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The Earl of Essex to Lord Burghley. |
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1596, May 1. |
Four letters :— |
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(1.)—Since the Queen commands me to send back some of the captains of Flushing, I send the bearer, Captain Masterson. Would commend him highly, and ask your lordship to get him licence to come after me. He begged me, with tears in his eyes, to solicit it.—First of May, from Plymouth. |
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Holograph. Two seals. 1 p. (41. 38.) |
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(2.)—I have received commandment from her Majesty not to take any man with me that hath been in the Indian voyage, wherefore I do send up this bearer, Captain H. Poore, to receive his directions from
your Lordship. He was very desirous to have been employed in our action that is in hand, but I told him what strait charge I had received. I pray your Lordship favour him either to be sent after us or else that he may be employed in the first employment that shall happen, for I do assure your Lordship of my credit, he will approve himself very worthy of it.—Plymouth, this first of May. |
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Endorsed :—“1596.—E. of Essex to my Lo. By Captn. Poore.” |
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Cecil's endorsement :—“readde.” |
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Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (173. 66.) |
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(3.) According to her Majesty's commandment, delivered me both from own mouth and by Sir Rob. Cecil's letter, I do send back Capt. Morgan to attend her Majesty's and your Lordship's commandment. I do assure you that, though for obedience I force him to go back, yet I am loth to part with him, if it were not to obey her whose will I will die rather than violate in these commandments. And so, commending this honest, brave captain to your good favour and yourself to God's best protection, I rest, &c.—Plymouth, this first of May. |
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Endorsed :—“1596.” |
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Holograph. Two seals. ½ p. (173. 68.) |
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(4.)—I am sending this bearer, Capt. Bartley, as I have done three other captains this day, to receive her Majesty's and your Lordship's commandments. Must confess his worth is such as I am sorry to part with him, and this action such as he is as sorry to part from. But her Majesty's will must be obeyed. I pray your Lordship to further his employment elsewhere.—Plymouth, this first of May. |
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Endorsed :—“1596.” E. of Essex to my L. By Captn. Bartlet.” |
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Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (173. 67.) |
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John Daniel to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 2. |
Details the circumstances of his giving two bonds for a debt of 12l. to one William Alcock, a cook in Westminster, for victuals. Not being able to pay, Alcock arrested and commenced suit against him in the King's Bench. And by course of the common law he will be condemned in the two bonds. Beseeches Cecil to address his letters to the Lord Chief Justice either to take order he may be driven to pay but his due debt, or to permit the Masters of Requests to proceed to the determination thereof.—2 May, 1596. |
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Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (40. 48.) |
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Dr. Thomas Bilson to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 3. |
Mr. Harmar, the schoolmaster of our house, advertiseth me that he is touched in credit before you for certain things done here in Winchester College when he was a scholar under me, being then his master. I must needs guess at their meaning that so traduce him, because myself was the man that desired the then Bishop of Winchester to enter into that action. The truth of the cause, I protest before God, I will not conceal. The then usher, being one that might command and correct him, had made him the child of his chamber, and sought by some means to abuse him; whereat the youth—I term him as he then was—repining, made means by one Mr. Shingleton yet living, then a fellow of our College, to give me to understand of his thraldom and misery. I forthwith acquainted Bishop Horne therewith, who taking present occasion to come hither, removed the usher and recommended the scholar, being very towardly, to the then Warden, Dr. Strempe, and to myself. And when some of the fellows not knowing the case, because it was kept
close to cover the usher's shame, envied the scholar as a false accuser of his master, and laboured to stop his going to Oxford, I did the second time report to Bishop Horne the malice of those men that sought with authority to abuse boys, or else to deprive them of all preferment. The honest inclination of the scholar, being otherwise very religious, I so well liked that I did not only hasten his advancement to Oxford, but afterward made choice of him to be schoolmaster since I was Warden; which no earthly means should have won me to do but that I liked from the beginning his disposition and hatred of that vice wherewith some now so perversely slander him, and truly, since his being schoolmaster, I have found him not only learned, sober, and religious, but pursuing all suspicions of any such offence with severe correction. This is the precise report of that which, being kept secret between Bishop Horne, Dr. Stempe, and myself, some others have without cause either of ignorance mistrusted or of malice objected to the disgrace of Mr. Harmar : where, in my simple judgment, he rather deserved praise and good liking.—Winton, the third of May, '96. |
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Signed. Seal broken. 1 p. (40. 49.) |
