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Aug. 11.
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DR. B. CLARKE to BURGHLEY.
By yours of July 21 I find the slackness of our messengers
here, and would they were well punished when they come into
England. I sent a letter to your lordship of July 22 in young Mr.
Hatton's packet ; I hope it came to your hands. Since then no
matters of importance have fallen out, save that on Mr. Wilkes'
coming "we have given ourselves earnestly to make her Majesty
a particular demonstration of our charges ; our means to support
the same, and of the proof and goodness of our money ; and before
we come to the bottom hereof, I find that we are a great deal
more likely to borrow anew than to pay the old.
"We are now going toward the field, with great companies
and many wants....I pray God our wants suffer us to keep it
one month. In the meantime, Bercke is greatly distressed by
the enemy, I fear we shall come too late to succour it. Sir John
Norrice is commanded to draw that way as fast as may be. A
quarrel is here fallen between the Norrices and the Count Hohenlo ;
....where the fault lieth I cannot judge, for that this moist
Low Country has brought me an ague.....This only I can say,
ex antecedentibus, that much envy followeth their virtue, so that
they live here doubtfully and serve in some discomfort, which in
my poor opinion is great pity, considering their former services
here, and the honour they have done our country"....
My course here is so unmeet for one who has ever professed
learning that I shall be as much bound to you for my revocation
as for the greatest good that ever I can receive.Utrecht, 11
August.
Add. Endd. 1 pp. [Ibid. 83.]
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Aug. 11.
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SIR THOS. SHERLEY to WALSINGHAM.
"There is all haste made that may be to the succour of Berke,
but I doubt we shall not set forwards with our whole company
before Monday night.....
"This day my lord hath taken into his protection five or six
of those that were expelled out of Utrecht. I perceive now that
they were not prosecuted for matter of religion only but upon
other points, though indeed they be great papists.
"Mr. Wilkes was sent hither to very good purpose, for great
need there is of all good means....to keep the people constant
unto us."Utrecht, 11 August.
Holo. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland IX. 84.]
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Aug. 11/21.
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Commission for SIR JOHN NORREYS.
Commission from the Earl of Leicester to Sir John Norreys,
colonel-general of the English Infantry to conduct and command
the troops, horse and foot, going to the succour of Berck, and to do
any service he can against the enemy on his way thither, but
not to adventure the troops except on good occasion. And if he
finds no occasion to do so, then to wait at the said place until
the Earl marches thither with the rest of the troops or sends
him other orders. Giving him authority to command all Admirals,
Captains, officers, mariners and others in service on the ships of
war on the Rhine to go wherever he finds the service of the
country shall require, and ordering all such Admirals, Captains
&c. to obey him, and all Magistrates and officers to give him free
passage by their towns and assist him as he shall have need.
Utrecht, 21 August, 1586.
Endd. "Commission. Sir John Norrys to lead the avantgarde."
Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. 85 (1).]
Copy of the above commission.
Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. 85 (2).]
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Aug. 12.
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LORD NORTH to BURGHLEY.
"I am forced to retract my late advertisement touching the
loss of 'Newce'....Mr. Hearle can inform your lordship of the
very truth. The town was lost without assault. The Prince
had slain there but two hundred, and three hundred hurt which
be dead since.....Clout was hanged and burnt."
Sir Thomas Cecil has gone as commander of the cavalry and Sir
John Norreys colonel of the footmen, with 2500 foot and 500 horse,
as a 'vauntguard,' my lord following this day with all his forces
to succour Berck. There are 1200 English ; viz : Col. Morgan
and Captains Hamde, Pawlet, Lambart, William Thomas,
Latham, Indge. Shawe's company is there and himself going
if it is possible to get in, and Schink there also. "The Lord God
send it to hold out fifteen days, for in the relief of this town
standeth our credit. The late Diet holden in Germany by the
King of Denmark, Duke of Saxe, the two Electors, Palsgrave and
Brandenburg have decreed that there shall be no levies made in
Germany, either for the French King or for the King of Spain.
