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May 6.
K. d. L. x.
448.
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845. WALSINGHAM to DAVISON.
Her Majesty, perceiving from your last letters the state of that
country to stand on so dangerous terms through the resolve of
Monsieur to enter into action either for them or against them,
wished that before your dispatch you had asked the Prince's
advice what means might be found to stop him in this dangerous
enterprise ; being now pleased that you should inform yourself of
him what he thinks fit to be done by her for the help of the
matter, or at least to hinder Monsieur from making himself
possessor of the country, and to report it with all speed.
Further she wishes you of yourself to let the States understand
that considering the friendly and neighbourly care she has always
had over them, as proved by the good offices she has often done
by her ministers towards the King and his lieutenants, to procure
them peace and the continuance of their ancient liberties, as well
as by disbursing 20,000l. for them last year, and as much this
year, besides credit for 100,000l. and other benefits bestowed on
them, she will look that they should show themselves more
thankful to her than in this sort to fall into treaty, or rather
conclusion, with a foreign prince without her consent or privity ;
a matter of evil satisfaction for her, and of discredit for them with
all who are acquainted with her friendly dealing towards them.
If they answer that her Majesty has not according to her
promise sent over her forces to their assistance, being acquainted,
as you are, with the reasons alleged by her in that behalf,
you may of yourself, better than we can direct you from hence,
satisfy them therein ; letting them understand that if her Majesty
had sent one man to them, the French King would in all likelihood
have sent ten men against them, which would have been
their utter ruin.—London, 6 May 1578.
P.S. (autograph). The best affected in France greatly doubt
that Monsieur's dealings will have some treasonable issue, for
he that beholds those that are about him, by whose advice he
is chiefly directed, can never look that he will perform anything
that is honourable or tends to the benefit of those that are well
affected, especially in religion.
Add. Endd. 1½ pp. [Holl. and Fl. VI. 48.]
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May 6.
K. d. L. x.
451.
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846. WILKES to DAVISON.
Since I came home I perceive that the matter I imparted to
you concerning yourself and the hard opinion that has been conceived
of you, is by many degrees augmented during my short
absence, as you will understand by Mr. Secretary Walsingham's
letters, with whom I have dealt as effectually in maintaining
your credit as if you had been my own brother, and will not fail
to continue that course with others whom I may find to conceive
sinisterly of you. Mr. Leighton does not rest thoroughly satisfied
with your answers, and therefore you will do well to write somewhat
at large to him. You have been much abused by such
as you have too well accounted of, and those that commonly
applaud you there are not your sound friends. Have an eye to
yourself, for the world is full of envy.
The letter herewith, directed to Musgrave, greatly concerns
her Majesty's service ; you must therefore take care to convey it
safely to him into Don John's camp, either by some means of your
own, or else you must send it to Col. Balfour, that he may convey
it to one Paten, a Scotchman in that camp, a companion to the
said Musgrave. There must be some industry used for the safe
delivery of it, and therefore I the more earnestly commend it to
you.
Commend me heartily to good Mrs. Davison and to Frank, and
thank yourself for my good cheer.—Greenwich, 6 May 1578.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. VI. 49.]
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May 6.
K. d. L. x.
449.
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847. WILSON to DAVISON.
I have no leisure to write, because I did not know of your
servant's dispatch but upon the sudden, at which time I was
suddenly called away. There are devices to bring your service
into discredit, upon speeches that you are said to use against the
resolutions here, at which I greatly marvel. For although things
do not fall out as you wish and I desire, you must not blame
them that are well affected, if the event does not follow. I for
my part neither can nor will accuse you, but rather praise you
for your service. Yet let me tell you thus much, you are to be
commanded, and bound to follow the bounds of your charge by
just limitations. And though things are sometimes ordered against
your mind you must submit, although with modesty you may
interpose your judgement under the correction of your superiors.
I speak to you as to one whom I love and like well, and am the
rather plain with you, that you should be blameless. When
things do not fall out as one would, he must be contented with
them as he may. Therefore I wish you were satisfied with the
testimony of a good conscience, and so reserve yourself to the
providence of God, after you have done as far as He has given
you reason.
Please do my humble commendations to the Prince, and tell
his lady that I thank her for her letter, wherein she is pleased
to remember my young daughter, who shall be at her commandment,
if the world were quieter.
It seems they cannot agree in Scotland, and therefore Lord
Hunsdon is to be sent at once to his charge. The poor King
will be in some hazard through their division ; and I pray God
that some, under colour of wishing well to him, do not hasten his
end by practice to carry him out of Scotland ; in which kind
of device we as neighbours may perhaps taste some part of peril.—
Greenwich, 6 May 1578.
P.S.—Commend me to M. Fremynge, and excuse my not writing
now. Will him to speak to 'Plantyne' for St. Augustine's
Works once again. I will send money presently.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. VI. 50.]
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May 7.
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848. POULET to the SECRETARIES.
