Cecil Papers: November 1608 | British History Online

Pages 264-274

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 20, 1608. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1968.

Citation:

November 1608



	Lord Sheffield to the Earl of Salisbury
[?1608] Nov. 3.	I must crave pardon I have been thus long remiss in not writing to your Lordship. There has nothing of moment been presented unto me, therefore I have been loth to trouble you with matters of no weight. I pray you to move the King for my leave against this next term, at which time it very deeply concerns me to be at London about some private business concerning my estate. I would willingly have stayed till the Parliament but my occasions will not permit me.— 3 Nov.
	PS. I received letters from you concerning some things wherein this bearer is interested. For the first it is dispatched, and the other shall be effected as soon as it may be. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (197 90.)
	John Dutton to the Earl of Salisbury
1608 Nov. 7.	Most humbly do I offer the consideration of my distressed estate, that you may take notice of my wife, the bearer hereof, who has been now twice taken from me to the great loss of my substance and danger of my life. I do not expect any redress of these my grievances unless it please God to put it in your mind to be a mean of her speedy return unto me again.—Dutton, 7 Nov., 1608. Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (126 69.)
	George Freman to the Earl of Salisbury
1608, Nov. 8.	I am a poor officer, one of his Majesty's customers in the port of Southampton, and have notice of a suit made for prevention of the unlawful transportation of ordnance, that all cast-iron ordnance made in England shall (from the place where they are made) be shipped for London to be laid on the Tower Hill, and there to be sold to all English merchants that for their shipping want the same, which, as it seems, wants nothing to the effecting thereof but your Lordship's giving way thereunto. How unnecessary a course it would be, to the great prejudice of all merchants and owners of ships in the out ports of this land, I leave to your wise consideration. First, for that many of the out ports being 7 or 8 score miles from London, if a poor man that wants two or three pieces for his ship should be enforced to come to London for the same, and there to pay such unreasonable price as they are likely to be sold at, being in the hands of two or three as are thought shall have the sale thereof. Secondly, being far from home and strangers here, to procure such sureties as shall be allowed of, what trouble it will be to such master or merchant, besides the price half as much more as at home, accounting all charges.
	There are in Sussex, as I take it, but two furnaces for iron works which cast these pieces, and but one only port (being Lewes) to which they are brought to be transported. If these gun-founders may be called before you, and become bound that once a quarter or half yearly they will give a just account what pieces they have made, to whom they have sold them, and where delivered, and the customer, upon whom the charge be laid, enter into like bonds that none of those pieces be shipped from port to port, and that two ports be appointed for the West parts, as Southampton for one and Dartmouth or Plymouth for the other, where pieces may be laid for the furnishing of shipping, then no doubt but the same may tend to good effect.
	For which port of Southampton I entreat you to appoint me to have the sole oversight thereof, which there haply may vend or sell some 20 or 30 tons per annum. For every which ton or piece, if I shall not give you a true account, then I will hazard the incur of your displeasure.—8 Nov. 1608. Holograph. 1 p. (126 70).
	The Crown Jewels
1608, Nov. 8.	Exemplification, made at the request of the Earl of Salisbury, of letters patent of 13 April, 1605 and of 16 May, 1607, with regard to the Crown Jewels.—8 Nov. 1608. Seal. Damaged. 3 ms. (219 8.)
	Sir Thomas Buck to the Earl of Salisbury
1608, Nov. 9/19.	Encloses a letter to the King from "Lord Jhon Carolus, erle Godghemth, Lord General over the Poils (Pole's) army, Lufland etc." Sends also copy of the letter which his Highness wrote to the Earl of Mansfelt, General for Duke Charles, pretended King of Suethen (Sweden), who has made his retreat for this winter towards Suethen with great loss and small honour. "We" have recovered Copenhaus, one of the strengths which he took in this last harvest under the treaty of peace. The other, which is called Dinnemund, "they" keep as yet, but "we" hope ere long for lack of fire "they" shall be compelled to render it.—Rye, 19 Nov. 1608, stilo novo. Holograph. 1 p. (195 58.)
