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 his return. more, (which is the same that I understand your lordship granted him at Christmas last,) to give him liberty for the space of a fortnight, to follow his business in his own person; whereby he may bring it to the more speedy end, putting in security according to the ordinary course, to render himself prisoner again as soon as that time is expired: which is all that I desire for him, and in which I will acknowledge your lordship's favour towards him; and ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Newmarket, the 10th of December, 1618. letter. We have appointed Monday morning for these mint businesses, referred by his majesty to certain commissioners, and we will carry it sine strepitu. The patent touching Guinea and Bynny for the trade of gold, stayed first by myself, and after by his majesty's commandment, we have now settled by consent of all parties. Mr. Attorney, by my direction, hath made, upon his information exhibited into the Star Chamber, a thundering motion against the transportation of gold by the Dutch; which all the town is glad of; and I have granted divers writs of ne exeat regnum, according to his majesty's warrant. Sir Edward Coke keeps in still, and we have miss of him; but I supply it as I may by my farther diligence. God ever bless you and keep The letter, which you sent me about my Lord of Ormonde's son, is not according to his majesty's meaning; but I would have you frame another to my lord deputy to this purpose: 66 That his majesty having seen a letter of his to Sir Francis Blundell, advertising, that the Earl of Ormonde's son, and some other of his kindred, did victual and fortify their houses; his majesty hath thereupon commanded you to write unto him, that if the ground of information be true, (which he may best know,) that then he send for the said earl's son, and the principal of his kindred to 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 appear; that then he assemble what forces he can, be they never so few, and go against them, that he may crush the rebellion in the egg. I have remembered his majesty, as I promised your lordship, about the naming you for a commissioner to treat with the Hollanders: but, besides that you have so many businesses, both of the Star Chamber, and others in the term time, when this must be attended as well as in the vacation, whereby this would be either too great a toil to you, or a hindrance to his majesty's service; he thinketh it could not stand with the honour of your place to be balanced with those that are sent from the state, so far unequal to his majesty, and being themselves none of the greatest of the state. Therefore, his majesty holdeth it not fit or worthy of you to put you into such an employment, in which none of your predecessors, or any of the chief counsellors, have been ever used in this kind, but only in a treaty of marriage or conclusion of a peace; as when the Constable of Castile was here, when the commissioners on both sides had their authority under the great seal of either kingdom, with direct relation to their sovereigns, far differing from this commission, which is now given to these men, and whereunto his majesty is to frame the course of his. As for the part which concerneth Scotland, the choice hath not been made of the chancellor or Archbishop of St. Andrew's, but of men nearer the rank of those that come hither to treat. As yet his majesty delayeth to give any commission at all, because he would first be informed from the lords, both of the points and form of their commission, which his majesty hitherto understandeth to be, with authority to overrule and direct their merchants in what they shall think fit; which, if it be so, then his majesty holdeth it fit for his part, to appoint the whole body of the council with like power over his merchants. As for me, I shall be ever ready upon any occasion to show myself Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Newmarket, the 14th of December, 1618 gone into England. He tells me, that Galileo had answered your discourse concerning the flux and reflux of the sea, and was sending it unto me; but that Mr. White hindered him, because his answer was grounded upon a false supposition, namely, that there was in the ocean a full sea but once in twenty-four hours. But now I will call upon Galileo again. This Mr. White is a discreet and understanding gentleman, though he seem a little soft, if not slow; and he hath in his hands all the works, as I take it, of Galileo, some printed, and some unprinted. He hath his discourse of the flux and reflux of the sea, which was never printed; as also a discourse of the mixture of metals. Those which are printed, in his hand, are these: the Nuncius sidereus; Macchie solari, and a third Delle Cose, che stanno su l'acqua, by occasion of a disputation, that was amongst learned men in Florence, about that which Archimedes wrote, de insidenti Lest my often writing may make your lordship Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Newmarket, January 26, 1618. I have conceived that your lordship would not be sorry to see these discourses, of that man; and therefore I have thought it belonging to my service to your lordship, to give him a letter of this date, though it will not be there so soon as this. The gentleman hath no pretence or business before your lordship, but is willing to do your lordship all humble service; and, therefore, both for this reason, as also upon my humble request, I beseech your lordship to bestow a countenance of grace upon him. I am beholden to this gentleman; and, if your lord ship shall vouchsafe to ask him of me, I shall receive honour by it. And And I most humbly do your lordship's reverence. Your lordship's most obliged servant, TOBIE MATTHEW, Brussels, from my bed, the 14th of April, 1619. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* MY HONOURABLE LOrd, His majesty hath commanded me to signify unto your lordship, that it is his pleasure you put off the hearing of the cause between Sir Arthur Manwaring and Gabriel Dennis, till toward the end of the term; because his majesty is graciously pleased to be at the hearing thereof himself. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Royston, April 13, 1619. