Pages 272-290
Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 21, 1609-1612. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1970.
This free content was digitised by double rekeying and sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. All rights reserved.
Citation:
Miscellaneous 1610
| King James to the King of Sweden | |||||
| [1610] | His Majesty takes in the kindest part the late offer made to him about the match with his daughter from the King of Sweden by his Ambassadors. For whether the matter being subject to many considerations take effect or not, his Majesty will ever remember this offer as a demonstration of true affection. | ||||
| But first he answers that his daughter is so young as, being likewise sought by others to the same end, she may both take leisure in her election and both give respite to him for further consideration. | |||||
| Again before he treats of this point, he desires to endeavour to draw matters to some greater certainty between his brother the King of Denmark and the King of Sweden, lest by distraction between two such near allies after a marriage agreed upon, as it were the two arms of his body, he might fail of those happy ends he might expect by the match of his sole daughter. | |||||
| Again his Majesty as a father does providently consider what a distemper might happen in his own affairs, if before the settling of a peace with the King of Poland he should by this alliance embark himself in a war, wherein not only forces auxiliary must be employed as they are now in the case of 'Cleave', but for the necessary support of his own child all the power that his crown and whole estate could add to it. | |||||
| His Majesty doth also foresee how hard if not impossible it will be for him to send timely succour to his daughter upon any sudden accident in a kingdom as remote, as in all likelihood the bad success might as soon come to his ears as the danger, besides the anxiety it would breed in his mind to live so many months in doubt of the state of his own child. Hereof his Majesty says that they need no stronger argument than the journey themselves have made, and the time spent between their receipt of the King of Sweden's letters and the delivery of them. | |||||
|
His Majesty concludes with a royal purpose to retain this secret in his
bosom, and to acknowledge it with all thankful offices; and as no resolution for the marriage of his daughter hath yet been taken, he leaves it to
his good brother to think upon these inconveniences, and to rest assured
that he shall be made acquainted with any course that may be taken in
this kind. Undated Endorsed by the writer: 'The contents of his Majesty's answer to the King of Sweden.' 2 pp. (134 151) |
|||||
| King James to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] | My little beagle, I received your letter the day at the end of the second chase. It was a strange constellation of recurring accidents between the fairness of the weather, the pleasure of the sport and the substance of your letter. I confess I am happy in such servants that watch for me when I sleep, and in my absence are careful so to snip and trim the house against my return as I may in the mean time dormire securus in utramque aurem. These concurring accidents have made me resolve to play the truant for a day or two longer, and for your part, to teach you to be so busy, I enjoin you for penance to make my excuse to the fairest and loveliest lady at that Court, whom only I wrong by my absence, and to tell her that she shall certainly be advertised of my coming the night before; in the mean time I can but wish that the master's care and the servants' diligence may have success accordingly, and now only when the day of the Lord draws near I am to remember your fellows and you to be extremely careful in two main grounds, the one to sound and prevent all occasions of scandal and grudge that may trouble the Parliament and that before their meeting, which is the ground of all your consultations at this time, to the effect that they may sit down as well prepared for good and purged of evil as may be; the other is that ye may sound and try the bottoms of their minds and intentions before the hand as deeply as is possible, that at the least nothing improvised may befall unto us; and so going to bed after the death of six hares, a pair of fowls and a heron, I bid you and all your honest society heartily farewell. Undated | ||||
|
PS.—I wonder what 'trewis' ye have lately taken with your nephew
that I have heard no new accusation of his knavery these five or six days. Holograph Two seals on pink silk Endorsed by Salisbury: 'His Majesty to me.' 1 p. (134 145) |
|||||
| King James to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
My little beagle, I have thought by these few lines to remember you of three things: first, I desire to have a roll sent me, or at least
delivered me when I come there, of all my servants' names that sat
against me for the poor fifteen, for I cannot know them by this scent.
Secondly, I desire three exceptions to be cleared in the general pardon,
first, that Sodomy be nominatim excepted in it that no more
colour may be left to the judges to work upon their wits in that point;
secondly, that in the point of piracy, where the abettors of piracy are
mentioned that it may be thus cleared, and all abettors of piracy or
pirates whether before or after the committing of the crime, and this
likewise for avoiding of a witty distinction of the judges; and thirdly,
that since I have in my late proclamation against deer-stealing promised
that all deer-stealers shall be excepted out of the next general pardon,
that therefore for my honour's sake all deer-stealers since the publication
of my said proclamation may be excepted. And my last desire is that
according to the order I gave before my parting, the Council would now
in my absence meet and maturely deliberate upon my answer to the
grievances, and be ready to give me their advice therein against my
return there; and specially that my Lords Canterbury and Chancellor be
remembered to contribute their labour in this errand. To conclude now
I hope the bill of remanding be not forgotten, and so farewell. Undated Holograph Endorsed by Salisbury: 'The King's letter.' 1½ pp. (134 146) |
||||
| King James to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
My little beagle, I am glad your opinion jumps to right with
mine in this, as I have already (in a part) done the same which ye now
wish to be done; for upon the first relation of this knave's talk I considered with myself that this malicious scandal of his was not of that
nature as was possible to be buried, whereupon I thought fit to acquaint
her a little with it, lest other reports might have been made of it unto her;
and therefore amongst other of his villainous speeches concerning me I
told her that amongst the rest, but in such a fashion as she might easily
discern what account I made of it. But now that this process is come to a
greater maturity, I think it were fit that either both ye and Dunbar or
any one of you acquaint her with the whole proceeding, and show that
as if it had been of the nature of a pasquil it should have been buried
from her ears and all the world's, as yourself hath done with divers of
them that concerned me; so since this hath passed the ears of two or
three I thought good that she should be acquainted with my behaviour
in it, and how order shall be taken for the punishment of the villain
without either accusing him or acquainting any of my learned counsel
with this malicious lie. For as his tale is but a feckless scorn, merely
proceeding from the malice that he bears at me, so am I not so simple as
to doubt that her reproach can ever be separated from the dishonour of
me and my posterity, and through the misknowledge of this maxim
many unwise husbands have by curious and unjust searching to discover
their wives' shame procured their own eternal infamy. But, God be
thanked, this tale doth clearly appear to be groundless and only hatched
by his own malice, since the party whom he accuses of it doth know the
contrary to his face, being known to be an honester man than himself;
and I had been far to blame if I had had any such intention against her,
especially at this time when, as I must confess, she uses me so kindly in
all things that if it were possible for me to love her better than ever I did
before, it were my part to do it. And thus going to sup my thanks I bid
you heartily farewell, and recommend the knave to the gallows for the
points of my pedigree and imagining my son to be so base minded as to
renounce the kingdom of England, and so successor to Henry the Sixth
and not to me. Undated Holograph Endorsed by Salisbury: 'The King.' 2 pp. (134 152) |
||||
| King James to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
My little beagle, yesterday my Lord Chamberlain spoke
nothing to me of the purpose ye know, and I thought not good to move
it to him because I knew not what ye had done with him in that business.