	[Sir Thomas Edmondes] to [the Earl of Salisbury]
1608, Nov. 9.	News of the arrival of the Indian fleet with 11 millions and a half by common report. By merchants' letters, wherein is more certainty, with 7 millions and a half, and though they are here in hope to have their necessities thereby somewhat better relieved, yet it does not appear that they are much comforted therewith, for that they know both the wants of Spain and their own likewise here to be so great as will swallow up great sums of money, and that ordinarily they are forced here to undergo very hard extremities before the provisions of Spain come to them. Courtesies cannot be better bestowed upon any than such as the Count of Fountenoy, who is newly returned out of England, who are such loud trumpets of the same. The Archduke has this sevennight kept his bed by the indisposition of the gout which holds him in both his legs. Abstract. (227 p. 352.)
	Lanfranco Marescotti to Gironimo Merli
1608, Nov. 9/19.	Don Scipio Borghi, our patron, has sent for Mons. Offerduci by his uncle's order, and showing him your letter ordered him to write to Rinaldi according to his original instructions, and then not to write any more on pain of losing his favour. Meanwhile he tells me to write to you to have nothing to do with, or say to, such persons. The Nuncio at Venice should have sent you 300 sequins; if you have not received them it is due to the death of your uncle Quintiliano.— Rome, 19 Nov. 1608. Holograph. Italian. Endorsed: "Rec^d 27 Feb. 1608. This Lanfranc is a merchant of Rome. He wrytes that the Nontio of Venice hath apointed to send him 300 chechins." ¾ p. (195 57.)
	Sir John Jephson to the Earl of Salisbury
[?1608, before Nov. 10].	The faithful mind which as an unknown poor man I have ever borne to you, makes my heart assured of some help in the end from your Lordship in this mine honest request. I beseech you to read my humble suit which I enclose to be overlooked at your most convenient leisure, which I shall with all patience attend and hope for a wished answer. But howsoever this suit may seem unfit for his Majesty to grant, let me entreat and happily obtain to be received into your protection, only to be justly defended from the oppression of my superiors, if any such cause should happen, in my poor estate in Ireland: in thankfulness whereof I would employ all my faculties to express a grateful mind during my life. And were it not that I am married to a poor orphan (which was delivered me in trust as well like a daughter as a wife to take care of), whose estate and self I would be loth to ruin with my debts or my negligence, I should blush to be thus burdensome to you and troublesome to the whole state, though in asking mine own, which I have dearly earned if I value nothing but my time so long unprofitably spent, which is most that I can allege for myself, having neither impaired limb nor lost blood.— Undated. Holograph. 1 p. (129 14.)
	The Enclosure
	Petition of Sir John Jephson
	My suit to his Majesty is that in regard of 1200^l due to me for my service in Ireland, his Majesty would increase my pension there of 100^l a year (which amounts to 6^s a day or thereabouts) to a mark a day during my life in Ireland, if it may not be in England, which I humbly desire.
	And also that whereas I hold in the right of my wife a lease of thirty years from his Majesty in Ireland, paying no rent for the first five years and after those five years paying 80^l Irish yearly, which in this time rises to 60^l in harps and 45^l English, his Majesty would grant me the fee simple thereof.
	Or else because this latter demand of mine (utterly unknown to your Lordship) may be thought greater than indeed it is, that his Majesty would grant me payment of one 600^l (which I am in great want of), and in lieu of the other 600^l to grant me the increase of my pension which I desire, being but 5^s 8^d per diem of English money or thereabouts. Holograph. ½ p. (129 13.)
	[See Cal. S.P.Ireland, 1608–1610, pp. 96, 202.]
	Noel de Caron to the Earl of Salisbury
1608, Nov. 15.	He begs Salisbury's favour to Abraham Sewens an honest young merchant of his country, who by the unconscionable dealing of Captain Hawkridge is endangered in a forfeiture to the King of 1000^l.—15 Nov. 1608. Signed. ½ p. (195 56.)
