Cecil Papers: February 1603 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 14, Addenda. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1923.

Citation:

'Cecil Papers: February 1603', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 14, Addenda, ed. E Salisbury( London, 1923), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol14/pp255-260 [accessed 17 November 2024].

February 1603



	John Swinnerton to Sir Robert Cecil.
1602–3, Feb. 3.	Enclosing a packet containing a letter from Bordeaux for Sir Robert Cecil. 3 February. Holograph. Endorsed: "Sheriff Swinnerton to my Master." Seal. ½ p. (91. 98.)
	Robert Churchman to Sir Robert Cecil.
1602–3, Feb. 4.	My father and myself have for this forty years and upwards been traders into Ireland, where at this time all our substance lieth; although for some part thereof we have had bills of exchange, due this six months and upwards, we have not been able to get them paid. This has suggested to me to set down in writing a project for an exchange, which if you will peruse, I will send to you. Holograph. 1 p. (91. 102.)
	Gaspar Alvez to Thomas Militon.
1602–3, Feb. 5/15.	I have written to you by three channels that I am at the court at Valladolid on business for Lyster Bird and Esparos. I hope to succeed with the petition which I have put in for them. I hope daily for a letter from you here, to tell me what I can do for you. As to my return or departure from this court, I shall follow your wishes, and until I have orders from you or from that kingdom, I shall not leave this place, obeying in that my superiors in Portugal, to whom I wrote of my orders from that court, and was commanded to obey you in everything touching myself, as the only method of showing my gratitude to you. I salute Signor Samuel Saltomstol and — and his wife.—Valladolid. 15 February, 1603. Spanish. Holograph. 1 p. (98. 3.)
	Francis Cotton to Sir Robert Cecil.
1602–3, Feb. 8.	Asking that Nicholas Shere, a poor man, committed to Pope's ward to his great charge and probable undoing, may be released upon Cotton's giving bail for him.— 8th February, 1602. Signed. Seal. ½ p. (91. 107.)
	President Richardot to — Hurtado.
1602–3, Feb. 20/Mar. 2.	The letters of your excellency and the zeal which you showed by them for the common good and for peace oblige me to speak to you with all the plainness and truth I have always desired you to have from all sides, so that there may be a beginning and end to a work so much for the benefit of Christendom and the common tranquility: and in order that you may continue that which is begun and speak in this matter with a proper foundation so that you may get credence and be understood to have authority to conduct this negotiation to the end that both parties desire, I will tell you shortly the negotiation that has been held so far, and the present condition, and what is likely to ensue and to be made complete by efforts whose reality will be shown by their results.
	In the conference at Bolougne, although time was lost on unessential points, yet with a view to the effecting of peace it was agreed that the Dutch who were the cause of these wars, should in justice cease from them, and find equal terms for the benefit and safety of all; and because it was not just that the alliance between the Queen and the Dutch should be an impediment to the cause of the Queen, we agreed upon three points (1) that the discussion of peace should continue in Holland in a place not occupied by the Queen, with a view to the conclusion of a general peace. (2) "Que en caso que la Reyna tuviesse por bien no se tratasse de la Paz en Olanda se prosiguiesse entre todas en estos estados en el lugar que la Reyna elihiesse." (3) That in case the Dutch would come to no terms, the negotiations for peace with the Queen should go on without them in the place agreed upon. These terms were approved on both sides, and the Queen by letters from Mr. Edmunds showed herself not to be treating jointly with the Dutch to convert them to the proposed end, and there was some corres pondence on this point; and the Queen was willing to send to St. Omer one of her servants to see if there was any likelihood of peace and in that case she would send commissioners, and if not, not. There was then some discussion as to whether the persons to be sent should be two or one, and on other formalities, and Mr. Edmunds was told that any one might come whom the Queen chose to send to carry out the arrangement agreed upon, and if there was no serious intention of doing this, it was useless to continue the negotiations.
	To this letter there was no answer, and holding, as we do, to our intention of procuring a stable peace we do not know what reason there can be for this silence; for had the person come, it would have been easy to go on from that point to the peace which all desire.
