Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

I send your lordship back the bill of sheriffs for Sussex, wherein his majesty hath pricked the first, as your lordship wished.

His majesty would not have you omit this opportunity of so gross an oversight in the judges, to admonish them of their negligence in suffering such a thing to come to his majesty, which needed his amending afterwards; and, withal, to let them know, that his majesty observeth that every year they grow more and more careless of presenting fit men unto him for that place; and that you advise them to be more wary hereafter, that they may give his majesty better satisfaction. And so I rest

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,
G. BUCKINGHAM.

Royston, November 14, 1619.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD Lord,

This day afternoon, upon our meeting in council, we have planed those rubs and knots, which were mentioned my last, whereof I thought good presently to advertise his majesty. The days hold without all question, and all delays diverted and quieted.

Sir Edward Coke was at Friday's hearing, but in his nightcap; and complained to me he was ambulent, and not current. I would be sorry he should fail us in this cause. Therefore, I desire his majesty to signify to him, by your lordship, (taking knowledge of some light indisposition of his,) how much he should think his service disadvantaged in this cause, if he should be at any day away; for then he cannot sentence.

By my next, I will give his majesty some

account of the tobacco and the currants. ever rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend

and faithful servant,
Fr. VERULAM, Canc.

November 20, at evening, 1619.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I

I know well his majesty taketh to heart this business of the Dutch,* as he hath great reason,

cause my first letter was written in the epitasis, or trouble of the business; and my second in the beginning of the catastrophe, or calming thereof, (wherein, nevertheless, I was fain to bear p strongly into the weather, before the calm followed,) and since every day hath been better and better, I thought good to signify so much, that his majesty may be less in suspense.

The great labour was to get entrance into the business; but now the portcullis is drawn up. And though, I must say, there were some blots in the tables, yet, by well playing, the game is good.

Roland is passing well justified; for both his credit is by very constant and weighty testimony proved, and those vast quantities, which were thought incredible, or at least improbable, are now made manifest truth.

Yet I find a little of the old leaven towards the

first defendants, carried in this style and charac-
ter: "I would this that appears now,
had ap-
peared at first. But this cometh of haste and
precipitation;" and the like. But yet, I hope,
the corruption and practice upon the ore tenus,
and the rectifying of Rowland's credit, will
satisfy my lords upon the former proofs. For I
would be very sorry that these new defendants
(which, except one or two, are the smaller flies)
should be in the net, and the old defendants,
which are the greater flies, should get through.
God preserve you.

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,

November 26, 1619.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Endorsed,

Touching the Dutch business.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

I do, from time to time, acquaint his majesty with your letters, wherein he ever perceiveth your vigilant care in any thing that concerneth his service; and hath commanded me to give you thanks in his name, who is sure your endeavours will never be wanting, when any thing is to be done for the advancement of his affairs.

According to your lordship's advice, his majesty hath written to the commissioners of the treasury, both touching the currants and the tobacco,† the plantation whereof his majesty is fully resolved to restrain; and hath given them order

* Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

† Lord Bacon, in his letter of November 22, 1619, mentions

in respect both of honour and profit. And be- that there was offered two thousand pounds increase yearly,

for the tobacco, to begin at Michaelmas, as it now is, and

* Merchants, accused in the Star Chamber for exporting three thousand pounds increase, if the plantations here within gold and silver coin. land be restrained.

forthwith to set out a proclamation to that effect; | retractation of his wicked opinions in writing, not intending in that point to stand upon any doubt of law, nor to expect the judges' interpretation; nor to allow any freehold in that case; but holding this the safest rule, Salus reipublicæ suprema lex esto. And so I rest

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

[blocks in formation]

Endorsed,

The form was as good as may be. I declared to him, that this court was the judgment-seat; the mercy-seat was his majesty: but the court would commend him to his majesty: and I humbly pray his majesty to signify his pleasure speedily, because of the misery of the man; and it is a rare thing for a sectary, that hath once suffered smart and shame, to turn so unfeignedly, as he seemed to do.