I hope, therefore, that tomorrow against my return, he shall either
satisfy me therein, or else that I shall hear from you. The parties'
chargeable stay here upon it makes me press the expedition of it, and I
told you how far I had engaged my word unto them. I can now assure
myself that my son's intelligence from the place ye know came not by
your nephew's means, albeit that his sending a messenger unto him was
made a colour of it as I will tell you at meeting, and so farewell. Undated Holograph Endorsed by Salisbury: 'His Majesty to me.' 1 p. (134 155) |
||||
| Queen Anne to [the Earl of Salisbury] | |||||
| [? 1610] |
My Lord, the King hath told me that he will advise with
you and some other four or five of the Council of that fellow. I can say
no more either to make you understand the matter or my mind than I
say the other day. Only I recommend to your care how public the matter
is now both in Court and City, and how far I have reason in that respect,
and I refer the rest to this bearer and myself to your love. Anna R.
Undated Holograph Endorsed by Salisbury: 'Her Majesty.' Seal on pink silk. ½ p. (134 153) |
||||
| Libel against the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
He is accused of peculation at the expense of the Customs
and of other irregularities. It concludes as follows: 'I conclude that
this man who was sent from heaven to save the King's estate, has left
the King in far more debt than he was before his being Treasurer, and
yet neither pensions nor any man paid, so that I may say he has gotten
much for himself and nothing for the King.' Undated Unsigned 2 pp. (129 19) |
||||
| — to the Queen | |||||
| [1610 or later] |
Refers to the aid given by Queen Isabella of Spain to
Columbus's voyage for the discovering and planting in the West Indies.
The King has many subjects of like disposition to Columbus, who desire
his furtherance. The discovery of unknown territories will not only
augment God's Church, but benefit trade. If a place be discovered and
planted in the Northern parts of America there will come great benefits,
as well by provision of wines, salt, oils, fish, tar, pitch, soap ashes, masts,
deals, ores, etc, and other commodities, such as the West Indies yield,
and as a place to receive the overplus of people here; some of whom may
be employed to search into the South Sea, and to trade into those great
and rich countries there, and also to find out a navigable passage by the
north-west to China, Catay, Japon and the lands adjoining, in which our
staple commodities are good merchandise; for which would be returned
gold, silver, stones of price, spices, silks raw and wrought, and other
things. Such discoveries have been aided by grants since Henry VII's
time till now, but they are now neglected by reason of the great charge.
Suggests an order of knighthood, with the Prince of Wales as Lord Paramount, there being divers knights and esquires of the best sort and great
livings, who desire this society and to be adventurers under the Prince
at their own charge. Begs the Queen to be a mean to the King in the
matter. Undated Petition 1 p. (196 142) |
||||
| Princess Elizabeth to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
'Monsieur, cesluy mon serviteur estant cy devant a noz tres
honore Roy et Royne, lequel estant pourveu d'ung estat qu'il dit luy est
supprime considere qu'il est charge de femme et plusieur enfans ay este
mene a vous prier luy vouloir asister ou a la restauration ou a quelque
recompense que pour ce sujet cognoistrez estre bon, et vous prierez y
vouloir apporter ce que pourrez et de raison m'obligeat par ce moyen a
vous demeurer, Meilleure Amye, Elizabeth.' Undated Holograph 2 seals on pink silk. Endorsed: 'The Lady Elizabeth to my Lord.' ½ p. (134 164) |
||||
| Princess Elizabeth to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
'Monsieur, j'ay esté une de celles qui se sont resjouies de
vostre bonne santé, car outre la perte que le public et le Roy mon pere
eust fait vous perdant, j'eusse esté privée d'un amy qui m'a (en ce que je
desire pour mes serviteurs) plus monstré de bonne vollonté. Et en verité,
Monsieur, je m'en estime vostre obligée et vous prie continuer ceste bonne
vollonté vers moy en favorisant les miens, et commencer a ce gentilhomme porteur de ceste lettre, affin que ceux qui me font service ayent
plus d'affection de continuer pres de moy qui vous en rendray les remercemens quand je vous verray; et cepandant prieray Dieu vous augmenter
vostre santé pour servir Dieu, le Roy et le pais, et vous resteray, Bien
bonne et affectionée amie.' Undated Holograph. Seal on yellow silk. Endorsed: 'The Lady Elizabeth her grace to my Lord. By her servant Mr Leviston.' 1 p. (134 166) |
||||
| Alton Woods | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Brief of Lord Lisle's claim to Alton Woods, Worcestershire,
with notes thereon by Salisbury. 4 pp. (141 219) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610, p. 656.] |
||||
| Robert Bell to [? the Earl of Salisbury] | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
Begs to be spared in this loan to the King. When the Duke
of Lennox was sent Ambassador to the French King, he paid him in
Paris 2000l at the Lord Treasurer's request. Has disbursed moneys in
the farm of French wines. Was sent into France to assist the Ambassador
in a treaty with the French King, and was then commissioned by the
King to inquire of the Scottish privileges, in performing which he spent
almost a year and is 1200l out of purse. Undated 1 p. (196 99) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610, p. 626.] |
||||
| Marmaduke Conyers to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
He details, on behalf of his master Sir Henry Slingsbie, the
latter's complaints against the proceedings of Mr Johnson, the King's
commissioner for sale of woods in the Forest of Knarsbruth, co. Yorks.