They will presently arm 12,000 men, whereof 6000 shall be
employed to thrust out the Jesuits and seminaries ; the other
6000 shall come to further the service in these parts.....
Mr. Hearle has carried himself well and wisely and can well,
handle any matter committed to him.Utrecht, 12 August.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland IX. 86.]
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Aug. 12.
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RICHARD CAVENDISH to BURGHLEY.
The cause of my negligence in writing has been my "lothness"
to speak of things unpleasant ; for "so standeth the state of
things here, by reason of the former disgraces received from home,
as these men which they call States can no way now be drawn
to desist from that overthwart course which thereupon they
entered into against his lordship, neither can there now any
means be found to suppress this their barbarous insolency."
unless her Majesty take the supreme government into her own
hands, otherwise these men will "too soon seek for such alteration
as both their own country and ours may too late lament. I hear
that they are in consultation to send to her to excuse their dealings.
"Besides this, we are here grown into picks amongst our selves,
by reason of some intemperance in Mr. Edward Norrys' behaviour
towards my lord Marshal here ; whereupon the Grave of Hollock
taking occasion, did rashly and unadvisedly strike him in the
face and a little hurt him, which disgrace his brother, Sir John
Norrys, taketh also in so ill part as I fear, if they both go now
into the field together, things will not well fall out, notwithstanding
their oaths and protestations to his lordship.....
[Concerning the Protestant diet and levy of reiters, to the
same effect as in Lord North's letter, above.] "This is done
upon view of the papist dealings in Augusta, who have there
thrown out all the protestants, as well Lutherans as other.....
The young Duke of Saxony hath set Pevcerus at liberty, and
thrown the Ubiquitaries out of "Wytenberge."Utrecht, 12
August, 1586.
Postscript.We are now going into the field to raise the siege
of Berck. Sir Thomas Cecil either today or tomorrow marches
forward with Sir John Norryce with the "fore ward," having
the government of all the horse. My lord himself and the rest
follow with all speed.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. 87.]
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Aug. 13.
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THOMAS DIGGES to BURGHLEY.
I enclose a copy of Articles which I have exhibited to his
Excellency, "besides" your Lordship's instructions to me,
soliciting a plain account of her Majesty's treasure. "But such
is the tumultuous business of this time, in tossing bands from
place to place," that there is no time for musters or accounts,
nor leisure left my Lord to determine upon my articles, without
which nothing can be done. He marvelled much that no auditor
was sent to examine and make up these diffuse reckonings.
Unless her Majesty send one speedily, it will be long before any
perfect account can be made.
I also send you a brief of the captains and companies marching
towards "Bergh" under Mr. Norris ; his Excellency meaning to
take all the forces that can be spared out of the garrisons to
relieve this remote town, "which unfortunately causeth us to omit
the spoil of rich Flanders, that otherwise had been at our devotion.
"The States acknowledging their disability to pay our soldiers,
desire earnestly her Majesty would take the sovereignty ; the
people wish the same, in hope that way to find some ease of
taxations &c."Utrecht, 13 August, 1586.
Signed. Add. Endd. 1 p. Seal of arms. [Holland IX. 88.]
Enclosing.
1. "Certain matters....to be speedily determined by his
Excellency for settlement of good order and avoiding of further
confusion."
2. List of "Bands rising the 13th of August under....Sir
John Norris, Colonel General." viz :
In the Queen's pay :
Horse. Sir Thos. Cecil, Sir John Norris, Capt. Butler, Capt.
Dormer, 270.
Foot. Sir John Norris ; Captains Pryce, Wotton, Burrough,
Wilson, 680.
In the States' pay :
Horse. The Prince of Epinoy ; M. Villiers, Elderborn ; Captains
Oversteyn, Greenevelt, Yargx, Balen, 480.
Foot. Sir John Tracie ; Captains Giles Tracie, Stratford,
Greene, Sampson, Young late Barrowe, Clarck, Dennys, Geo.
