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June 11.
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217. STOKES to WALSINGHAM.
My last to you were the 4th and 6th inst. Since which it was
thought there would have been great store of news here ; but it has
fallen out the contrary, for all things have been still.
The Malcontents after being beaten out of their trenches and
sconces by the small camp of the States that lies at Loo, of which
I wrote in my last, retired to an open village called 'Hounscott,'
which they spoiled and afterwards ransomed at 4,000, which the
inhabitants 'hath and must' pay. Thence they marched to
Poperinghe, where they did the like. Besides, in passing through
the country they took with them all the cattle they could find, and
have sent them to victual the rest of their camp before Cambray.
So Montigny with his forces lies on the frontier between Artois and
Flanders at a place called Saint-Venant.
The States' camp lies still at Loo in very good order awaiting the
coming of Monsieur's forces, which is greatly desired here ; for
their coming seems to them very long.
It is said here that Monsieur is now in England, which news
seems very strange to the magistrates of this town and the rest of
the Four Members who are at present here ; for they hoped that he
had now been with his forces very near the frontier, which makes
them sorry to hear the contrary.
This week, by letters from Artois, Cambray continues still in
some danger to be lost, for the Malcontents 'make great vaunts to
have it,' or it be long ; which is greatly feared here.
The Prince of Epinoy with his forces in Tournay made a 'roode'
as far as Mons in Hainault, and has returned with many prisoners
of good value and a great number of cattle ; for the country in those
parts looked for no such matter, which made them bolder to be
abroad.
The magistrates of this town still go forward against the Pope's
religion. This week by proclamation they have banished the Mass
clean out of this town ; which before was used in no churches but
secretly in houses. So now a law is made, whenever the Mass is said
in any house, for every time the 'honor' of the house shall pay
100 'gildons,' and everyone that is present 30, and the priest to be
banished the town for ever. Of these forfeits the 'presenter' shall
have one-third, the poor another, and the rest goes to the town. So
it is sharply looked to, and every 'gildon' is 3s. 4d.Bruges, 11
June 1581.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl XIV. 84.]
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June 12.
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218. to
Sir, I thought to persuade the other captains to give the enemy a
camisade this night. They are at Ayberghen, two leagues from us.
One has just come who assures me that there have arrived to-day
three ensigns of infantry, two Walloon and one German, and
that they are expecting yet more. If you want to beat the convoy,
you must make up your mind to fight with 600 horse and as much
infantry. It seems to me if you will send all the cavalry across and
at once make 300 and 400 harquebusiers cross at Doesborg and
march straight on the castle of Hatfort, the enemy cannot enter
Zutphen without fighting us, and with the help of God, I know no
reason of God [sic] why they should not be ours. Whatever you
do must be done quickly.
I am puzzled at having no news from those who have arrived at
the house of Dort, in order to have intelligence of each other. I
have sent them two posts to-day, to hold themselves ready.Lochem,
12 June 1581.
Endd. with date only. Fr. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XIV. 85.]
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June 12.
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219. The COUNT OF VIMIOSO to COBHAM.
I have received a letter from the Queen of England, which has
made me her servant for ever. I am determined to go and pay her
my respects and place my life and goods at her command. Please
advertise me of her pleasure.
The opportunity of recovering our realm presents itself. I have
letters from the king my master for her Majesty. The King of
France is doing for me more than he can [sic] and more than I
desire ; he has written to his ambassadors who are in your country,
and will do what I ask him in these particulars, and the duke his
brother the same. Meanwhile M. Strozzi is gone to the coast, to
make stay of the ships and get things ready, and I think that he
will get my people on board shortly, and sufficient for my purpose.
Keep it secret, and let me know if you have any occasion to command
me. I will perform with the mind your debtor should
have.Tours, 12 June 1581. (Signed) Don Francisco.
P.S.You can fully trust Francisco Antonio di Sosa.
Holograph. Add. Endd. by L. Tomson. Ital. 1 pp.
[France V. 86.]
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June 12.
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220. COBHAM to [WALSINGHAM].
At my coming here from Blois, Count Vimioso sent me this
packet enclosed requesting it might be sent by the next convenient
messenger to Don Roderigo de Souza, in which was matter
concerning her Majesty's service, and that it might be delivered
while Monsieur was in England. I suppose it may yet come in
time to satisfy that purpose, since it is understood his mother is at
present with him at Nantes ; as I found by the answer I received
the other day at Chartres, where on my return hither I met Prim
and Brooke, by whom her Majesty's packet was brought to me. I
sought to have access to the king for the speedy accomplishing of
her commands received in the dispatch from you. None of the
secretaries being either at Chartres or at Dollenville, where the king
arrived that day with his young queen, I sent Thomas Walsingham
to M. d'O, asking him to be the means I might have audience.
