TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LORD,

MY HONOURABLE LORD, I understand that his majesty hath been pleased His majesty marvelleth, that he heareth nothing lo refer a suit unto him by two of his servants, of the business touching the gold and silver Robert Maxwell and John Hunt, for the making thread it and therefore hath commanded me to of sheriffs and escheators' patents, to your lord- write unto your lordship to hasten the despatch ship's consideration. My desire unto your lord- of it; and to give him as speedy an account ship on their behalf is, that you would show thereof as you can. And so I rest them thus much favour for my sake, as with as

Your lordship's faithful servant, much expedition as may be, and your lordship’s

G. BUCKINGHAM. other occasions may permit, to certify your

Newmarket, 7th of February. opinion thereof unto his majesty; which I will

Endorsed, 1617.
be ready to acknowledge, and ever rest
Your lordship's faithful servant,
G. BuckINGHAM.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. I
Newmarket, the 4th day of February, 1617.

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

I understand by this bearer, Edward Hawkins,

how great pains your lordship hath taken in the TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*

business, which I recommended to you concernMY HONOURABLE LORD,

ing him, and how favourably your lordship hath Though I had resolved not to write to your lordship many thanks, and will be ever ready, to

used him for my sake. For which I give your lordship in any matter between party and party ; yet, at the earnest request of my noble friend, acknowledge your favour toward him by all the the Lord Norris, to whom I account myself much testimonies of beholden, I could not but recommend unto your

Your lordship's faithful friend, !ordship’s favoura special friend of his, Sir Thomas

G. BUCKINGHAM. Vonk, who hath a suit before your lordship in

Theobalds, the 12th of February, 1617. the Chancery with Sir Robert Bassett; which, upon the report made unto me thereof, seemeth so reasonable, that I doubt not but the cause itself

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. will move your lordship to favour him, if, upon the hearing thereof, it shall appear the same

MY HONOURABLE LORD, unto your lordship, as at the first sight it doth

I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, unto me. I therefore desire your lordship to who liketh well of the course you mention in the show in this particular what favour you lawfully end of your letter, and will speak with you farther may, for my sake, who will account it as done of it at his return to London. In the mean time, unto myself; and will ever rest

he would have your lordship give direction to the Your lordship's faithful servant,

Master of the Rolls and Mr. Attorneys to stay G. BUCKINGHAM.

the examination. And so I rest Newmarket, the 4th day of Feb. 1617.

Your lordship's most assured

to do you service,

G. BUCKINGHAM. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Hampton Court, the 18th of March, 1617. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I have sent enclosed a letter to his majesty about the public charge I am to give the last Star TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND.** Chamber day, which is this day sevennight, to My Lord Chancellor, the judges and justices before the circuits. I

I will not have you account the days of my not pray deliver it to his majesty with speed. I send answering your letter. It is a thing imposed also some papers appertaining to that business, upon the inúltitude of my business to lodge many which I pray your lordship to have in readiness, things faithfully, though I make no present return. if his majesty call for them. I ever rest

Your conjunction and good understanding with Your lordship’s true friend and devoted servant, .

Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. Fr. Bacon, Canc. + A patent for the monopoly of which was granted lü bir February 6, 1617.

Giles Mompesson and Sir Francis Mitchel, who were punished

for the abuse of that patent by the Parliament, whi..h met • Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

January 30, 1620-1. † Lord Bacon was afterwards accused by the House of | Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

Ibid. Commons of having received of Sir Thomas Monk one hun- || Sir Julius Cæsar.

1 Sir Henry Yelverton dred pieces; which he did not deny, but alleged, that it was ** Dr. Thomas Jones, Archbishop of Dublin, who died Apuu After the suit was ended.

10, 1619. Vol. III

K2

the deputy I approve and commend; for I ever

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.. loved entire and good compositions, which was My HONOURABLE LORD, the old physic, better than fine separations. Whereas it hath pleased his majesty to recom.