Farmer, Ric. Farmer, Ward, Martyn, 1820. 2 pp. [Ibid. 88a.]
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Aug. 14.
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SIR PHILIP SIDNEY to the LORDS OF THE COUNCIL.
"I send this gentleman Mr. Burnam humbly to give your
lordships to understand the weak store of all sort of necessary
munition that both this town and the castle of Ramekins have.
"These States I have tried to the uttermost, but partly with
the opinion it more toucheth her Majesty because it is her pawn,
but principally because they have ever present occasion to employ
both all they have and indeed much more upon the places nearest
to the enemy, we in this town and as I think 'Breel' shall still
demand and still go without. Therefore I cannot but most
humbly say it before your lordships, by the grace of God my
trust is in him that my life shall discharge me of blame ; but I
[know] not all that be here can perform the service we owe to her
Majesty without such merely necessary things.
"I will neither speak of the consequence of the place nor of
any quantity ; your lordships can better judge. I do only
protest to your honours that I think it very likely we shall have
occasion to use it, and till then it may be kept by some officer
appointed by her Majesty, never one grain of it to be used for
no service, till it be for the last point of extremity. There is
nothing will keep these people in better order than that they see
we are strong. I beseech your lordships to consider it, according
to the weight of the cause.....Flushing, 14 August, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland IX. 89.]
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Aug. 14.
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SIR PHILIP SIDNEY to WALSINGHAM.
"I most humbly beseech you to favour Captain White my
servant, and as honest a servant as ever I had. To Burnam and
him I have told my mind in all things. I often craved the
Treasurer might be commanded to pay this place. I assure you
Sir, this night we were at a fair plunge to have lost all for want of
it ; we are now four months behind, a thing unsupportable in
this place. To complain of my lord of Lester you know I may
not, but this is the case. If once the soldiers fall to a thorough
mutiny, this town is lost in all likelihood. I did never think
our nation had been so apt to go to the enemy as I find them.
If this place might possibly have some peculiar care of it, it
should well deserve it, for in fine, this island, if once her Majesty
would make herself sure of it, is well worth all the charge her
Majesty hath ever been at in this cause, and all the King of
Spain's force should never be able to recover it, though all the
rest were lost. And without it, should be never able to invade
England.
"I have already gotten in a Dutch company at my commandment,
and into Camphere, so as with no great matter I could
make her Majesty sure of this Isle if this town were well provided
both with men and munition....."Flushing, 14 August, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. Seal of arms. [Ibid. 90.]
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Aug. 14.
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THE SAME to the SAME.
"I humbly pray you to confer with Burnham how I am left
in this town ; a thing I ever foresaw would be, but could not
remedy it but from thence, where I have often solicited it. I
beseech you, Sir, labour for me or rather for her Majesty in it.
She need be discouraged with nothing while she keeps these
principal sea places ; nay I think it were hard to say whether it
were not better for us to embrace no more ; but we do still make
camps, and straight again mar them for want of means, and so
lose our money to no purpose, where if we would gall him now
in Friesland now in Flanders, he should have no leisure to lie
before towns as he doth.
"I humbly beseech you to favour Burnham....that his suit
may be obtained if it be possible. He is one I love exceeding
well."Flushing, 14 August.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. 91.]
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Aug. 14.
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SIR ROBERT SIDNEY to WALSINGHAM.
I have desired Mr. Burnham to let you know the state of the
Castle of Ramekins, and to beseech you to have favourable care
of the place. "His Excellency, as far as I can find by my
brother, refers it wholly unto your honours, as a matter that
concerns not him nor the States." I am sure my brother hath
written of it and so leave discourse of it to his letters, "of whom
I have the charge of the place," and to Mr. Burnham's relation.
Flushing, 14 August, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland IX. 92.]
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Aug. 14.
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Two small cuttings from the covering sheet of a letter :viz :
the address, in Sir Philip Sidney's hand, to "the right honourable
my singular good [lord] the lord Treasurer," and the endorsement
by Maynard, Burghley's clerk.