	And since you told me you would not take the trouble to go to England without knowing the state of the negotiation, I will tell you shortly that it depends on two points; 1. The religious question, whereon there is no thought of asking anything that can displease that realm or cause any prejudice to the state or service of the Queen. 2. The places occupied by the Queen in Zealand, and her alliance with the Dutch, and on this point also an arrangement might be found to the Queen's liking. For if the Dutch will not now come to make peace, there might be a truce with them for a long period with free intercourse for the time, and with the Queen there might be peace. This would satisfy both the Queen and the Dutch; then if these last should wish to continue to disturb Christendom with war, it would be no fault of theirs but that of the Queen who gave opportunity for such behaviour.
	These points can be enlarged upon with the person who may be despatched by the Queen, without it's being necessary that he should have more powers than to hear and confer; for you know that matters of this kind must be discussed orally. You can return with such a person, and the answer to our letter and there will be a full and true performance of my propositions, if they are really as anxious for peace as we are.—Brussels, 2 March, 1602. Signed, El Presidente Richardot. Spanish. Endorsed 'Pr. Richardott. The declaration brought by Hurtado the Portugal.' (91. 172.)
	Alderman John More to Sir Robert Cecil.
1602–3, Feb. 21.	Enclosing a packet.—London. 21 Feb., 1602. Signed. Seal. ½ p. (91. 142.)
	Commission.
1603, 21 Feb.	Commission from the Emperor Rudolph II. to Ernest, Count of Schaumburg, and Ehrenfried von Mincke witz, baron of Minckewitz to negotiate a treaty at Bremen with the Queen of England.—Prague, 21 Feb., 1603, in the 28th year of his reign as Emperor. Latin. Signed 'Rudolphus Imp.', and below Alber Mechtill, W. Caradutz. 2½ pp. (98. 6, 7.) ii. Duplicate of the above. At foot: "Ex parte Th. Smith." Copy. ½ p. (98. 8.)
	[W. P.? to—]
[1603?] Feb. 26.	My very loving cousin, I received your letters the 10th of February last wherein (not to use many repetitions) I perceive there is neither peace, liberty nor freedom of conscience to be obtained with the enemies of God, especially with that usurping and excommunicate Queen: for her standing if it continue will bring utter desolation upon the whole land, whereas her fall will make it a most flourishing kingdom. And although heretofore her death hath oftentimes been pretended, yea and almost effected, yet through the cowardice and timorousness of those which should have performed the same, our hopes have been made frustrate. But now for our greatest comfort and the general good of the whole land, this bearer has faithfully and solemnly vowed (and hath received the holy and blessed sacrament) to be a second Moises to free his country and countrymen from slavery and bondage, and to bring the government of the land to a more happy and blessed freedom, and in brief to reduce the whole realm to the unity of the Church, and obedience of the Apostolic see, that thereby England may once again be reclaimed to give due obedience to St. Peter's seat and the Pope's Holiness, by whose means it may be conjoined to Christ the head, and His body which is the church. I doubt not but you shall find many great friends when time shall serve (besides many thousands as well in London as elsewhere within these few years converted to the Catholic faith) that will take part with us in this holy action (no doubt most meritorious), howsoever now they dare not show their open love and liking to our proceedings. But when they shall hear that the life of her is taken away, which now keepeth them from enjoying their chiefest joys, then will they set to their helping hands, some to recover their honour lost, some their possessions given to heretics, others to bring home their dear friends in exile and banishment, and all to enjoy their liberty and freedom of conscience. Moreover we are assured of aid from his Holiness, and from the virtuous and religious sister of the Catholic King, whom I hope ere long to see mistress and queen of that distressed kingdom. The time and place I cannot appoint. I leave that to your discretions. But this bearer desires, if it be possible, to have access to some place where usually she either sitteth or leaneth, or into her closet in the chapel or some such like place: for then he doubteth not but to effect this without any danger at all to himself. But if this cannot be attained unto without suspicion, then in my opinion the best time will be either when she goeth to the chapel, or when she rideth or walketh, as she often doth very late in the evening, and then but weakly guarded and slenderly attended: for so it was when I was a courtier, and by report she is