TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY, (a) SIR

HUMPHREY MAY.

Good Mr. Chancellor,

I DO approve very well of your forbearance to move my suits, in regard the duke's return (b) is so near at hand, which I thought would have been a longer matter; and I imagine there is a gratiastitium, till he come. I do not doubt but you shall find his grace nobly disposed. The last time you spake with him about me, I remember you sent me word, he thanked you for being so forward for me. Yet I could wish, that you took some occasion to speak with him, generally to my advantage, before you move to him any particular suit; and to let me know how you find him.

My lord treasurer sent me a good answer touching my monies. I pray you continue to quicken him, that the king may once clear with me. A fire of old wood needeth no blowing; but old men do. I ever

rest

Yours to do you service.

(a) This letter is indorsed, 1625.

(b) From Paris, whither the duke of Buckingham went in May, 1625, to conduct the new queen to England.

Consultations in Parliament anno 1 Caroli Regis, at Westminster, anno Domini 1625. (a)

[Found among Lord Bacon's Papers.]

THE Consultations now in parliament may be regulated into these four heads following.

1. The state of the king in the constant revenue of his crown.

1. What it was; and how far the introitus et eritus there ordered. Vide my book of a medium for ten years before primo Jacobi regis.

2.

What now it is
in clear revenue,
either by

3.

The means how

it is abated by

Lands;

Customs and impositions;
Casualties.

Gifts of land, ex mero motu, and no valuable consideration. This may be revoked.

Grants of pensions, now 120,000l. before but 18,0001. Good times have resumed them upon necessity.

Increase of household, from 45,000l. to 80,000%.

The purveyors more, and the table less furnished than formerly.

Fruitless ambassages with larger allowance than formerly. To reduce them to the ordinary of the late queen.

Treble increase of the privy purse. Double increase of the treasury of the chamber and great wardrobe. In all, by not using the best course of assignments, whereby the creditor is delayed in his payment,and the king surcharged in the price. The exchequer-man making his best profit from the king's wants.

(a) This parliament met on the 18th of June, and was dissolved August 12,

1625.

4.

Our own.

The number and quantity employed severally.

The manner of imbarking these ships, and what prejudice and discouragement of trade.

The council, that directed such employments.

The several successes, as at Argier, and Cadiz.

Hired by contract to serve, and how used: or Taken as prize: if so, How then delivered and dealt withal in the course of justice.

What success hath followed upon injustice done them as the arrest of our goods in France and Germany, whereby our goods are at a stand for vent.. The number and true value of the goods.

The account made to his majesty or his officers,forit. 1. By whom

The dis- the direc

3.

In ships and munition of

missing

tion.

and dis

2. The pre

7.

charging of

tence.

Enemies. any of them

3.The value

and the

goods,
namely,

Under this head will fall the complaint of Dover.

A nation feared, renowned, victorious. It made the Netherlands there a state when it was none.

Recovered Henry IV. of France's kingdom, when he had nothing left but the town of Dieppe.

Conquered the invincible navy of Spain in 1588.

Took towns in Portugal the year following, and marched 100 miles upon the firm land.

Fired, or brought away, the Spanish

4.

Honour of

the king and

1.
How for-

merly we
stood.

2.

The cause

navy before Cadiz, and sacked the

town.

Took the Spanish ships daily, and spoiled the Port-Towns of the WestIndies, never losing but one ship during all the Spanish wars.

Reduced the ambition of that king for a fifth monarchy to so low an ebb, that in one year he paid 2500 millions of ducats for interest, so as after he was inforced to beg treaties of peace, in low terms, at the last queen regent's hands.

A carriage and readiness in the people to assist their sovereign in their purse and person.

A wisdom and gravity of council, who ordered nothing but by public de

state, which, of the good bate, and then assisted by the military

as in all

other, con

sists more in fama than vi.

success

then.

3.

In what condition.

Condition

we now

stand by

professors, either by land or sea, of the best repute, and such only employed.

I could wish, that for every of these four heads there were a particular committee to examine an apt report for the houses; and the houses, upon every report, to put itself into a committee of the whole assembly; and after a full and deliberate debate, to order a model, or form, for a conference with the lords and so, together, humbly to present unto his majesty a remonstrance of their labour; offering withal a serious consultation and debate amongst

(a) In October, 1625.