God ever bless and keep you.

Your most obliged friend and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

December 1, 1619.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

On Friday I left London, to hide myself at Kew; for two months and a half together to be strongbent is too much for my bow. And yet, that the king may perceive, that in my times of leisure I am not idle, I took down with me Sir Giles Mompesson,* and with him I have quietly conferred

Touching the submissions of Sir Thomas Lake of that proposition, which was given me in and his lady.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I acquainted this day, the bearer with his majesty's pleasure, touching Lake'st submission; which, whether it should be done in person or in writing, his majesty signified his will thus: that it should be spared in open court, if my Lady of Exeter should consent, and the board think fit. The board liked it well, and appointed my Lord Digby, and Secretary Calvert, to speak with my lady, who returned her answer in substance, that she would, in this and all things, be commanded by his majesty: but if his majesty left it to her liberty and election, she humbly prayed to be excused. And though it was told her, that this answer would be cause that it could not be performed this term; yet she seemed willing rather it should be delayed, than dispensed with.

This day also Traske,‡ in open court, made a

* Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

Sir Thomas Lake's.

John Traske, a minister, who was prosecuted in the Star chamber for maintaining, as we find mentioned in the Reports of the Lord Chief Justice Hobart, p. 236, that the Jewish Sabbath ought to be observed and not ours; and that we ought to abstain from all manner of swine's flesh, and those meats which the Jews were forbidden in Leviticus, according to Bishop Andrews, in his speech in the Star Chamber on that occasion, printed among his lordship's works. Mr. Traske being examined in that court, confessed, that he had divulged those opinions, and had laboured to bring as many to them as he could; and had also written a letter to the king, wherein he seemed to tax his majesty with hypocrisy, and expressly inveighed against the bishops high commis

charge by his majesty, and after seconded by your lordship. Wherein I find some things I like very well, and some other, that I would set by. And one thing is much to my liking, that the proposition for bringing in his majesty's revenue with small charge is no invention, but was on foot heretofore in King Philip's and Queen Mary's time, and had a grave and mighty opinion for it. The rest I leave to his relation, and mine own attendance.

I hope his majesty will look to it, that the fines now to come in may do him most good. Both causes produce fines of one hundred and fourscore thousand pounds, whereof one hundred thousand may clear the anticipations; and then the assignations may pass under the great seal, to be enrollable; so as we shall need to think of nothing but the arrears in a manner, of which I wish the twenty thousand pounds to the strangers (with the interest) be presently satisfied. The remain

sioners, as bloody and cruel in their proceedings against him, and a papal clergy. He was sentenced to fine and imprisonment, not for holding those opinions, (for those were examinable in the Ecclesiastical Court, and not there,) but for making of conventicles and commotions, and for scandalizing the king, the bishops, and clergy. Dr. Fuller, in his Church History of Britain, book x. p. 77, 64, mentions his having heard Mr. Traske preach, and remarks, that his voice had more strength than any thing else he delivered; and that after his recantation he relapsed, not into the same, but other opinions, rather humorous than hurtful, and died obscurely at Lambeth, in the reign of King Charles I.

* Who, in the parliament, which began, January 30, 1620-1, was sentenced to be degraded, and rendered incapable of bearing any office, for practising several abuses, setting up new inns and alehouses, and exacting great sums of money of the people, by pretence of letters patents granted him for that purpose. But he fled into foreign parts, finding himself abandoned by the Marquis of Buckingham, on whom he had depended for protection.

may serve for the king's present and urgent occa- | chequer* hath promised his majesty that he will sions. And if the king intend any gifts, let them be no more sick, whereby you shall have this stay for the second course, (for all is not yet done,) comfort, that the burden will not lie upon your but nothing out of these, except the king should lordship alone. give me the twenty thousand pounds I owe Peter Vanbore out of his fine, which is the chief debt I owe. But this I speak merrily. I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Kew, December 12, 1619.

