|
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Robert Jhonsonn to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 1. |
Anticipates some objections which he suspects
may occur touching his parting with the service propounded,
wherein he must content himself to leave with loss.
Objection that his demands are unreasonable. This is strange
to him, he having disclaimed wages other than his Majesty's
bounty to be induced by desert.
Objection that he demanded too much for other men's allowances. He demanded not at all, but merely desired my Lord
to furnish the service with serviceable men. |
|
Objection that the minute or draft of a commission offered
was too large, and without precedent. He answers that the
service touching the mereing, bounding and confining of the two
kingdoms had yet no precedent; and the commission was but
a fit foundation for that building. |
|
Objection that 30 manors were surveyed in two months, and
20 more in 6 weeks, very lately. These at first seemed to him
works of wonder: but better advising of the manner how, he
espied "Æsop's mouse, a toy, a jest, not worthy the name of
survey." The late sovereign paid dear for those errors. Meantime the agents thrive, getting recompense for registering
other men's reports and their own guessings. whereby his
Majesty's rights are impeached. He ever took it needful that
the Commissioners for this weighty service should be armed with
private records and calendars of mere and true values, and not
of reports or guesses. The calendars should be kept under
their own keys, for he never had so absurd an intent that they
should rest with the Auditor, or in any place of overt record. |
|
Though his endeavours seem to have produced to him nothing
but labour, loss and mistaking, he prays for Cecil's countenance,
that when occasion is offered his good meaning may excuse his
errors. Protests that his proceeding was out of his great zeal
of duty to the King. Now unburdened and retiring to his
plough, he takes leave.—1 July 1604.
PS.—Beseeches Cecil to retain this in private.
Holograph. 2 pp. (86. 134.) |
|
Robert Jhonsonn to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 1. |
Notwithstanding the caution, by postscript,
I pray your Honour of your own voluntary to show it to the
Earl of Northampton, if so it seem good to you. To my Lord
Treasurer I have written my thanks for my ease from that
journey of Scotland, in another kind.
I put the caution, a postscript, with purpose that if it pleased
you to do it, yet it should seem to be against my meaning.
I pray you burn this.
Holograph. 1 p. (86. 133.) |
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Sir John Fitzwilliam to the Same. |
|
1604, July 3. |
Will wait upon his lordship as soon as he can
go out of doors, which he has been driven to keep since the end
of Michaelmas term last. His good success in part against his
unjust elder brother in the principal question between them concerning his inheritance. Judgment is passed against his brother
in the King's Bench and a writ of restitution awarded Sir John
to the High Sheriff to put him in possession again. Prays
Cecil's letters to Sir Henry Mayner[d], High Sheriff of Essex,
to expedite him, for he doubts some slackness at his hands.
For when upon the second indictment of the forcible detainers
of his inheritance he was restored to his lawful possession by
Lord Peter and the rest of the country justices, according to
Stat. 8 Hen. VI, Maynerd refused to join with them to do
him justice. Secondly, the then undersheriff of Essex, when
his brother, to defraud him, entitled her Majesty to the writer's
goods to pay his father's debts, who enjoined his brother by
their father to discharge upon strong ties, is now undersheriff
again. Against him and his brother Sir John is to prefer his
bill in the Exchequer Chamber, as combining together unlawfully for the sale of his goods, which are worth 1200l., for 400l.
or thereabouts.—3 July 1604, from his house in Grayes Inne
lane. |
|
PS. in Sir John Fitzwilliam's handwriting:—Beseeches Cecil
to write to the High Sheriff to see the writ executed in his
own person, for the undersheriff is wholly devoted to his brother.
Signed. 1 p. (105. 138.) |
|
The Enclosure:—
My father's proceedings for the settling of his estate, the
payment of her Majesty's debts and the advancement of my
mother and his two sons. |
|
My father three years before his death gave me a lease of
lands in Northamptonshire for ninety-nine years upon condition
that my brother might redeem the same for 2200l. within twelve
years after the death of him and my mother. My brother was
made acquainted therewith and the same was drawn by Serjeant
Horne, one then and now of his counsel, with his hand to it. |
|
Again my father by the advice of Sir John Brograve and Mr.
Pagett conveyed to me and the heirs male of my body all his
lands in Essex after the death of my mother. The counterpart
of this conveyance was delivered to my brother by my father's
appointment at the time of his death. The reason which
moved my father to settle me upon this land is that, he, being
deputy in Ireland, put my brother in trust to purchase for him
certain lands in Northamptonshire which he intended to leave
me. My brother took the purchase in his own name unknown
to my father, hoping he might have died in Ireland and then,
though he had given me the land, his conveyance had been void.