M. d'O, after he had known the king's pleasure, signified to me that
he would be in three days at Saint-Maur, with his mother, where I
should be admitted to their presence. Meantime Secretary
Brulart came to Chartres, to whom I sent, requesting that if I
could not then have andience, he would let me know some certain
time when I should either return to Dollenville or repair to Saint-Maur,
to deliver the Queen's mind to his Majesty. I received from
Secretary Brulart, after he had seen the king, the same answer as
before. So this king shows himself in her Majesty's causes a
'pleasing child' towards his mother, in such sort that in her
absence I seldom get audience. But it may be the little train he
had with him, as also that he seldom or never gives access to
ambassadors at that place, has been the only stay. So it will be
the longer before I can obtain answer to your last letter, though
I shall not fail to solicit his Majesty.
Count Vimioso pretends to have a great desire to cross the sea to
solicit her Majesty on behalf of Don Antonio. He sent, as I am
informed, a gentleman to the king at Blois to impart this 'meaning'
to him. Meantime Strozzi, doubting that the count would not have
'ability' to 'wage' those soldiers and to procure munitions sufficient
for the intended voyage to Portugal, has 'given him term' till the
28th of this month ; when either the count is to deliver him money
and show him further ability for advancing that action, or else he will
'leave' to follow that cause, and betake himself to his own affairs.
Paris, 12 June 1581.
Add. and endt. gone. 1 pp. [France V. 87.]
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June 13.
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221. MASINO DEL BENE to WALSINGHAM.
As Mr Waad is returning I will leave to him the care of reporting
matters here, as he has been informed by me so far as my knowledge
extends. At present I will only tell you that I have just heard by
a letter from Constantinople that Ucchiali had given my Portuguese
friend certain English slaves, and the Portuguese had given them
to your ambassador ; who, as I am told by a man of the said
Portuguese, does not comport himself at that Court as is requisite.
He sends me word that it would be well if the Queen appointed
some one of rather more quality and more practical in the world's
affairs ; especially as he has had some quarrel with Ucchiali and is
not very agreeable to him.
As for the Portuguese, I am informed by the Venetian ambassador
among others that he has much influence with Ucchiali, and I see
plainly that he wants her Majesty to know that he does him services
. . . . . this costs nothing . . . . in such wise that I judge it
would not be amiss [if] . . . . she wrote and ordered her ambassador
to avail himself of his favour and counsel. If she does this,
she will be able to write to him under cover to her ambassador and
also to me [?] in order that if one be lost, the other may arrive
safely.Paris, 13 June 1581.
Add. Endd. (with date June 3). Ital. 1 p. [France V. 87 bis.]
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June 14.
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222. LORD JOHN HAMILTON to WALSINGHAM.
If you remember, when I was at Moret I wrote to you desiring
you to do so much for me as to request the Queen in my favour,
that I might be supported by her. This I now perceive you have
done, inasmuch as she has granted to me a seemly pension, and I
am entered into possession of one part of the payment of the same,
for which I thank you heartily, and shall be ready to requite it to
you and yours when occasion shall present. Meantime I pray you
to hold me in her Majesty's good graces, assuring her that what she
has pleased to grant me will not be ill-bestowed, for none shall be
willing to do her more thankful and obedient service.Paris,
14 June 1581.
Add. Endd. Scottish. 1 p. [France V. 88.]
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June 15.
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223. COBHAM to [WALSINGHAM].
Having received this letter from Count Vimioso, I 'would not but'
forward it to you ; since in it he professes to be taking his journey
towards her Majesty. The bringer of it, a gentleman of his, told
me that there is a Portuguese carvell arrived at Rochelle this last
week in which are some principal personages of that Court. I conjectured
that the chief was Don Antonio ; but though I pressed him
to discover the truth, he would not declare it plainly, but assured
me there was some good means and sufficient maintenance for their
cause.
A Portuguese gentleman passed this morning towards Tours. He
landed at Calais, and is gone to the count with good news, as he
affirmed to me.
I learn from Pryme's letters that the count proposes to dispatch
him to England within three days.Paris, 15 June.
P.S.Some think that these two brothers meet to-day at 'Noyse,'
at the house of Marshal de Retz.
