TO THE LORD ST. ALBAN.

satisfy your desert and expectation, yet, take the

word of a friend, who will never fail you, hath a VY NOBLE LORD,

tender care of you, full of a fresh memory of The hearty affection I have borne to your per- your by-past service. His majesty is but for the son and service, hath made me ambitious to be a present, he says, able to yield unto the three messenger of good news to you, and an eschewer years' advance, which, if you please to accept, of ill; this hath been the true reason why I have you are not hereafter the farther off from obtainbeen thus long in answering you, not any negli- ing some better testimony of his favour, worthier gence in your discreet, modest servant you sent both of him and you, though it can never be anwith your letter, nor his who now returns you swerable to what my heart wishes you, as this answer, oftlimes given me by your master

Your lordship's humble servant, and mine; who, though by this may seem not to

G. BUCKINGHAM.

LETTERS FROM STEPHENS.

TO THE KING.

of that business before the end of the term. And IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, so I rest

According to your commandment, I send en- Your faithful friend at command, closed the Preface to the Patent of Creation of

GEORGE VILLIERS. Sir George Villiers. I have not used any glaring

Newmarket, Nov. 19, 1616. terms, but drawn according to your majesty's instructions, and the note which, thereupon, I framed, and your majesty allowed, with some additions, which I have inserted. But I hope your

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM. majesty will be pleased to correct and perfect MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD, it. Your majesty will also be pleased to When I heard your lordship was dead, 1 remember, that if the creation shall be at though I had lived too long. That was (to tell Roughford, your pleasure and this draught be your lordship truly) the state of my mind upon speedily returned; for it will ask a sending that report. Since, I hear it was an idle misof the bill for your majesty's signature, and taking of my Lord Evers, for my Lord Villiers : a sending back of the same to pass the seals, God's name be blessed, that you are alive to do and a sending thereupon of the patent itself: so infinite good, and not so much as sick or ill disit must be twice sent up and down before the day. posed for any thing I now hear. God evermore preserve your majesty.

I have resigned the prince's seal, and my Your majesty's most devoted,

Lord Kobart is placed. I made the prince laugh, and most bounden servant, when I told him I resigned it with more comfort

FR. Bacon. than I received it; he understanding me that I July 2, 1616.

had changed for a better: but after I had given him that thought, I turned it upon this, that I left his state and business in good case, whereof I

gave him a particular account. TO SIR FRANCIS BACON, HIS MAJESTY'S ATTOR- The

queen
called

upon me for the matter of he NEY-GENERAL.

house, wherein your lordship and my Lord Sir, I have acquainted his majesty with your Chamberlain and I dealt, and received his maletter, and the other papers enclosed, who liketh jesty's direction, so that I shall prepare a warvery well of the course you purpose, touching rant, first to my lord treasurer and Mr. Chancelthe manifest to be published of Bertram’s fact, lor

, (for that is the right way) to advise how to and will have you, according to your own motion, settle it by assignment, in case she survive his advise with my lord chancellor of the manner of it. majesty, which I hope in God she shall not. His majesty's pleasure likewise is, that, according Her desire was expressly and of herself, that to the declaration he made before the lords of his when I had prepared a warrant to be sent to his council, at Whitehall

, touching the review of my majesty, I should send it by your lordship’s Lord Coke's reports, you draw a warrant ready hand's. for his signature, directed to those judges whom

We sit in council, that is all I can yet say he then named to that effect, and send it speedily Sir John Denham is not come, upon whose comto him to be signed, that there may be a despatch ing the king shall have account of our consulta

P 2

a

a

tions touching Ireland, which we cannot con- derstand the place of a chancellor, but done him clude, till we have spoken with him. God ever much right also, in giving notice unto those that preserve and prosper you.

were present, that you had received such instrucIt grieveth me much, that I cannot hear enough tions from his majesty; whose honour will be so of his majesty's good disposition of health, and much the greater, in that all men will acknowhis pleasures, and other ordinary occurrences of ledge the sufficiency and worthiness of his mahis journey: I pray your lordship will direct Mr. jesty's choice, in preferring a man of such abiliPacker to write to me sometime, of matters of ties to that place, which, besides, cannot but be a that kind. I have made the like request to Sir great advancement and furtherance to his service. Edward Villiers, by whom I write this present, And I can assure your lordship, that his majesty to whose good affection I think myself beholden, was never so well pleased, as he is with this as I do also esteem him much for his good parts, account you have given him of this passage. besides his nearness to your lordship, which Thus, with the remembrance of my service, bindeth me above all.

I rest Your lordship's most faithful

Your lordship's ever at command, and devoted friend and servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM. Fr. Bacon, C. S. Edinburgh, May 18, 1616. April 7, 1617.