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MOST HONOURABLE Lord, It may please your lordship, there was with me this day, one Mr. Richard White, who hath TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR, AND SIR LIONEL MY LORDS,-His majesty having been moved spent some little time at Florence, and is now by the Duke of Savoy's ambassador, in the * Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. * Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. behalf of Philip Bernardi, whom he is to send about some special employment over the seas, to the Duke of Savoy, that before his going, the business mentioned in this petition may be ended, hath commanded me to recommend the same unto your lordship's care, that with all expedition the cause may be heard and ended by your lordships, according to his majesty's reference; or left to the determination of the Court of Chancery, where it is depending, and where the party assureth himself of a speedy end. And so I rest your lordship's very assured friend at command, Royston, the 19th of April, 1619. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. My very good Lord, I am much bounden to his majesty, and like. wise to your lordship. I see, by the late accesses I have had with his majesty, and now by his royal and real favour,* that he loveth me, and acknowledgeth me for the servant that I am, or desire to be. This, in me, must turn to a great alacrity to honour and serve him with a mind less troubled and divided. And, for your lordship, my affection may and doth daily receive addition, but cannot, nor never could, receive alteration. I pray present my humble thanks to his majesty; and I am very glad his health confirmeth; and I hope to see him this summer at Gorhambury; there is sweet air as any is. God preserve and prosper you both. I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULÀM, Canc. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I think fit to let your lordship understand what passed yesterday in the Star Chamber, touching Suffolk's business. May 9, 1619. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.+ MY HONOURABLE Lord, There came to me the clerk of the court in the inner chamber, and told me that my Lord of SufHis majesty was pleased, at the suit of some folk desired to be heard by his council, at the * sitting of the court, because it was pen *** him.who have near relation to me, to grant a license I marvelled I heard not of it by Mr. Attorney, who should have let me know as much, that I might not be taken on the sudden in a cause of that weight. I called, presently, Mr. Attorney to me, and asked him whether he knew of the motion, and what it was, and how he was provided to answer it. He signified to me, that my lord would desire | to have the commission for examinations in Ireland, to be returnable in Michaelmas term. I said it might not be, and presently drew the council, then present, to me, and made Mr. Attorney repeat to them the passages past, and settled it, that the commission should be returnable the first day of the next term, and then, republication granted, that it might, if accidents of wind and weather permit, come to hearing in the term. And, upon motion in open court, it was ordered accordingly. I for transportation of butter out of Wales, unto one Lewis and Williams, who, in consideration that the patent should be passed in their names, entered into articles for the performance of certain conditions agreed upon between them, which, now that the patent is under the great seal, they utterly refuse to perform. My desire, therefore, to your lordship is, that you would call the said Lewis and Williams before you, with the other parties, or some of them, who shall be ready at all times to attend your lordship; and, out of your consideration of the matter, according to equity, to take such course therein, that either the said agreement may be performed, or that they which refuse it may receive no benefit of the patent; which, upon reason thereof, was passed in their names. And herein I desire your lordship to make what expedition you can; because, now is the season to make provision of the butter that, for this year, is to be transported, whereof they God ever preserve and prosper you. pray And so I rest God this great easterly wind agree well with his take advantage to stand out. Your lordship's faithful majesty. friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. Greenwich, May 14, 1619. May 6, 1619. Endorsed, Sent by Sir Gilbert Houghton. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD Lord, Though it be nothing, and all is but duty, yet, * Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, who had been made I pray, show his majesty the paper enclosed, that lord treasurer in 1614. He was accused of several misdemeanors in that office, together with his lady, and Sir John Bingley, her ladyship's agent; and an information preferred against them all in the Star Chamber. * Probably the grant made to him, about this time, of twelve hundred pounds a year. Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. his majesty may see how careful his poor servant | And, therefore, since his coming to Windsor is is, upon every emergent occasion, to do him what | prolonged, I thought to keep day by letter, prayhonour he can. The motion made in court by the ing your lordship to commend my most humble king's sergeant, Crew, that the declaration might service to his majesty, and to let him know, that be made parcel of the record, and that I hear since I see his majesty doth me the honour as to otherwise of the great satisfaction abroad, encou- rely upon my care and service, I lose no time in rageth me to let his majesty know what passed. that which may pertain thereunto. I see the God ever preserve and prosper you both. straits, and I see the way out; and what lieth in Your lordship's obliged friend one man, whom he hath made great, and trained, and faithful servant, shall not be wanting. And, I hope, if God give FR. VERULAM, Canc. 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 and faithful servant, Endorsed, June 29, 1619. My lord to my lord marquis, enclosing the form of a declaration used in point of acknowledgment in the Lady Exeter's† cause. