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Jan. 22.
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528. Document dated Portugalete, 22 Jan. 1579, in which Pedro
de Arandia witnesses the acknowledgement made by Ochoa del Casal
that he has received from James Geraldine 50 ducats 'which are
worth 18,750 mrs. of Castilian money' ; 'being part payment on
account of a bond which I have given to Juan Alonso de Muxica in
the name of the said Count, in consideration of the sale of my ship
and for the work I have to do on the said ship.' Signed, in the
presence of Henry Ryan and Laurence More, clerk, chaplain to his
lordship, 'Ochoa del Casal,' 'Pedro de Arandia.'
Spanish. p. [Spain I. 18.]
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Jan. 22.
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529. POULET to WALSINGHAM.
'Good Sir Francis Walsingham,'Though I confess with joy
that I have many ways before this received at your hands most
evident testimonies of your unfeigned good will, and may say that
I have always placed your friendship in the first rank of the blessings
which God has given me in this world ; yet I am moved by
many reasons to prefer your late condoling letter before all your
other benefits and to account of it as of the most singular and
absolute token of your favour. 'You write not after the common
manner of men of this time, and as we commonly say, for the
manner sake, but you write at length, seriously and pithily,' and
God knows I have been much comforted by it. The burthen is the
easier that is borne by many ; and it does not suffice you to have
put on my person and to participate with me in my trouble, but
you seek also by good and godly counsel to moderate the portion
which remains to me and cannot be imparted to any other. Time,
reason, and religion ought to have framed in me a perfect tranquillity
before the receipt of your letter, but I must confess, to my
shame, that I never had greater need of comfort than at the time
when I received it. My days were full of thoughts, and my nights
were full of dreams, and my head and body were dangerously
altered. But your letter set forth my faults to me as in a glass ;
and seeing them, I have repented, and, repenting, I feel the mercy
of God towards me, and now I trust, if I cannot forget this late
'accident,' at least never to remember it in sin. Thus you may
more easily conceive than I can express, the comfort which I have
received by your letter, and I thank you most humbly for it.
Paris, 22 Jan. 1578.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [France III. 3.]
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Jan. 24.
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530. WALSINGHAM to DAVISON.
I have received your letter sent by Mr Rogers. Duke Casimir
landed in England the Sunday after his departure from Ghent [i.e.
Jan. 18]. He has been very honourably received, his coming being
acceptable to her Majesty and grateful to the people, for the cause
of religion, of which they know him to be a maintainer. Some
malicious persons have not been wanting, who have given out that
he came to receive somewhat at her Majesty's hands, thereby to work
dislike of his coming, but that being now proved false, he is the
more welcome to her. I have not yet seen him or Beutrich, but
whatever I hear from them against you, be sure I will suspend my
judgment.London, 24 Jan. 1578.
P.S.(Autograph.) I understand from Mr Secretary that her
Majesty is disposed to 'revoke' you, only in respect of the charges,
and that she finds that people 'ingrate' for the benefits they have
received.
Add. Endd. p. [Holl. and Fl. XI. 38.]
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[Week
ending
Jan. 24.]
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531. [DAVISON] to LEICESTER.
You may perceive by the enclosed what has passed here of
moment since my last. Touching your provision of wines, I have
written three or four times to Collen, but know not what to assure
you, having received no answer. Those which you 'most reckon of'
grow in Duke Casimir's country, by whose favour you might be best
sped in that behalf, as the merchants here inform me ; but I will
not fail to let you know what I hear from Collen. For better surety
I have been in hand with the Prince, that if I cannot 'speed from
Collen to any contentment,' I may have it provided by his factor and
brought down with his provision ; which he has promised to give
order for. I look to hear your opinion by the next.
Duke Casimir's journey, and Monsieur's embassy to England
have occupied 'the witty of our discourse' here. The first is
suspected by our Catholics to tend to some new league for the
advancing of religion and alteration of the State here ; and the
Duke of Anjou's ministers are jealous also of his hindering the
success of their master's designs. I should be glad to have your
opinion of it in a line, that I may accommodate my doings here.
