|
1553–4. Jan. 1.
Antwerp. |
123. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Recapitulates the amounts
sent home on the 24th December by his servant Francis de Tomazo,
on the 28th December by his servant John Sprytewell, and on the
31st December by his servant William Bendlowes, in all amounting
to 8,787l. 2s. 6d. Trusts to send the rest shortly, when his servants
return; waits the bonds of her Majesty and the City for the
rest of the 20,000l. which he has borrowed and intends to send
by Sir John Masone. The exchange has fallen to 21s. 8d. in consequence of the reports he has already mentioned, and doubtless if
they proceed therein it will fall to 20s., in which case it were better
for the Queen and realm to have given 100,000l. besides the great loss
she shall thereby receive, for thereby all his devices will be clean frustrated. There will be little more money to be had before the pay
ments of the "Colde market" on the 20th or last day of February.
If any offer of money be made him to be received, then he intends
to arrange to make repayment one year from the day of receipt.
To save trouble and expense, desires that a number of bonds be
sent out for not more than 10,000l. each, with blanks for the merchants' name, the day of payment, and date, which he shall let in
well enough; and he will engage to get money for them or get them
returned. [Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.] |
| Jan. 1. |
124. Philip Francis, Count Palatine, to Queen Mary. Congratulates her Majesty on her succession, requests to be retained in her
service as he had been in that of her father and brother, and
transmits by his secretary John Nauclerus his letters patent for
renewal. [Latin. One page.] |
Jan. 1.
Westminster. |
125. Commission by Queen Mary to the Bishop of Winchester,
the Earl of Arundel, Lord Paget, Sir Robert Rochester, and Sir
William Petre, to treat of her Majesty's marriage. [Latin. Two
pages. Copy. Indorsed by Cecil, "A Commission from Queen
Mary to treat upon her marriage."] |
Jan. 1.
Westminster.] |
126. Articles of the Treaty of Marriage between Philip, Prince
of Spain, and Queen Mary, providing that the Prince shall be
served by Englishmen exclusively. [Latin. Two pages. Copy.] |
Jan. 1.
Westminster.] |
127. Abstract of the Treaty of Marriage between Queen Mary
and the Prince of Spain. [Latin. Four pages and a half. Rymer,
Vol. xv., 394.] |
| 1554. [Jan. 1.] |
128. Abstract of the Treaty of Marriage between Queen Mary
and King Philip. [One page. Modern writing.] |
1553–4. Jan. 5.
Valladolid. |
129. Commission from Philip, Prince of Spain, to Count Egmont,
Lalaing, M. de Courrieres, Philip Nigri, and Simon Renard, to
treat of the intended marriage between him and Queen Mary.
[Latin. Three pages. Copy. Rymer, Vol. xv, p. 400. |
Jan. 8.
[By mistake Dec.] Antwerp. |
130. Gresham to the Council. In his letter of the 1st inst.
certified to them that he had sent the Queen at three voyages
8,787l. 10s. 6d. Flemish. On the 7th received their letter of the
28th ult. with the bonds of her Majesty and the City of London
for 20,000l. with the letters to the Ambassadors, which he forwarded
same day in post. His servant had to wait for passage at Dover
six days. On the 4th inst. concluded a bargain with the factors of
Michael Deodati, merchant of Lucca, for 50,000 florins at 12 per
cent., to be paid, half on the 25th inst. and half on the payments of
the "Colde market," beginning 25th February, unless the Emperor
prolong his payments, in which case on the 25th or the last of
February. The bonds to be made in the same form as Tucker's in
the name of Michael Deodati, to be paid 25th January 1555, according to the style here, for they change the date of the year upon
New Year's day. The sum with interest will be 56,000 florins.
Has sent by the bearer 18,000 French and Imperial crowns; not
to break his commission in the passing through the search at
Gravelines, sends with him his factor resident here, Richard Clough,
who will pass an hour after him at Gravelines, and the bearer
Francis, waiting for him at the Queen's turnpikes outside, will be
taken by him to Calais. Trusts shortly to send the rest by Sir
John Masone or otherwise. The rumour of the valuing the French
crown and silver Spanish rial, and the calling down of the English
base coin, being the sole cause of the sudden fall of the exchange,
the news that the Council never intended such has sent it suddenly
up again from 21s. 8d. to 22s. 4d. If the English ships laden with
cloth arrive it will rise to 23s. These ships are richly worth 300,000l.