When my father knew this, he was mightily offended with
my brother for his deceit and caused him with some difficulty
to assure the land to him and to his heirs, purposing still to give
me the land. But afterwards doubting lest my brother had
made some secret conveyance to his son or to some other, he
thought it more safe for me to leave my brother the said land
and to settle me on Gaynes Park in Essex, which he knew to be
clear. |
|
Because my father had an extraordinary care both for the
payment of his debts to her Majesty under 1100l., for which
his land was extended at 220l. and 12 nobles yearly to the
Exchequer till the debts should be answered, and for the settling
of his gifts and legacies to my mother, etc., he provided by his
last will that my brother by any omission or default in proving
or executing the same should lose a great benefit by the will as
also a good part of his inheritance, whereof my mother during
her lifetime was to take advantage to her and her heirs. |
|
Towards the performance of my father's will my brother
was discharged of 1200l. odd which he owed to my father at
his death and he left him 800l. more which her Majesty owed
him, as is mentioned in his will, and two or three hundred
pounds worth of timber, besides the goods contained in the
inventory which came to 829l. odd but worth very much more.
So he had by my father's death five or six thousand marks
worth of goods, for he owed my father 800l. more upon a statute,
which 1200l. odd and 800l. last mentioned, when my father in
his extremity of want of money could not get my brother to
pay him anything, he offered to cancel the said statute if he
would pay him the 1200l. odd which was faithfully promised.
But the statute once cancelled he could not draw from him
in the time of his long languishing sickness, or when he kept his
bed, which was six months, above 60l. at three several times a
little before his death. So as my father died with but 11s. 3d.
in his purse, his plate at pawn for diet and physic charges,
when his son had above 2000l. ready coin of his and at the least
seven years before his death. My father openly and sharply
rebuked him upon his death bed and charged my mother never
to trust him. |
|
My mother in like sort disposed of her estate by will and
imparted unto my brother what persons she had made executors
and that she had dealt liberally with him but left most of her
substance with me. Whereunto he replied that he liked it
very well and thought it all too little.
My brother accordingly took upon him the executorship
of my father's will.
He paid the seizure for three years after during all my mother's
life, being 220l. and upwards by the year, so that the principal
debt to her Majesty at the time of my mother's death was under
400l. |
|
He assented my mother should enjoy all her legacies which
she did three years during her life [Margin:—but in the Exchequer he denied his assent and drave me to prove it] but he
denied a long time the poor servants their legacies of half a year's
wages and withholds still their quarter's wages due at my
father's death.
He did not afford my father any honest or decent burial,
because in his will he forbade any great pomp to be used. |
|
My brother's proceeding before and since the death of my
mother against her and me. |
|
The same day my mother died 3 or 4 hours before her
death he came to her house in the night in London, brake
through the outer gates and entered with 8 swords drawn and
threatened me bodily harm, broke open four doors more to
her very death-chamber, the portal door whereof he also
attempted but it being barricaded with chests he could not
enter but failed to possess the house; which possession he sought
to no other end but that he might have surprised her will,
treasure, and my evidences remaining there with her ladyship. |
|
He caused the same morning his eldest son to pass from this
barbarous riot with others to my house at Gaynes Park in Essex
and got possession thereof by corrupting my mother's bailiff,
which he held by force against law and would not suffer her
body to be brought into her own house as she appointed. |
|
Further in the said house he got possession of a great part of
my mother's goods worth 1000l. at the least, all which she gave
me by her will, and has practised to defeat me of most part by
procuring them to be extended to the Queen to pay my father's
debt. For the rest of these goods not entitled to the Queen
he withholds part of them by main force without any pillar
of right. |
|
Besides the lease of land in Northamptonshire which my
father gave me, he has entered thereinto and holds me out
thereof also. As for these goods which came to my hands he
has driven me to consume it in law and to take money up at
interest to maintain both law and my life.
Signed: notes in the margin and additions in the text in Fitzwilliam's handwriting. 2 pp. (105. 136.) |
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Sir G. Hervey, Lieutenant of the Tower, to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 3. |
I send you herewith the declaration of D.
Sharpe required, which you should before this time have received,
if the evil disposition of his body had not hindered it. I neither
may nor will plead for the man or matter but think that (by
the chips which are fallen into his eyes) he has learned hereafter
to beware how to hew above his reach.—From the Tower, 3
July 1604.
Holograph. Seal. ¼ p. (105. 139.) |
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Lords of the Council to Lord Compton. |
|
1604, July 3. |
Her Majesty's jointure being lately confirmed
by Parliament with a power to make leases in possession or
reversion for one and twenty years or three lives and a Chancery
at Westminster established unto her where her Council may
hear and determine matters concerning her jointure, require
him to signify her tenants so much, All her lessees and farmers
are to enrol at their peril before the end of Michaelmas term next
all their leases before the King's Auditor. Bailiffs of manors
and other revenue who are behind in their receipts and accounts
are to pay to the particular receivers so much as they have
already received or may receive and in the beginning of Michaelmas term next to come before her Majesty's Attorney General
and put in bond with sufficient sureties for their receipt.