About the first of this month certain companies of foot passed
by both sides of Rouen towards the Low Countries for the service
of Monsieur, and a company of light horse was expected to pass
the same way. It is said that Monsieur has not spared to signify
to the Estates that if they will not receive him to their benefit,
he can be received to their hurt. The wisest here cannot tell
what to judge of these things till the return of Queen Mother,
and while many are of opinion that Monsieur will not be dissuaded
from this voyage, they have little hope that it will redound to his
honour or profit, being utterly destitute, as is reported, of grave
counsellors or ancient captains.
I have written to you before of the firm friendship there is
between Don John and the Duke of Guise, and messengers pass
between them weekly. I am informed that during this absence
of Queen Mother, the Duke finding the King perplexed or rather
alarmed with these preparations made by Monsieur (wherein the
'Court and country' here is not yet fully satisfied) has reminded
him of his past services, of his fidelity to this Crown, of the
charges he has sustained during these civil wars, greatly to the
diminution of his estate, and that for recompense he has received
only discourtesy, scorns, and reproaches, laying open before him
all his griefs plainly and soundly, and yet in such dutiful manner
as was void of offence. The King has taken this in good part,
and now pretends to repose great trust in him. Beside the outward
demonstration of the increase of his favour towards him,
it is said he has presented him with 200,000 francs. This man
makes his profit of men's faults, and surely has great credit here
both with the soldiers and with the common people.
La Noue, upon the instant request made to him by those of
the religion here, is now at last gone to Monsieur, and there is
good hope that his journey will not be unprofitable to the
Protestants of this country ; but it is certain that Monsieur will
make his profit of his counsel touching this journey to the Low
Countries.
Ten or twelve galleys, with other ships, arrived at a port near
Genoa about the 15th ult. with 2,000 or, as some say, 3,000
Spaniards for Don John. After the galleys had landed their men
they came to Genoa ; whence they departed towards Spain with
four or five other galleys belonging to Andrew Doria. The
'droyth' has been so great in Piedmont and Savoy that the corn
of this year is thought to be utterly destroyed, and the price is
risen already ; so that the Spaniards will be ill-welcome to the
inhabitants.
I find it somewhat strange that Malleroy, brother to Clerevan,
and servant to the Prince of Orange, who arrived here eight or
nine days ago, does not come to me, as heretofore he has been
accustomed. I pray God all things go well between you and the
Prince of Orange. There is a foolish bruit in this town that
Thomas Stukeley has made shipwreck on the coast of Britanny ;
but I do not hear it confirmed, and the news is too good to
be true.
It is said that the truce between the Turk and the Spaniard
is not yet sealed, and that labour is made by some princes to
break it.—Paris, 7 May, 1578.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [France II. 37.]
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May 8.
K. d. L. x.
455.
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849. ROGERS to DAVISON.
I should be glad to ease your labour in seeking for the secret
instructions which three years ago the Commendador gave Bernardo
Mendoza, in order that Mr. Secretary might better supplant
this ambassador's designs. I have thought of Boschott, the
advocate fiscal, who was with Swevenghem in England at the time
when Mendoza arrived. I believe he can both obtain a copy
of the instructions and further you greatly, if he will, in detecting
Spanish practices in England. I thought good to tell this, being
sorry that I did not think of it when I was at Antwerp, for Boschott
seemed always greatly to favour me.—In haste from Bruges,
as your man was ready to take his horse, 8 May 1578.
Add. Endd. ½ p. [Holl. and Fl. VI. 51.]
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May 8.
K. d. L. x.
453.
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850. DAVISON to the SECRETARIES.
I wrote lately from Ghent ; you may hear the details of what
has happened since by this bearer. The traffic with the Duke
of Alençon proceeds here, to the mislike of many. Three thousand
harquebusiers of his troops are said to have already entered the
country, and as it feared are ere this in possession of Quesnoy,
by the means of Count Lalaing, who has in plain terms let the
States understand that he thinks fit to receive them, rather
expressing his sentence than awaiting their direction. Baron
d'Aubigny is in this town, whose partiality that way makes the
matter no less suspicious. The Duke's commissioners are sent for
to Brussels for the more commodious proceeding in treaty, but
their answer is not yet returned. Whatever opinion is held at
home of this action, it is not doubted here that he will go forward,
to the help or hurt of these States ; both which threaten some
unhappy consequence. If he side for their defence, it must be
either in respect of them and their cause, or in regard to his own
'particular.' The first is hardly to be digested, the second as
certainly believed. Now whether he means well or ill, the event
must greatly touch both them and us ; them because they will be
in hazard of returning to the former tyranny or even to a worse,
and us, in that our interest is not small in the good or ill success
of their affairs. However the French proceed, whether in favour
of the Spaniard or of themselves, it is like to be the seed of a
languishing war, and beginning of great alteration ; for they
must at last either reconcile themselves with the King of Spain,
change their master, or translate and change their government.
Of the first there is little hope, of the other two the question
is not yet decided. A great part (I will put you out of doubt)
'allow' to change their master and to take the French in fear
of the Spaniard. Others would change their government, abandoning
both one and the other ; but while this matter grows from
debate to some effect we may rather conjecture than assure the
event.