Undated Holograph 1 p. (132 182) |
||||
| The Great Customs | |||||
| [? 1610] |
A proposal for letting out the great Customs. The farmers
do now pay 12,0001. They offer to take a new lease and to assure the
King to pay more of increase, whatever happen, 10,0001. They will
account for all that comes in besides, provided that the King shall allow
it to them if it does not amount, besides that 10,0001, to more than
13,0001. This they demand for charges and for adventure to sit at such a
rent viz, for charges in execution, 80001, for benefit, 50001; the whole
sum is 13,0001. Which is as much to say that the Customs must be worth
23,0001 above the rent you answered, or else the King shall have of
increase upon a new demise but 10,0001. Let it now be considered by
that which is past what the farmers have made above the old rent, and it
will appear to be one year with another 28,0001. So if trade continue as
well as it hath done, it may be said that if the King allow that 13,0001.
and have of increase 10,0001, and they upon the account the sum of
80001 for charges and 50001 for grain, the surplusage to the King would
rise to 50001. which added to the increase of rent which is 10,0001 would
make up 15,000l. It is also to be remembered that the King may increase
his rent upon the farm of sweet wines when it expires little less than
50001. Undated Draft, much corrected by Salisbury. 1 p. (129 9) |
||||
| Sir Thomas Edmondes to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
For payment of entertainment now due to him, and for
order for payment of them as they fall due. Undated ½ p. (P.527) |
||||
| Lady Fortesque to [? the Earl of Salisbury] | |||||
| [? 1610] |
To enjoy the benefit of her lease, which is not void by any
offence committed by her officers, and altogether unknown to herself.
For leave to cut the underwood of Cockshott coppice, to answer the rent
reserved to the King. Both the lease and Sir John Fortescue's own
warrants were admitted in the Exchequer Chamber to be good and lawful. 1 p. (P.1416) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610, p. 649] |
||||
| The Enclosure | |||||
| Reasons why Sir Francis Fortescue has forfeited his lease, and how unfit it is for him to have any new lease granted. The charges are cutting down and lopping the oaks. | |||||
| The Inhabitants of Gloucester, Hereford, Salop and Worcester, and the City of Gloucester to the King | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
As to their relations with the President and Council of
Wales. Pray for decision how far the jurisdiction of the latter extends
upon those counties; also that they may be freed from all such jurisdiction as is encroached on them by the President and Council, contrary
to the ancient laws of the Kingdom. Undated 1 p. (P.2019) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610, pp. 622, 637, 649] |
||||
| Henry Goldfinch to the Privy Council | |||||
| [1610 or before] |
Of the lands of Clandaniell, now the Abbey of Bantery, co. Cork, which he passed to Sir Nicholas Browne, late deceased,
but on which he re-entered on default of payment by Browne: entering
into recognisance for payment of the King's rent, and for repeopling the
land with English, according to the plot of the undertakers. Complains
of being disturbed by Browne, his widow and their friends, so that the
English he planted there cannot quietly enjoy the land, and it is laid
waste. Prays for letters to the Lord President of Munster to examine his
title, and give him quiet possession. Undated ½ p. (P.762) |
||||
| Hatfield House | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Estimate for joiners' work for Hatfield. 5 pp. (143 124) |
||||
| Lord Hay to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [1610] | After the sight of Mr Johanes's letter his Majesty was so well pleased with it that he commanded me to signify to you both how well he thought of your carefulness in that matter, and of the other's honest dealing in the same, desiring you to assure Mr Johanes from him that in regard both of the satisfaction which he had already received, and in regard of the confidence he has of his resolution henceforth to do Gunterod all the good offices he can at his master's hands, his Majesty would not only not withdraw any beams of his favour from Mr Rydder, but would so increase them as that he should find that this accident had rather been a burning glass to redouble them, than a cloud to scant them upon him. Therefore his Majesty desires that there may be no more noise at Prage for the one than there shall be here for the other; and in sum, that if Mr Johannes has any occasion to try his Majesty's favour hereafter, that he shall so find it as his Majesty shall hereafter find the fruits of his good offices towards Gunterod. Undated | ||||
|
PS.—I entreat that this corner of your letter may present to Mr Johannes my love and desire to do him service. Holograph Endorsed: '1610.' 2 pp. (196 33) |
|||||
| — to Sir Thomas Lake | |||||
| [c 1610] |
Your father in his youth was a dependent upon my father,
and your father at his death owed me 100 (fn. 1). I do not write to urge you to
satisfy the debt, but to entreat your advice in my present case. Five
years ago I came to this town, where, hearing of 'this disgraceful practice' and understanding that the Earl of Devonshire was 'to go down
against those rebels', (fn. 1) I took service with him, as Mr John Workman
well knows, and furnished myself with necessaries, and bought an armour
in Holborn, leaving 30s. in earnest. After knowledge had of my Lord's
stay, I offered the armourer his armour again with the loss of this 30s,
but he required payment of the residue which I did accordingly. Having
the opportunity of a bark that went to the place of my abode, I sent it
down by water and willed my man to acquaint the master and mariners
what it was. But my neighbour adversaries, lying in wait to discover my
follies, have turned my good intents and purposes to the worst, to my
disgrace. So it shall appear in the trial of my case, and I desire your