Compton as steward of the manors of Hampton in Arden and
Henly in Arden, co. Warwick, is to inform the said Attorney
General of the general state of these manors.—Whitehall,
3 July 1604.
Signed: Ro. Cecyll, G. Carewe, Rob: Hitcham. 1 p. (105.
140.) |
|
The Same to Sir Thomas Darnell, the Queen's Receiver in
Lincolnshire. |
|
1604, July 3. |
It was thought fit by us of her Majesty's
Council to require the King's Auditors and Receivers to be
Auditors and Receivers for the Queen's revenue within their
several audits and receipts, the Receivers to be allowed 40s.
in every 100l. which they shall receive. The Lord Treasurer
of England has caused some of the Receivers then in London
or thereabouts to come before him. We therefore require you
not to fail but to be at London within ten days of the beginning
of Michaelmas term next with sufficient sureties to be bound
and to receive a patent of the Office. We are informed by Sir
George Carewe knight, her Majesty's Vice-Chamberlain and
General Receiver, that you are much in arrearages of that
receipt which you ought to have paid at Lady day last. We
therefore require you likewise to pay with all speed not only
what is behind in your hands but also of what you shall receive
hereafter. You will certify the names of any defaulting bailiffs
with their arrearages and the names of their manors or places.—
Whytehall, 3 July 1604.
Signed: Ro. Cecyll, R. Sydney, G. Carewe, Rob. Hitcham.
Endorsed: "The LL. of the Councell to Sr. Tho: Darnell."
1 p. (105. 141.) |
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Dr. He. Atkins to the Queen. |
|
1604, July 3. |
My Scottish affairs go very well, our noble
young Prince, your Majesty's dear son, daily growing from one
perfection of health to another. His Highness now walketh
many times in a day all the length of the great chamber
at Damfermelinge like a gallant soldier all alone. He often
talketh of going to London and desireth to see his gracious
Queen mother. God I trust will bless his Highness's desires
and our, his poor servants', prayers together. And your Majesty
to your great comfort shall behold a most sweet picture and
"vive" image of his most royal father. Then shall you behold
wit and beauty striving for superiority, his body and mind
contending which of the two nature hath most adorned. God
bless that royal stem with more such princely fruit to the comfort
of your Majesties and this island's happiness.—Damfermelinge,
3 July 1604.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (105. 142.) |
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The Same to the Same. |
|
1604, July 3. |
Since my last letters there hath happened no
new occurrence whereof to advertise your sacred Majesty.
Only your commandment and my duty still bind me to certify
you of the good and happy continuance of our noble young
Prince his welfare with daily increase of strength and amendment of his going. His Highness will walk alone five or six
times together all the length of the longest chamber in Damfermelinge and that upright upon his joints not all so bold as
Ajax but as wary as Ulisses. |
|
Sed simul ac duraverit œtas. |
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Membra animumque suum nabit sine cortice. |
|
And thanks be to God he walketh already without a staff. |
|
And now his Highness often calleth upon me to go to England,
whither according to your Majesty's commandment I shall
shortly attend him. There I trust the clemency of the air and
goodness of education shall much prevail to the perfecting and
establishing of his Highness's health and constitution. And since
it hath pleased the Almighty to bless him with present health
I much rejoice that your Majesty hath resolved to use the
present occasion of his good health for his transportation. |
|
I trust in God that as your Majesty hath resolved upon a
good purpose, so His almighty goodness will bring it to good
conclusion. And to that eternal blessedness shall my daily
song be
Tam precor œterna faciat te prole beatam
Quam bene jam pulchra fecit te prole parentem.
—Damfermelinge, 3 July 1604.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (105. 143.) |
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D. Hilles to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 4. |
Recommends the bearer Mr. Spence, the
conceiver of a project, out of which may be drawn benefit to
the prosecutors.—From my house by Salisbury Court, 4 July
1604.
Holograph. Endorsed: "A project concerning salt." 1 p.
(105. 144.) |
|
Lancelot Lowther to the Same. |
|
1604, July 4. |
Since my first knowledge in Court, I made it
my first labour to gain your lordship's favourable eye, which
succeeding slowly by others, I am bold to speak out for my
neglect in the Queen's service. Upon offer of myself I was
exempted. The service made a secret in the duties of my place
and I humbly retired till your favour and commandment made
me more fortunate.—4 July 1604, Temple.