Holograph. Endd. 1 p. [France V. 89.]
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June 15.
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224. COBHAM to [WALSINGHAM].
The king has been in this town since Monday the 12th inst.,
lodging in M. d'O's house, and passing some of his time at the
Palais, some at St Denis fair, and other places where he is accustomed
to be 'cheered.' He has since being here called to his company
none of the cardinals or princes of the House of Guise, nor
others. In his open shows and speeches he continues to mislike his
brother's enterprises. Meantime his mother has been ever since
Saturday with Monsieur at Mantes, persuading him, as it is understood,
to alter his determination, or else to accommodate himself to
the king his brother's mind, whereby he might have the means
better assured to accomplish those enterprises. She has also wished
him to confer with the king in some convenient place, where they might
speak their minds frankly one to the other, by which means some
suspicions on both sides might be cleared. But Monsieur remains
resolute in what he has professed both to those of the Low Countries
and to other friends and confederates ; addressing his forces by all
means to the relief of Cambray, and soliciting his followers to hasten
their coming to him. He has ordered part of his troops to march
near Mantes, part by Chteau-Thierry, and part to pass at Montereau,
which are the principal passages for transporting victuals to
this city. Above 1,200 lances, with divers armour and ammunitions,
have been brought and sent to him this week.
Marshal Matignon, accompanying the Queen Mother, at his first
coming presented himself to do his accustomed reverence to
Monsieur ; but he refused to receive him, and turned his back, at
which the marshal was much amazed, and 'lamented himself' to
some of Monsieur's servants. By them his Highness was so far
moved in the marshal's behalf as to say that if Marshal Matignon
did not provoke him with speeches, he would use silence towards
him. But the marshal could not be satisfied so, being deeply
discontented ; therefore the next day, after Monsieur's rising from
table, the marshal went to him, beseeching him to declare the
causes of his displeasure. Monsieur alleged that he had solicited
the king for the 'defeating' of certain of his troops who had passed
not far from Vendme ; and that he had not only commanded M.
Beauvais-Nangis to do that exploit, but had then procured the king
to command M. Beauvais to do what he, the marshal, had given
him in charge. By this he found himself so much injured that he
thought him unworthy of the name or place of one of the marshals
of France, but rather reputed him to be no gentleman, and to
deserve to be punished according to his merits ; with many other
speeches, showing great indignation, and delivered in such earnest
manner that the marshal left the place, and went at once from his
Highness's Court. Queen Mother remained greatly troubled,
shedding many tears and showing Monsieur that these 'accidents'
would alter the king's mind towards him and raise further discontents
between them. She uses sundry manners of 'purposes' in her
speeches. To some she laments that Monsieur's determination is
so contrary to the king's opinion that she finds no apparent means
to accord them ; so that through their discord and the grief she
sustains thereby, she is like to have her life shortened. But in
conference with others she seems to discover that if the king
remains obdurate in his overthwart dealings, she will favour
Monsieur.
Monsieur having addressed letters to the Parlement of Paris
(copies of which I enclose), those of the Parlement refused to
receive them, and certified the king thereof. The king has lately
published another proclamation forbidding all levies of soldiers
and commanding such companies to be 'defeated' as are not
massed together, or do not march without his own commission.
Notwithstanding this, the Marquis of Elbeuf, Count Brissac, and
M. de Laval are gathering their troops to serve his Highness, as
divers noblemen and gentlemen are passing from sundry parts of
this realm to serve him ; but how all this will prosper, few can
discern. They hope that the negotiation which her Majesty has
passed with the French commissioners will become the best means
to maintain the love between these princes, breeding a better
mutual intelligence and more confidence. Meantime however the
king laments that Monsieur does not deal so overtly with him
as he thought it behoved him to do in causes of such moment,
suspecting further the 'intrinsical' privy resolutions and contriving
of matters which passes between Monsieur and his sister the Queen
of Navarre, by whom the king takes himself to be hated, perceiving
that she maintains in Monsieur's favour those who are least grateful
to himself ; which manner of men the king esteems to be improper
persons to undertake such charge as they take upon them.