TO THE LORD KEEPER.

TO TIIE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY HONOURABLE LORD, MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD,

His majesty commandeth me to write to your I pray your lordship to deliver to his majesty lordship, that he wonders your hand being at that the enclosed.

letter of the lords of the council, which he saith I send your lordship, also, the warrant to my is a very blunt one: you have not besides sent lord treasurer and Mr. Chancellor of the Exche- him some advice of your own, his majesty having quer for the queen's house, * it is to come again only entrusted you to speak with Sir Lionel to the king, when the bill is drawn for the let- Cranfield about his estate. ters patents; for this is only the warrant to be

Your lordship’s faithful friend and servant, signed by his majesty.

G. BUCKINGHAM. I asked the queen whether she would write to Newmarket, Nov. 19, 1617. your lordship about it; her answer was very modest and discreet, that because it proceeded wholly from his majesty's kindness and goodness, who had referred it, it was not so fit for her to write to your lordship for the despatch of it, but she desired me to thank your lordship for your

MY LORD:—How well I wish to Sir Gilbert former care of it, and to desire you to continue Haughton, himself, I dare say, doth not doubt, it: and withal she desireth your lordship not to partly out of mine own affection, and chiefly for press his majesty in it, but to take his best times. your lordship’s affection towards him, which to This answer (because I like it so well) I write me is more than mine own. That the king should to you at large, for other matters I will write by make bargains of hope, when his treasure sufthe next. God ever prosper you and pre- ficeth not for his own charge, I may not advise serve you.

for my dearest friends; for I am nailed to the Your lordship's most faithful

king's estate. But two things I shall assent and devoted friend and servant, unto; the one, that if the king can redeem his

Fr. Bacon, C. S. works without charge of officers, I shall be glad London, April 19, 1617.

of it, both for the gentleman's sake, and because I perceive the uniting of the alum works in the king's hands is best: the other, that if his majesty be pleased to signify his pleasure to my

lord treasurer and me, that there be no forfeiture MY HONOURED LORD,

taken by Banister, till the king shall advise of I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, this bargain, we will hold him to it. God preand the papers that came enclosed, who is exceed

serve and prosper your lordship. Your lordship, I ingly well satisfied with that account you have think, perceiveth both my scribbling and cursory given him therein, especially with the speech inditing, that I write in straits of business. you made at the taking of your place in the

Your lordship's true friend Chancery. Wherehy his majesty perceiveth that

and devoted servant, you have not only given proof how well you un

TO THE LORD KEEPER.

TO THE KING.

and praying to the Almighty for your long and MAY IT PLEASE your Majesty,

happy reign over us, we rest Being yesterday assembled in council to pro- Your majesty's most humble and obedient ceed in the course we had begun, for retrench

subjects and servants, ment of your majesty's expenses; we received G. CANT.

James Hay, your princely letters, whereby we are directed to E. WORCESTER,

JUL. CÆSAR, send to your majesty the names of the officers of T. ARUNDEL,

T. SUFFOLK, the exchequer, custom-house, and auditors, out E. WOTTON,

PEMBROKE, of which you purpose to make choice of some to T. LAKE,

L. ELIE", be sub-committed to handle the mechanic and F. BACON, C. S. T. EDMONDES, laborious part of that which your majesty had Lennox,

Edw. Coke, appointed to our care; we have, according to our

W. WALLINGFORD,

C. EDMCNDES. duty, sent unto your majesty the names of the Dec. 5, 1617. several officers of your majesty in those places, to be ordered as your wisdom shall think best to direct. But withal, we thought it appurtenant to

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. our duties to inform your majesty how far we

MY HONOURABLE LORD, lave proceeded in the several heads of retrench

I have received your lordship's letters, wherein ments by your majesty at your departure com- I see the continuance of your love and respect to mitted unto us, that when you know in what estate our labours are, your judgment may give your lordship many thanks, desiring nothing

me, in any thing I write to you of, for which I the better direct any further course, as shall be

for any man but what you shall find just and meet. The matter of the household was by us, some that there is so good hope of Sir Gilbert Hough

convenient to pass. I am very glad to understand days since, committed peremptorily to the officers ton's business, which I must needs ascribe to your of the house, as matter of commandment from

lordship's great favour toward him for my sake, your majesty, and of duty in them, to reduce the

which I will ever acknowledge. If his majesty expense

of
your house to a limited charge of fifty

at any time speak of the Lord Clifton's business, thousand pounds by the year, besides the benefit

I will answer according to that your lordship hath of the compositions; and they have ever since

written, &c. painfully, as we are informed, travailed in it, and

Your lordship's faithful servant, will be ready on Sunday next, which was the day

G. BUCKINGHAM. given them, to present some models of retrench.

Newmarket, the last of January, 1617. ments of divers kinds, all aiming at your majesty's kervice.

