I shall acknowledge as a courtesy from your lordship; and ever rest

Your Lordship's faithful Friend and Servant, Hinchingbroke, the 22nd G. BUCKINGHAM.

of October, 1618.

To the Marquis of Buckingham.

My very good Lord,

I send the commission for making Lincoln's Inn Fields into walks for his majesty's signature. It is without charge to his majesty.

We have had my Lord of Ormonde* before us. We could not yet get him to answer directly, whether he would obey the king's award or no. After we had endured his importunity and impertinences, and yet let him down to this, that his majesty's award was not only just and within his submission, but in his favour; we concluded in few words, that the award must be obeyed, and if he did refuse or impugn the execution of it in Ireland, he was to be punished by the justice of Ireland: if he did murmur.or scandalize it here, or trouble his majesty any more, he was to be punished in England. Then he asked, whether he might be gone. For that, we told him, his majesty's pleasure was to be known.

Sir Robert Mansell hath promised to bring his summer account this day sevennight. God preserve and prosper you. Your Lordship's most obliged Friend

November 12, 1618.

and faithful Servant,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

To the Lord Chancellor.†

My honourable Lord,

I send your lordship the commission signed by his majesty, which he was very willing to dispatch as a business very commendable and worthy to be taken in hand.

* Walter, Earl of Ormonde, grandfather of James, the first Duke of Ormonde. This Earl, upon the death of Thomas, Earl of Ormonde and Ossory, succeeding to those honours, should have inherited likewise the greatest part of the estate: but his right was contested by Sir Richard Preston, Lord Dingwell, supported by the favour of King James I., who made an award, which Walter, Earl of Ormonde, conceiving to be unjust, refused to submit to, and was, by the king's order, committed to the Fleet, where he remained eight years before the death of that king; but in 1625 recovered his liberty.

+ Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006.

For the Earl of Ormonde, his majesty made no other answer, but that he hopeth he is not so unmannerly, as to go away without taking leave of his majesty.

For Sir Robert Mansell's account, his majesty saith he is very slow, especially being but a summary account, and that he promised to bring it in before: and therefore would have him tied to the day he hath now set, without any farther delay.

This last his majesty commanded me to put in after I had written and signed my letter.

Your Lordship's faithful Friend and Servant, Royston, the 13th of G. BUCKINGHAM.

November, 1618.

To the Lord Chancellor.*
My honourable Lord,

Having formerly moved your lordship in the business of this bearer, Mr. Wyche, of whom, as I understand, your lordship hath had a special care to do him favour, according to the equity of his cause; now seeing that the cause is shortly to be heard, I have thought fit to continue my recommendation of the business unto you, desiring your lordship to shew what favour you lawfully may unto Mr. Wyche, according as the justness of the cause shall require which I will acknowledge as a courtesy from your lordship, and

ever rest

Your Lordship's faithful Friend and Servant, Newmarket, the 18th G. BUCKINGHAM. of November, 1618.

To the Lord Chancellor.*

My honourable Lord,

I send your lordship the bill of the Sheriff of Hereford and Leicester, pricked and signed by his majesty, who hath likewise commanded me to send unto your lordship these additions of instructions, sent unto him by the surveyor and receiver of the Court of Wards; wherein, because he knoweth not what to prescribe without understanding what objections can be made, his pleasure is, that your lordship advise and consider of them, and send him your opinion of them, that he may then take such course therein, as shall be fit.

His majesty commanded me to give you thanks for your care of his service; and so I rest

Newmarket, 22d

of November.

Your Lordship's faithful Servant,

Indorsed-1618.

G. BUCKINGHAM,

* Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006.

To the Marquis of Buckingham.

My very good Lord,

We have put the Declaration* touching Ralegh to the press with his majesty's additions, which were very material, and fit to proceed from his majesty.

For the prisoners, we have taken an account, given a charge, and put some particulars in examination for punishment and example.

For the pursuivants, we staid a good while for Sir Edward Coke's health; but he being not yet come abroad, we have entered into it; and we find faults, and mean to select cases for example: but in this swarm of priests and recusants we are careful not to discourage in general. But the punishment of some, that are notoriously corrupt, concerned not the good, and will keep in awe those that are but indifferent.

The balance of the king's estate is in hand, whereof I have great care, but no great help.

The sub-committees for the several branches of treasure are well chosen and charged.

This matter of the king's estate for means is like a quarry, which digs and works hard; but then, when I consider it buildeth, I think no pains too much; and after term it shall be my chief care.

For the Mint, by my next I will give account; for our day is Wednesday.

God ever preserve and prosper you.

November 22, 1618.

Your Lordship's,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Indorsed-Of council business.

To the Lord Chancellor.†

My honourable Lord,

I having understood by Dr. Steward, that your lordship hath made a decree against him in the Chancery, which he thinks very hard for him to perform; although I know it is unusual to your lordship to make any alterations, when things are so far past: yet in regard I owe him a good turn, which I know not now how to perform but this way, I desire your lordship, if there be any place left for mitigation, your fordship would shew him what favour you may, for my sake,

Declaration of the Demeanour and Carriage of Sir Walter Ralegh, Knight, as well in his Voyage, as in and since his Return, &c." printed at London, 1618,

in 4to.

+ Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006.

in his desires, which I shall be ready to acknowledge as a great courtesy done unto myself; and will ever rest Your Lordship's faithful Friend and Servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

Newmarket, the 2nd

of Decemb. 1618.

To the Lord Chancellor.*

My honourable Lord,

I have written a letter unto your lordship, which will be delivered unto you in behalf of Dr. Steward; and besides, have thought fit to use all freedom with you in that, as in other things; and therefore have thought fit to tell you, that he being a man of very good reputation, and a stout man, that will not yield to any thing, wherein he conceiveth any hard course against him, I should be sorry he should make any complaint against you. And therefore, if you can advise of any course, how you may be eased of that burden, and freed from his complaint, without shew of any fear of him, or any thing he can say, I will be ready to join with you for the accomplishment thereof: and so desiring you to excuse the long stay of your man, I rest

Your Lordship's faithful Friend and Servant,
From Newmarket, 3d of
G. BUCKINGHAM.
December, 1618.

To the Marquis of Buckingham.
My very good Lord,

Yesternight we dispatched the Lord Ridgeway's account. Good service is done. Seven or eight thousand pounds are coming to the king, and a good precedent set for accounts.

There came to the seal about a fortnight since a strange book passed by Mr. Attorney to one Mr. Hall; and it is to make subjects (for so is denization,) and this to go to a private use, till some thousand pounds be made of it. The number one hundred denizens. And whereas all books of that nature had an exception of merchants (which importeth the king not much in his customs only, for that is provided for in the book, but many other ways) this takes in merchants and all. I acquainted the commissioners with it, and by one consent it is stayed. But let me counsel his majesty to grant forth a commission of this nature, so to raise money for himself, being a flower of the crown: and Hall may be rewarded out of it; and it would be to prin

* Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006.

« AnteriorContinuar »