Holograph. Seal. ⅓ p. (105. 145.) |
|
Sir Arthur Gorges to the Same. |
|
1604, July 4. |
It has pleased his Majesty of late out of the
commiseration of my poor estate and heavy crosses to send me
word that I should seek somewhat at his royal hands. I have
under the Great Seal of England a lease of four score and nineteen years in reversion of a lease of thirty years in possession
of a manor called Pawton in Cornwall, which cost me 3000l.
four years since in ready money to my Lord Cobham. It was
ecclesiastical land and never in the Crown but since Queen
Mary's time, and then forfeited by treason. I pay only during
six score and odd years an enhanced rent of 106l. and no other
benefit belongs to the Crown thereof in woods or otherways
during my long leases. Now my humble suit is unto his Majesty
at 6l. a year rent to grant me the fee farm thereof, for which no
man living would give 2000l., if it were to be sold in manner
as I desire it. It is the greatest portion of living that I have
in the world to leave to a wife and six children; besides I
pay, and shall do these twenty years, 40s. yearly more than
I receive.—Kew, 4 July 1604.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (105. 146.) |
|
The Lord Chief Justice to the Privy Council. |
|
1604, July 4. |
I have received this day two letters from you
touching a servant of Sir Edward Dennys convicted for a
murder. The fact was one of the foulest of that kind that I
have heard, in so cruel and inhuman manner to kill a silly
woman, who did no manner of thing to grieve him any way
offens[ive]. He not only hurt her in several parts of her body
very grievously but also hurt another young woman very sore
and was like to have killed two more, as the proof stood, if
by very good hap they had not escaped from him. Had
your lordships heard the matter at large as myself and others
did I doubt not but you would have been satisfied that without
great scandal to justice so foul a fact could not well be stayed
from the due execution of justice. If drunkenness might excuse
men in such a case I know not who can be in safety of his life
and I have no manner of excuse for him but that, which nevertheless I found not him to utter.—At Serjeants' Inn, 4 July
1604.
Holograph. 1¼ pp. (105. 147.) |
|
Thomas Swynsed to Lord Cecil. |
|
[1604], July 4. |
I received this 4 July at 10 in the night a
packet from your lordship directed for his Majesty's special
service to the right honourable Sir George Hume Knt., Lord
Treasurer of Scotland and Chancellor of the Exchequer in
England, at the Court, which words have made me return the
same.—Ware, the day and hour aforesaid.
PS.—I sent my man presently back to Waltham with the
packet, but what the post of London will do with it, I know not.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1604." Seal. ½ p. (109. 55.) |
|
Anthony Copley to the Same. |
|
1604, July 6. |
Acknowledges himself bound to Cecil for his
life and goods and the increase of livelihood from his brother.
Takes his leave of him and of his country, until such time as
by means of Cecil's mediation to the King, he may be so happy
as to return home again.—Gatehouse, 6 July 1604. |
|
PS.—His troubles have frayed away most of his few friends.
Those that remain firm are unable to relieve him toward banishment. The little he has of his own is necessarily left to his wife
and children. There never went a less furnished poor gentleman
into exile. Craves Cecil's advice herein.
Signed. 2/3 p. (105. 148.) |
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The Mayor of Plymouth to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 6. |
May it please you to call to mind the wrong
which Sir Ferdinando Gorge did me in his letter, which you
pleased to acquaint me withal, which proceeded of the sinister
malice of one Parker of this town, whose malice and bad
behaviour have grown insufferable; for which the most part
of the bench thought he should be disabled to be any longer
of the society, as the copy of their proceedings hereinclosed
will declare. I thought it necessary to commit him prisoner
for these and other contempts and require sureties of him
for good behaviour. All which the most part of our bench
thought it fit that I should signify to you, that if he or any
other in his behalf should inform your lordship or the Privy
Council anything herein, we might not be condemned before
we were heard.—Plimouthe, 6 July 1604. |
|
Postal endorsements:—"Plimouth, 6 July 1604, 12 of the
clock in the night. Hast, Hast, Post Hast, Hast. Richard
Hawkyns mayor.—Aishberton at 8 of the clock in the
morninge.—Exeter at one in the afternoon. . . . Honyngton
. . . . Crewkarn at 10 of the clocke in the night 7 July."
Signed. Endorsed: "Sir Richard Hawkyns." Seal. 2/3 p.