I need not tell you how much this matter 'imports the looking
to,' but I may safely say that the sooner it is met, the better.
You can now perceive whether her Majesty's forbearing to
declare herself openly has diverted the French, or whether it has
not rather advanced their purpose, with the hazard of her friends
and perhaps prejudice to herself. But as it does not become me,
I will 'wade' no further in this discourse. Only I wish she be
not in the end constrained to fall into this action, to her greater
disadvantage than if she had entered it 'rather' ; though, if it
might be with her safety and honour, I could pray she had nothing
to do with it early or late. I live here utterly ignorant how
things go in our Court ; and though I have lately given you
sundry advices, I have received from you no manner of direction.
If you think I can do service herein, I pray you to let my
ignorance be repaired, knowing what a 'maim' it is in service
abroad to know so little and so seldom from home.
Of the late incident at Maestricht, the apprehension of three
councillors at Ghent when I was there, upon the proclaiming
of an inhibition against the exercise of religion, either publicly
or secretly, with other details of our occurrents, I think Mr.
Rogers can inform you.—Antwerp, 8 May 1578.
Draft. Endd. 1¾ pp. [Ibid. VI. 52.]
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May 8.
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851. [MRS. DAVISON?] to [ ].
Sister, your letter of the 5th had so good speed that it came
to my hands this morning. My cousin Raynoldes intended match
I am now apter to believe than before because you tell me her
name. If I be not deceived, it is a thing has been long in breeding,
and had succeeded ere this if some unkindness had not
happened between my cousin and her friends. I pray God send
them well to do.
Of my brother's estate you write nothing, though I long to
hear well of him. The cold proceeding of the Kentish match is
such news as I expected. If those gentlewomen be where you are,
pray commend me to them all. To doubt of your welcome hither
you should not need, if you would take the journey in hand.
Though there be a 'maim' such as you know in our ability, there
is no lack in our good wills. If you resolve on it, let me know betimes.
Mr. Davison has willed me to commend him to you, and
bade me say that he hopes one day to make as good sport with your
ladyship as you make now with his lordship. He would have been
glad if you had come with me, and would be glad yet to see you
here ; the rather if you spend your melancholic humour before your
coming over, because this station makes that humour abound too
much with him already. Frank commends him to you, and is of
opinion you will love him well now Henry is gone.—Antwerp, 8
May 1578.
Draft, partly in Davison's hand. Endd. by him : To Sir Fra.
Wals.[!] 1 p. [Ibid. VI. 53.]
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May 8.
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852. WALSINGHAM to DAVISON.
The merchant adventurers here have acquainted me with an intended
alteration of the exercise of the common prayer in the
English House there, contrary, or, at least, not agreeable with the
received order in the Church of this realm ; and have also informed
me that you are a principal furtherer thereof. I have thought
good, therefore, as one that wishes you well, to let you know that
if it should come to her Majesty's ears it would greatly kindle her
offence both against the Company of adventurers for yielding to
such an innovation, and against yourself for furthering it. Therefore,
I cannot but advise you to forbear further proceeding therein,
and to suppress it before our repair thither, in case you have
established any such order. I do not write this as one that mislikes
such a form of prayer ; but I would have all reformations
done by public authority. It were very dangerous if every private
man's zeal should carry a sufficient authority of reforming things
amiss. Mr. Travers, your minister there, knows my opinion in
the matter. If you knew with what difficulty we retain what we
have, and that the seeking of more might hazard that, you
would, Mr. Davison, deal warily in this time, when policy carries
more sway than zeal. Yet we have great cause to thank God for
what we at present enjoy, having His word sincerely preached,
and the sacraments truly ministered. The rest we lack, we must
beg by prayer and await with patience.
I doubt not you will take profit of this advice, so that the
inconvenience that otherwise might ensure both to the company
and yourself may be avoided.—London, 8 May 1578.
P.S.—Commend me to Mr. Villiers, excuse my not writing,
and tell him that I am afraid, in case religion should break out
into public exercise, the state of things standing as it doth,
it would breed some dangerous divisions there, and advance us here
to a great mislike thereof. Therefore it were well the Prince
stayed the matter for a time more apt for such a change.
Add. Holograph. Endd. 2 pp. [Ibid. VI. 54.]
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May 8.
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853. KILLIGREW to DAVISON.
The gentleman, bearer hereof, is Sir William Woddus' youngest
son, commended to me by his father-in-law [i.e., stepfather], Mr.
[Drue] Drury. He goes over to serve that . . . be the better
able to . . . hereafter, if God send him home again. M.
Villiers sent me word that he had obtained a place for him under
M. de la Garde, where he might, with the art military, learn
also the French tongue ; to whom I am now writing by him, and
also presume to commend him to you, hoping that if he shall
need your favour and countenance . . . in his honest causes,
that . . . not fare the worse for. . . .—London, 8 May
1578.
Add. 1 p. Somewhat damaged. [Ibid. VI. 55.]
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