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Sir Walter Ralegh to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 3. |
This bearer, my ancient servant, Charles Cartie, is a suitor for the renewing and confirming of a letter formerly written by you and the rest of the Council to the Lord Deputy and Lord Chancellor of Ireland, for the passing of certain concealed lands there granted by her Highness to Patrick Grante, for which Charles hath compounded, for that he and his father have been possessed of the lands a long time. Your letters have not been obeyed, therefore he desires other letters of like tenor to command performance thereof : he will show you a letter conceived in writing, which if you allow of as a reasonable request, he will ever remain most bound.—From Mile End, 3 of May, 1596. |
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Signed. ½ p. (40. 50.) |
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Sir Walter Ralegh to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 3. |
I do still presume on your favour that you will be bound for me for the 500l. which I stand in danger to the widow Smith for; and because the conveyance of the statute is intricate, and that I hope this very term to compound for it and to discharge you, I beseech you to accept my counter bond for your re-insurance, in which I will not fail. I must hope that if other than safety accompany my fortune in this enterprise, you will be pleased to favour those of mine that remain, who must only depend on you as I have done, so as of all other I shall take good order to save you from any particular charge or inconvenience. |
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Endorsed :—3 May, 1596. |
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Holograph, Seal. 1 p. (40. 51.) |
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Sir Walter Ralegh to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 3. |
The Archbishop of Cashel, whom I think my Lord Treasurer hath little cause to favour, hath of late dealt very badly with me, contrary to all faith and promise, touching divers of my Irish leases and lands; whose discourtesies I would gladly meet withal, and do find no better means in relief of myself, furtherance of religion, and comfort of all mine English tenants and friends than in preferring some other of better sort to the bishopric of Lismore and Waterford, whereof the
Archbishop hath but a commendam and hath besides two or three other bishoprics. I desire you will be a mean to prefer unto the bishopric of Lismore and Waterford my very good friend Mr. Hugh Broughton, a man well known to his Grace of Canterbury, my Lord Treasurer, and all learned doctors and scholars of England, beseeching you to have conference with my cousin Goring about the same, wherein Mr. Broughton is able to do much good and be a great comfort to all our English nation thereabouts, and increase of religion.—3 May, 1596. |
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Signed. 1 p. (40. 52.) |
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[Tobias Matthew,] Bishop of Durham, to Lord Burghley. |
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1596, May 3. |
I have delayed to return answer to such letters as sithence the 19th of March last I received from your lordship, because I was loth to write of anything until I should see the event of those light horsemen which you thought fit for us of this county to send, according to her Majesty's gracious pleasure signified to the Council at York and by them to the justices here. Neither would they have been so well furnished, nor so soon delivered to my lord Eure as now at last they are, but that your lordship out of your most prudent foresight did so roundly write in the cause, requiring me also to shew the justices your answer to our common and my private letters. |
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May it please you to peruse this enclosed [see p. 141] sent me by a servant and officer of mine in Allertonshire, and therein as in a glass to behold how her Majesty is served in that county, as well as here and elsewhere, and to return me my man's letter again, lest coming to light it might work him displeasure of the gentlemen his neighbours, who have too many friends. I make no doubt, under your correction, but that Da. Ingl[eby] is in Yorkshire, for one hath been lately with me and affirmed upon his book-oath that he saw him upon the 4th of March last in Casgill within the forest of Knaresborough, upon the way that leadeth to Denton lordship, towards the house of Mrs. Drakes of Stubham, widow, a great recusant; whereabout and in Netherdale the said Da. Ingl[eby] doth usually haunt, and up and down about Ripley in that county. If you think him worthy the apprehending, I will at my charges send up the reporter to you or Sir Robert Cecil upon notice from you, the better to satisfy you and to receive your better direction and warrant than I have authority to give him. |
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This evening I received your letter concerning Matthew Goodman; so soon as I can meet by any device with Mr. Parkinson and Mr. Whithed I will follow your instructions. The while, sithence your lordship requireth mine opinion of the men, I think them as likely persons as any be in these parts to commit the fault wherewith they be charged. Henry Parkinson hath wasted a fair patrimony in all riotous and wanton manner; he hideth his head commonly for debt, and when he is sued and sometimes pursued leapeth into Scotland under pretext to hunt, where of the King he is too much made of, and also now and then rewarded. His frequent repair thither and the King's familiar usage of him, were the more suspicious if he were as deep as his companion William Whithed is not shallow. He is one of a very shrewd head and hath drunk of many waters; he hath consumed his substance, is an open contemner and resister of all processes and form of law. We will needs be a Protestant with the foremost, his wife being or lately having been a malicious recusant as any of her kind; and by reason of his debts keepeth himself at home in secret or, as he dare, stealeth out with Parkinson into Scotland, where about a mouth by past he had, I know,