Your friendly attributes I take as effects of mend unto your consideration a petition exhibited affection; which must be causes of any good by Mr. Fowle, together with the grievances and uffices, wherewith I can requite you.

request for the rectifying of the work of gold and We conceive that kingdom is in growth. God silver thread; and now understandeth that your send soundness to the increase; wherein I doubt lordship hath called unto you the other commisnot but your lordship will do your part. God sioners in that case, and spent some time to hear keep you.

what the opposers could ubject, and perceiveth Your lordship’s very loving friend, by a relation of a good entrance you have made

Fra. Bacon, Canc. into the business; and is now informed, that York House, April 15, 1618.

there remaineth great store of gold and silver thread in the merchants' hands, brought from foreign parts, besides that which is brought in daily

by stealth, and wrought here by underhand TO THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF IRELAND.*

workers; so that the agents want vent, with My LORD CHIEF JUSTICE,

which inconveniences it seemeth the ordinary I thank you for your letter, and assure you, course of law cannot so well meet; and yet they tnat you are not deceived, neither in the care I are enforced, for freeing of clamour, to set great have of the public in that state, nor in my good numbers of people on work; so that the commowishes, and the effects thereof, when it shall lie dity lying dead in their hands, will in a very in my power towards yourself.

short time grow to a very great sum of money. I am glad to receive your testimony of my lord To the end, therefore, that the undertakers may deputy, both because I esteem your judgment, not be disheartened by these wrongs and losses, and because it concurreth with my own.

his majesty hath commanded me to write unto The materials of that kingdom, which is trade your lordship, to the end you might bestow more and wealth, grow on apace. I hope the form, time this vacation in prosecuting the course you which giveth the best living of religion and jus- have so worthily begun, that all differences being tice, will not be behind, the rather by you, as a reconciled, the defects of the commission may be good instrument. I rest

also amended, for prevention of farther abuses Your lordship's assured friend, therein; so as the agents may receive encourageFr. Bacon, Canc.

ment to go on quietly in the work without disYork House, * * of April, 1618.

turbance. And I rest
Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

From Bewly, the 20th day of Aug., 1618.
TO THE LORD CHANCELLUR.
MY HONOURABLE LORD,
I will not go about to excuse mine own fault,

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. by making you believe his majesty was backward

Most HONOURABLE LORD, in your business; but upon the first motion he gave mu directions for it, which it was my negli

Herewithal, I presumed to send a note enclosed, gence, as I freely confess, that I have no sooner

both of my business in Chancery, and with my performed, having not been slack in moving his Lord Roos, which it pleased your lordship to demajesty, but in despatching your man. All is

mand of me, that so you might better do me good done which your lordship desired; and I will in utroque genere. It may please your lordship, give order, according to his majesty's directions, after having perused it, to commend it over to the so that your lordship shall not need to trouble care of Mr. Meautys for better custody. yourself any farther, but only to expect the

At my parting last from your lordship, the speedy performance of his majesty's gracious grief I had to leave your lordship's presence, pleasure.

though but for a little time, was such, as that I will take the first opportunity to acquaint being accompanied with some small corporal inlos majesty with the other business, and will disposition that I was in, made me forgetful to ever rest,

say that, which now for his majesty's service I thought myself bound not to silence.

I was Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

credibly informed and assured, when the Spanish Theobalds, the 8th of May, [1618.]

ambassador went away, that howsoever Ralegli withal, no more instances would be made here- thread business; as also of the profit that shall any after on the part of Spain for justice to be done way accrue unto him thereby. Wherefore his ever in these particulars : but that if slackness pleasure is, that you shall, with all convenient were used here, they would be laid up in the speed, call unto you the Lord Chief Justice of the deck, and would serve for materials (this was the King's Bench,* the attorney-general,t and the very word) of future and final discontentments. solicitor,£ and consider with them of every of Now, as the humour and design of some may the said particulars, and return them to his macarry them towards troubling of the waters, so 1 jesty, that thereupon he may resolve what preknow your lordship’s both nature and great place sent course to take for the advancement of the require an appeasing them at your hands. And execution thereof. And so I rest I have not presumed to say this little out of any Your lordship's faithful servant, mind at all, that I may have, to meddle with mai

G. BUCKINGHAM. ters so far above me, but out of a thought I had, Theobalds, the 4th of Oct., 1618. that I was tied in duty to lay thus much under your lordship's eye; because I know and consider of whom I heard that speech, and with how grave circumstances it was delivered.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. I beseech Jesus to give continuance and in

MY VERY GOOD LORD, crease to your lordship's happiness; and that, if

I send the commission for making Lincoln's it may stand with his will, myself may one day Inn Fields into walks, for his majesty's signature. have the honour of casting some small mite into It is without charge to his majesty. that rich treasury. So I humbly do your lordship