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. I PURPOSED to have seen you to-day, and receive your commandments before the progress; but I came not to London till it was late, and found you were gone before I came. Nevertheless, I would not fail to let your lordship understand, that, as I find every day more and more occasions whereby you bind me to you; so, this morning, the king of himself did tell me some testimony, that your lordship gave of me to his majesty even now, when you went from him, of so great affection and commendation, (for I must ascribe your commendation to affection, being above my merit,) as I must do contrary to that that painters do; for they desire to make the picture to the life, and I must endeavour to make the life to the picture, it hath pleased you to make so honourable a description of me. I can be but yours, and desire to better myself, that I may be of more worth to such an owner. I hope to give the king a good account of my time this vacation. If your lordship pass back by London, I desire to wait on you, and discourse a little with you: if not, my prayers shall go progress with you, and my letters attend you, as occasion serveth. God ever preserve and prosper you. Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. July 1, 1619. York House, Aug. 28, 1619. FR. VERULAM, Canc. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* Thomas Digby, wherein he complaineth of great ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Royston, Oct. 8, 1619. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* My HONOURABLE LORd, I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who hath given order to Mr. Secretary Calvert to signify his pleasure for the proceeding in that business, whereof you write, without any farther delay, as your lordship will more fully understand by Mr. Secretary, who for that purpose is to return to London against the day of hearing. I have no answer to make to your former letter, and will add no more to this, but that his majesty hath a great confidence in your care of his ser vice. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, After my last letter yesterday we entered into conference touching the Suffolk cause, myself, and the commissioners, and the two chief justices.* The fruit of this conference is, that we all conceive the proceedings against my lord himself to be not only just and honourable, but in some principal parts plausible in regard of the public; as, namely, those three points which touch upon the ordnance, the army of Ireland, and the money of the cautionary towns; and the two chief justices are firm in it. I did also in this cause, by the assent of my lords, remove a part; for Mr. Attorney had laid it upon Serjeant Daviest to open the information, which is that which gives much life or coldness to the cause. But I will have none but trained men in this cause; and I cannot forget that the allotting of the opening of the information in this cause of the Dutch (I mean the main cause) to a mean fellow, one Hughes, did hurt, and was never well recovered. By my next I will write of the king's estate : and I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend October 14, 1619 TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. I am doubly bounden to the king for his majesty's trust and acceptation; whereof the one I will never deceive; the other, though I cannot deserve, yet I will do my best, and perhaps as much as another man. This day the evidence went well; for the solicitor* did his part substantially: and, a little to warm the business, when the misemployment of treasure, which had relation to the army of Ireland, I spake a word, that he that did draw or milk treasure from Ireland was handled, did not emulgere, milk money, but blood. But this is but one of the little things that I wrote of before. The king, under pardon, must come hither with two resolutions; the one, to remit all importunity touching this cause to the lords in court of justice; the other, to pursue the designs first taken at Windsor, and then at Hampton Court, for his commission of treasury: wherein I do my part, and it is reasonably well; but better would it be if instruments were not impediments. I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, October 27, Wednesday. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, This morning the duket came to me, and told me the king's cause was yesterday left fair; and if ever there were a time of my Lord of Suffolk's submission, it was now; and that if my Lord of Suffolk should come into the Court and openly acknowledge his delinquency, he thought it was a thing considerable. My answer was, I would not meddle in it; and, if I did, it must be to dissuade any such course; for that all would be but a play upon the stage, if justice went not on in the right course. This I thought it my duty to let the king know by your lordship. Friday will not end the business; for tomorrow will but go through with the king's evidence. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.† MY HONOURABLE Lord, This bearer, a Frenchman, belonging to the ambassador, having put an Englishman in suit for some matters between them, is much hindered and molested, by often removing of the cause from one court to another. Your lordship knows, that the French are not acquainted with our manner of proceedings in the law, and must therefore be ignorant of the remedy in such a case. His course was to his majesty; but I thought it more I cannot express the care I have had of this proper that your lordship would be pleased to cause in a number of circumstances and discre-hear and understand this case from himself, and tions, which, though they may seem but small matters, yet they do the business, and guide it right. God ever keep your lordship. Your lordship's most obliged friend then to advise and take order for his relief, as Your lerdship's faithful friend and servant, Royston, 27th of Octcher, 1610, Your lordship shall do well to be informed of every particular, because his majesty will have account of it at his coming Sir Thomas Coventry, afterwards lor keeper o. the Lodowick, Duke of Lenox: he was created Duke of Rich-great seal. mond, May 17, 1623, and died February 11, 1623-4. VOL. III-16 L |