Will ride or send to-morrow about the 10,000 Collen cleve staves to
Peter Van Collen, who is at Mechlin very sore hurt in his hand
with the shooting of a gun, and has lost two of his fingers. On
hearing from him will advertise their Lordships whether they shall
trust to them or not; because Collen is not the man himself, but
has bought them of others, and because the bargain has been so
long at winning fears now they will be hard to come by, by
reason all the ditches and rivers are frozen, and he knows that
as yet there are none at Dort, the place where they were appointed
to be received. [Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.] |
Jan. 9.
Melun. |
131. Dr. Wotton to the Council. On the 29th ult. had received
their letter of the 23d, and on the following day had sent to know
when he might speak with the Constable, who appointed him to
dine with him on the morrow, being Sunday the last of the month.
Details at much length their conversation, wherein the Constable
protested with great animation his desire, as well as that of the
King, for peace, and imputed both the cause of the war and the
obstacles to peace to the Emperor, whose fashion of late is much
to be wondered at, he having so disdainfully rejected all overtures
made for that purpose by England and the Holy See. Aware from
long experience of the blessings of peace, and alleging as personal
reasons why he might well seek such, having a son, two nephews,
and many friends prisoners in the enemy's hands, he nevertheless,
rather than the King his master should offer anything that were
not for his honour, would rather lose them all, and his own life also,
than consent or counsel him thereto. Had promised to consider the
matter with his Majesty and inform Wotton. Some days having
elapsed, Wotton sent to the Constable next Saturday to know when
he should receive his Majesty's reply, and was invited by him to dine
next day. "But when I came thither, he sent to me, and prayed
me to have him excused, and that he might not dine with me, for
that the Bishop of Albi, brother to the Cardinal of Lorraine and to
the Duke of Guise, having two or three days before received the
red hat from Rome, made that day a dinner to the chief of the
Court, where he had promised before to be at, and had forgotten it
when he sent me word I should dine with him. Howbeit he
caused my dinner to be prepared for me in the chamber where I
lighted, and after dinner I was with him." Before declaring his
Majesty's resolution, the Constable greatly lauded her Majesty,
whom he said he had seen and known when in England, and upon
his return to France had made such report of her virtues everywhere, that the Dauphin, this King's elder brother, hearing it,
conceived such a favour and love towards her Highness, that he had
earnestly determined never to have married other. The King takes
her Majesty's offer to travail in this matter of peace in very good
part, and if she pleases to act as mediator she may, but his Majesty
is uneasy under the impression that either the Emperor will go
about to persuade those at Rome, Venice, Sienna, and elsewhere
that the motion of peace proceeds from his Majesty for fear of the
Emperor, or that others abroad will believe so. His Majesty also
considered a truce necessary before any terms of peace could be
come to between them: that the Emperor being at war with his
father had agreed upon a truce of ten years, which had been
well kept, but now the Emperor had certain toys in his head. The
King prepares fast for the wars, and specially for money. Men's
plate he must have, whether all or a portion cannot well say, but
it is taken that he only borrows it, assigning places for the
repayment. The Pope has recently made four Cardinals, two being
of his own young kinsmen, one for the Emperor, and the fourth is
the Cardinal of Guise aforesaid. The Count of Mirandola has been
at the Court these eight or ten days, and yesterday Duke Octavio
Farnese was expected; their coming is supposed to be that they
may know the King's mind what they shall do in summer. The
Vidame has gone to his own home in Guienne, there, as he says, to
tarry. The French have thought that one of the promises made
by the Emperor in connexion with the Queen's marriage is, that
the Prince of Spain shall take with him to England some Spanish
troops, who with the English forces, shall attack Scotland, and shall
be maintained by the Emperor until that kingdom is conquered.