We have had my Lord of Ormondeg before us. reverence, and continue

We could not yet get him to answer directly, The most obliged of your lordship's

whether he would obey the king's award or no. many faithful servants,

After we had endured his importunity and impertiTOBIE MATTHEW.

nences, and yet let him down to this, that his Nouingham, this 21st of August, 1618.

majesty's award was not only just and within his

submission, but in his favour; we concluded in TO MR. (AFTERWARDS SIR) ISAAC WAKE, HIS few words, that the award must be obeyed, and

if he did refuse or impugn the execution of it in Mr. Wake,—I have received some letters from Ireland, he was to be punished by the justice of you; and hearing from my Lord Cavendish* Ireland: if he did murmur or scandalize it here, how well he affects you, and taking notice also

or trouble his majesty any more, he was to be of your good abilities and services in his majesty's punished in England. Then he asked, whether affairs, and not forgetting the knowledge I had, he might be gone. For that, we told him, his when young, of your good father, † I thought my- majesty's pleasure was to be known. self in some measure tied not to keep from you my

Sir Robert Mansell hath promised to bring his good opinion of you, and my desire to give you summer account this day sevennight. God preany furtherance in your fortunes and occasions,

serve and prosper you. whereof you may take knowledge and liberty to

Your lordship's most obliged use me for your good. Fare you well.

friend and faithful servant, Your very loving friend,

FR. VERULAM, Canc. FR. VERULAM, Canc.

MAJESTY'S AGENT AT THE COURT OF SAVOY.

a

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

despatch, as a business very commendable and

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.. worthy to be taken in hand.

MY HONOURABLE LORD, For the Earl of Ormonde, his majesty made no I have written a letter unto your lordship, which other answer, but that he hopeth he is not so will be delivered unto you in behalf of Dr. Steward; unmannerly, as to go away without taking leave and, besides, have thought fit to use all freedom of his majesty.

with you in that, as in other things; and, thereFor Sir Robert Mansell's account, his majesty fore, have thought fit to tell you, that he being a saith he is very slow, especially being but a sum- man of very good reputation, and a stout man, mary account, and that he promised to bring it in that will not yield to any thing, wherein he conbefore: and therefore would have him tied to the ceiveth any hard course against him, I should be day he hath now set, without any farther delay. sorry he should make any complaint against you.

This last his majesty commanded me to put in And, therefore, if you can advise of any course, after I had written and signed my letter.

how you may be eased of that burden, and freed Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, from his complaint, without show of any fear of

G. BUCKINGHAM. him, or any thing he can say, I will be ready to Royston, the 13th of November, 1618.

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,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

From Newmarket, 3d of December, 1618. 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 TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. care to do him favour, according to the equity of MY VERY GOOD LORD, his cause; now, seeing that the cause is shortly Yesternight we despatched the Lord Ridgeto be heard, I have thought fit to continue my way's account. Good service is done. Seven recommendation of the business unto you, desir- or eight thousand pounds are coming to the king, ing your lordship to show what favour you law- and a good precedent set for accounts. fully may unto Mr. Wyche, according as the There came to the seal about a fortnight since justness of the cause shall require: which I will a strange book passed by Mr. Attorney to one Mr. acknowledge as a courtesy from your lordship, Hall; and it is to make subjects, (for so is denizaand ever rest

tion,) and this to go to a private use, till some Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, thousand pounds be made of it. The number

G. BUCKINGHAM. one hundred denizens. And, whereas, all books Newmarket, the 18th of November, 1618.

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, MY HONOURABLE LORD,

and by one consent it is stayed. But let me I send your lordship the bill of the sheriff of counsel his majesty to grant forth a commission Hereford and Leicester, pricked and signed by

of this nature, so to raise money for himself, being his majesty, who hath likewise commanded me to

a flower of the crown: and Hall may be rewarded send unto your lordship these additions of instruc- out of it; and it would be to principal persons,

that it tions, sent unto him by the surveyor and receiver

may be carried with election and discretion, of the Court of Wards; wherein, because he whom to admit to denization, and whom not.

God ever bless and prosper you. knoweth not what to prescribe without understanding what objections can be made, his plea

Your lordship's most faithful sure is, that your lordship advise and consider of

and obliged friend and servant, them, and send him your opinion of them, that he

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

December 8, 1618. inay 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

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR,
Your lordship’s faithful servant, MY HONOURABLE LORD,
G. BUCKINGHAM.