(105. 151.) |
|
Sir John Talbott to the Same. |
|
1604, July 7. |
I brought two or three several times good
letters of commendation of my service during the late wars of
Ireland, which I did voluntarily without pay. I can prove
divers particular services of some moment performed by me,
for all which I never had but one thing, which I held by, a letter
of the late Queen's procured chiefly by your good means at the
instance of your wife. I came hither last year to get such
another letter of the King for continuing the same, wherewith
my Lord of Shrewsbury acquainting our Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, reported very favourably of me and said I should not
need to trouble his Majesty for that matter, for he would have a
care I should not be disappointed. Yet unknown to his Honour,
as it seems, I am disappointed but my Lord of Shrewsbury
tells me I shall have his furtherance for some other thing, for
so he has promised my said Lord and now I purpose to put up
a petition to the Lords wherein I crave your good furtherance.
If it please you to be acquainted with any more I will wait upon
you at your pleasure.—At my lodging near the Court, July 7, 1604.
Holograph. 1⅓ pp. (105. 152.) |
|
Sir G. Hervye, Lieutenant of the Tower, to the Same. |
|
1604, July 7. |
Having acquainted you with the desire of D.
Sharpe, I have upon hope of your good allowance presumed
from him to offer your lordship "these passionate enclosed."—
From the Tower, 7 July 1604.
Holograph. ¼ p. (105. 153.) |
|
Sir Griffin Markham to Lord Cecil. |
|
[1604], July 7. |
Your lordship's inclination to justice and
mercy and the many obligations I have received encourage me
to become a suitor to you for some increase of liberty, not
to follow any country pleasures, for which these miseries
have absolutely killed that little delight I had; but to
consummate what I have begun to satisfy creditors and enable
myself speedily to undergo what censure shall be imposed
upon me. |
|
His Majesty out of commiseration has bestowed my estate
upon Sir Jhon Haringeton to whom I was engaged little. If
I redeem not this I shall neither be able to live without alms
nor to satisfy my own debts grown to me for my country's
service, which more nearly touch my conscience. If I may
have any convenient time I doubt not but we shall satisfy the
creditors in reasonable sort and leave our selves in some measure
to maintain us, especially if we may have a speedy and conscionable dispatch betwixt me and my brother Skinner the causer
of all these ruins, which I doubt not because now it is coming
before so conscionable a judge as my L. Chancellor. If my
most foul faults have not made me too unworthy to mention
any alliance, give me leave to press you to patronise me and
with your honourable credit to assist me.—From the Gatehouse,
this 7 of July.
Signed. Endorsed: "1604." 1 p. (188. 136.) |
|
Sir John Haryngton to the Same. |
|
1604, July 8. |
This bearer can certify your lordship not only
how justly I have discharged the debt I lay in execution for
but also how "respectively" I have dealt with your officer,
who I must confess since my coming to his house has used me
very well. Having discharged this debt, ended my unkind
suit with my wife's brother, and being restored to my sovereign's
presence, may I also be received into your good opinion in such
measure as I was before my troubles.—8 July 1604.
Signed. ¼ p. (188. 137.) |
|
Edward Darby to the Same. |
|
1604, July 9. |
In making the state of your revenues, I omitted
Bedingfelde's lease and Mres. Bassette's bonds, because I thought
they might more fitly have been reckoned with the other profits
of the Court of Wards. But I since understood by Mr.
Houghton, that it was your pleasure to have had them added
there which I have now done in the brief here enclosed,
which is made only of the totals of the former certificate with
that addition. I have also sent Mr. Parson's account for the
fines and rents of Martock.—9 July 1604.
Signed. ¼ p. (105. 154.) |
|
Lord Say and Sele to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 9. |
Thanks Cecil for the assurance received by
Mr. Vice-Chamberlain of the continuance of his lordship's
favours. His service either at home or abroad shall never be
failing to Cecil. For any fantastical and puritanical humours
no man hates them more than himself, he being about Banbery,
where he dwells, as little thought to be affected that way as
any other. Hopes if the King continues his progress this
summer to enjoy Cecil's presence at his house.—"From my
poor house in St. Bartlemews," 9 July 1604. |
|
PS.—"I beseech your lordship if Mr. Schevington's brother
happen to be a ward, let my brother Turpin be so much bound
unto you as to procure for him (of my L. of Sussex) but the
refusal of him at some reasonable price. I was bold to let your
servant know (Mr. Breerton) of one likely to be a ward, which
although it be but a poor man's daughter, if it please you to
bestow upon us both, we will equally divide the benefit, or if
she may prove fit for himself, I shall wish more good thereby
to him than to myself, whom yet Fortune never favoured."