now more bold and secure than ever she was, which putteth me in hope that this may with so much the less danger be effected. Now for the news in France briefly thus: the heretics daily increase, neither is it like to be otherwise until that halting king be removed, of which there is now great hope, as this messenger and instrument of our deliverance can more at large let you understand, which here to write would be tedious. But this I thought good (notwithstanding this bearer's report) to acquaint you with, that with all secrecy and celerity you should acquaint our catholic brethren with the contents hereof, wishing them to be in what readiness they may possibly be at a sudden and present warning. And in this be careful, in any wise set neither name nor place to any of the copies of this letter or your own (when you shall send them to any of our friends) but only two letters, as I have done, for fear of the least occasion of suspicion: for I doubt not that those to whom they shall be sent will be ignorant from whom they come. And this, good cousin, I would have you provide, and be sure of some trusty and faithful catholic friends, that may (when occasion shall serve) set on fire some certain places in London, but especially near the gates and strongest places thereof, thereby to amaze and astonish the secure and fainthearted citizens (whose valour not long since was well approved (fn. 1) ) that whiles some be in fear, others in doubt, and all ignorant, the whole city may easily be overcome. Commend me to all my good friends in bands and at liberty. I pray for them as I hope they do for me, and all true catholics in imprisonment, exile and banishment, hoping now that after so many sharp storms of trouble and persecution the time of our deliverance is at hand. And thus with my right hearty commendations (and the rest of our friends in whose name and for whose sakes I write and have undertaken this) both to yourself and your brother (not forgetting your wives) I bid you farewell. Your very loving kinsman who daily prayeth for you and all persecuted catholics. [W.P. ?]
	[P.S.] Other postscripts there are nothing belonging to this business, and therefore I thought it fittest to keep the letter and send you a copy. Signature erased and illegible. 2 pp. (90. 38.)
	Jo. Phelips to Sir Robert Cecil.
1603 [Feb.]	I was bold of late to make a motion for the procuring of a letter from her Majesty to the Judges of the Common Pleas, in favor of the "Philizers" (Filacers) of that Court; but since I have received an information, such as I presume to trouble you withal further, and the rather because it includeth an overture of profit to her Majesty. This enclosed is the effect of that letter which they sue for, but the secret is this, that it is only a complot between them and the judges to surprise her Majesty's consent for the augmentation of fees, without any apparent profit to herself; for proof whereof, I have seen all their hands already to an authentic writing for confirmation of that which the filacers seek for, but there was a secret item given unto them, that if they took that course, her Majesty being informed thereof, it would be a precedent for her to do the like in a suit which is fought for by Sir John Stanhope, for the establishing of a new officer in that Court. Upon this they began to recoil, yet underhand gave encouragement to the filacers to procure this letter, as a warrant unto them from her Majesty, but as a thing done without their privity. Now if her Majesty grant this letter, and so draw from them their answer and approbation, she may then at her pleasure establish an officer of her own for that purpose. And this small imposition they speak of will rise at the least to 500l. or 600l. a year, as I am well informed And therefore if you please to entertain this motion, to acquaint her Majesty therewith, and to procure that myself may be put in trust with the execution of the place, I will make this offer (though it be upon an uncertain ground), that either I will find the means to give her Majesty 500l. in ready money, or else 200l. yearly out of it. And for an acknowledgment of your favour, I will likewise present you with a yearly New Year's gift of 100l. So for mine own part I only expect the benefit, it pleaseth her Majesty to give to all others which inform her in the like cases; but her Highness shall have this further advantage, to have erected a good office, which will always remain hereafter in her own disposition, and it is such as is requisite to be established if the reasons they allege be true. In the meantime I thought it my duty to make this overture to you only. If it stand not with your pleasure, I can be well contented to let fall the motion, unless you give me leave to propound it to some other about her Majesty. Endorsed:—1603. Holograph. Seal. 1½ pp. (103. 41.)