[Ibid. 93.]
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Aug. 15.
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Conference with M. RINGOULT.
"Declaring at large the disorders of the government, and the
authority of the States General, he described in particular that
if their abuses were made known in the handling of their demaynes
of the sovereignty, which he durst not open unless his Excellency
had more authority, there would be found sufficient to discharge
all the fees of the officers of justice and other charges laid upon
the same, and a good portion of revenue besides, to be employed
in the maintenance of the common cause."
Notes in the margin give the points discussed : viz.
Churchland confiscations ; Verpundigen and revenue from
horned beasts ; Assemblies of the States, [both provincial and
general, wherein the charges of them and their people are defrayed] ;
Old debts ; preferring of men to offices ; the Council of State, who
depend upon the States General ; Count Maurice, who has the
inheritance of the county of Holland, granted to his father and
his heirs ; the granting of licences to transport victuals and other
merchandise, whereby "there groweth more profit and less
offence to the people than by the ordinary convoys ; the horsemen
and footmen under their pay ; sovereignty, by the taking of which
all these abuses may be reformed ; the ordering of the States in
every town ; the Vroctschap, i.e. those of the common and public
Council thereof, chosen by the Magistrate ; Church goods ; the
Treasury ; Debts. 800,000 florins owing by the States for the
charges of the wars ; margin "the payment of these debts to be
stayed" ; Alienations. There were alienations of church goods,
which in the time of Charles V. and Maximilian his son were made
void ; as may now be done by their examples.
Wine. There come every year into the Low Countries 50,000
foders of wine, each containing 6 ames and each ame yielding
22 florins ; which as now rented, yields but 160,000 florins every
six months.
Endd. "15 August, 1586. Sundry notes of special observation.
M. Ringoult. These to be well perused and considered
of." 3 pp. [Ibid. 94.]
Another copy of the same. Endd. as the preceding.
[Holland IX. 94 bis.]
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Aug. 16.
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DR. BART. CLERK to BURGHLEY.
I beseech you to pardon me for so often craving to be dismissed
this service. You know I was of the same mind when last in
London, "desiring then to be revoked, though with some disgrace."
And though in obedience to my sovereign I returned
to this perilous place "(whereof I was discharged and wherein
I was most injuriously disgraced), yet....the place being more
sufficiently to be furnished by many others than by me" and
I already greatly hindered in my "particular" and daily more
interested in my chiefest living (as my solicitor Hasselrigge can
show you) I hope her Majesty will not suffer my humble service
here to breed my shipwreck at home, especially as not meaning
to crave leases or fee farms, but, "having leave to repair my poor
shaken estate, will be as ready at all times to serve her Highness
of mine own purse as I have been now ready to take intolerable
pains at her Majesty's charge....
"In the mean time, I beseech your honour to have in mind
a ground of our law, viz :Officium suum nemini debet esse
damnosum" and if it were no more than the loss of four terms in
my poor offices, you know it is a good subsidy to me.
This bearer, Mr. Dr. Doylee, an honest man and of good understanding,
will tell you of the occurences here, so as I beseech your
leave to be brief, and would rather recount all things in England
freely than here write fearfully.
"We are now going to the field....but our wants are so many
as I fear we shall hardly hold out a month, and if God send us not
good speed nor pay at the month's end ; when many a bloody hand
hath his sword drawn and necessity stingeth forward." I leave
to your lordship's wisdom what good plight we are in that serve
here.... The pique increases between Holland and Utrecht,
for banishing some such as to Holland are gracious and respected.
They grow to reprisals and arrests, and unless great discretion
be used, "I think we should have shortly the wars of Jerusalem
within, while the enemy were before the gates."Utrecht,
16 August, 1586.
Postscript. Before closing this up, conferring touching our
estate with our Receiver-General, de Bye [Buys] a very honest
man, he protested "that neither of our ordinary monthly payment
nor of extraordinary we have one penny here to receive for these
four months coming, all being already taken up by anticipation
and engaged." Though I be a Dutch Counsellor, yet being an
Englishman, I advertise you of this, that you may know what
help we need ; but pray you as yet not to take knowledge of it.