The Prince has spoken to me the last day of the old motion for
your coming over ; the 'cross success' of which seems as he asserts,
to grieve him not a little ; being persuaded that if it had gone
forward both the cause of religion and the common weal would
have been in better terms than they are ; though, thank God, the
one is amid all these difficulties reasonably well advanced. If there
were any hope of prevailing, those here are ready to renew their
suit ; but her Majesty's indisposition to enter into a war makes
them despair of any such succour.
The Marquis before he went to Artois complained to me of the
wrong he had received in England to be thought so much French
as to have forgotten his and his countrymen's obligations to her
Majesty ; but however he would disguise it, I cannot see that he has
been injured by such apprehensions.
Draft. Endd. p. [Holl. and Fl. XI. 39.]
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Jan. 25.
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532. DAVISON to BURGHLEY.
I wrote to you from Ghent by Mr Rogers, the more briefly
because he could tell you at large in what state he left things here.
What has occurred since you may see by the copies enclosed. It
seemsas no mischief happens alonethat having overcome the
troubles in Flanders they are entering into a new labyrinth with
those of Hainault and Artois, whose malice to religion has already
divided them from the rest of the country. The Marquis 'is
addressed' to them, to see if he can repair that accident ; but I
vehemently suspect his success.Antwerp, 25 Jan. 1578.
P.S.I am driven to be a humble suitor to you, that I may be
assisted with five or six months 'diets' always beforehand, that I
be not forced to consume myself still on the exchange, as I have
done hitherto. I hope that in a demand so honestthe rather
considering the incredible dearth of things here, and the slenderness
of my allowance, doubly inferior, I protest, to my necessary
expensesyou will not deny me your favour ; which I shall be at
all times ready to deserve with my uttermost service.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. XI. 40.]
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533. Draft of the above. Endd. p. [Ibid. XI. 40a.]
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[Jan. 25.]
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534. DAVISON to LEICESTER.
Almost identical with first part of the above. Draft. Endd. p.
[Ibid. XI. 40b.]
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Jan. 25.
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535. DAVISON to the SECRETARIES.
You may have heard from Mr Rogers on what points the Walloons
were 'accorded,' and in what state he left the doings in
Flanders. Nothing has happened since in those parts, save that
Baron de Montigny, having discovered some intelligence between
la Motte and certain captains of the Walloons for betraying Cassel into
his hands, has apprehended 40 of the chief conductors of that practice,
and as it seems intends to do such justice on them as their act
deserves ; thereby the rather to testify his own integrity and good
disposition to maintain the accord. Of this he has already yielded
some argument by sending honest letters to Artois, Hainault, Lille,
Douay, and Orchies since the conclusion with the Flemings ; though
the malice of the time and unhappy destiny of those frontier provinces
seem to carry them headlong to ruin, as you may guess by
their new association (in which Lille and Tournay have as yet made
difficulties about participating) and by the project of their reconciliation
with the King. Of both these I send copies, referring
further judgement to the success of the Marquis of Havrech ; who
being dispatched, with the abbot of St Gertrude and Meetkercke, to
the Duke of Alenon, is from thence to repair into Artois to divert or
at least defer all that he may, the effecting of their reconciliation.
As for the general pacification 'set abroach' by the Emperor's
ambassador, I see not yet what good to hope. The last answer of
the Prince of Parma was that he had no commission to treat either
of peace or truce, because the matter on the King's behalf was
wholly referred to the Emperor, to whose judgement unless the
States likewise remit themselves he thought the motion impertinent.