This probably may explain why they purpose to send the Vidame
and soldiers to Scotland. The Queen of Scots now keeps a separate
establishment to show that she is of age to govern. The Court
leaves Fontainebleau for Paris, its return thither is uncertain.
Some say the King will remain at Paris till Shrovetide, and then go
to Compiegne to be nearer to the frontier; others say that he will
then come to Fontainebleau. Sends one to the sea coast as desired.
On Sunday received letters from her Majesty and their Lordships;
cannot have audience till the King goes to Paris. The Constable
talks as if he thought the Emperor is again sore sick, and "like to
do shortly that thing which these men have so long looked for."
[Ten pages.] |
Jan. 10.
Brussels. |
132. The Queen Regent of Flanders to Queen Mary. Recommending to her favour Pierre Copper, sent into Flanders last year by
some members of the Council of King Edward VI., to provide arms
and ammunition and transport them into England, and requesting
permission for him to remove his family, now in England, into
Flanders, where he has been retained by the Regent by consent of
the Ambassadors of the late King resident at the Court of the
Emperor, on her hearing of some engine of war which he possessed.
[French. Broadside. Indorsed by Petre.] |
Jan. 13.
Antwerp. |
133. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Had informed them in
his letter of the 8th inst., sent by Francis de Tomazo, of the
details of a bargain made with Michael Deodati, and had also sent
18,000 French and Imperial crowns amounting to 6,000l. Flemish
by the said Francis to the Queen. Since that, has got into his
hands in lieu of silver Spanish rials 15,000 French and Imperial
crowns, and 7,000 Italian crowns. Sends inclosed three pieces.
Intended to have made a great mass of gold against the coming of
Sir John Masone. On the 12th inst. received letters from his
factor John Elliot, informing him that the Council desired he
would send home no more gold, but, according to his first devices,
Spanish rials and bullion, and that he would write them his opinion
as to the injury to the exchange consequent on their intended new
valuing of the French crown. He can say no more than he has
already said, a proof of which has been afforded by the effect of the
mere surmise and rumour of their intention in causing a fall of the
exchange; and now that it is known no such valuation was
intended, it has suddenly risen again, and will rise still more when
the ships laden with cloth arrive, which are worth 300,000l. or
409,000l. Gives reasons why the valuing of the crown will injure
the exchange, and ultimately raise the price of commodities in
England by causing an efflux of gold. Will keep the gold he has
in hand by him until he hears further. It would be a good plan
if all the gold he has sent and will send were brought into some
stamp and coin of her Majesty and valued at 6s. 8d., and all gold
excluded from the mint but that sent by the Queen; this would
rob them here of their gold and secure her Majesty a present large
profit in returning it by exchange, which he thinks will not fall by
the alteration, provided silver be kept to its present standard.
Doubts not then to convey home most of the gold here before a
year be out, for 10,000l. in gold is better and speedier conveyed
than 1,000l. in silver. Thinks they have as much need of gold at
home as of silver, which is moreover easier to come at than gold.
What he has to receive from the Lixshalls and Schetz he will bring
in silver Spanish rials and send it by Sir John Masone, and bring
the rest with him when he comes home in gold or silver. Has
made a furnace and prepared to melt down all the Spanish rials he
receives into bullion, which will be easier to pack. The passport,
which is for bullion and not coin, he has heard from the
Ambassador is drawn but not sealed. Has written to Peter Collen
to come or write about the staves, but as yet has no answer.
Intends to ride to him to-morrow, and then to Brussels to
confer with the Ambassadors, &c. Andrew Lixshalls finds
fault with his obligation by reason it is sealed with the late
King Edward's seal, and he is not able to persuade him, as he
has done Lazarus Tucker and Schetz, to be contented with it
as it is, but has had to sign his bill here inclosed for a bond
sealed with her Majesty's seal within 20 days, or else their Lordships and the Queen must certify that this is the seal with which
she usually seals. [Four pages and a half. Inclosure, French.
One page.] |
Jan. 11.
Hamburg. |
134. Sir Conrad Penny [Pfening] to the Council. Requests that
the promise made to his agent Suederus de Meltzede may be performed. [Latin. Two pages.] |
Jan. 18.