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (105. 155.) |
|
Sir Thomas Crompton to the Same. |
|
1604, July 9. |
There has of late been revived by the Dutch
a suit against you for freight and other goods taken and brought
into England by Capt. Traughton. I have refrained from
intermeddling therein, by reason of its long discontinuance,
without further warrant from you and others whom that cause
concerns. I am assured they have some extraordinary encouragement and you may well remember the inclination of the Judge
to have shortened your lordship of 200 chests of sugar at the
least taken in this prize, which afterward appeared directly
to be coloured by certain Florentines and the Duke satisfied,
by entreaty and as a gratuity for a particular man, with redelivery of 10 chests only. The Dutch demand above 1000l.
which is no sum to part with easily. If you seem remiss in
the cause it will add boldness to your adversaries. In course
of justice they will hardly recover, albeit the Judge has often
moved me to be a means to you for some composition with them,
which I think he would not have done, if he had not conceived
better of their cause, than I see there is just cause. Your
lordship in your wisdom may resolve what is fittest to be done
and accordingly I will conform myself with this caution only,
that if you be again solicited therein, the Judge and myself
may wait on you and from us both you may truly understand
the state of the controversy.—9 July 1604.
Holograph. Seal. 2/3 p. (105. 157.) |
|
The Earl of Mar to the Same. |
|
1604, July 9. |
Lack of matter was the cause of my long
silence, therefore I hope to be forgiven. I know you will be
most desirous to hear of the matter of Union, and it is the
only subject I have to write at this time. It is by the whole
Lords of Articles agreed, and so I think it shall be by the whole
Parliament House, that there shall be one commission given,
in substance not far different from the commission set down
by the Parliament of England, to one member to treat and
consult upon the Union with those appointed by you for that
errand. The names are not as yet agreed upon but when they
shall be, your lordship shall know. I have heard from thence
some unexpected and strange news. I take so small pleasure
to think of them as I forbear to write any farther of that
subject. For my own part I suppose the best [of] all men and
I pray God save our master and all his true servants from the
worst. I hope to see your lordship shortly.—Perth, 9 July
1604.
Holograph. Endorsed: "E. of Donbarr. E. of Montrose.
E. of Erroll. E. of Donfernely. E. of Argyle." Seal broken.
1½ pp. (105. 158.) |
|
Lord Zouche to Lord Cecil. |
|
[1604], July 9. |
I have received your favour, been at your park
and killed one of your bucks but my hap fell upon the worst,
though the best presented himself. I can but say for my excuse
that fear to kill your leading deer or the white buck made me
aim at one very good one but the worst was next, whereby either
my hand swerving or in the loose the one shunning and the other
anticipating, my fortune led to that I desired not. I know
you will laugh at it and think I was ashamed of my woodmanship but the favour you did me with the delight of the place
made me easily forget my evil hap and if you laugh at it, I
shall not be sorry, rather wishing my errors should be such as
you may well laugh at than any way discontent you. Receive
from me the acknowledgment of the kind receiving of me by
those belonging to you, my gladness to have the company of
my little cousin your lieutenant and my boldness to account
unto you of my liking of your park. Wherein striving to perform
your command, I viewed every part and conferred with Mr.
Flint of every part. Though I may duly commend it as it
lies yet could I wish that getting in Mr. Serjeant Foster's
grounds and certain ground belonging to the Savoye, you might
divide the new taken-in ground by the highway leaving the
highway to the downs and have thereby a red deer park of the
one side and a fallow deer park of the other and then I think
you should better them exceedingly.—Enfield, 9 July. |
|
PS.—Remember my letter from my Lords of the Council
to set me free of their former letter of restraint for the use of
the King's warrant for deer.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1604." Seal. 1 p. (105. 159.) |
|
Sir John Ogle to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 9. |
I can write of no alteration of our proceedings
in these parts, expectation being much more amongst us as
yet than action. Our galleries have been once thought done
but they proved too short upon better information of more
assured fellows that were sent to take the wideness of the haven.
They are now enlarged (one of them) to the length (as I take it)
in all of 500 foot. Our General hath no confidence in the success
of them and certain it is they are subject to divers casualties
being once laid, of which well laying them the doubts are not
so great. Being laid, the men we can issue out of them will be
but five in front, the ground when we come there very exceeding
scant to work upon, the hands which the enemy may bring to
resist many more than can be those of ours. Besides some
flanks they have, which we can never so dismount, but they
will tear our galleries (at least) in the night. If any of their
shot happen upon our principal cables that hold this float, the
strong current of the stream will be a strong friend to them to
bring our purpose to nought. These are the difficulties the
Count Morice pretends and some of the Estates themselves see
into it. Yet it is thought the Estates will have them put in
trial, which the Count Morice delays and puts off with no ill
judgment. For if they should not succeed, as the odds is they
should not, then were the enemy generally encouraged by that
which now holds him in doubt and fear. There is no true
way at this time to be thought of for getting of Sluce but by
that of hungering them out and if that fail, the Estates must
fail of Sluce. For your kind letters to Mr. Wynwood in my
behalf, I can but give you my humblest thanks.—Camp before
Sluce, July 9, 1604 veteri.