Through these opinions his mind is variously drawn and framed in
appearance irresolute ; and notwithstanding his demonstrations the
nobility and gentlemen who are Monsieur's voluntary friends
are repairing towards these parts with their warlike furniture to
accompany him in the relief of Cambray. But, as it is judged, he
will hardly amass together 1,000 horse, most of which will come
meanly mounted, 'nakedly' armed, strange to orders or commands,
and being voluntary soldiers, will not prolong their stay from their
homes after their provision is spent and they are driven to suffer
the inconveniences of war. Besides, unless the king favours Monsieur's
beginnings, there will be little artillery or munitions, which
are most requisite. So the estate of his Highness standing in those
terms, beside the lack of money, occasions the chief persons who
are to command in this army to mistrust the issue of this journey ;
nor will they willingly consent to fight with these simple forces, his
Highness being in the field ; for he will be in personal danger of
being taken or slain. The chief captains would like it well if 5,000
horse and 6,000 shot could be had ; wherewith they might trust to
repulse the enemy and succour Cambray. In such terms these
affairs appear to continue hitherto ; which I have thought good to
signify, considering it seems her Majesty cares for Monsieur's
advancement of his enterprises.
The Abate d'Elbene visited the nuncio on behalf of Monsieur,
paying the ordinary compliments. The nuncio seemed to receive
this office in good part, but yet in some strange and solemn manner.
M. de Clervant has been with the deputies of Dauphin at Mantes,
where they had audience of Monsieur and the queen. They have
since sought access to the king, but it is deferred till his coming to
Saint-Maur.
M. de Clervant has told me that the King of Navarre desires to
have his good will and service commended to her Majesty whenever
she may be pleased to command him. Meantime he is gone to pass
the summer at the baths of 'Aqu Scandis' [qu. Eaux Chaudes] in
Barn, at the foot of the 'Mounts Pyreynes,' with the queen his wife.
The Prince of Cond has returned to Seint-Jean-d'Angely.
The ambassador of Spain at his last audience signified that the
king his master had solicited and obtained of the Pope both men and
money for the wars of Dauphin ; encouraging the king with large
persuasions to that purpose.
The Duke of Montpensier has returned from Blois to his house
somewhat sickly, wishing if his health serve, to repair into Guyenne.
The Duke of Maine has come to Paris and is lodged with his
brother the Duke of Guise. The preparations for war in Dauphin
are somewhat slackened.
The king was the other day at sundry marriages ; and departed
yesterday afternoon from M. d'O's house for Dollenville, whence he
purposes to return in two days to Saint-Maur as I am informed by
M. Gondy ; whose means I have used to be admitted to the king's
presence, which he 'has and will' procure with the first 'commodity.'
Dr Allen in my absence resorted lately to 'Bartholomey Martin,'
a merchant in Paris of whom I sometimes receive my money, giving
him a book which he requested might be delivered to me. I send it
as I received it to you by this messenger. Lord Hamilton thanks
her Majesty for the portion of his pension which he received from
his brother Lord Claude.
Queen Mother came here late last night and went this morning
to Saint-Maur.Paris, 15 June 1581.
Endd. by Walsingham. 3 pp. [France V. 90.]
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June 20.
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225. "Instructions for SIR H. COBHAM and for JOHN
SOMMER, now sent thither, 20 June 1581."
Whereas the commissioners the day before their departure
received letters from the king directing them to let her Majesty
understand that touching the stay she made in proceeding to a full
conclusion of marriage till such time as the Duke of Anjou should
be maintained in the prosecution of his enterprise in the Low
Countries, lest otherwise the burden of the charge might chiefly be
thrown on her, which might breed a great misliking in her subjects,
he was content, the marriage proceeding for the advancement of his
brother, not only to assist him in his enterprise, but to enter into
a league offensive and defensive with her, upon any reasonable
conditions that she might propound, and that this league should be
made and ratified immediately after 'the marriage consummate :'
Her Majesty, after request made to the commissioners to yield her
most hearty thanks to the king for his honourable and friendly
offer, being desirous to know whether they had authority to treat
upon the particulars depending thereon, was answered that they
had no such authority ; but they wished her to set down reasonably
the particulars of her demands, and if she would make promise to
marry, they would give her assurance that the king would assent,
on those demands, to the league.
Thereupon, their longer stay here being found unnecessary, they
were dismissed ; but before their departure prayed her Majesty that
her ambassador resident in France might have instructions sent
him to propound the particular demands and so proceed to the
treaty of them ; whereunto her Majesty, not meaning to relinquish
the matter, has for the better direction of the ambassador sent a
special messenger to the king and Queen Mother, fully instructed
to negotiate with them as follows :
First, the king is to be let understand, according to the former
advice given by her ambassador, how necessary it is for them both
to enter into some confederacy to stay the growing greatness of the
King of Spain, which if not prevented, considering what treasures
he will draw from the East and West Indies if suffered quietly to
possess them, the credit he has in Italythe Pope and most of the
Italian princes being at his devotionhis alliance in Germany and
his late pretensions in Scotland, it is apparent will be dangerous
not only to the two Crowns of England and France, but also to all
Europe.