favour that by your means I may be called to answer and not languish
in prison. Undated Unsigned 1 p. (213 111) |
||||
| Lady Ellen Chartie to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Petitioned for a small quantity of her father's lands that yet
remain in the King's gift, but the Council not being willing to grant it,
was a suitor for some benevolence, or for some of her yearly pension
beforehand, to carry her into her country and satisfy her creditors. Was
told by the Clerk of the Council that she should have the above lands,
with reservation of reasonable rents and services; and the Council signed
a letter to this effect to the Lord Deputy of Ireland. But this letter
Salisbury afterwards held to be no sufficient warrant without the King's
hand, and made stay thereof. Prays Salisbury to procure the King's
letter to the Lord Deputy for the passing of the said lands, or as much
thereof as is not in grant to Sir Nicholas Browne or any other; for if she
be driven any longer to stay she will utterly perish, having wasted the
little means she had in following this suit. Undated 1 p. (P.26) [See Cal.S.P.Ireland, 1608–1610, p. 482 and Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610, p. 654. See also Cecil Cal., Part XVII. pp. 140, 170.] |
||||
| Sir David Murray to the King | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
For grant of a portion of concealed lands which he offers
to discover. Undated ½ p. (P.431) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610, p. 598] |
||||
| Sir Henry Nevill to Sir Thomas Lake | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Three months ago he offered to sell the King a parcel of
wood ground within three miles of the Thames, very fit for the King's
deer and pastime; and the Lord Treasurer had it surveyed; but the
matter has proceeded no further. As his occasions now require him to
sell, he begs Lake to ascertain if the King wishes to buy; if not, that he
may have leave to make the best of it, towards the payment of his debts.
Undated 1 p. (132 164) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610. p. 645.] |
||||
| The Earl of Northampton to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? c 1610] | As it has pleased you (not ex condigno, for my acknowledgments are but verbal, your merits real, but ex congruo because your courses will be ever correspondent to your true friends' affections) to be not only the most industrious but the sole solicitor of my suit since it first began, so must I be a suitor to you to strengthen all the circumstances that belong to it as they occur. | ||||
| This suit is the last vale of reward that I will either expect or resolve to press during that portion of life I am to run; for before the years expire, which by your favour are set down, I am sure to be either stultus or decrepitus. Wherefore as I may say that touching the proportion of favour from the King the stint is yet in effect potential and sub judice, that is whether a rent shall go to the King of a good value or a quota in division if we divide by parts. My end is with your favour to convert the King's third to the next degree, which is a fourth and will prove unto me a benefit at the beginning of the farm while certain values are sub horizonte, and to the King a very weak or no great hindrance when beams of brighter splendour breaking out he may after my time make his best commodity. | |||||
| Other things Mr Ingram will present unto you which his knowledge of the business suggests. The last suit is specially my own, and therefore confident in your favour at this my last and final upshoot which determines my demands, I recommend both my hopes and instruments to your assistance. Undated | |||||
|
PS.—This day under your leave I will visit my little hermitage, where I
think a man might sooner earn heaven than in the Star Chamber, though
stars have their fastness in the firmament. Holograph Seal 2 pp. (129 18) |
|||||
| John Packer to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [1610] |
Having been lately dealt with by some of my Lord of Dorset's
friends, who desire he should be assisted in his travel by one of whose care
in doing him good offices they might be confident, especially touching
the matter of religion, wherein hitherto he has remained constant notwithstanding that he has been at divers times strongly assailed; upon
the answer which I then made (howsoever I showed no desire to change
the course wherein by your goodness I am so well settled) my Lord, as I
understand, has taken occasion by my Lord Chamberlain's means to
move you that with your good liking I might go with him for that short
time which he intends to spend abroad. Nay, I now express that howsoever the consideration of doing good, which is mine only object, made me
the more inclinable to that which otherwise I had no reason to affect, I
had no purpose to yield any further into that motion than I should
receive encouragement by your approbation, and some assurance that it
should not be prejudicial unto me at my return in this service wherein I
am now employed by your favour. Undated Holograph Endorsed: '1610. About going to France with my Lord of Dorset.' ½ p. (83 31) |
||||
| A Speech in Parliament | |||||
| 1610. |
Minutes of a speech to Parliament, with corrections in Salisbury's hand. 10 pp. (140 21) |
||||
| The County of Pembroke to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Praying him to allow them 4001 out of the yearly accounts
of the Sheriffs of South Wales for the erection of a shire-hall and common
gaol within the castle of Haverfordwest, for the greater convenience of
the inhabitants of the county. Undated Petition 1 p. (197 36) |
||||
| Francis Perkins's Irish Project | |||||
| [c 1610] |
To build 150 walled towns with 100 houses in each town, 150
churches, 150 free grammar schools; give meat, drink and lodging to
150 old soldiers that have served lieutenants or sergeants, and each man
20 nobles a year wages; also to 600 other old soldiers and each man 41 a
year wages, and to 3300 other men and each man 40s a year wages; have