After I had written this letter, I received from your lordship, by my servant, his majesty's acceptation of my poor services; for which I pray your lordship to present to his majesty my most humble thanks. I have now other things in my mind for his majesty's service, that no time be lost.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

The little leisure I had at Theobalds made me bring your man down hither for this answer, which I hope your lordship will excuse; and ever hold me for

Your lordship's faithful friend
and servant,

Royston, 19th of Jan.

Endorsed, 1619.

G. BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

In the midst of business, as in the midst of a way, one should not stay long, especially when I crave no direction, but only advertise.

This day we met about the commission, the commonwealth's commission, for the poor and His majesty hath been pleased, out of his gra- vagabonds, &c. We have put it into an exceedcious care of Sir Robert Killigrew, to refer a suit ing good way, and have appointed meetings once of his, for certain concealed lands, to your lord-in fourteen days, because it shall not be aslack. ship and the rest of the commissioners for the I was glad to hear from the two chief justices, treasury; the like whereof hath been heretofore that whatsoever appears in the country to come granted to many others. My desire to your lordship is, that, he being a gentleman whom I love and wish very well unto, your lordship would show him, for my sake, all the favour you can, in furthering his suit. Wherein your lordship shall do me a courtesy, for which I will ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Royston, December 15, 1619.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who for that business, whereof Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer brought the message to his majesty to Theobalds, returned the answer by him. As for that, whereof Sir Giles Mompesson spake to your lordship, his majesty liketh very well, and so do all others with whom his majesty hath spoken of it; and, therefore, he recommend eth it to your care, not doubting but not doubting but your lordship will give all your furtherance to it, being your own work, and so much concerning his majesty's honour and profit; and will speak farther with your lordship of it at his return to

London.

For those other businesses of the Star Chamber, which his majesty hath recommended to your lordship, he hopeth you will keep the clock still going, his profit being so much interested therein, especially seeing Mr. Chancellor of the Ex

* Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

from primum mobile, (that is, the king's care,) works better than if it came from the law. Therefore we have ordered that this commission shall be published in the several circuits in the charges of the judges. For the rest hereafter.

For the proposition of Sir Giles Mompesson we have met once. Exchequer-men will be exchequer-men still; but we shall do good.

For the account, or rather imparting, of the commissioners of treasury to the council, I think it will but end in a compliment. But the real care (and I hope good purpose) I will not give over, the better, because I am not alone.

For the Star Chamber business, I shall, as you write, keep the clock on going, which is hard to and sometimes too few. But we shall do well, do, when sometimes the wheels are too many, especially if those whom the king hath hitherto made bondmen, (I mean, which have given bonds for their fines,) he do not hereafter make freemen.

that the attorney made it a question to the com-
For Suffolk's business, it is a little strange,
not be admitted to the lease of the extent of his
missioners of treasury, whether Suffolk should
own land, which is the way to encourage him not
the contrary course was held with the Earl of
pay
his fine. But when it was told him, that
to agree for his fine; then he turned, as his man-
Northumberland, and that thereby he was brought

to

ner is.

* Sir Fulke Greville, who surrendered that office in September, 1621, being succeeded in it by Sir Richard Weston. He had been created Lord Brooke of Beauchamp's Court, Jan. 9, 1620-1.

TO MR. SECRETARY CALVERT.

MR. SECREtary,

For the errors, we have yet so much use of the service of Sir Henry Britten in bringing in the fines, (indeed more than of the attorney,) as we cannot, without prejudice to his majesty's service, enter yet into them; and, besides, Sir Ed-ing ward Coke comes not abroad.

Mr. Kirkham hath communicated with me, as matter of profit to his majesty, upon the coals referred by his majesty to us of the treasury; wherein I hope we shall do good, the rather, because I am not alone.

The proclamation for light gold Mr. Secretary Calvert, I know, hath sent to his majesty; and therefore of that I say no more.