Since considering the second article of these instructions, we
have thought it meet to change the copy, and in place of it and the
rest that follow to add the two following. Touching the rest of the
instructions, containing a 'supposal' of objections, and the answers
thereto, you shall, as occasion is given, continue our answers, if
the same objections are made.
Considering the marriage, which must not be with any charge to
her Majesty or her realm to enter into a present war, she is desirous
to know whether Monsieur's action in the Low Countries may not
effectually be pursued by the help of those countries, and by the
king and Monsieur, without any charge to her or her realm, for
otherwise she cannot without offence to her realm assent to it.
If the king says that he cannot promise to aid his brother as
effectually as the cause requires, without giving just occasion to the
King of Spain to enter into a war, and that he does not mean to do,
'without' he may be assured that the Queen will join with him, it
may be enquired of him whether it were not good for all parties,
the marriage not taking place, that a confederation should be made
between him and her, whereby both the King of Spain might be
stayed from his over-greatness and Monsieur helped in this action ;
this to be done on the part of the French king and on the Queen's
part either indirectly underhand or directly overtly, as shall be
thought meetest by those empowered to treat thereon.
In case the king shall object, as it is likely he will :(1) That
there cannot be the same security for the continuance of the league
without as with marriage ;
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(2) That in reason the subjects of this realm should be more
willing to expose their lives in assisting the duke in the Low
Countries when they shall have hope that the issues with which
God may bless her Majesty and him will possess such conquests as
he may perform, than when they can enjoy no part of the fruits of
their hazard and expense ;
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(3) That the king, seeing it necessary for his brother to marry,
shall be forced, as one following fortune, if this marriage does not
proceed, to join in amity with those princes 'where his brother
shall match.' If this falls out to be with Spain, as by great offers
he is likely to be 'provoked thereunto,' this intended league cannot
continue ;
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To these objections it may be replied as follows :
(1) If it is conceived that the amity cannot be so sound without
as with marriage, the consequence would be infallible if it were
altogether grounded on marriage. But seeing that it has for its
foundation the necessity of mutual defence, this cannot but carry
continuance, for no bond is of more force than that which is grounded
upon necessity, and where both parties profit by the confederacy,
and shall find their states endangered if they do not make it, or
dissolve it when made. Besides, experience confirmed by sundry
examples teaches that it does not always fall out that those amities
are soundest that are grounded on marriage.
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(2) It may be answered that generally subjects rather behold and
are touched by the grievance of present charges, than duly weigh
future benefits ; and therefore they will better 'allow' that, the
marriage not proceeding, some such course may be held that the
contribution to be yielded may be 'done' underhand, and so an
open war, subject to infinite incommodities, avoided ; whereas, if it
proceeds, they do not see, the duke being before marriage entered
into an open war, how it may be eschewed.
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(3) It is to be replied that those who know the integrity of the
duke can never think that he will for any respect be induced to
assent to so unlawful a match 'by too near a degree in blood,' being
a thing condemned both by the laws of God and nature ; and therefore
cannot think that he will bend his choice that way. As for
the great offers that may be made him by Spain, the experience
of the not performing of like offers heretofore, which have served
only to put by such attempts as would otherwise have been made
against 'him,' ought to lead the king and his brother to discern the
'abuse' of such offers. Besides, while the matter is in treaty, the
King of Spain being suffered to proceed with the 'recovery' of the
conquest belonging to the Crown of Portugal, and also to prosecute
without impeachment the war in the Low Countries, it is likely his
progress will be such that he will not need afterwards to fear any
hindrance that may be given by either France or England. Then,
being beforehand, the pride of the Spanish nature being duly considered,
it may be thought what performance is likely to follow of
such large offers as he was forced to make, to serve his turn in
necessity ; especially when their accomplishment is likely to make
him great, whose strength he ought in course of policy by all means
to abate.
Besides these objections it is very probable that the king will allege
that the treaty of marriage between her Majesty and his brother has
proceeded so far that he cannot see but that the breach will not only
be dishonourable to him and to his brother, but also to herself, and
therefore will earnestly insist that it may go forward, offering that
whereas she objects his brother's enterprise in the Low Countries
as the chief impediment, in view of her 'subjects'' dislike to it, his
brother shall abandon it if she thinks good.