ready at one day's warning 750 horsemen, 5250 footmen well armed for
the war without charge to his Majesty: also set to work all the idle people
as well of this as that country many years, if not for ever. Undated 1½ pp. (197 37) [See Cal.S.P.Ireland, 1608–1610, p. 368] |
||||
| Richard Powell to the King | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Was granted letters patent to search out mines and minerals,
and to have the sole working thereof for seven years; and associated
himself with merchants and others for the making of alum. Now that
the King by letters of December last has revoked his grant for making
alum, the merchants intend to take the law against him. Prays that he
may enjoy his former grant. Undated 1 p. (P.967) |
||||
| Captain Edward Prynne to the Lord High Treasurer | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Desires employment over to France with his Majesty's
packet, his wants being such as he is constrained to seek this course for
his relief. Undated Signed Seal Endorsed: 'Capn Prin to my Lord.' ¼ p. (128 83) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610, p. 656.] |
||||
| Sir Walter Ralegh to Viscount Haddington | |||||
| [? 1610] | I gave commission to some of [my] friends to move your Lordship in a matter of great importance, if the attaining of honour and riches may be so accounted. To trouble you with the particulars I will forbear till such time as I may know whether any good thing offered by me may be accepted. For if in my late sovereign's time, in whose favour I had some little interest, I could not obtain leave to adventure mine own life and mine own estate to enrich her, because mine own honour, fame and benefit had in all likelihood been adjoined; what may I hope for now, being altogether friendless in the world, except his Majesty who [sic] according to the trust given him by God do vouchsafe to remember that there is no price nor ransom for innocent blood; and that to suffer those to perish that are his (whatsoever a Middlesex jury hath said to the contrary) hath no distinction to satisfy that great God by whom kings reign and whom for their mercy and truth He hath preserved. But leaving the success to God's providence, it is a journey of honour and riches that I offer you, an enterprise feasible and certain. And though it may be said that misery feareth no change, and that my pretences and intents are diverse, yet I beseech you to believe that I am more in love with death than with falsehood, and that whatsoever time or fortune, or I know not what, hath taken from me, yet neither of them, nor any power else under heaven, shall teach me or force me to be a knave. A base and unworthy remedy it were against imprisonment to forswear God, to betray the King's mercy, and to cast away my friends, to undertake a journey full of hazards and ill fare, to return again a perjured, false and foolish knave. | ||||
| No, my Lord, when my enemies have done their worst and destroyed me and mine, yet the former (which is in mine own mind's power) shall never be my destiny. | |||||
| Yet because I desire no trust, and that wise men may have warrant for their jealousies, I am content, your Lordship liking it, to follow yourself in this enterprise as a private man. If your Lordship cannot obtain the expense of such a time, I am content to be committed to others, and setting down the course and project in writing; if at any time I persuade the contrary, let them cast me into the sea. | |||||
| Secondly, if I bring them not to a mountain, near a navigable river, covered with gold and silver ore, let the commanders have commission to cut off my head there. | |||||
| If this be not sufficient, I will presume to nominate unto his Majesty such commanders as he will like of, who will be bound body for body to return me again alive or dead, and if I have mistaken myself, and may be yet of more price, his Majesty shall have 40,0001 bond to boot. | |||||
|
Lastly I pray your Lordship not to marvel why I have desired to
engage you in this enterprise, and desire that yourself may be the commander, for I know that you are valiant and without falsehood, qualities rarely found in one man in this age. I know that you are dear to the
King, and I hope withal that by your means we shall enjoy the
fruits of our travel, and such parts as we adventure for and deserve.
Undated Holograph Seal Endorsed: '1603.' [sic] 1 p. (103 49) |
|||||
| [Printed in extenso by Edwards, Life of Sir. W. Ralegh, 11, 392–394, from an 18th century transcript in B.M.Add.MSS. 6177, fol. 241, from the original at Hatfield, which Edwards says was in his time misplaced. The letter is wrongly endorsed 1603, Edwards assigning it to? 1610. | |||||
| The Book of Rates | |||||
| 'The State of the Rents and Impositions.' | |||||
| [? 1610] | If a deliberate examination were made of the Book of Rates, it would appear that they are not so just but that in most commodities the King sustains loss by the underrating, and in some the merchant is overcharged by overrating. | ||||
| This inequality of rates might be greatly amended if understanding commissioners were appointed to review and amend them. | |||||
| But to make them equally just and of continuance without grievance or prejudice either to the King or subject is impossible for two reasons:— | |||||
| (1) The rising and falling of prices of most commodities from alterations in States and sundry other occasions. | |||||
| (2) The inequality in prices in many commodities. | |||||
| Therefore the Book of Rates, howsover reformed, to some men and upon some occasions will always seem a grievance, the which both King and subject must endure, except the King be pleased and the subject contented, according to the manner of Spain, to have all the imported goods valued by commissioners. | |||||
| And although by these unequal rates the merchants be overcharged in some commodities, yet were all goods valued at their true worth the King's customs would be advanced the one fourth part, and therefore this grievance ought not to be the subject's but the King's. | |||||