In the point of pensions we have made a begin. ning, by suspending some wholly for a time, and of others of a third part; in which course we are My HONOURABLE Lorv, siill going on, until we make it fit to be presented I have acquainted his majesty with your letter to your majesty ; in like manner the Lord Cham- to me, and delivered likewise to him the letter berlain, and the Lord Hay, did yesterday report and other things directed to his majesty, who hath unto us, what their travail had ordered in the commanded me to return this answer to them all. wardrobe; and, although some doubt did arise First, for your memorial of your charge to the unto us, whether your majesty's letters intended judges, he liketh it so well, that he findeth noa stay of our labours, until you had made choice thing either to be added or diminished ; and was of the sub-committee intended by you, yet, pre- so well satisfied therewith, that he accounteth it suming that such a course by sub-committee was needless to read the other papers, but sealed them purposed rather for a furtherance than let to that up again, and sendeth them back to your lordship work, we did resolve to go on still, till your ma- without reading them. Only in the point of rejesty's further directions shall come unto us; and cusants his majesty is of the quite contrary opithen, according to our duty, we will proceed as nion to you; for though he would not by any we shall be by your majesty commanded; in the means have a more severe course held than his mean time, we thought it our duty to inform your laws appoint in that case, yet since the many majesty of what we have done, that neither your reasons why, there should be no mitigation above majesty may conceive that we have been negli- that which his laws have enacted, and his own gent in those things which were committed unto conscience telleth him to be fit. As, first, the us, nor your directions by your late letters hin- Papists in his kingdom have taken such heart der or cast back that which is already so far pro- upon the commission given to Sir John Digby, ceeded in.

touching the match with Spain, that they have And so, humbly kissing your royal hands, sent copies thereof privately up and down, and

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

a

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

are so lifted up in their hopes of what they desire, well spent in that kind. We have put those that his majesty cannot but take a more severe particulars whereof his majesty gave us charge course, as far as by his laws he may, than hitherto into a way. he hath done. Besides, when they shall see a Bingley's information will be to good purpose,

arder hand carried toward them than hath been and we find another of like nature revealed to accustomed, his majesty assureth himself they Mr. Secretary and myself. God ever prosper will employ all their means to further the match, you. in hope of mitigating of that severity when it shall Your lordship's most obliged friend be accomplished. And though these reasons

and faithful servant, were not, his majesty would account it a baseness

Fr. VERULAM, Canc. in a prince to show such a desire of the match, as October 9, 1015. to slack any thing in his course of government, much more in propagation of the religion he professeth, for fear of giving hindrance to the match thereby. And so, with many thanks for your favours to my brother in his business, I rest

My Lord, I have acquainted his majesty with Your lordship's faithful servant,

your letter, who giveth you thanks for your advice G. BUCKINGHAM.

to communicate the business of the Dutchmen to Newmarket, Feb. 8, 1617.

the commissioners of the treasury, which his majesty was before purposed to refer to them, as it concerns his treasure, for the carriage of it;

and to your lordship and the rest named in your TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. letter, for the relation it hath to the law. For the MY VERY GOOD LORD,

proposers of the suit, his majesty intendeth only We have sat once upon the commission of trea- to reward their pains as may stand with his sersure to no ill purpose, as may appear by the ac- vice and his princely disposition, but to preserve count enclosed; wherein his majesty will find no the main benefit himself: all that his majesty preposterous issue of treasure. Mr. Chancellor would have your lordship to do for the present, imagines well ; Coke seeks, and beats over, as is to take order about the writ of ne exeant well where it is not, as where it is; Secretary regnum, to advise with his learned counsel what Naunton forgets nothing. I will look to bow course is to be taken, and if by a warrant from things to the true ends. God bless and prosper his majesty, that your lordship send him a warhis majesty and yourself.

rant to be signed, which shall be returned with Your lordship's most obliged friend all speed. Of other things his majesty thinketh and faithful servant,

it will be time enough to speak at his return to FR. VERULAM, Canc.

London. In the mean time I rest July 25, 1618.

