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York House, Jan. 25th, 1617.

I pray your lordship to pardon me, if, in respect of a little watering in one of mine eyes, I have written this letter, being long and private business, in my secretary's hand.

the grievances put down in parliament; which ifted, being principal sinews of his majesty's auit be, I may not in my duty and love to you ad- thority. Therefore the course will be (as I am vise you to deal in it; if it be not, I will mould advised) that for this heinous misprison (that the it in the best manner and help it forward. The party without all colour or shadow of cause should stay is upon the search of the clerk of the parlia threaten the life of his judge, and of the highest ment, who is out of town; but we have already judge of the kingdom next his majesty) he be found, that the last grievance in 7mo. is not the same first examined, and if he confess it, then an ore with this suit; but we doubt yet of another in 3°. tenus; if he confess it not, then an information in the For the business of Mr. Leviston, for your Star Chamber, and he to remain where he is till lordship's sake (who I perceive keeps your noble the hearing. But I do purposely forbear yet to course with me, in acquainting me with these have him examined till the decree or agreement things) I shall apply myself unto you, though in between him and my Lord Aubigny (which is my nature I do desire that those that serve in the now ready) be perfected, lest it should seem an court where I sit, though they be not in places oppression by the terror of the one to beat him of my gift, and so concerns not me nor my place down in the other. Thus I ever rest in profit; yet I wish, I say, I might leave them Your lordship's true friend and devoted servant, in as good case as I find them. And this suit FR. BACON, Canc. concerneth the main profit of the six clerks, who though they be of the master of the rolls his gift, yet they serve in my court. But my greatest doubt is, that the grant cannot be good in law; and that it is not like those other precedents, whereof I have received a note. For the difference is, where things have been written by all the clerks indifferently and loosely, (in which case the king may draw them into an office,) and where they have appertained to one especial office; in which case the king can no more take away the profits of a man's office than he can the profits of his land. Therefore, I think your lordship may do well to write to Mr. Solicitor and Serjeant Finch, or some other lawyers that you trust, or such as Mr. Leviston trusteth, being persons of account, to inform you of the point in law before you proceed any further: for without that all is in vain. For the business of Hawkyns, touching the register for the commission of bankrupts, I am not yet satisfied, likewise for the law, nor for the conveniency, but I rather incline to think it may pass; and I have set it in a course by which I may be thoroughly informed.

TO THE KING.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, Finding as well by your majesty's despatches and directions to your council, as now by speech with Mr. Secretary Laque, that your majesty is content to be troubled with business of sundry natures, I thought good, according to the duty of my place and the necessity of the occasion, to put your majesty in mind, that on this day sennight, being Friday in the morning, I am, according to custom, to give a charge and admonition to the [judges and justices of peace now before the circuits, wherein I am humbly to crave your majesty's pleasure and directions.

I have for your majesty's better ease set down the heads, which by the prescript of your book, For Sir Rowland Egerton's cause, and his and out of the consideration of the present times, lady's, the parties have submitted themselves | I have thought fittest to be remembered. I have unto me, and are content to do it by bond, and therefore, I will undoubtedly make an end of it according to justice and conscience.

For Sir Gilbert Houghton's business I am in very good hope to effect your lordship's desire for his good.

For Moore's business, concerning the printing of books, after hearing all parties, I have sealed his patent; but for his former patent of salt I dare not do it without acquainting the council therewith, which I am ready to do, if he require that course to be taken.

If his majesty at any time ask, touching the Lord Clifton's business, I pray your lordship represent to his majesty thus much, that whatsoever hath passed I thank God I neither fear him nor hate him; but I am wonderful careful of the seat of justice, that they may still be well muni

also sent your majesty the last account of the judges' circuits, not to trouble you with the reading of them all; but to the end, that if upon my memorial, or otherwise out of your majesty's own memory which is above memorials, you should have occasion to resort to those accounts, the papers may be by you.

The point of greatest weight in my opinion is the carrying of a balanced hand at this time in the matter of recusants, in regard of the treaty with Spain. For it were good in respect of your people, that there were no note made, that the string is relaxed, and in respect of the treaty, that it is not strained: and therefore the proceeding in those causes be rather diligent than severe.

I am wonderful glad to hear that this extremity of weather, which I think the Muscovite hath brought with him, hath not touched your majesty,

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Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer hath signified to me, this day, that yesterday his majesty called him to his coach and said to him, that one that had used ill speech of me should be called before me and make his submission to me, and, thereupon be called before the council and receive a sharp reprehension, and so be enlarged. And Mr. Chancellor could not tell me who the person was, but after, by some letter he received from my Lord Clifton, and speech with a man of his, he perceived it was he.