Antwerp. |
135. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Recapitulates the points
of his letter of 13th inst. As to Peter Van Collen, he went to
England on the 16th inst. to make answer himself; thinks the
bargain will not take place, nevertheless the merchants with whom
he bargained are gone to Cologne to see what they can get
for 18d. If the Queen's necessity presses, there is a man here with
2,000 or 3,000 at 20d., and not less. On the 16th inst. had a
very profitable bargain proposed to him by three or four merchants
of Geyne [Genoa] of 300,000 ducats, at 11 Spanish rials the ducat,
to be received in Spain at the fair of Villalon, and paid at twelve
months date in Antwerp at 6s. 5d. Flemish the ducat, which will
make 96,250l. Flemish, to be transported from Spain to England
at the Queen's risk, with licence from the Emperor. The melting
and coining of these rials would be done at a profit, as they are
of finer silver than the coin of her Majesty's mint. If within the
year she makes over the money in exchange for commodities of her
realm, which shall be transported by the merchants, she will make
a profit at the rate of 2s. 6d. or 3s. in the pound, and gain thereby
great honour and credit. This will be most gratifying to the
Emperor, whose son she has accepted in marriage. Advises that
the Queen should obtain passport for 400,000 or 500,000 ducats,
which sum he doubts not to obtain upon the Bourse. Will ride
post to receive and send away the money. At the fair of Villalon
the payments always begin on the last of March, if the Emperor and
the Prince there do not prolong the payments. If they do, the
Queen must stand to the loss of the time, for no payment is made
but in the fairs. Trusts to accomplish the business in his hands by
the last of February, and to bring home the rest in gold or silver,
completing his account, and trusting to receive his quietus est, so
that his poor wife and children may know their own substance
from the Queen's. The merchants are pressing for a speedy reply,
therefore sends this letter in post by his servant Sprytewell. |
|
P.S.—Has been to Brussels and conferred with their Lordships;
finds that Sir John Masone only waits for an audience of
the Emperor to take his leave. Intends to send 10,000l. or
12,000l. in Spanish rials by him. [Three pages. Indorsed by
Petre.] |
| Jan. 21. |
136. The Council to Thomas Gresham. Have received his letters
of the 13th inst. As to the bargain with Deodati's agents, he shall
receive herewith the bonds of the Queen, sealed with her own
seal, and the bonds of the City for the same. If the persons who
find fault with the bonds that they have received because they are
sealed with the seal of the late King, (although that seal was the
one usually employed in England, the new seal not being then
made), will return their old bonds, they shall have new ones made
under that of her Majesty. With regard to his doubt as to the
coin to be sent home, a note of an assay taken both of gold and
silver will be received herewith; after due consideration of which
he is to send home whichever will be most profitable to the Queen.
A schedule of coins of different countries is also sent herewith, and
he is to set upon every coin how it is current in the country to
which it belongs, and the price at which he thinks it will be most
advantageous that the coin should be current at home. In writing
to him to take up the whole of the 100,000l., her Majesty's
meaning is to have that sum provided, over and above the money
bargained for by Dawntesey; even if he shall have to pay 13 per
cent. for it. 6,000l., the money brought over by Masone, is to be
left at Calais for Sir Richard Cotton, towards the discharge of the
Queen's debt there. If it be not contrary to the laws he may do
as he pleases in regard to melting the Spanish rials, otherwise he
is not to meddle with it, for her Majesty would be loth, having
entered into so strait an amity with the Emperor, to be seen to
break any law of his in so weighty a case, or to do therein
otherwise than she would be done unto. He is not to send home
past 200 or 300 of the demi-lances harness, as the Queen has been
lately promised a good number of demi-lances otherwise. [Two
pages and a half.] Inclose, |
|
136. I. Notes of Assay, "A trial made for rials of plate
"of Spain," and list of coins of various countries.
[Three pages. Partly printed by Burgon, Vol. i.,
p. 161.] |
Jan. 25.
Vienna. |
137. Richard Shelley to the Council. As soon as he had obtained
his passport he left Brussels on the afternoon of the 10th inst.,
and arrived on the 21st at the Postmaster's house in Vienna.