	[Sir Thomas Edmondes] to [the Earl of Salisbury]
1608, Nov. 16.	Manciscidor's secretary returned out of Spain with news that the King will not be comprised in the article of renunciation. The Archduke discontented thereat; complains of the Spaniards who lay the charge of bad success in affairs upon his ill government, and lend charities in like sort to the Marquis Spinola. Diego D'Ibarra and the Duke of Ausonne the chief instruments of these disgraces, and the Spanish Ambassador together with the Veedorgeneral do still nourish those ill informations. The Marquis Spinola lost credit both with soldier and merchant, therefore unfit to continue his command. A doubt who shall succeed him. Don Pedro de Toledo nominated, but thought unfit; and further observed that notwithstanding the continual wars which the King of Spain has had, he is not able to furnish this day one sufficient person of quality to command an army. New provision of 180000 crowns for the satisfying of the monthly third pays. Further, a million expected at Genoa in bullion to be made over. Advertisement of the defeat near Rimberck, where Count Adolph of Nassau was slain with 200 of the States' men; of the Archduke's 500, amongst the which were 150 English, and of them only 2 escaped. The Lord Maxwell newly arrived for whom Colonel Simple employs himself to procure him what favour he may. A copy of the true cargarçon of the Indias fleet, which both in treasure and merchandise does not amount to more than ten millions, and the King of Spain's part thereof to be less than three millions Abstract. (227 p. 352.)
	[Sir Thomas Edmondes] to [the Earl of Salisbury]
1608, Nov. 16.	The Spanish Ambassador treats with our Ambassador, tells him how kindly the King of Spain took our King's mediation in the peace; that he means to send one, to be appointed by the Archduke and sent from Brussels, expressly to acknowledge thanks. That the Spanish Ambassador in England, Don Pedro de Cunige, had advertised somewhat unto Spain which he concealed from the Archduke, at which unkindness was taken, because he required such haste in the sending and yet did not impart his negotiation to the Archduke. That it was true Orquini had brought word the King of Spain would not be joined in the renunciation; that Sir Edward Bainham should not be returned back by any order from Spain, as he had assurance from Secretary Prada. Abstract. (227 p. 353.)
	Sir William Bowyer to the Earl of Salisbury
1608, Nov. 18.	I received your packet dated the second the 7th instant, and in it my Lord Graye's letter, which presently I then dispatched by a messenger, and received from him again this enclosed with desire of speedy conveyance to you. I wrote to know his pleasure of sending his letters some speedier way than this the messenger now knows, because he passes two troublesome ferries and so was constrained by storm to stay one day and a half for passage. His Lordship has now appointed me to send them only to Edinbroughe to Mr James Arnold's, who has order to send them more speedily to him. For this way is troublesome and chargeable to a stranger not used to that country, yet if it be your pleasure for sureness I will continue this course still.
	I hasten what I may for your work, which is so hard and longsome that I cannot so speedily effect it as I desire. Your servant Mr Wilson wrote me to advertise him for provision of money. My late Lord Treasurer appointed me to pay 50^l a year for imprest of 300^l. Though I truly spent and employed it in the first troublesome time of the dissolving of this garrison, yet according to his Lordship's direction I make means to pay it, and so at the audit after Christmas do pay 50^l, which, if it be your pleasure, I may employ here and will so be ready to save labour or other means for conveyance. The charge of 3000 foot will amount to about 75^l, so that as it shall please you to direct me herein, I will accordingly do.—Nov. 18, 1608. Holograph. 1 p. (128 70.)
	Postal endorsements:
	"Barwicke the 18th November at 10 in the forenoon. Belford the 18th at past 3 in the afternoon. Alnwick this 18th at 8 in the night. Stayed by water till the morning. John Atkyns. Newcastle the 19 at 3 in the afternoon. [D]urham the 20 at past 6. Stayed all this night for rain and the waters so great. John Wall. Darnton the 20 at 11 forenoon. Northallerton this 20 day at two in the afternoon. Christopher Scarlett. Tuxford the 22 at 9 at morn. Stilton the 22 at past 7 in the . . . morn. Newarke the 22 at past 11 before noon." Other endorsements illegible.