Hereupon the States have decided to send the ambassador
back once again, submitting themselves as fully as the King to the
arbitrament of his Imperial Majesty ; to whom they have
nevertheless written on their own part that they understood his
interposition to be as mediator, a title which he has always
'pretended,' and not as judge. But whereto all this 'directs,'
or what fruits it is likely to yield, is not hard to foresee ; though
the infinite alteration and changes which grow from hour to hour
in the actions of our life, but especially in matters of war (in the
event of which the conjectures of the unrest are many times
'deceavable'), feeds some men with a hope of a good result,
notwithstanding that the advices from all parts manifestly argue a
contrary inclination in the King's behalf, which no doubt the
growing divisions for religion and decayed credit of the Duke of
Alenon will not a little advance.
As touching the Duke's stay or departure, it seems to
hang in suspense. He has accepted the town of Ath, and so
deferred his return for a few daysa good part of his train
having already departedto see if the States will alter their
wonted trifling in their behalf ; but it seems he has already
gathered his best crop of this year's seed. To-morrow the
Marquis, the abbot of St Gertrude and Meetkercke should take
their journey towards him, with a 'legatie' full of compliments,
the substance of which is to excuse the States for not having
hitherto been able to answer his expectations as they would, to
persuade him to stay in the country, if it may 'stand with his commodity,'
to ask him to be content with the town of Ath for his
abode, till they have taken some better order ; or, finding him
resolute to return, to conduct him honourably to the frontier,
endeavouring by all means so to remove, or at least to qualify, the
'malcontentment' which he may receive, that the amity between
them may be preserved. But as men are more mindful of injuries
than of benefits received, and more apt to avenge the one than to
'acquite' the other, it is thought the indignities which he
'presumes' to have received will not so easily be forgotten by him.
Touching the enemy's proceedings, we hear that from Carpen, a
place of some importance, lying upon a branch of the Rhine this side
Collen, which he won ten or twelve days ago, he is come down to the
siege of Gueldre, on the confines of Guelderland, not far from Venlo,
which being of no great force, will, it is thought, have surrendered
ere this. Of a new general there is yet no resolution. Monsieur
has laboured to have the place as his due ; but that has many
impediments.Antwerp, 25 Jan. 1578.
P.S.The prisoners are come from Ghent to Dendermond, where
they await orders for their transportation ; Champagny with the
Bishops of Ypres and Bruges to Collen, and the rest to Cleves.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XI. 41.]
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Jan. 25.
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536. Draft of the above. Endd. [Ibid. XI. 41a.]
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Jan. 25.
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537. Copy of the above. Endd. by Burghley. [Ibid. XI. 41b.]
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Jan. 25.
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538. DAVISON to WALSINGHAM.
I have not forgotten to deal with the Emperor's ambassador in
the matter you commended to my care. I find that when he was
last with the enemy he was particularly informed of it by Fonck,
who imputed the motion of that enterprise, as he tells me, wholly to
you. While doing my utmost to 'justify' your innocence, I also
prayed him to procure me at his return, if possible, the copy of his
confession, especially at the time of his death ; not doubting but
that if he had any feeling of honesty or conscience he had then
sufficiently cleared you, and revoked what was drawn from him by
torture, after the manner of those who overcome with the greatness
of their torment will confess anything to be eased of the pain. He
has promised me to do his utmost to obtain the confession, of which
you shall not fail as soon as it comes to my hands.
The clearing of Spinola's accounts with the States, on which the
delivery of the last obligation depends is the reason I defer to send
both it and the rest of her Majesty's bonds till the next dispatch.
Antwerp, 25 Jan. 1578.
P.S.I beseech you be good to this bearer, my old servant, in
his allowance, being the first extraordinary benefit he has ever had
in my service. If you will 'examine' the strange accident that
befell him, riding with me between Morpeth and Newcastle, I doubt
not but you will think he has deserved well of me.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. XI. 42.]
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[Jan. 25.]
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539. Sheet containing rough drafts of
(a) the above.
(b) the following, No. 540.
