July 26.
Calais. |
179. Sir Richard Cotton to Sir William Cecil. His manor of
Langtoft is already in the rule of Cecil's father and himself, and so
it shall continue; but if he should mind to sell it, Cecil shall find
himself assured the buyer. Has spoken with Mr. Wingfield, the
executor of Mr. Hall, who has left only one boy of 12 years old.
His lands on this side are of the yearly value of 48l. 3s. over and
above his dwelling-house, and a hundred acres of pasture ground.
Understands that his brother is his heir. His lands in Lincolnshire
are worth 200 marks per ann. after the old rent, with one small
lordship which he purchased, value not known. Has given none of
his goods to his son, unless it be a part of his chain, which is to be
divided between him and his three sisters. Of his lands he has
made a tripartite division; one part to his wife; the second for
performance of his will, that is, to the marriage of his daughters,
to have so much as shall grow thereof till the heirs come of age:
and the third the King is to have for finding his son. Has imparted
Cecil's commendations to Mr. Sentleger, who returns the salutations,
and both desire him to be a good mean for their return home,
as they do nothing now here but daily charge the King and trouble
themselves. Yesterday received a letter from the Council, dated at
Guildford on the 21st, directing him and the other Commissioners
to borrow 1,000l. from the staplers, of which 500l. to be employed
in prest to Mr. Dudley for victualling Guisnes, and the other moiety
to such victuallers as they should think meet for the provision of
Calais. They immediately saw the staplers, who are unable to
advance the money till eight or ten days hence. In their letters to
the Council of the 9th inst. had requested the remain of 5,000l.
upon their warrant might be sent for answering his Majesty's debts;
but received for reply on the 18th, that their Lordships and Cotton
at his last departure considered that the remain in the Treasurer's
hands, with the victual money and revenues due here, would suffice
to answer those debts. Was then, and still is, of that opinion
according to the accounts as exhibited, but has discovered since
then a further debt due by the Treasurer. The previous amount
was 5,800l. odd; it is now upwards of 6,000l., whereof they stand
in great doubt that his Majesty shall be answered of never a groat
immediately, because the Treasurer says he has imprested the same;
but how, or to whom, they can see no reckoning or book of his to
this day, although they have earnestly called for such. For the
victual money, also fear his Majesty will be an unreasonable loser,
both by fall of the money and the great abatement of the price of
the provisions from what he paid for them; so that of 6,000l. paid
to Sir Anthony Aucher, greatly doubts he shall scant receive the
half again. Thinks that 5,000l. of the rents of the country will be
due to the King over that which will recompense the poor men
thereof for losses sustained in the wars; but this will not be immediately received for making ready payments. Had trusted that the
money which should have been paid here for custom of this wool
fleet would have gone to satisfy the most needy payments, as to have
paid three of the bulwarks which are to be abandoned to the King's
profit and the labourers; but of this they shall now be disappointed by means of the prest that is desired at the hands of the
staplers. [Three pages.] |
July 29.
Calais. |
180. Sir Maurice Denys to Sir William Cecil. Acknowledges his
letter of the 22d inst. Mr. Hall, late Comptroller here, has left no
great substance other than his lands, which by his testament are to
be divided in three parts. The bearer, Mr. Wingfield, who presently
repairs to the Court, will give him the details. Will be happy to
serve him in anything within his power. [One page.] |