To this it may be answered that forasmuch as great causes are
subject to great impediments, if those to which this match is subject
be duly looked into, it may appear to the world that the not
proceeding with it is grounded on good respects, so that the
supposed dishonour to fall out by the breach of it may well
be helped ; for it is well known that the only and principal cause
that has moved her Majesty to incline to marriage has been to
content her subjects, who a few years ago were importunate upon
her to yield to marriage ; which now of late falling out otherwise,
contrary to her expectation, now when the matter is growing to a
conclusion, she considers how great a grief it may be both to the
duke and to her, to see it accompanied with a general discontentment
of her people. This she thinks most necessary to be laid
down plainly before the king, before proceeding further in that
behalf. And touching the abandonment of the enterprise in the
Low Countries, her Majesty, foreseeing the dishonour that will
light on the Duke thereby, having engaged himself so far as he has,
as also the danger that will grow to this part of Christendom if the
enterprise should be abandoned and the King of Spain suffered to
to go on with his designs, would be loth that by her not consenting
to marriage, there should ensue such evil effects that thereby both
the honour of the duke should be touched and the King of Spain
have an open way to conquest there ; matter not more harmful
to her than to the King of France. She offers therefore, rather
than leave it, to give assistance underhand, with some 'convenient
charge.'
If the king is satisfied by the answer made to any objections
alleged by him, and thereby be induced to give ear to the league
without marriage, then offer may be made to him to enter into
treaty as to particulars.
Forasmuch as two ways to abate the King of Spain's greatness
have already been propounded by certain of the King's ministers
appointed to treat with her Majesty's ambassador there ;
one, by assisting Don Antonio to recover Portugal, and the
other by supporting the king's brother in the Low Countries ;
it is likely that both these 'purposes' will be renewed, and therefore
the king's mind is to be felt, in what sort he would desire her Majesty
to proceed in either. The first point to be considered therein, is
whether the support is to be given underhand or openly ; and here,
since his brother is entering into open action, it is most likely that
the king will require that her Majesty will enter into open hostility.
He is therefore to be shown that she will thereby receive greater
disadvantage than will he, for her subjects have always great
quantity of goods remaining in Spain, and the King of Spain's
subjects no goods in any of her dominions ; so that in case of an
arrest, which is likely if she enters into open hostility, it would be
more grievous to her subjects than to his, who could be relieved
with the goods which Spanish subjects have in his dominions.
If hereupon the king may be induced to allow that any support
given by her shall be 'done' underhand, in case he proceeds to
demand what treasure she is willing to contribute towards the
enterprises, request is to be made that the cost of them, and the
time of their continuance, may be set down ; after which she will
be content to contribute as according to the proportion of her estate
may reasonably be required of her.
If they require to understand this more particularly, it may be
answered that she will be content to contribute a fourth part of the
charges, either openly or secretly as we may agree ; and will also
cause something to be attempted by sea that shall more annoy the
King of Spain than the employment of 10,000 men by land.
Finally, in case the king persists in this matter of marriage, and
says that he will not treat of any league until he has a decision
thereon, you shall say that you have no authority to deal further in
that matter of marriage ; but that you will advertise us of his
answer ; as we desire you to do with speed.
'Post date.'Whereas we have thought it meet that the subject
of this negotiation shall be communicated to M. d'Anjou before you
treat with the king, you John Somer shall by appointment meet on
the way with de Vray or any other confident person whom Monsieur
shall send to meet you, so that he being informed of your charge
may return to his master to know his opinion ; of which bring
speedy advertisement to Paris, before you repair to the king. And
our meaning is that so far as the two new-added articles may bear
it, you shall conform your proceeding as near as you can to his
contentment.
Draft, with some marginal headings by Walsingham. Endd. by
L. Cave. 8 pp. [France V. 91.]
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226. Fair copy of the above. 7 pp. [Ibid. V. 91a.]
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June 20.
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227. N. COLD [?] to MADAME DE MARCHAUMONT.
I am very sorry that my presence was not able to afford you the
complete settlement of your affairs, but the cause of the delay has
been the opposition raised by M. le Prince [?]. They have stayed it
to have your procuration [?] which being passed you will be dispatched
without difficulty, for which I have expressly charged the
officers of Melun. Failing this I will not fail to see that you get out
of it.Melun, 20 June 1581.
Add. Note on back by Mme de Marchaumont : Knowing he was
at Melun, I wrote to him about your matter. A little letter to
thank him would not be a bad thing. Fr. p. [Ibid. V. 92.]
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