What particulars I can get I will impart to Mr. Wilkes, who
seems to run here "a diligent and honest course, without pleasing
of humours."
I beseech you to pardon my boldness and to comfort me with
my coming home, wherein I shall be bound to you for ever.
Add. Endd. 1 pp. [Ibid. 95.]
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Aug. 16.
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SIR JOHN NORREYS to BURGHLEY.
"Upon the arrival of Mr. Wylkes, the Earl of Leicester, after
many repetitions of his conceived jealousy of me, concluded
that his Lordship would use me very honourably and have a care
of my reputation ; this having proceeded, as I do judge, of some
recommendation of me from her Majesty.
"This notwithstanding, there is no man of discretion that doth
not see that in all actions I am crossed and sought to be disgraced ;
suffered to be braved by the worst and simplest in the company,
only to draw me into quarrels. These things I am fain to endure
lest the hindrance of the service should be laid to my charge ; a
thing greatly sought for ; but I will not refuse the trial of any of
account that is not directly professed of the faction. I was
appointed by my Lord himself to lead the Avantgarde towards
an intended relief for the town besieged, but with what envy and
confusion everybody seeth. There were appointed for the voyage
800 horse, whereof there are not arrived 200 ; our artillery,
pioneers and boats to pass the river not come ; by which means
the enemy must be long before advertised of our approach, and
so prevent our designs.....Our horse are so decayed that if it
be not my own company, there is not one full cornet in the field ;
and because mine is in better case than the rest (although I lost
37 horse in the last ill-governed journey of Venlo), my soldiers
are enticed and hired away from me,....." In a letter to her
Majesty, I have touched on the disagreement and jealousies
in the country, but could not enter into any particularity, as
we are upon our march. Thus much I may tell your lordship,
"that observing the answers returned from England, the wisest
do judge that divers things that are not, be advertised her
Majesty, and those things that be are concealed ; whereto I doubt
not but her Majesty's ambassador will now procure remedy.
"The dishonourable violence offered my brother in the Count
Holloc his house I will refer to the report of this bearer ; which
matter is so coldly proceeded in as I fear the dispair of his orderly
repairing of his honour will drive him to a more dangerous course ;
and in truth it is used as if we were the basest in the company.
I must recommend him to your lordship's favourable opinion, for
now he is put from his entertainment, as our preacher also, by
the misreported exclamation of the taking of the two dead pays ;
the conclusion whereof in the end will prove no other but that
two of my Lord's men must have the same pays."......The
camp at Arnhem, 16 August, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holland IX. 96.]
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Aug. 18.
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R. HUDDILSTON to BURGHLEY.
According to our directions from home, we are making up our
full pay with our footbands till the 12th of April, and most of
the companies in these parts are cleared till that time. And
today we have received warrants for dispatch of all the rest in
her Majesty's pay at Bergen and Ostend. Our horsebands are
not yet perfectly listed or mustered, nor can be, considering the
service in hand ; and so are still upon imprests, "whereof
they have waived some large proportion." [Concerning his
accounts, receipt of moneys &c.]. "Our foot bands are imprested
towards the 12th of June, some more, some less, as it hath
pleased his lordship to appoint."
Of our actions and occurences here, Mr. Dr. Doyley has more
time than I to write. The governor of Brill and Sir John Norreys
cheerfully departed on the 14th as vanward towards the relief
of Berk. I suppose we shall follow without further delay.
"Our dispatches in every action are so slow as we cannot boast of
speed in anything.