	Viscount Haddington to the Earl of Salisbury
1608, Nov. 19.	A twelvemonth since, his Majesty bestowed upon me the benefit of a suit then depending in the Exchequer, Chalmer against one Sewans, a Dutchman, for transporting of uncustomed pearl, and being now tried and likely to have judgment against him. In regard of the great charge I have been at by following the same ever since being preferred to me as a matter of greater moment nor I find it, yet because of his Majesty's promise thereof, as Sir Julius Caesar can bear witness, I should be sorry that any man else should carry the business.
	I therefore entreat you that if any should purchase the King's grant in my absence, you will hinder their benefit till you hear the King's pleasure thereanent from me.—Charterhouse, 19 Nov. 1608. Signed. Seal. 1 p. (126 71.)
	The Isle of Man
1608, Nov. 22.	Proceedings before the judges at Serjeants' Inn, touching the Isle of Man. Apparently a question of property as between Lady Anne and the two other daughters of Ferdinando, Earl of Derby. Lord Chandos is one of the parties. 1½ pp. (141 364.)
	King James to [the Earl of Salisbury]
[1608, Nov. 23.]	My little beagle, now that I have a little more respiration than I had at London, although God knows I am guiltless of the sin of idleness, I must not forget to tell you that the more I think of your remembrance of Robert Care for yon manor of Sherburne, (fn. 1) the more cause have I to conclude that your mind ever watched to seek out all advantages for my honour and contentment; for as it is only your duty and affection to me that makes you careful for them that serve me, so must I confess that he is the only young man, whom as I brought with me and brought up as a child, that was now left unprovided for, I mean according to that rank whereunto I have promoted him, besides that the thing itself, when I have now considered it, will prove excellent fit for him, and withal that 3 [Northampton] before my parting requested me for him in it, who as I told you was ever before otherwise minded in that matter, whom unto I seemed not to take knowledge that any other had moved me in that matter before; always as ye have been the beginner of it, so shall you be the only director of his course therein, who as he is more thankful to you in his heart than he can express, so will Dunbar answer to you for the honesty of his nature. Thus I hope all Scottish men shall not prove unthankful. As for your last letter I only dislike that sentence in it sic soles beare servos because ye told me in what sense Essex used it to the old Queen; and as for your request I hope ye shall never have need to make it, for yon unhappy man [? Raleigh] is the first and last that ever I heard complain of you since ye had this office, and God is my judge I daily hear the contrary by Scottish men. If any shall do, you may be sure I never shall conceal them or spare their punishment; only I wish an Englishman rather to commit that error than a Scottish man. I will now conclude this letter with a congratulation unto you of your renewed grace there where ye may be glad in that measure when ye have it, as ye need not break your heart upon the next causeless change; and so farewell and help all ye can to make this long drunken bearer a girdler.—Undated. Holograph. Endorsed by Salisbury: "23 Nov. The K's majesty." 2 pp. (134 149.)
	[Sir Thomas Edmondes] to [the Earl of Salisbury]
1608, Nov. 23.	Don Fernando Giron of the house of Ausonne appointed to go into England; they give him the reputation to be versed in affairs. The Spanish Ambassador and the Marquis Spinola came with him to our Ambassador to make acquaintance. The Archduke discontented with the King of Spain's refusal to be joined in the treaty. Sends his confessor, a Spanish Dominican friar, in hope he will have better access and treatment than Don Rodrigo de Lassa, the chief gentleman of the Archduke's chamber, who received very harsh usage. Manciscidor upon death of his wife desirous to be gone. Orquini spoken of to succeed him. To give contentment to Mons. Vannetten, the general of the victuals, to the end he should continue the furnishing of the army with munition bread, they have been here forced to allot unto him 80,000 crowns out of the last provision of 180,000 crowns sent out of Spain, which makes them on the other side fall off in this month's payments towards the entretenidos circa la persona y del certo exercito. Abstract. (227 p. 354.)
	Jane Jobson to the Earl of Salisbury
1608, Nov. 24.	I wrote my letters unto you the last Trinity term and on the first of Michaelmas term, but I doubt they were not delivered to you, etc.—Brantingham, 24 Nov. 1608. Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (126 72.)