I pray your lordship, in humbleness, to let his majesty know that I little fear the Lord Clifton, but I much fear the example, that it will animate ruffians and rodomonti, extremely, against the seats of justice, (which are his majesty's own seats) yea, and against all authority and greatness, if this pass without public censure and example, it having gone already so far as that the person of a baron hath been committed to the Tower. The punishment it may please his majesty to remit, and I shall not formally but heartily intercede for him, but an example (setting myself aside) I wish for terror of persons that may be more dangerous than he, towards the least judge of the kingdom.

Therefore, it may please his majesty to speak of it with myself and my lords when he cometh next; and in the mean time I will command from his majesty, the master of the rolls and Mr. Attorney, who were appointed by the table to examine him, to stay. God ever prosper you. Your lordship's true friend and devoted servant, FR. BACON, Canc.

March 17, 1617.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

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This I write for two

commission of the wards in Ireland, which, this
I received, yesternight, a brave account of the
one year, is advanced from two hundred pounds
per annum to four thousand pounds, which is
twenty fold multiplied.
reasons. First, because I glory in it, because it
was my work wholly: next, because his majesty
may take occasion by this to look better to the
improvement of his wards in England in due
time. God ever preserve and prosper you.
Your Lordship's most obliged
friend and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

York House,
July 27, 1618.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I am very glad to hear of the honour his majesty intendeth to my noble lady, your lordship's mother. This, amongst many other things, showeth, in your lordship, good nature, which is the root of all virtues, next religion. Besides, it doth sort well in states, when place and power do meet, and stand not too far at distance.

For the passing of it by direction without bill signed, it cannot be in law. So is Mr. Attorney's opinion, and so is mine; and, therefore, there is presently a bill sent with an endorsement of passing it by immediate warrant, and this antedate.

For the antedate, I must present his majesty with my caution, and with my obedience.

For the statute tieth me from antedates; and, indeed, the mischief is infinite: for, by that means the king may grant any land, &c., and take it away a month hence, and grant it another by an antedate. And, surely, were it land or the like, I would not say absit, or your majesty cannot do it for the world; or your majesty is sworn, and I am sworn; or such brave phrases: but, surely, (I say) I would in humbleness represent it to his majesty. But the case of honour differeth; for, therein his majesty's prerogative and declaration is absoFirst, It is a perpetuity, and so much rent in lute, and he may make him that is last to be first. diminution of revenue certain. And, therefore, upon his majesty's signification

I pray your lordship to signify to his majesty that I thought it my duty to stay at the seal, a book of Sir Francis Steward's and Sir James Averlony, &c., of £200 land in charge in fee simple: my reasons.

of his pleasure upon the endorsement of the bill | hath been yielded communibus annis, by a medium signed, I take it I may lawfully do it.

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of seven years. If the king be pleased to grant me this, it will a little warm the honour he hath given me; and I shall have a new occasion to be as I ever have been, and shall be

York House, October 9th, 1618.

Your lordship's obliged friend and faithful servant,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

I thank your lordship for your last loving letter. I now write to give the king an account of the patent I have stayed at the seal. It is of licence to give in mortmain eight hundred pounds land, though it be in tenure in chief to Allen, that was the player, for an hospital.

I like well that Allen playeth the last act of his life so well; but if his majesty give way thus to amortize his tenures, his courts of wards will decay, which I had well hoped should improve.

But that which moved me chiefly is, that his majesty now lately did absolutely deny Sir Henry Savile for two hundred pounds, and Sir Edwin Sandys for one hundred pounds, to the perpetuating of two lectures, the one in Oxford, the other in Cambridge, foundations of singular honour to his majesty, (the best learned of kings,) and of which there is great want; whereas, hospitals abound, and beggars abound never a whit the less.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

This morning Mr. Attorney came to me and desired of me many writs of ne exeat regnum against most of the Dutch merchants, and withal let me understand that there was a discovery of an infinite transportation of gold and silver out of this realm, by the said Dutch merchants, amounting to millions; and that Sir John Britten had made a book thereof, and presented the same to his majesty; and further that his majesty had directed him to prosecute the same; and had also given to Sir Thomas Vavisor the forfeiture of such ten of them as he should choose.

Hereupon, I thought it my duty, as in a matter of great weight, to signify to his majesty, by your lordship, what I conceive.

The discovery I think very happy: for, if it be true, it will be a great benefit to his majesty; it will also content his people much, and it will demonstrate also that Scotland is not the leech (as some discoursers say,) but the Netherlanders that suck the realm of treasure; so that the thing is very good.