(c) letter to [?] Randolph :
I cannot often dispose of myself as I would, by reason of the continual
travail and occupation which this service yields. If I do not
therefore often enough remember you with my letters I hope you will
excuse me. I received yours by the last post, the more welcome
that I am seldom visited by the letters of my friends. Your opinion
of the likely result of our wooing ambassador on that side in no
way differs from what I always expected. The ground of this last
motion was doubtless only the action of this country. But as
men are apt to make easy by hope and imagination that which
in itself is full of difficulty, so they had in this respect promised
themselves another kind of success than has yet succeeded. The
Duke himself is now at Ath, disposed as he pretends to tarry
no longer in this country, seeing no hope to change the trifling
course of the States in his respect. They have dispatched a solemn
embassy to see if they can stay him, pressing that his presence there
may much further the King's inclination to peace.
(d) various letters (fragments).
Endd. : to Mr Secretary Wals. 3 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XI. 43.]
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Jan. 27.
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540. DAVISON to the SECRETARIES.
I wrote two days ago by a servant of mine. Since then we have
news of the return of the Duke of Alenon into France, hastened by
the difficulty made by those of Ath to receive him into their town
notwithstanding the order of the States ; to whom though complaining
both by letters and by ambassadors of this as well as other
ingratitudes, he pretends to 'postpose' the particular indignities
offered him to the affection which he has always borne, and will
continue, to their cause, as they will find by further trial of him if
their necessity hereafter present the occasionthough the effect be
doubted.
Meantime, as the country is thus 'uncumbered' of one difficulty
by the departure of himself and his forces, whose 'success' could
not more differ from their hope on the other side, we 'rest attentive'
what will grow both of the ambassador's new journey about the
peace, the scope of which traffic tends, in common presumption to a
division of the country, and of the doings in Artois, etc. If the
commissioners newly dispatched thither, a copy of whose instructions
I send you, can do no good, there remains no hope to 'eschew'
the long-threatened civil war, unless the variable conditions of the
time haply produce some helping accident not thought of ; which
depends on the providence of the Almighty.
Of the enemy's success about Gueldre we have no news since my
last. Duke Casimir's reiters, transported into Flanders upon an
'imprest' of 5 florins a horse, were to begin to dislodge thence
yesterday. The rest of the States' forces still remain scattered about
the country awaiting their pay. Meantime it is incredible what the
poor country suffers, and how much their spoil has 'dearthened' all
things and made them scarce. The remedy as far as I see is yet to
seek.
I received last night by Walter Williams her Majesty's letter
addressed to the States in respect of the Duke of Alenon, and have
asked an audience of them ; which is appointed for to-morrow
morning. I will tell you the result in my next.Antwerp,
27 Jan. 1578.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XI. 44.]
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Jan.
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541. A list of the names of persons appointed to fill vacancies in
the command of 'compagnies d'ordonnances,' or to receive additions
to their commands, or to command new companies. Also of newly-appointed
knights of the order, etc.
Endd. : mem. of knights of the order newly made at Chartres.
Fr. 2 pp. On the back is a note of five lines : Marchant, do not fail
to bring me at 4 o'clock either 32 crowns or my box, if you would
ever do me a service, my digestive powder (drage) and some points ;
and keep me this note with my other papers. My table service will
be set free at another time ; I want a pair of sheets. Do not fail to
come at 4 o'clock to speak to Me.. [France III. 4.]
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Jan.-Feb.
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542. Paper containing receipts for sums of money received from
Juan Alonso de Muxica, by Myn de la Fenteria (200 reals at
Plasencia,Jan. 3), Pedro de Basteguia (150 reals at Plasencia,Jan.
3), 'Maese' Pedro de Lorrola, to raise troops for the present expedition,
which it is offered to make on behalf of the Duke (150 reals
onJan. 17, 150 more onJan. 21, and 50 besides, at Plasencia).
'Maese' Pedro also acknowledges the receipt of 100 reals and more
at Portugalete, and further 'my charge of 8 ducats which I gave to
Maese Pedro de Aldraca that he might have wherewith to keep
the soldiers he raised. I have received up to Feb. 5,416 reals.'
Endd.? in Walsingham's hand : Here is how Don Juan receiveth
as much money as he had of (?) Claymont. Span. 1 pp.
[Spain I. 17.]
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