His lordship "hath used me with courtesy far greater than
I looked for, as a man whom he said he never suspected of any
disloyal part of service towards her Majesty, but was rather
careful for me, lest through careless or crafty substitutes her
Majesty's service might be disappointed, and myself receive
hindrance." He protested with a great oath that he was not
acquainted with any proceeding by Barker and Hunt against
me, and never wrote against me either to Queen or counsellor,
more than that to Mr. Secretary he wished mine account might
be exactly considered of, as Auditor Hunt informed him that
I had at least 8000l. of her Majesty's in my hands at my last
going over. By his vehemency it surely seemed he was desirous
I should believe him.Utrecht, 18 August, 1586.
Add. Endd. 1 pp. Seal of arms. [Holland IX. 97.]
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Aug. 20.
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THOMAS WILKES to the PRIVY COUNCIL.
Though I trust to be shortly in England to render an account
of my proceedings in this negotiation, yet I thought it well to
advertise you "concerning the matters of the forces of these
countries under the pay of the States. There is a survey and
muster in hand to discern their just numbers, wherein I perceive
will be found much abuse, for the companies of strangers allowed
at 150 heads for each company will be found for the most part
not to contain above 60 or 80 ; whereby the treasure of these
countries is consumed.
Touching the monies of England current in these provinces,
which by my Instructions were to be reduced to their certain
value, before my arrival my Lord of Leicester and the Council
of State, at the instance of the States General, had caused essays
to be made of all coins current here, and "valued every kind at
their just purity in metal, after the weight of their mark troy, containing
8 ounces, wherewith they had also tried our angel, and
made the same afoot for the rest of our gold, and the shilling
for the rest of the kinds of silver ; and thereby had rated our
angel at five florins just ; which before was current for five florins
and four stivers, and in some towns here at five florins and five
stivers ; which five florins, after 10 stivers to the shilling make
justly 10s. English."
To make sure that their valuation was just, I had the weights
containing the mark troy Flemish examined by our English
weight of 8 oz. troy, "and found a difference of one pennyweight
and 20 grains wherein our 8 ounces exceeded theirs in pois,
amounting to 5s. 6d. sterling in value in every eight ounces of
gold, so as her Majesty and the realm should have lost in every
eight ounces weight of gold 44s." The officers of their mint
affirmed that our English weight was not true, and that theirs was
agreeable with the standard they have used for three hundred
years ; but in the end they yielded to our English 'pois,' and so
the value of the angel was brought up to five florins one stiver and
a half ; with a like valuation of the rose noble &c.
They had refused to admit any of our sovereigns for current,
on the ground that those coined in the time of Henry VIII were
unequal in value ; alleging that there was no just standard of
their fineness and purity and therefore they likewise refused
those coined by K. Edward the 6th and her Majesty ; but as
it seemed to me not reasonable that they would give place only
to those kindsthe angel and rose nobleon which, by new
coining them into other kinds as they have done hitherto, they
make great profit and no less prejudice to her Majesty and the
realm, I dealt with the Council of State that the rest might
be made current in the like sort, according to their just value,
which they have accorded ; nevertheless, if I find by the essay
of those coins that their "fineness," according to the valuations
here, will not yield their worth as they are current in England,
then shall I make stay of them, and not suffer them to be made
current here under 10s. sterling.
"The certainty of the revenue and aids," I must defer till
mine own coming, as it would take too long to enter into it now.
Until my coming, the States concealed the truth of many things,
but now say they will anatomise the whole to her Majesty, that
she may thereupon yield them such further assistance as shall be
needful for their defence ; and truly I think "their State is but
weak, and weaker by much in respect of the confusion of their
government. They have given a government to my Lord of
Leicester with the word Absolute, but with so many restrictions
that his authority is limited almost to nothing, and is in truth
but their servant for the politic government, having reserved
to themselves, besides the sovereignty, the disposing of all the
contributions (saving the monthly allowance) the church goods,
confiscations, choice of officers and many other things....and
are not accountable therefor either to my Lord or to the people";
and in order to remain so, they impugn his Court of Finances,
alleging that he has not authority to erect any such court, or to
establish officers without their licence. These things may receive
redress by her Majesty, but not otherwise.