For the raising of silver by ordinance, and not by proclamation, and that for the time to come, we have given order to finish it. I hear a whispering, that thereupon the commissioners of the navy, the officers of the household, the wardrobe, may take occasion to break the book and the undertakings, because the prices may rise, which I thought good to signify to his majesty. And, to speak plainly, I fear more the pretence than the natural effect.

God evermore preserve your lordship. I rest
Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

January 20, 1619.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who is very well pleased therewith, finding in In that you a continual care of his service. point of the Star Chamber business, his majesty saith there is a mistaking: for he meant not the Dutchmen's business, but that motion which your lordship made unto him, of sitting in the Star Chamber about the commissions, which you had not leisure to read till he came down to Royston, and hath reason to give you thanks for it, desiring you to prepare it, and study the point, (of which he will speak more with you at his return to London,) being a matter worthy your thinking on, and his majesty's practice.

For the last point of your letter, his majesty saith it cannot but proceed of malice, that there should be any such plot, which he will not endure, but he will account those that whisper of it in that sort, enemies of his service; and will put them out of their places that practise it. And so I rest

Your lordship's faithful

friend and servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

Newmarket, Jan. 22, 1619,

*Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

I have received your letter of the 3d of this present, signifying his majesty's pleasure touchPeacock's* examinations, of which I wil have special care.

My Lord Coke is come to town, and hath sent me word, he will be with me on Monday, though he be somewhat lame. Howsoever, the service shall be done.

I was made acquainted, by your letter to Secretary Naunton, with his majesty's dislike of the sending to him of the jolly letter from Zealand. I will now speak for myself, that when it was received, I turned to the master of the wards,† and said, "Well, I think you and I shall ever advise the king to do more for a Burlamachi, when he seeketh to his majesty by supplication and supplying the king at the first word, than for all the rest upon any bravados from the Burgomasters of Holland and Zealand :" who answered very honestly, that it was in the king's power to make them alter their style when he would. But when another of us said, we could not but in our own discharge send the king the letter, scilicet negandum non fuit; though indeed my way is otherwise.

I have at last recovered from these companions, Harrison and Dale, a copy of my Lord of Bangor's book, the great one, and will presently set in hand the examinations. God keep you. Your assured friend,

February 5, 1619.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

TO THE KING.

MAY IT PLEASE Your Majesty,

Sir Edward Coke is now afoot, and, according to your command, signified by Mr. Secretary Calvert, we proceed in Peacock's examinations. For, although there have been very good diligence used, yet certainly we are not at the bottom; and he that would not use the utmost of his line to sound such a business as this, should not have due regard neither to your majesty's honour no safety.

* He was a minister of the University of Cambridge. He was committed to the Tower for pretending that he had, by

sorcery, infatuated the king's judgment, in the cause of Sir Thomas Lake.---Camd. Annal. Regis Jacobi I., p. 54.

+ Sir Lionel Cranfield.

On

Dr. Lewis Bayly, born at Caermarthen in Wales, and He had been minister educated in Exeter College, Oxford. of Evesham in Worcestershire, and chaplain to Prince Henry, and rector of St. Matthew's, Friday street, in London He was promoted to the bishopric of Bangor in 1616. the 15th of July, 1621, he was committed to the Fleet, but on what account is not related by Camden, Annales Regis Jacobi I., p. 72, who mentions the circumstance of the bishop's imprisonment, but that he was soon after set at liberty. He was the author of the well known book, The Practice of Piety.

L 2

Another thing

A man would think he were in Luke Hutton's | Spain from hence, are discharged, together with case again; for, as my Lady Roos personated some munition, which was also upon the point of Luke Hutton, so it seemeth, Peacock personateth Another thing is also certain, that Atkins. But I make no judgment yet, but will go on with all diligence; and, if it may not be done otherwise, it is fit Peacock be put to torture. He deserveth it as well as Peacham did.