| And yet his Majesty has been pleased to receive both his custom and impost by these rates. The law gives his Majesty the twentieth part, and it was intended there should be levied as much for the new imposts, which is ten in the hundred. But upon a due examination it will be made clear that his Majesty receives upon imported commodities not above seven and a half in the hundred, and upon commodities exported not six in the hundred; except some few commodities upon which for some reasons visible to the State greater imposts were laid. | |||||
| And seeing the necessity of the time enforces these imposts, yet were they laid with a most honourable regard of the poor and public good, as these few examples may manifest, viz, | |||||
| (1) All corn and victuals imported are freed of imposts. | |||||
| (2) All provision for the navy and munition for the realm are freed of imposts. | |||||
| (3) Merchandises overrated are freed likewise of imposts. | |||||
| (4) Merchandise necessary for setting the poor on work are also freed of imposts, as silk, cotton wool, cotton yarn, etc. | |||||
| (5) For maintenance of commerce all passable commodities are freed of imposts, and the impost of all foreign commodities exported is restored again to the merchants. | |||||
| (6) All sorts of woollen cloth exported is excepted. | |||||
| (7) All our manufactures are so moderately valued as both subsidy and impost little exceed five in the hundred. And whereas amongst other 'agreevances' against the Book of Rates it was alleged by some gentleman that a poor man wearing a shirt of lockram pays for the same to his Majesty for custom and impost 10d, it will be made manifest upon examination that a shirt of the best sort of lockram does not pay fully 2d; and the rates of lockram are so low that the subsidy and impost is little more than five in the hundred one with the other. | |||||
| And if these grave gentlemen now in this High Court of Parliament would look unto precedent ages, they will find there was given to King Edward III upon every sack of wool 40s, silver being 20d the ounce, which were now as silver is enhanced 61 the sack; and this was continued unto his successors by the name of the great custom. The same wool is now exported in cloth and other manufactures and doubled in value by the workmanship, wherein only the property is altered not the nature; the rates so low in comparison of that of wools, and the ounce of silver now trebled in value, as if it were maturely considered what was paid in those times for the great custom and the ounce of silver reduced to the present value, it will manifestly appear that these new imposts do not make the King sufficient recompense for that loss in the great custom which his predecessors Kings of England received, given unto them by the free consent of our forefathers. | |||||
| And to make it appear how small cause of complaint there is against the Book of Rates, here is set down some few particulars both of merchandises which are overrated and those underrated. | |||||
| Merchandises overrated | |||||
| Rated | Value | ||||
| Bustians the single piece | 26s | 8d | 20s | ||
| Camlets unwatered the piece | 30s | 20s | |||
| Copper tinsel the yard | 3s | 4d | 12d | ||
| Ordinary printing paper the ream | 2s | 6d | 2s | ||
| French and China velletts [sic] the yard | 15s | 12s | |||
| Counterfeit 'tykes' the piece | 23s | 4d | 16s | 8d | |
| Tinselled satin the yard | 26s | 8d | 13s | 4d | |
| Copper gold the mark | 3s | 4d | 2s | 4d | |
| Pepper called long pepper, the pound | 2s | 6d | 18d | ||
| Caddice ribband the doz. | 20s | 15s | |||
| Merchandises underrated | |||||
| Raw silk the great pound | 16s | 8d | 25s | ||
| Velvets the yard | 15s | from 18s to 24s | |||
| Holland cloth the ell | 16d | 2s | 6d | ||
| Beaver wool and 'wombes' the pound | 5s | 20s | |||
| Cochineal the pound | 13s | 4d | 26s | 8d | |
| Copper plates or bricks the hundred | 40s | 41 | |||
| Flax unwrought the hundred | 15s | 22s | 6d | ||
| Galls the hundred weight | 33s | 4d | 50s | ||
| Iron the ton weight | 81 | 121 | |||
| Wainscots the hundred | 81 | 401 | |||
| Soap ashes the last | 61 | 161 | |||
|
Undated Endorsed by Salisbury: 'The state of the Rates and Impositions.' 3 pp. (129 6) |
|||||
| Ravensdale Park | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
Note as to the herbage and pannage of Ravensdale Park,
and George Hunt's lease. Undated 1 p. (132 181) |
||||
| Estimate touching the King's Revenue | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
'Of impositions I set no value. Of the rest, although I can
make no estimate, yet prerogatives and prescription unlimited gives
much advantage to Kings in their titles. The sum of all these as now he
maketh of them cometh to 102,0001. That which they offer to the King
is the sum of 20,0001. Which being compared with that which now he
maketh doth amount to more than he receiveth, the sum of 98,0001. To
the third what the King's state will be when this contract is passed, it
must thus be collected. That when his Majesty called the Parliament
and had made no new assignation to the Prince, his ordinary issue exceeded his receipts the sum of 50,0001. And the proportion held fit to
answer his extraordinary by comparison of the former expense was
conceived by all men to require no less than 100,0001. Undated Probably in the hand of Levinus Munck. 1 p. (206 80) [See Gardiner, History of England, 11, p. 64] |
||||
| Rockingham Forest | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Note of abuses in the Forest of Rockingham, with offer of
means to redress the same. Apparently written by the chief keeper there.
Undated. Endorsed by Salisbury. 2½ pp. (132 139) |
||||
| The Earl of Salisbury to — | |||||
| [1610] |
Their proceedings are more popular. The Lower House have
sent for Sir Roger Aston. My Lord of Canterbury desired me at my first
dispatch to send away his letter. I pray you tell his Majesty [Sir Tho.
Lake struck through] that I have received his commandment by Sir Tho.