Next morning Signor Menessa, a Spanish gentleman of the Red
Cross, came to welcome him on behalf of his Majesty [the King of
the Romans], and on the same day the Lord Marshal (who is the
second man of the Privy Council) made the harbingers bring him to
a fair lodging well hanged, where Signor Giovan Battista Gastaldo,
when he was his Majesty's lieutenant in Hungary, was wont to be
lodged; and orders were given that they should not let him lack
anything, or yet take any money of him in no wise. Heard that
one Zerislao Pernistan, one of the King's Privy Chamber, had
replied, to one of his friends who inquired of him whether the
gentleman that was arrived out of England came to bid any of
this Court to the marriage, or to intreat a marriage between the
Archduke of Austria and the Lady Elizabeth, "I cannot tell, but
I heard the King himself say that there should come shortly
another greater here out of England." Before noon of the 24th,
was informed by the Secretary Van Der Aa, who dined with him,
as do daily some gentlemen of the Court, that about 4 o'clock the
Lord Marshal would send a horse and men to wait upon him to
the Court, as he should then have audience of his Majesty. At that
hour the Commendator Menessa accompanied him thither, which
he found full furnished, and he was met at the Privy Chamber door
by Guzman, the Chief Gentleman of the chamber, who was in
England, and by him shown the King, who stood not under, but
by his cloth of estate. Offering to kiss his hand, which his
Majesty would in no wise accept, he delivered his credentials and
instructions, and observed that while he was speaking, the King
used three times notable countenances,—1. When he touched the
Queen's yielding to hear the Emperor's advice and overture. 2.
When he touched his Majesty's advice for her accepting of the
Prince of Spain; and, 3. When he touched his Majesty's offering
the Archduke, in case the former talk of the said Prince took not
effect; "and in this mean time, his Majesty both signed and spake
three or four times to have me put on my cap, which I presumed
not to do." In reply his Majesty said that the offer of his son the
Archduke had been only conditional, in event of the talk of the
most excellent Prince his nephew, whom he thought the meetest,
not taking place; that as for his good remembrance to her Majesty
he only did his duty, taking her adversity or prosperity always to
be his own; and that the alliance between her and his nephew
should be the great surety of the houses of England and Austria,
and consequently a benefit to all Christendom, and to him as
joyful as if it had been with his own son. His Majesty expressed
great reverence and regard for the Emperor, fratres sibi omni
honore colendissimi; also that the Queen had yielded her unwillingness to marry, in respect of her calling to so honest and earnest
a suit of her loving subjects, whom she had in so short a time
brought to a marvellous conformity; and said that well she may
be thought a great Princess that is so well assured of her subjects'
affection, as by these things appeared, and by the experience she
had of one sort of them in her adversity, and for the great mercy
she has used to the other. On taking his leave, there were at the
door of the presence chamber, two of the King's own pages with
torches, who brought him even to the Court gate, and there,
delivering their torches to his men, went back again. Signor
Menessa escorted him back to his lodging. He will now, in terms
of his instructions, visit the King of Bohemia and the Archduke,
who are both here, preparing in joy of the new alliance a great
triumph of jousts, tourneys, and barriers, which he perceives the
King is willing to have him see ere he departs. These triumphs
are to end on the 2d of February, when he will return with all
diligence. [Two pages and a half.] |
Jan. 26.