	George More and Laurence Stoughton to the Earl of Salisbury and Sir Julius Caesar
1608, Nov. 26.	Report upon the fencing on Wanboroughe Coppice and other coppices within the bailiwick of Surrey, late Sir Francis Wolley's. Estimate of charge and valuation of Wolley's interest, and of the assart lands.—Guildford, 26 Nov. 1608. Signed. 1 p. (132 46.)
	Present State of his Majesty's Receipt
1608, Nov. 27.
	A. Debts before Michaelmas Day, with monthly payments due Sept. 30.
		L	S	D
		208,045	—	—
	B. Debts by reason of Michaelmas Day, with monthly payments due Dec. 31.	87,671	—	—
		295,716	—	—
	C. Whereof paid between Sept. 20 and this present	66,565	—	—
	D. And do rest due thereof to be paid at this present	229,534	—	—
	[sic should be £229,151:0:0]
	E. Towards the payment whereof we only expect	11,380	—	—
	F. Besides which debts there will also grow due by reason of Christmas Day which will admit no delay	18,682	—	—
	Towards the payment whereof we can expect no more than is contained in paper E.
	G. Extraordinary and new debts growing since the 20th of Sept. last.	[blank]
	H. How much thereof has been since paid out of our expected means for satisfaction of the afore specified debts.	6,346	—	—
	27 Nov. 1608. 2 pp. (195 60.)
	William Anees to the Earl of Salisbury
1608, Nov. 28.	I have been many times to have spoken with you' but could never be admitted to your presence. My business is such that I cannot impart them to any but to your Lordship, for I would show you a project how his Majesty may have the use of 100,000^l or more for 2, 3 or 4 years as he shall think good, or his occasions require, not hurtful to any subject, but a means to stay transportation of moneys, as also to make money plenty, which in my opinion must be very profitable to his Majesty in this his time of want. I am so ill dealt with by the farmers of the tin, that without your favour I shall be much wronged in my good name. They revile me in the Exchange, saying that I have been the cause they cannot let any merchants buy of them tin, but they must solely transport it, and that they were forced to give his Majesty many thousand pounds more for the same. How true this is I refer to you, if ever I was the cause they now enjoy the same, for I only stood for his Majesty, not fitting for any subject to have the same. —28 Nov. 1608. Holograph. 1 p. (126 73.)
	Sir Roger Aston to the Earl of Salisbury
[1608] Nov. 29.	I have nothing to write worthy at this time, only to acknowledge the receipt of your letter which came to my hand this Tuesday at night, the 29th of this instant. I acquainted his Majesty with my letter, by which he perceives you have an intention to serve, and purchase by your golden mine lands to live, under a better master. His Majesty's desire is you take not your leave before he see you, and remember that you write "arabekefelexe" The letter enclosed his Majesty presently burnt.—From Thettford, 29 Nov. Holograph. Seal. Endorsed: "1608." 1 p. (126 74.)
	Sir Thomas Lake to the Earl of Salisbury
1608, Nov. 30.	His Majesty this evening, after his return from hunting, perused your letters which came in the afternoon about one o'clock, and gave me in charge to return for answer: that he was exceedingly well pleased with that part of your letter which noted his Highness's attentiveness to his thrift and his wariness in directing his references, for that he had taken so quick an impression of your often remonstrances to him concerning the dispensing of his benefits and favours to his servants, and held himself now so well armed with his own resolution as if hereafter there were a fault in that kind it should light on none but himself. He bade me assure you that he would therein be so constant as yourself should by the experience confess that he would be found less adventurous in his bounty when he was farthest off than when he was nearer home.
	To the point concerning the truce and your note of the disposition of the French King, his Highness seemed to say that in discourse between you and him such a doubt had been foreseen by you, and that you both took it to concern his honour too near that he should permit the treaty to be transferred thither; but concluded that there had been ways thought upon how to prevent it, which your Lordship could well remember, and that if this gentleman, which you had before advertised was to come out of Spain to his Majesty, did come, there would be good occasion offered to use means for the diversion.