divers long communications with the King, whereof one piece was (as himself to me reported) that when they were hunting upon Berwick bounds the King told him the governor needed not to make the town so sure against him with watch and ward, for he never meant to hazard the Tower of London for the town of Berwick, with more to that purpose. In few, as he was the Earl of Westmoreland's page and followed him in the rebellion, so, what of nature and what of necessity, I think him as dangerous a fellow as any we have hereabout, as methinks now of late he doth carry himself. Thus much until I may further examine them. I have presumed heretofore to move you to take good and speedy order for the renewing of the Commission Ecclesiastical within this province, for the reducing of recusants to some better conformity; or at least for the containing of such as are otherwise the likelier to fall away within some compass. If his Grace of York think it not so needful in his diocese as I find it in mine (albeit I fear it to be too necessary in both), in case you so direct me I shall adventure to put it in execution here, if her Majesty upon your motion will grant it for this diocese alone. It shall be to me but a trouble and a charge, sed omnia sustineo propter Electos, as the Apostle saith. The death of the late Lord Lieutenant and President, the expectation of the Spaniard for all our good hope to the contrary, with the loss of Calais, do marvellously embolden the hearts and sharpen the humours of the bad affected. I wrote to you of a commission for musters, as hath here been heretofore, whereof I pray God My Lord Warden stand never in need, as I doubt he will or at least may upon a sudden, notwithstanding the late courteous interview between his lordship and the opposite warden. But this, as all the rest, I betake to your wisdom. Might I entreat you for a warrant dormant for such impost as you usually allowed my predecessors, and myself last year? I should the seldomer trouble you and be the more beholden, not meaning thereby in any wise to lessen any officer's yearly fees accustomed. Wherein, if I might obtain your favour, I would appoint one to attend to know your pleasure at Mr. Maynard's hands or Mr. Hicks' sometime this term or the next.—At Bishops Auckland, this 3 of May, 1596. |
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[P.S.]—In the matter you committed unto my hearing between Moreton and Cowlt, two very poor men, I laboured three several times. But in mine opinion Moreton is so forward and unreasonable in pressing his weak title as he rather deserveth reproof than relief therein. |
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Holograph. Two seals. 2½ pp. (40. 53.) |
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Sir Walter Ralegh to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 3. |
Vouchsafe to send for Mr. Burrough, the Controller of the Admiralty, and to give charge unto him to repair to Bralkewale [Blackwall ?] and to Ratcliff to command away those fly-boats and other ships that remain, who can best inform you of the possibility of these things. I am not able to live to row up and down every tide from Gravesend to London, and he that lies here at Ratcliff can easily judge when the rest and how the rest of the ships may fall down. I am come up again as far as Blackwall and would attend you if I knew how or where. The names of those men that refuse to serve her Majesty I have delivered to Pope, marshal of the Admiralty; the rest shall also be sent him. The names of the ships remaining I will send to Mr. Burrough, whom I pray you to speak withal; and so, being more
grieved than ever I was in anything of this world for this cross weather, I take my leave.—From Blackwall, ready to go down again this tide, the 3rd of May. |
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Holograph. 1 p. (40. 55.) |
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The Earl of Essex to Sir Walter Ralegh. |
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[1596], May 3. |
Your pains and travail in bringing all things to that forwardness they are in doth sufficiently assure me of your discontentment to be now stayed by the wind. Therefore I will not entreat you to make baste, though our stay here is very costly, for besides all other expense, every soldier in the army has his weekly lendings out of my purse. But I will wish and pray for a good wind for you. And when you are come, I will make you see I desire to do you as much honour, and give you as great contentment, as I can. For this is the action and the time in which you and I shall be both taught to know and love one another. When you come I will show you the fairest troops for their number that ever were looked upon.—Plymouth, 3rd of May. |
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Holograph. 1 p. (174. 76.) |
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Robert Bridges to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 4. |
I have, according to your commandment, set down a brief note of the dangers wherewith I was bold to acquaint you, which are likely to fall to this realm if speedy order be not taken by you and the rest of the Council for prevention thereof. My skill is very slender to draw them worthy of your sight, but as they be, accept them in good part.—This 4th of May, 1596. |
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Signed. ⅓ p. (40. 56.) |
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Sir Walter Ralegh to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 4. |