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,

G. BuckINGHAM.

Hinchinbroke, Oct. 21, 1618.
TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY VERY GOOD LORD,
What passed in your lordship's presence your

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. lordship can tell, touching the navy. The morrow foilowing we concluded in approbation of the My very good LORD, books, save in one point, touching the number I have this morning received the petty roll for convenient for manning the ships, wherein the the sheriffs. I received also the papers exhibited number allowed by the commissioners had, in my by Sir Miles Fleetwood, which I will use to his judgment, a little of the merchant; for to measure majesty's best service, and thereupon give account by so many as were above dead pays, is no good to his majesty when time serveth. argument. For the abuse of dead pays is to be My care, which is not dormant, touching his arnen-led, and not the necessary number abated. majesty's service, specially that of treasure, (which In this his majesty may fall upon a middle pro- is now summa summarum,) maketh me propound portion between that of the commissioners and to his majesty a matter, which, God is my witThat of the officers.

ness, I do without contemplation of friend or end. It were good, now the three hooks which we but animo recto. have appointed to be engrossed into one ledger If Sir Edward Coke continue sick, or keep in, hook are affirmed, there were a short book of his I fear his majesty's service will languish too, in majesty's royal ions, and orders thereupon, those things which touch upon law; as the calling extracted.

in debts, recusants, alienations, defalcations, etc. For the commission of the treasury, I persuade And this is most certain, that in these new myself, they are of the first hours that "sve been diligences, if the first beginning cool, all will go

TO THE KING.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

back to the old bias. Therefore, it may please I send now to know how his majesty doth after his majesty to think of it, whether there will not his remove, and to give you account, that yesterbe a kind of necessity to add my Lord Chief day was a day of motions in the Chancery. This Justice of England to the commissioners of trea- day was a day of motions in the Star Chamber, sure. This I move only to the king and your and it was my hap to clear the bar, that no man lordship, otherwise it is a thing ex non entibus. was left to move any thing, which my lords were God preserve and prosper you.

pleased to note they never saw before. ToYour lordship's most faithful servant, morrow is a sealing day ; Thursday is the funeral

FR. VERU.AM, Canc. day; so that I pray your lordship to direct me From the Star Chamber, Nov. 25, 1618.

whether I shall attend his majesty Friday or

Saturday. Friday hath some relics of business, I forget not Tufton's cause. All things stay, and the commissioners of treasure have appointed and precedents are in search.

to meet; but to see his majesty is to me above all.

I have set down, de ben: esse, Suffolk's cause, the third sitting next term; if the wind suffer the commission of Ireland to be sped. I ever more

and more rest MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, According to your majesty's pleasure, signified

Your lordship's most obliged friend

and faithful servant, to us by the Lord Marquis Buckingham, we have considered of the fitness and conveniency of the

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

This 11th May, 1619. gold and silver thread business, as also the profit that may accrue unto your majesty.

We are all of opinion that it is convenient that the same should be settled, having been brought hither at the great charge of your majesty's now

MY HONOURABLE LORD, agents, and being a means to set many of your

Your lordship hath sent so good news to his poor subjects on work; and to this purpose there was a former certificate to your majesty from majesty that I could have wished you had been

the reporter of it yourself; but seeing you came some of us with others. And for the profit that will arise, we see no

not, I cannot but give you thanks for employing cause to doubt; but do conceive apparent likeli- me in the delivering of that which pleased his hood, that it will redound much to your majesty's ship in mind when he seeth you. I am glad we

majesty so well, whereof he will put your lordprofit, which we esteem may be at the least ten

are come so near together, and hoping to see you thousand pounds by the year; and, therefore, in

at Windsor, I rest a business of such benefit to your majesty, it

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, were good it were settled with all convenient

G. BUCKINGHAM. speed, by all lawful means that may be thought

August 29th, 1619. of; which, notwithstanding, we most humbly leave to your majesty's highest wisdom. Your majesty's most humble

and faithful servants,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.
H. MONTAGU,

MY HONOURABLE LORD,
Henry YELVERTON. As I was reading your lordship’s letter, his

majesty came, and took it out of my hands, when
he knew from whom it came, before I could read

the paper enclosed, and told me that you had TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM,

done like a wise counsellor; first setting down MY VERY GOOD LORD,

the state of the question, and then propounding If I should use the Count de Gondomar's action, the difficulties, the rest being to be done in its I should first lay your last letter to my mouth in own time. token of thanks, and then to my heart in token

I am glad of this occasion of writing to you: of contentment, and then to my forehead in token lordship, that I may now let your lordship underof a perpetual remembrance.

stand his majesty's good conceit and acceptation

of your service, upon your discourse with him an * October 4, 1618. The Marquis of Buckingham writes Windsor; which, though I heard not myself, yet from Theobalds to the lord chancellor, that the king being I heard his majesty much commend it, both for desirous to be satisfied of the gold and silver thread business, the method and the affection you showed therein would have his lordship consult the lord chief justice, and ibe attorney and solicitor-general therein.

to his affairs, in such earnest manner, as if you Vol. III.-23

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.