If his majesty do like to pass the book at all; yet if he would be pleased to abridge the eight hundred pounds to five hundred pounds, and then give way to the other two books for the University, it were a princely work. And I would make But, two things I must represent to his maan humble suit to the king, and desire your lord-jesty: the first, that if I stay merchants from ship to join in it, that it might be so. their trading by this writ, I must do it either ex preserve and prosper you. officio, or by special warrant from his majesty.

God ever

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

York House, this 18th of August, 1618.

I have written to my Lord Chamberlain, being Chancellor of Oxford, to help in the business.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD Lord,

Looking for matter of service, I have found out a suit for myself, and it is proper for me more than all men, because it is within the accompt of the hanȧper. But I have made a law to myself, that I will never beg any thing, which shall not bring a gain to the king; therefore, my suit is to farm the profits of the alienations, yielding a thousand pounds a year more to the king than

If ex officio, then I must have more than a bare surmise to grant the writ upon, so as I must be acquainted with the grounds, or at least appearance of proofs. If by special warrant, then I desire to receive the same. The other is that f humbly beseech his majesty that these royal boughs of forfeiture may not be vintaged, or cropped by private suitors, (considering his majesty's state as it is,) but that Sir Thomas Vivasor or Sir John Brittain may have a bountiful and gracious reward of their discovery, but not the prime, or without stint.

In sum, I would wish his majesty to refer the whole business and carriage of the same for his honour and profit to the commissioners of treasure, or because it is a legal forfeiture to myself, Mr. Chancellor, Sir Edward Coke, and my Lord Chief Justice of England, and by us his majesty shall be assured to know the best cause for his justice, honour, and profit, and that he may dispose what

bounty he will. God ever preserve and prosper of the pursuivants in a way, which I think will

you.

Your lordship's most obliged
friend and faithful servant,

York House,

October 19, 1618.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

be best by a commission of Oyer and Terminer; for the Star Chamber (without confession) is long seas. I should advise that this point of the pursuivants were not single, but that it be coupled in the commission with the offences of keepers of prisons hereabouts, it hath a great affinity; for pursuivants are but ambulatory keepers, and it works upon the same party (of the Papists.) And it is that wherein many of his majesty's and the council's severe charges have been hitherto unThis long book which I send for his majesty's fruitful and it doth a great deal of mischief. I signature, was upon a conference and consult have some other reasons for it. But of this it yesternight, (at which time I was assisted by the will be fittest to advertise more particularly what two chief justices, and attended by the surveyor, with the chief justice. I am wonderful glad to I have resolved of on advice, upon conference attorney, and receiver of the court of wards, Fleet-hear of the king's good health. God preserve attorney, and receiver of the court of wards, Fleet- with the chief justice. I am wonderful glad to wood,) framed and allowed.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

It is long, because we all thought fit not to piece new instructions with old instructions, but to reduce both old and new into one body of instructions. I do not see that of the articles, which are many, any could have been spared. They are plain, but they have a good property, that they will take fast hold. I may not trouble his majesty with choosing some of them in particular, when all are good, only I think fit to let his majesty know of one, which is, that according to his own directions, the oath of making no private unlawful profit is now as well translated to the master and officers that may take, as to the parties and suitors that may give.

It little becometh me to possess his majesty that this will be to his majesty's benefit ten thousands yearly, or fifteen thousands, or twenty thousands; for those rattles are fitter for mounte

banks of service than grave counsellors. But my advices (as far as I am able to discern) tend or extend but to thus much: this is his majesty's surest and easiest may for his most good.

Sir Miles Fleetwood, who both now and heretofore, hath done very good service in this, meriteth to be particularly from your lordship encouraged: which I beseech your lordship not to forget. God ever prosper you.

Your lordship's most faithful

This 4th of December, 1618.

bounden friend and servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.`

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

his majesty and your lordship. I ever rest
Your lordship's most obliged
friend and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Gorhambury, this last
of July, 1619.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY VERY GOOd Lord,

I think it my duty to let his majesty know what I find in this cause of the ore tenus: for as his majesty hath good experience, that when his business comes upon the stage, I carry it with strength and resolution, so in the proceedings, I love to be wary and considerate.

I wrote to your lordship by my last, that I hoped by the care I had taken, the business would go well, but without that care, I was sure it would not go well: this I meant, because I had had conference with the two chief justices, Sir Edward Coke being present, and handled the matter so, that not without much ado, I left both the chief justices firm to the cause and

satisfied.