I beseech your majesty not to think I am more bitter because my name is in it; for, besides that I always make my particular a cipher, when there is question of your majesty's honour and service, I think myself honoured for being brought into so good company. And as, without flattery,| I think your majesty the best of kings, and my noble Lord of Buckingham the best of persons favoured; so I hope, without presumption, for my honest and true intentions to state and justice, and my love to my master, I am not the worst of chancellors. God ever preserve your majesty. Your majesty's most obliged

and most obedient servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

10th of February, 1619.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

MOST HONOURed Lord,

I presume now, after term, (if there be any such thing as an afterterm with your lordship,) to offer this enclosed paper* to your sight, concerning the Duke of Lerma; which, if your lordship have not already read, will not, I think, be altogether unpleasing, because it is full of particular circumstances. I know not how commonly it passeth up and down more or less. My friend, Mr. Gage, sent it me lately out of Spain. But, howsoever, I build upon a sure ground; for, though it should be vulgar, yet, for my desire to serve your lordship, I cannot demerit so much, as not to deserve a pardon at your lordship's most noble hand.

Before the departure of the Duke of Lerma from that court, there was written upon the gate for a pasquinade, that the house was governed por el Padre, y el Hijo, y un Santo; as, in Paris, about the same time, was written upon the Louvre gate, C'est icy l'hostel des troys Roys; for Luynes's brother is almost as great as himself. But, the while there is good store of kings now in Christendom, though there be one fewer than there was.

In Spain, there are very extraordinary preparations for a great armada. Here is lately in this court, a current speech, as that the enterprise (whatsoever it should have been) is laid wholly aside: but that were strange. Yet this is certain, that the forces of men, to the number of almost two thousand, which were to have gone into

*I have, out of a ragged hand in Spanish, translated it, and accompanied it with some marginal notes for your lordship's greater ease. Note of Mr. Matthew.

[ocr errors]

being sent.
both in the court of Spain and this, there is at
this time a strange straitness of money; which 1
do not conceive, for my part, to proceed so much
from want, as design to employ it. The rendez-
vous, where the forces were to meet, was at
Malaga, within the straits; which makes the en-
terprise upon Algiers most likely to be intended.
For I take that to be a wild conceit, which thinks
of going by the Adriatic per far in un Viaggio
duoi servitii; as the giving a blow to Venice, and
the landing of forces in aid of the King of Bohe-
mia about Trieste.

Perhaps the King of Spain would be glad to let the world see, that now he is hors de paye; and, by showing himself in some action, to entitle the Duke of Lerma to all his former sloth; or perhaps he now makes a great preparation, upon the pretence of some enterprise, that he will let fall, that so he may with the less noise assemble great forces some other year for some other attempt not spoken of now.

My Lord Compton* is in this court, and goes shortly towards Italy. His fashion is sweet, and his disposition noble, and his conversation fair and honest.

Diego, my Lord Roos's man, is come hither. I pray God it be to do me any good towards the recovery of the debt his lord owes me.

Most honoured lord, I am here at good leisure to look back upon your lordship's great and noble goodness towards me, which may go for a great example in this age; and so it doth. That which I am sure of is, that my poor heart, such as it is, doth not only beat, but even boil in the desires it hath to do your lordship all humble service.

I crave leave, though it be against good manners, that I may ever present my humblest service to my most honoured lady, my Lady Verulam, and Lady Constable, with my best respects to my dear friend, Sir John Constable; who, if your lordship want the leisure, would perhaps cast an eye upon the enclosed paper.

I do, with more confidence, presume to address this other letter to Mr. Meautys, because the contents thereof concern your lordship's service.

I beseech sweet Jesus to make and keep your lordship entirely happy. So I humbly do you reverence, remaining ever

Your lordship's most obliged servant,
TOBIE MATTHEW.

P. S. I should be glad to receive some of your lordship's philosophical labours, if your lordship

*Spencer, Lord Compton, only son of William, Earl of Northampton. This nobleman, who succeeded his father in his title and his estate, in June, 1630, was killed at Hampton Heath, near Stafford, on Sunday, March 19, 1642-3, fighting for King Charles I.

« AnteriorContinuar »