I find no murmuring in the people against any kind of excise
laid upon them, so that they may be defended against the
Spaniard, and I see in them "a great love towards her Majesty,
and are generally of opinion that she is their sovereign."
Just before my arrival order was taken "for the utterance and
venting of the country commodities by transporting them to
places with limitations as by the placard thereof published
may appear unto your honours, so as the incommodities grown
by the former restraint are now in reasonable sort avoided."
As to establishing the trade of the Merchants Adventurers in
some place in Holland, I find those of the best judgment among
them unwilling to change the place of their resort, as they are in
hope to have their trade settled at Embden, thinking they shall
not have so good sale for their cloths in Holland as they have at
Embden, the passage of the Rhein being shut up by the taking of
Nuys and other towns upon it by the enemy. "But if the trade
might be brought either to Dordrecht or to Amsterdam (where
they are offered as large privileges as they can desire), it would
be a great benefit to these countries.....
The doubt had of Count Edzard is not as was conceived by
your honours. He is willing to retain the traffic of our nation,
but is afraid of the Spaniard, and has "little hope to be defended
from hence if he should combine himself with these countries."
But he knows the tyrannical government of the Spaniard, and
if he were disposed to join him they of Embden will never consent,
"who stand upon their guards, and have, upon some
conceit of the Earl's imbecility in that behalf, refused of late to
accept garrisons, which he required to have placed in the town."
I do not see that the people here seek any new defence, though
some doubt may be had that those men who are called the States
and have had the managing of the government sithence their
revolt from Spain, and thereby enriched themselves infinitely,
will be unwilling that the troubles here should take any speedy
end. The people conceive so, and in many towns in Holland
and Utrecht have sought to remove them from their authority,
and confer it upon my Lord of Leicester.
The supposed practice with Denmark "is by the restraint
of Paul Buys utterly quailed," but my Lord is sending Mr.
Robert Sydney to the king, who under pretext of dealing for the
2000 horse, will sound him for the rest. Lord Willoughby can
hardly be spared by my Lord, being now marching in person to
the relief of Berck, wherein are the Colonels Schenk and Morgan,
with 1500 men ; and the loss whereof would greatly amaze the
people here, and work some dangerous alteration.
The enemy has lain about it these fifteen days, and hath planted
artillery with purpose to batter it, but his powder and bullet
coming down the river from Neuss in a hoy "is drowned by a
leak," and there is good hope that the sight of our army may make
him dislodge.
I have not as yet delivered her Majesty's letter to Count
Hohenlo, who has never come to my lord since my arrival. I am
told that Paul Buys has persuaded him to mislike of my Lord's
government, and that he has made show to resign his office of
Lieutenant, but has not done so. "I do not find that either the
States or people have any great affection to him. The man is
doubtless valiant, but (as they say) rash, bloody, unfortunate
and subject to many dangerous imperfections. They would
willingly be rid of him if they might without danger." I mean to
follow my lord into the field in a few days, where I think to find
the Count and will deliver her Majesty's letters and message to him.
Count Maurice very dutifully accepted her Majesty's letters
and message, and is like to continue in good terms and affection
towards her. "He is loved and respected here of the people for
the merits of his late father, and is like to succeed him in wisdom
and sufficiency." I do not think he will be led away to seek
advancement but by her Majesty. "St. Aldegonde, contrary to
the opinion conceived of him by her Majesty, is noted here of all
men to be a good patriot and worthy to be employed in the
services here in respect of his ability and wisdom. Howbeit,
I perceive that, to take away the offence that may be ministered
to her Majesty, they are contented to forbear the use of his
services."
For other matters committed to me, I refer you to my report
on my return, which I hope will be within twenty days. I pray
that by your means "her Majesty may be continued my gracious
lady, and let understand how far I have proceeded in these her
services."Utrecht, 20 August, 1586.
Rough Draft, much corrected. Unsigned, but in Wilkes' handwriting.
7 closely written pp. [Holland IX. 98.]
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