	The warrant for the masque is returned to you without either blank or sum limited, for that his Majesty has left the sum to the discretion of the Lords named in the warrant to be overseers of the expense, although it do amount to the whole, for so he said in express words, but yet not so proscribed because it may be something may yet be saved. If you shall not hold this a good form of a warrant, it shall be altered and the sum made certain. It may please you also to receive the warrant for Below and another, which you gave me direction for touching the helpers of the gain upon the river of Lea. I have returned the letter from Bruxelles concerning the bill of the plague. It seems now there was no fault in my Lord Chamberlain, but it was three days upon the way coming hither.—30 Nov. 1608. Holograph. Seal. 1½ pp. (126 75.)
	[Sir Thomas Edmondes] to [the Earl of Salisbury]
1608, Nov. 30.	Mons. de Preaux sent out of Holland from the Commissioners with an errand which troubled the Archduke, which was that either the King of Spain must declare himself in the renunciation, or else the treaty presently to break off. A general answer given to entertain the treaty. Here is newly arrived the Marquis of Seralva, nephew to Don Pedro de Toledo, whose commission is only to visit these Princes from the King of Spain. He is treated in the quality of an ambassador and defrayed. Abstract. (227 p 354.)
	Matthew Bruninge to Mr Perkins
1608, Nov. 30.	Thanks him for his letter of June 17, and, as representing his late father, offers him love and service. Thanks him for his kind care of his mother. He has many times solemnised his remembrance in company with Mr William Maund, who was here unfortunately slain with his own sword. Thanks him for employing him in a business of so much import. To understand things written from hence, it is necessary that Pyrkins should be first informed of the power of this King by land and sea, the affections of his subjects to him, the manner of their laws, the emulations between great men, etc. If Pyrkins will let him know to whose view his letters may come, and the end Pyrkins has in view, he will certify him of the above points, and then follow with such things as shall happen.
	Of things of general note, three have this year passed. First, the treaty in Flanders, of which Pyrkins cannot be ignorant. Secondly, the great fleet the King has set forth against the infidels in Barbary, with their return without doing else than looking on the place where they would have been conquerors. Thirdly, the King of Spain sending his ambassador to the French King to treat of marriage, where he has been stayed these many weeks, and yet no answer given. Here is lately arrived the fleet from the West Indyas, which has brought home 11 millions of silver and gold, and a lesser come since from thence with merchandise.
	Sends various messages to his mother and brother, and encloses a letter for the latter to Mr Willson. It is by Willson's means he is here, and by him he hopes to attain better fortunes. It was he who commended him to "my Lord and master", who wrote a very kind letter for him to his uncle Brunynge. Begs his mother to send him 10^l as about Easter he must have new apparel which will not cost a little, for here the very shoemakers go in their velvet. Begs that a bill of 5^l may be paid to Mr Alex. Stafford; also for the scutcheon of his arms, with the crest fairly drawn.—Madrid, 30 Nov. 1608. stilo veteri Holograph. Partly in cipher. No address. Endorsed: "to Mr Pyrkins." 4 pp. (195 61.)
	[The Earl of Salisbury] to Queen [Anne]
[1608, before December.]	If amongst the gifts of Nature there were a greater, I would not presume to present unto you my first, my last and only son. But finding by the experience of all times and histories, that the first fruits have ever been most acceptable sacrifices, both to God and man, I have devoted the hope of my poor house to the Prince's service upon whom doth rest the hope of all our future happiness. In which act of mine (most precious Lady) if I have made too bold a present of that which is so little worth to him that is of so inestimable price, let me appeal to your Majesty's most gracious favour in executing this attempt, without whose incouragement as I durst never have consented to my own desires, so having had that I shall never despair of my desire, whereof this is the uttermost, that not only I but all of me and mine may be received into your protection and disposed at your will and pleasure, to which you shall ever find me devoted as yours.—Undated. Endorsed by Salisbury: "Copy of my letter to the Q." ½ p. (159 158.) Another abbreviated copy in the hand of Levinus Munck. ½ p. (196 59.)