Lake concerning the restraint, disputing the King's right in matter of
the Impositions; in which the House is so violent, that we will rather
follow his Majesty's commandment than to have that done which may so
justly offend the King as that course will do. Between this and Monday
we shall discover more, but the Speaker shall have a provisional order to
use his Majesty's name in that point, as soon as any man offers such an
argument. If any exception be urged by any man to any proportions or
to any nature of commodity (for which change of time may give reason),
it may have his passage and is usual. And in that kind some ease hath
been done and more promised, but we find a general jealousy so rooted
that more impositions are coming, that they do press this point, though
know they cannot prevail. I pray you give his Majesty my humble
thanks for his favour signified to Mr Chancellor by you. I keep the bill
till he comes for there is no haste. Undated. Draft in Salisbury's handwriting and signed: 'Yor loving frend R. Salisbury.' Endorsed: 'To my Lord.' 1 p. (128 92) [See Gardiner, History of England, 11, 70 seqq, and Commons Journal, passim] |
||||
| Elizabeth Throkmorton to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
I must crave pardon that I was more bold than was fit for
me to be with one of your place; but I knew I writ to a wise man that is
not so ready to censure a distressed woman as to consider the occasion
that draws me into intemperance. Pardon this my last writing unto you,
for I mean not to trouble any of you long with suits, but I will never
leave coming to the King till I may have justice done me. I received a
message that you could do me no good, but it belonged to the Lords of
the Privy Council to help me. I am sorry, chiefly for my own cause, that
virtue is not still joined with wisdom. If you had so much will to do good
as you have understanding to know what belongs unto you to do, then
so many poor helpless creatures would not sink under the burden of
their misery as they do. What a pity it is that your Lordship has power
to do ill and not to do good; you could of yourself put me out of the
Council Chamber and not suffer me to come in again, but now you cannot
of yourself help me to justice. It is nothing else that I desire of any of
you. What a miserable state is this, that if one of you do wrong, there is
no help nor redress to be looked for amongst the rest of you. Methinks
it belongs to such worthy magistrates to take part with the weakest side,
and not to suffer his Majesty's common laws to be trampled underfoot
and his poor subject, for lack of justice, to be utterly undone. All that I
entreated in my last letter was but that you would persuade the Lord
Chancellor to dismiss me if I might not obtain so much favour [as] to
have my cause heard at the Council table, which was no great matter for
you to do; and now once again the same is my suit, which if it may not
be granted then I must be troublesome to his Majesty. I have herewith
sent a petition to all the Lords of the Privy Council; may an answer be
written thereupon whether I shall come before you or no, or what I shall
trust to. Undated Holograph Seal 1 p. (129 22) |
||||
| Debt [of some person not named] | |||||
| [? 1610] | 'The yearly increase of the interest, as well by reason of the debt, as of the yearly want.' | ||||
| (a) If he contract: 1610 to 1611, 50,0001; 1611 to 1612, 65,0001; 1612 to 1613, 81,0001. Sum, 196, 5001. | |||||
|
(b) If he do not: 1610 to 1611, 60,0001; 1611 to 1612, 86,0001; 1612
to 1613, 114,6001. Sum, 260,6001. Undated. 1 p. (196 38) |
|||||
| Christopher Shaw to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
For payment for pieces of embroidery work, furnished to
the Queen. Undated. 1 p. (P.807) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610, p. 656.] |
||||
| Lord Sheffield to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Of his continuing lameness in his instep, which was wounded
with a sword 7 or 8 years ago, so that he is unable either to proceed on his
journey to the Court or to return back to York. If he possibly can he will
be there against the Parliament; if not, entreats Salisbury to make his
excuses to the King and procure his allowance for his absence. Undated. 1 p. (206 72) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610, p. 586.] |
||||
| The Earl of Southampton to Lord [? Salisbury] | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
He advises that certain coppices, named, in the New Forest
may be conveniently demised without hindrance to the game or prejudice to the King's disports. Undated. Partly holograph ½ p. (132 178) |
||||
| Patent for Tobacco | |||||
| [? c 1610] | 'The motives why the patent of tobacco ought to cease.' | ||||
|
The King has no profit thereby. Although I be to answer him 20001 a
year, yet the patent grants that I may defaulke 7s 2d for every pound
seized, and the imposition is so great, and men adventure so much to
steal the custom, that there is so much seized that thereby the King's
rent is paid and he little benefitted, by reason the commodity by long
lying grows nothing worth. The charge for searching is so great that the
money received for imposition hardly defrays it and to bear suits in the
Exchequer for seizures. The merchants are hurt by losing the goods,
many poor mariners undone, and I have much tobacco left on hand
which will take no money. The King loses, for he answers the farmers
for the great custom 6d. on every pound for that tobacco which lies
there and rots, and yields nothing to him or me. How necessary it is that
patent be dissolved I leave to your consideration, which yields loss to
King and country, and my utter overthrow, without your Honour's
assistance, which I humbly pray. Undated. 1 p. (130 179) |
|||||
| Treatise | |||||
| [1610 or earlier] | Treatise addressed to the King, apparently by a Scotsman. | ||||
|
'In thankful acknowledgment of your Majesty's licence to me to
travel', he sets down the present dangers to the State, and the remedies.
Describes at length the dealings of Spain with the Pope and the Jesuits;
the state of the Catholic Church at Rome; and the proceedings and aims
of the Jesuits. Refers to the King of Spain as 'homo de poto' and a sot.
Gives abstract of a pamphlet against the Jesuits, stamped at Montelimar
upon Rhone, incerto autore, entitled, 'Introductio in artem Jesuisticam'.