Paris. |
138. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. On the 7th had received her
Majesty's letter of the 30th December, together with that from the
Council, but the Court being then removing, he could not have
audience till the King came to Paris, where the Ambassadors
Resident are not used to be lodged by the King's furriers or harbingers, but every man seeks out such a lodging as he can get meet
for him. Could not procure a lodging sooner than the 15th, on
which day he came to Paris, but fell sick of an ague, a pain in
his head, and a catarrh, which he thought by diet and abstinence
to overcome in a few days. As it chanced not so, he called in a
physician, whose advice he followed, but finding no immediate
relief or any prospect of being able to go to Court for eight or ten
days, he considered it advisable to write his mind to the Constable
on the 24th, with her Majesty's letter, requesting him to deliver
it to the King and apologize for his non-appearance. In the afternoon Secretary Bochetel waited upon him. Details their conference
on the subject of a treaty and the marriage. The King offers him
the attendance of the Court physician. During his illness a report
has been spread that the passages were stopped in England because
her Majesty was either dead or dying; cannot imagine how such
fable has risen, unless it be according to the old saying,—Facile
credimus, quod cupide credimus. All the naval officers have been
summoned, and the majority have already arrived. The common
saying here is, that the Prince shall be met withal, whatsoever
come of it. Proclamation on the coasts of Brittany, Normandy, and
Picardy, that no ships of 60 tons or upwards shall put to sea until
they know further of the King's pleasure. It is thought the King
will remain here till Shrovetide, his chief errand being to raise
money; this he does by the creation of new offices, and in Paris
alone has created in the Parliament 30 new Councillors, each of
whom pays for his office 4,000 crowns of the sun; all offices, even
judicial, being bought in France. Understands that they have
heard of the renewal of the old league with the Emperor, and are
much offended by it; this alone likely to occasion a breach with
France. Has not heard of any new succour sent by them arriving
in Corsica; so that the Genoese are likely to take St. Fiorenzo, if
the French do not aid it. The intelligence regarding Cardinal
Pole he learned from the Venetian Ambassador, who has very good
intelligence in this Court; will endeavour to learn more certainty
of it. Sentence at last is given in the merchants' causes for five
ships: the Margaret Bonaventure, the Hart of Bristol, the Mary
Fortune, the Barbara, and the Greyhound, in the case of the first
adverse, against reason as he thinks, in that of the remaining four
favourable. But they only allow the cost price of the goods, and
though they pretend to give interest, they join that and the freight
together, so that what they allow for both, is scant as much as
the freight comes to. In other points, likewise, the merchants
think themselves aggrieved by the sentences. [Five pages.] |
Jan. 26.
Paris. |
139. Dr. Wotton to Secretary Sir William Petre. Sends a declaration whereby may appear the degrees of consanguinity and
affinity between her Majesty and the Prince of Spain; but remembering the saying of his friend Will. Somers, refers it to those
who understand pedigrees better. Wherefore suggests that the
heralds at home shall examine it; and that it be considered further
whether the Queen or Prince has ever been ensured to any within
the fourth degree of the other; for any of these cases make publicœ
honestatis justitiam. Such, though not esteemed or material in
England, yet by the marriage taking place they will have to do
with other nations who regard these things, and therefore should
consider the danger likely to ensue from it, if any of other nation
were subsequently to allege the marriage was invalid for want of a
sufficient dispensation. Trusts that the gift of the preacher's rooms
at Canterbury, now void, will not be taken from him, to whom it
belongs, and entitle the Queen to it "by a thing called the King's
prerogative, who is cousin-german to the præmunire." It is said
that the Emperor requires hostages of the Queen for the safeguard
of the Prince while in England; which, whether true or not, sounds
not most to the honesty of that poor country. Thinks it will be
hard to avoid war with France because of this marriage, and therefore wishes to be recalled. [Two pages and a half. Printed,
partially, by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 283.] |
Jan. 27.
Venice. |
140. Peter Vannes to Sir William Petre and Sir John Bourne.
They daily look at Venice for confirmation of the marriage concluded by the Ambassadors at Brussels, in the declaration of which
or anything else will order himself according to the commandment
of the Council. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] Inclosing, |
|
140. I. Advertisements from divers places:—It is written from
Milan and Genoa that, notwithstanding the Genoese camp
about San Fiorenzo, the French had found means to
send some small refreshing into the town. All their
trust was in the arrival of reinforcements that were
looked for out of France, to stop which Andrea Doria
was making great preparations by sea and land. It is
written from Rome that great diligence was used in the
preparation of the French army at Marseilles to the
number of 38 gallies, one galeon, and three ships, and
18 ensigns of foot were appointed to be ready to be sent
to Corsica, and money and men had arrived in Piedmont to pay and replace them. The marriage between
the nephew of the Bishop of Rome and the daughter of
the Duke of Florence was reckoned as concluded; with a
league, it is said, between the Bishop, the Emperor, and
the Duke for an enterprise against Sienna. It is written
from the Court of the King of the Romans of an agreement between the Turk and the King of Persia, on
account of which the King of the Romans intended to
hold a diet to consult what preparations should be made
in case of any future attack by the Turk upon Hungary,
in consequence of this agreement. [One page and a
quarter.] |
Jan. 30.