Holograph. 1 p. (105. 160.) |
|
Lord Norreys to the Same. |
|
1604, July 10. |
It may be my adversaries will endeavour
upon your next hearing to obtain upon a plausible pretence of
paying the debts some direction or conclusion from you for that
point by itself, which was never my meaning but to grow to
a general end of all controversies; both because any such order
will countenance the will, which I impeach, and because my
principal scope is to have quietness, which will be disturbed as
well by some suits as by more. I have signified the like to my
Lord Chancellor in more general terms.—Whitefriers, 10 July
1604.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (105. 161.) |
|
Arthur Hall to the Same. |
|
1605, July 11. |
Wrote about eighteen days past two letters
showing how Sir Jul: Ceasar had very badly abused and belied
the King and ungentlemanly and shamefully dealt with the
writer. Cecil had replied that he would acquaint his Highness
with the matter but he now hears by Mr. Leving that this has
not yet been done. Hears that the King is departed and fears
nothing will be effected unless by Cecil's favourable furtherance. |
|
On the first of last month he wrote beseeching Cecil's letter to
the Bayly of Westminster for the arrest of Sir Jo: Zouch but
nothing will be done. He has outlawed him after judgment
and as an outlaw he thinks the said Sir Jo. lives. Prays relief
and an answer.—Flete, 11 July 1604.
Holograph. 1 p. (105. 164.) |
|
La[ncelot] Lowther to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 11. |
May duty offer an excuse for my departure
into the circuit without your leave, having attended divers
days but your lordship's opportunity no way admitting my
access.—Whitehall, 11 July 1604.
Holograph. Endorsed: "Q. Sollicitor." ⅓ p. (105. 165.) |
|
Captain William Bowyer to the Same. |
|
1604, July 11. |
Having lately received commandment from
his Majesty to deliver all the ordnance of this town and the
forts adjoining to be transported to the Tower of London, I
have thought it my bounden duty to your Honour to signify
my readiness and present employment in embarking of the
said munition. This business the Earl of Devonshire has
committed to one Mr. Pavye with whom I have joined my best
assistance. As said Pavye has no direction to leave any
ordnance here (except some few old iron pieces, which are
unserviceable), as also because the fortifications of this place,
being as yet strong and not demolished, may encourage
the turbulent spirits of home bred or foreign practisers, when
they understand the nakedness of the mounts and no ordnance
left for defence, I have presumed to intimate the consideration
of this matter to you, beseeching (for at the beginning of this
new establishment, when I attended you at Court, you had a
resolution to leave some 15 pieces here for the guard of the
haven and some part of the town) that I may be directed what
is your further meaning herein. If you think this a matter of
any moment, you may be pleased to signify your commandment before we have embarked all the munition, which will be
about twenty days hence. In the meantime I shall follow my
instructions and attend your further directions.—Barwick,
11 July 1604.
Signed: Will. Boyer. 1 p. (188. 138.) |
|
Sir Henry Goodyear to the Same. |
|
[?1604], July 12. |
Begs him to further his suit to the King
for 100 marks per annum of Duchy land.—12 July.
Holograph, signed: H. Goodere. Endorsed: "1605." 1 p.
(190. 311.) |
|
Sir Thomas Lake to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 13. |
After the King had written his letters to the
French King which are to be carried by Mr. Keir, he commanded
me to take a copy of it this evening and to send the same to
your lordship, which is here enclosed and withal willed me to
signify to you that if you had any cause for his Highness's
service to write to his Ambassador in France, his Majesty
thought you might conveniently do it by Keir and direct the
ambassador also to assist him and countenance him in that
he has to do there as his Majesty's servant. The King goes
early this morning to hunt but this afternoon has spent in
writing.—From the Court at Otelandes, 13 July 1604.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (105. 166.) |
|
The Same to the Same. |
|
1604, July 13. |
This morning the King gave me order to
draw a proclamation about church matters to the effect enclosed,
wherewith he willed that you should be made acquainted and
my Lord of London or any other Bishops that were yet not
gone as Winchester or some such. I thought best to send the
same to you to be used to that end and reformed as to your
judgment shall be thought best. The King has not yet seen
this draft because as I understood him his will was you and
the Bishops should see it first and then to be brought to him.—
From the Court at Otelandes, 13 July 1604.
Holograph. 2/3 p. (105. 167.) |
|
Sir Francis Hastings to the Same. |
|
1604, July 14. |
I have been twice before the Parliament
ended and thrice since to attend you, but your weighty employments have been such back friends to me as I could never attain
to my desire: and finding myself unlikely to be brought to you
by any of your servants, I beg a time from yourself when I
may wait upon you. That being effected I mean to take my
journey down for a time and to give my further attendance
afterwards as occasion shall be offered. Let no sinister report
against me possess credit with you.—14 July 1604.