But calling to mind that in the main business, notwithstanding I and the chief justices went one way, yet the day was not good, (and I should be loath to see more of such days,) I am not without some apprehension; for though we have Sir Edward Coke earnest and forward, insomuch as he advised the ore tenus, before I knew it at Wansted, and now bound the Dutchmen over to the Star Chamber, before I was made privy; unto both which proceedings, I did nevertheless give approbation: yet if there should be either

I send his majesty a volume of my Lord of the major part of the votes the other way, or any Bangor's and my Lord Sheffield, whereof I spake | main distraction, though we bear it through, I when I left his majesty at Theobald's. His ma- should think it a matter full of inconvenience: jesty may be pleased at his own good time and but that which gives me most to think, is the pleasure to cast his eye upon it. I purpose at my carriage of Mr. Attorney, which sorteth neither coming to London to confer with the chief justice with the business nor with himself; for as I hear as his majesty appointed; and to put the business from divers, and partly perceive, he is fallen from

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earnest to be cool and faint; which weakness, if it should make the like alteration at the bar, it might overthrow the cause; all the remedy which is in my power, is by the advice of the judges to draw some other of the learned counsel to his help, which he, I know, is unwilling with, but that is all one.

This I thought it necessary to write, lest the king should think me asleep, and because I know that his majesty's judgment is far better than mine. But I, for my part, mean to go on roundly; and so I ever rest

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

October 9th, 1619.

If the king, in his great wisdom, should any ways incline to have the ore tenus put off, then the way were to command that the matter of the ore tenus should be given in evidence, by way of aggravation, in the main cause. And it is true, that if this precursory matter goeth well, it giveth great entrance into the main cause; if ill, contrariwise, it will do hurt and disadvantage to the main.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

These things which I write now and heretofore, in this cause, I do not write so as any can take knowledge that I write; but I despatch things ex officio here, and yet think it fit, inwardly, to advertise the king what doth occur. And I do assure your lordship, that if I did serve any king whom I did not think far away wiser than myself, I would not write in the midst of business, but go on of myself.

we proceed, I should send the letter to his majesty, because I would not straiten his majesty in any thing.

The evidence went well, (I will not say sometimes helped it as far as was fit for a judge,) and at the arising of the court, I moved their lordships openly, whether they would not continue this cause from day to day till it were ended; which they thought not fit, in regard of the general justice, which would be delayed in all courts: yet afterwards within I prevailed so far, as we have appointed to sit Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and to sit by eight of the clock, and so to despatch it before the king come, if we can. God preserve and prosper you. I

ever rest

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

This 22d of October,
Friday, at 4 of the
o'clock, 1619.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY VERY GOOD Lord,

I do not love to interlope by writing in the midst of business; but because his majesty commanded me to acquaint him with any occurrence which might cross the way, I have thought fit to let his majesty know what hath passed this day.

This day, (which was the day set down,) the great cause of the Dutchmen was entered into. The pleading being opened, and the case stated by the counsel, the counsel of the defendants made a motion to have certain examinations taken, concerning the old defendants suppressed, because they were taken since the last hearing.

This morning, notwithstanding my speech I set the business in a good way, and showed yesterday with the duke, he delivered this letter they were but supplemental, and that at the last enclosed, and I having cleared the room of all hearing, there were some things extrajudicial save the court and learned counsel, (whom | alleged, ad infimandum conscientiam judicis, and I required to stay,) the letter was read a therefore there was more reason these should be little before our hour of sitting. When it used, ad informandum conscientiam judicis, and The order was was read, Mr. Attorney began to move that that there was order for it. my lord should not acknowledge his offences read, and approved by both the court and the as he conceived he had committed them, but defendant's own counsel; but it was alleged, as they were charged; and some of the lords that the order was not entered time enough, speaking to that point, I thought fit to interrupt, whereby the defendants might likewise examine, and divert that kind of question; and said, wherein certainly there was some slip or forgetbefore we considered of the extent of my lord's fulness in Mr. Attorney, or Britten, that followed submission, we were first to consider of the it, which I wish had been otherwise, yet it went extent of our own duty and power; for that I fair out of the court. conceived it was neither fit for us to stay proceeding, nor to move his majesty in that, which was before us in course of justice; unto which, (being once propounded by me,) all the lords and the rest, una voce assented. I would not so uch as ask the question whether, though

But after dinner my lords were troubled with it, and after much dispute, we have agreed to and confer silently, and sine strepitu to-morrow, set all straight, calling the judges and the learned counsel, with whom I have spoken this evening, 1 think to good purpose. For in good faith I am fain

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