London. |
141. M. de Noailles to M. de Senarpont, captain of 50 men-atarms and Governor of Boulogne. His messenger Nicolas, whom
he had sent to his Majesty, has been arrested at Rochester and
his letters taken from him. Requests to be informed if he has
heard of La Marque whom he sent to his Majesty on the 15th of this
month, and of Louis, another of his people, whom he sent since that
date. [French, chiefly in cipher. One page.] |
Jan. 31.
Antwerp. |
142. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Since writing his letter
of the 18th inst. has received their's of the 13th and 21st inst. Has
since received, by order of Sir Wm. Dansell, five pieces of silver,
weighing above 329 marks. Has been at Brussels to confer with
the Queen's Ambassador for the receipt of the gunpowder, which is
granted, but the Ambassador thinks there is not so much ready;
licence for the 3,000 Collen cleves is also granted, but not yet got
out. Received there her Majesty's bonds of 50,000 florins, under
her own seal, on the 30th inst., and has delivered her message to the
merchants who find fault with their bonds; these say they have
nothing to do in England, and having paid the money, fear the
loss of the bonds if they send them over; prays consideration
therein, for now they know there is a new seal, they will never leave
molesting him till they have the like. Will make sure of the old
bonds before he gives up the new. Sends note of the assays, with
his reply to the questions proposed to him upon it, and the list of
prices of coins. The loss in sending home the money in gold and
silver will be less than in transmitting it by exchange. Intends
converting all his silver rials into French and Imperial crowns and
philippines, for gold is easier to convey than silver. Begs them to
send him the assay of the Emperor's rial, worth 11s. here, and
costing 1 per cent. Will try to take up at interest 100,000l., in
pursuance of the Queen's command. Will send by Masone 10,000l.,—
7,000l. in gold and 3,000l. in silver,—Spanish rials. 6,000l. shall be
left at Calais with Sir John [Richard] Cotton. Touching the
melting down of the silver Spanish rials, as long as he can send
home gold as profitably as now, he will not attempt it. If the
Emperor has made any law against it, will follow her Majesty's
order therein. Detection would be his ruin, such being the extremity of their laws here. Has bought the 1,000 demi-lances at
50s. a piece, and fears he cannot sell them again, for it is a merchandise which pertains to princes and magistrates, never sold but
to order, and seen about once in three or four years. It is better
in England than any treasure, and will pay for them lying there.
Will send the blocks of silver by Masone. There is news come that
the commons are up in Kent under Sir Thos. Wyat. His servant,
Sprytewell, the bearer, was stayed by the way with threatening
words. Will forbear sending home more money till further orders.
Desires to know if the bargain of the 100,000 ducats shall take
place. Subjoins a list of prices current of coins; at which, if they
be valued by the Council, the exchange would fall to 20s.; if
valued at all, the Emperor and his subjects would think they
desired to rob them of their treasure, and so strict wait be laid at
the search and tolls that no man could pass, the law being such
that for every pound taken 10l. is forfeited, and the culprit's body
is at the Emperor's pleasure, if the offence be detected within seven
years. Advises therefore that all be brought in to the Queen's
own stamp. Has received the 12,000 ducats that Mr. Parker delivered. The man that brought the Collen staves at 20d. is not in
town; as soon as he comes, will be in hand with him. [Six pages.
Indorsed by Petre. The portion relating to the coins, their valuation, and risk attendant on their transmission, printed by Burgon,
Vol. i., p. 476.] |
| Jan. |
143. Points submitted to the Council by the Emperor's Ambassador, for his information touching the landing of the Prince of
Spain, such as the places of debarkation and marriage, where his
retinue shall be quartered, &c. [French. One page and a quarter.
With notes, autograph of Petre.] |