Signed. Seal. 1 p. (106. 2.) |
|
The Bishop of London to the Same. |
|
1604, July 14. |
I have perused the draft of the intended
proclamation. I have presumed to add a word or two in one
place. When I attended his Majesty last it pleased him to
have some speeches with me of it and this morning I have sent
the particulars as I understood his Majesty to Sir Tho. Lake,
fit as I think to be more fully expressed. I wish your lordship
had a sight of them before this draft be showed to his Majesty.
But therein as it shall please you; it is well as it is although it
might be made more effectual for the simpler sort, except his
Majesty's directions to Sir Tho. Lake were shorter than his
speeches to me.—Fulham, 14 July 1604.
Signed. ½ p. (188. 139.) |
|
Sir Noel de Caron to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 14. |
The importunity of this gentleman who has
been recommended to your lordship by the King's Ambassador
resident near the King of France, makes me importune you
also. I know him to be poor and honest. As nothing has
come of his first requests, he now wants to return to France
with some packet of yours in order to relieve the expenses he has
been at on this voyage. If possible, I should like him to have
some ajouda de costa, for since he is burdened with a wife and
seven children, I doubt not his necessities are great.—Surdt
Lambeth, 14 July 1604.
Holograph. French. ½ p. (188. 140.) |
|
Sir Thomas Chaloner to the Same. |
|
[1604], July 15. |
Having hitherto forborne to move his Majesty
in any suit now that the time of restraint is past and the
Parliament prorogued, I thought the time very seasonable to
use the benefit of his royal favour. But as I held it unreasonable
to be mine own carver, or to tempt his bounty too far and receive
a just denial, I resolved to have recourse to your advice. I
will not neither can I plead any merit of mine own, neither will
I insist upon my father's great expenses, almost to his undoing
during his embassages abroad, or show how far my poor purse
has extended itself in his Majesty's service. I have nothing
to plead but my zealous affection to the King and respect
always borne to the Council. I am informed of a suit reported
to be of such a nature as my benefit may be answered without
any notable prejudice to his Majesty's coffers, the effect whereof
I have remitted to be delivered by the bearer; as my father
dying recommended me to your father's protection, may it
please you to use your handiwork in fashioning my fortune,
which yet never attained to any height.—St. James's, July 15.
Holograph. 1 p. (102. 3.) |
|
The Earl of Dorset to the Same. |
|
1604, July 15. |
I know your lordship will not do me that
wrong nor yourself, as to imagine that either I would seek to
put from myself this charge of feasting the Ambassadors or
to put it upon you and the rest of my Lords to usurp your
expense. For I protest I only write this as for the King's
honour and our own that either more than one might feast
them or none at all. And if it be put off till the Constable come,
when the King and all the rest must then defray, it is then
neither orderly, fit nor honourable, as I think, that then any
do feast them but the King himself to call them to his own
board and presence. Therefore now you and the rest of my
Lords may consider of it, whether it be best to put it off altogether and then charge that we would have done to them in
feasting from ourselves to do it to them in presents of ambling
horses and other gifts.—15 July 1604.
Holograph. 1 p. (188. 141.) |
|
Sir Noel de Caron to Lord Cecil. |
|
1604, July 15. |
This poor woman comes to me daily with
her grievances. She has been here nearly three months after
the business of her son who has been taken by the Dunkirk
shallops well within the river Thames. I beseech you to assist
her for I know her misery is great. She would have liked to
present her request herself to his Majesty but says she is always
driven away from his presence. In fact she makes so many
complaints to me that my heart is sick to hear her. A long time
ago I had a shallop restored with its fittings, which had been
taken by ours not in his Majesty's river but upon some road
at the mouth of the Thames, though they have never on their
part been willing to restore us a halfpenny. There is another
—[?] and captain of Dunkirk who claims the restitution
of a ship that he says has been taken by ours in Dover Roads.
I know it was taken whilst he was pursuing some of our
merchants who were coming from Bordeaux laden with wines.
Nevertheless, I am ready to get him restitution and of all loss
and damage that can be proved to have been suffered from our
ships of war in his Majesty's rivers, ports and harbours, provided
that they do the same on their side. But I see that instead of
their being willing to do that, they come and affront and
threaten me in my very house and say they will not rest until
they see my blood flow. Though I care little for their threats,
for I know that God has numbered my hairs, yet it is a matter
of very ill and dangerous consequence that these people should
become so bold as to be ready to threaten a public person who
is only doing his duty.—Surdt Lambeth, 15 July 1604.
Holograph. French. 1 p. (188. 142.) |