Says that he has seen 'one Marianus, the most villainous and abominable
tract ever did come in my hands, other than such ane lyk of J.Kn History
of the King of Scotland, and Buc. Jure Reg.' Reports what is said of the
King's government by certain Spaniards, especially P.Millan and Genna,
with regard to the King's intention to destroy the ancient reputation and
the liberties of Scotland, and to transplant the splendour of all his kingdom
into England; also that they hold the English plantation of Virginia an
injury unto their King, but they do contemn it, saying it is 'not yet
worth taking pains to deluge them.' In describing the use made of religion by kings and statesmen, he says, 'sometimes the wickedness of
mischant [mechant] subjects study under the same colour [or religion] to
change states: sometimes the fury of the multitude, easily blinded and
led upon novelties.' This passage is marked by the writer at the side,
'E of S'. In speaking of toleration and the position of religious parties
in England and Scotland, he says, 'if any overture shall present so to do,
it is thought there shall be more than twice as many Puritans who shall
decline your Majesty's present government in that case, and with the
papist crave for liberty of conscience.' 'Among other your Majesty's
good friends whom I have been happy to talk with upon this subject,
there is one in Paris called Cassabon, (fn. 2) guardian of the King's library, a
man esteemed there a Protestant in religion, who being of my acquaintance did infinitely regret with me that digression of your Majesty's book
touching Antichrist; saying that otherwise that treatise was in a way to
procure your Majesty great credit, and to have made you capable of a
great work in Christendom. He told me that Cardinal Peroone, an excellent man in France and no favourer of the Jesuits, hath said unto him
touching that book that an it had not been for that digression, he would
have gone before the Pope upon his knees to have your Majesty satisfied
in all the rest. More said Cassabon, if his Majesty had foreborne that
point and discreetly have sought reformation, he had assuredly gotten
upon his side the whole kirk of France, and all those also on our side
who be wise, to have subscribed the Consultation of Georgius Cassander,
before we should not have condescended to Christian unity. This far
hath one said who for no persuasion of the French King will budge from
his religion: remaineth Protestant.' The writer concludes by urging the
King to allow liberty of conscience, and to follow the example of the
States of Holland in this matter; it being perilous and impossible for
him to stand against the Catholic religion. Undated. 37 pp. defaced by damp. (211 2) |
|||||
| R. Vaughan to [Michell] | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
I have had no time to do anything in your business, but
before I went with the King to Newmarket I met Mr Ashton, with whom
I had some speech about the office, who, presuming on my good affection towards him, told me confidently he should be in possession of the
same before this Easter, for his Lordship had sent for Dawes to him,
before whom an agreement was made to that purpose. More of this, or of
anything else for you, I do not yet know, but will learn all I may.
Warning is already given for the King's remove again to Newmarket on
Thursday come sennight. In the meantime I will do you what dutiful
office I can. Undated. Holograph Endorsed: 'Vaughan's letter to Michell.' ½ p. (130 181) |
||||
| Thomas Walbieff to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [1610 or earlier] | Two petitions. | ||||
|
(1) The Council directed Sir John Crooke and Francis Tate to determine the cause of the stealing and detaining of his son and heir John,
wherein but little is yet effected. Those who detain him have commenced
suit against petitioner by one Lutwitch, an attorney, appointed his son's
guardian by Mr Justice Wamesley. Prays Salisbury to inquire of
Wamesley by whose means he was moved to appoint a guardian, as he
hopes thereby the more speedily to recover his son. Undated. ¾ p. (P. 250) |
|||||
|
(2) Prays Salisbury to require Sir Anthony Ashley (fn. 3) to have ready, by
the Council's next sitting, his report on petitioner's cause. Undated ¾ p. (P. 1808) |
|||||
| The Court of Wards | |||||
| 1610. |
Instructions to the Master and Council of the Court of Wards.
London 1610. Printed. 17 pp. (223 14) |
||||
| Lady Wharton | |||||
| [? c 1610] |
Her grievances against Mr Percival Willoughby and her
answer to charges made. She is contented that, if she has the land in
ward, her land shall be answerable for debts in equal proportions with
Willoughby's. Undated. Petition. 2 pp. (P.2253) |
||||
| Whittlewood Forest | |||||
| [? 1610] | Three papers. | ||||
|
(1) Sir Robert Johnson's remembrances about the leasing of his
Majesty's coppice woods in the forest of Whittlewood, co. Northampton. 2 pp. (141 294) [See Cal.S.P.Dom., 1603–1610., p. 581] |
|||||
|
(2) Objections and answers by Sir Robert Johnson, touching the
leasing of the underwoods in Whittlewood Forest. 1 p. (141 295) |
|||||
|
(3) The conditions of the lease of coppice in Whittlewood Forest.
Sir Robert Johnson's name at foot. 1 p. (141 296) |
|||||
| The King's revenues | |||||
| [? 1610] | 'Memorial of those suits with which his Majesty is contented to reward his servants and subjects, reserving other things which may raise profit, which restraint is necessary for some time in regard of his great arrears of debt.' | ||||
|
The list includes forfeitures for treason, murders, felonies, counterfeiting of money, etc, and escheats; concealments, except those which
are reserved to Tipper's prosecution; debts before 30 Eliz.; grants of
recusants; making of denizens; casualties arising by fall of offices, as
keeping forts, houses, chases, parks, etc; presentations to benefices void
either by lapse or decease of the incumbents. Conditions stated under
each head. Undated. 2 pp. (130 166) |
|||||
| Royal grants, etc. | |||||
| [? 1610] |
Brief notes as to the processes in royal grants and impositions. ½ p. (P.2186) |
||||
| Sir John Cowper to the Earl of Salisbury | |||||
| [1610 or earlier] (fn. 4) |
As to the title of Rocksteede, which came to the
King upon the suppression of the abbeys, which were given to Sir
Thomas Heneage for other lands and money. Cowper has now made
composition for the same. 'I have served the late Queen and his
Majesty these 30 years, preferred first by your most honourable father
to her service.' Undated Holograph 1 p. (206 71) |
||||