I thank your lordship for the favour, which I primarket, 22d or

understand Sir Francis Engelfyld hath received Endorsed, 1618.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

from your lordship upon my last letter, where- upon the reason you allege, whereof his majesty unto I desire your lordship to add this one favour will speak farther with you at bis return. more, (which is the same that I understand your The letter, which you sent me about my Lord lordship granted him at Christinas last,) to give of Ormonde's son, is not according to his majeshim liberty for the space of a fortnight, to follow ty's meaning; but I would have you frame anhis business in his own person; whereby he may other to my lord deputy to this purpose: “ That bring it to the more speedy end, putting in his majesty having seen a letter of his to Sir security according to the ordinary course, to ren- Francis Blundell, advertising, that the Earl of der himself prisoner again as soon as that time Ormonde's son, and some other of his kindred, is expired: which is all that I desire for him; and did victual and fortify their houses; his majesty in which I will acknowledge your lordship's hath thereupon commanded you to write unto him, favour towards him; and ever rest

that if the ground of information be true, (which Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, he may best know,) that then he send for the said

G. BuckINGHAM. earl's son, and the principal of his kindred to Newmarket, the 10th of December, 1618.

appear before him: and if they appear, and give him satisfaction, it is well; but if they refuse to

appear, or give him not satisfaction, though they TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. appear; that then he assemble what forces he can, MY VERY GOOD LORD,

be they never so few, and go against them, that I send you herewith the copy of a letter which he may crush the rebellion in the egg.” we, the commissioners for Ormonde's cause, have

I have reinembered his majesty, as I promised written to the Deputy of Ireland, according to his your lordship, about the naming you for a commajesty's pleasure, signified by Sir Francis Blun- missioner to treat with the Hollanders: but, bedell; which I humbly desire bis majesty would sides that you have so many businesses, both of the peruse, that if it do not attain his meaning, as Star Chamber, and others in the term time, when we conveyed it, we may second it with a new this must be attended as well as in the vacation, letter.

whereby this would be either too great a toil to We have appointed Monday morning for these you, or a hindrance to his majesty's service; he mint businesses, referred by his majesty to certain thinketh it could not stand with the honour of commissioners, and we will carry it sine strepitu. your place to be balanced with those that are sent

The patent touching Guinea and Bynny for the from the state, so far unequal to his majesty, and trade of gold, stayed first by myself, and after by being themselves none of the greatest of the state. his majesty's commandment, we have now settled Therefore, his majesty holdeth it not fit or worthy by consent of all parties.

of you to put you into such an employment, in Mr. Attorney, by my direction, hath made, upon

which none of your predecessors, or any of the his information exhibited into the Star Chamber, chief counsellors, have been ever used in this a thundering motion against the transportation of kind, but only in a treaty of marriage or conclugold by the Dutch; which all the town is glad sion of a peace; as when the Constable of Castile of; and I have granted divers writs of ne exeat was here, when the commissioners on both sides regnum, according to his majesty's warrant.

had their authority under the great seal of either Sir Edward Coke keeps in still, and we have kingdom, with direct relation to their sovereigns, miss of him; but I supply it as I may by my far differing from this commission, which is now farther diligence. God ever bless you and keep given to these men, and whereunto his majesty

is to frame the course of his. As for the part you. Your lordship's most faithful and

which concerneth Scotland, the choice hath not bounden friend and servant,

been made of the chancellor or Archbishop of St. Fr. Verulam, Canc.

Andrew's, but of men nearer the rank of those December 11, 1618.

that come hither to treat. As yet his majesty I forget not your doctor's matter. I shall delayeth to give any commission at all, because speak with him to-day, having received your he would first be informed from the lords, both lordship’s letter; and what is possible shall be of the points and form of their commission, which done. I pray pardon my scribbling in haste. his majesty hitherto understandeth to be, with

authority to overrule and direct their merchants

in what they shall think fit; which, if it be su, TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR..

then his majesty holdeth it fit for his part, to MY BOXOURABLE LORD,

appoint the whole body of the council with like I have acquainted your majesty with your letter, power over his merchants. As for me, I shall be who is very well pleased with your care of his

ever ready upon any occasion to show myself

Your lordship's faithful friend ard servani, service, in making stay of the grant of denizens

G. BUCKINGHAM. * Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

Newmarket, the 14th of December, 161%