The ships that remain above are six; the great fly-boat of Base. . nes is one, riding at Blackwall; another great fly-boat of London called the George another, the Jacob of Agarslote a third, the Jusua of Horne a fourth, and some 20 other. Pope, the marshal of the Admiralty, can inform Mr. Burroughs, for Pope prest all the ships. He can also inform you how little her Majesty's authority is respected, for as fast as we press men one day they run away another and say they will not serve. I beseech you to vouchsafe to send for Pope of St. Katherine's, who hath taken great pains already, and to tell him that I have recommended his service, and he will do more than any. Here are at Gravesend, and between this and Lee, some 22 sail; those above that are of great draught of water cannot tide it down, for they must take the high water and dare not move after an hour ebb until they be past Barking Shelf, and now the wind is so strong as it is impossible to turn down or to warp down or to tow down. I cannot write to our generals at this time, for the pursuivant found me in a country village a mile from Gravesend, hunting after runaway mariners and dragging in the mire from ale house to ale house; and could get no paper but that the pursuivant had this piece. Sir, by the living God there is no king nor queen nor general nor any else can take more care than I do to be gone, but I pray you but to speak with Mr. Burroughs and let him be sent for afterward before my Lord Chamberlain, that they may hear him speak where [whether] any man can get down with this wind or no : which will satisfy them of me. If this strong wind last I will steal to Blackwall to speak with you and to kiss your hands.—From Norfleet, this Tuesday. |
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Holograph. 1 p. (40. 60.) |
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The Earl of Essex and Lord Admiral Howard to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 4. |
We do send you in this packet our humble answer unto her Majesty's letter which this morning we received, and we pray you, together with our humble service, to present this our letter to her Majesty, and also to inform her Majesty that we have both sent two pinnaces to Brest and Conquet, one of which carries a letter from us to Mons. Sourdeac, governor of Brest, to know what Spanish shipping is all alongest that coast : and also we sent the Rainbow, with some other shipping, to lie in the channel and to ply off and on so as she may discover what passeth towards the Narrow Seas, and command all such as the enemy should send to discover or to catch any stragglers of our fleet; and likewise to speak with all Flemings or Easterlings that shall come from the southward whereby we may know the news of Spain. Of all these things her Majesty shall have daily a good account.—Plymouth, 4 May, 1596. |
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Signed. ½ p. (40. 61.) |
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Gio. Battista Giustiniano to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 5. |
The very day I spoke to you the deputies of this Magistracy were in Court to speak to the lord Treasurer who sent them to Mr. Fortescue. Next day the Mayor told me to go to Mr. Fortescue who would reply to the petition by me presented. Yesterday I went and he told me he had not called me to give me any reply, as the Queen must first be spoken with, but to know who had given the petition (harea data la supplica); also that the Queen was informed that the principal debt was 33,000 and that already she had paid 38,000 (sic) which the States had had for a specific purpose (per una parte allumi), and the rest of the foresaid sum proceeded from old debts, and that the Queen gave her bond upon a resolution she made at that time to succour the Low Countries; that against this objection he knew that Sir Horatio had the signature of the Queen and many of her Council and he wished to show it to her Majesty. For his better information I gave him a copy of the writing you have seen; and, coming to-day to Court, I wished to inform you and to beg you, in Sir Horatio's name, to favour his affairs, especially as Mr. Fortescue has expressed his intention to procure that the money that is in the Tower may be given.—London, 5 May, 1596. |
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Italian. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (40. 62.) |
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Sir Walter Ralegh to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 6. |
This gentleman my kinsman hath entreated me to be a suitor unto you in his behalf to move her Majesty after so many years' disgrace to comfort him with one gracious word. I do not know how he may be wronger unto her Majesty, but I find no man more ready of his quality to do her service neither to spend all he hath therein. I know his charge was great in the last discovery with me, and there is none now of his sort that doth so chargeably prepare himself.—From Queenborough, this 6 of May. |
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Holograph. ⅓ p. (40. 63.) |
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The Queen's Aid to the King of France. |
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1596, May 7. |
Acquittance of Henry de la Tour, Duke of Bouillon, and Nicholas de Harlay, lord de Sancy, for 6,000l. or 20,000 crowns French money, received from the Queen for the French King's service specially for the defence of Boulogne; which they bind the said King and themselves to repay within twelve months.—7 May, 1596. |
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Latin. 1½ pp. (40. 45.) |
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(i.) Draft of the above, with corrections by Lord Burghley. 1¾ pp. (40. 47.) |
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(ii.) Holograph draft by Lord Burghley. 1 p. (40. 46.) |
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Ralph, Lord Eure to Lord Burghley. |
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1596, May 7. |
Sir John Forster is very desirous to repair home to his own house, and beseecheth you to be a mediator to her Majesty in his behalf to obtain her favour and pardon for the neglect of his service heretofore committed in the government of this country, for which he cannot in this his old age make any satisfaction. I am the more bold to entreat you to further his desire and respect his old years, that, his importunate suit obtained by your help, he may return home with joy, to the lengthening of the short time he hath to live.—Hexham, this 7 of May, 1596. |
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[P.S.] Give me leave to crave your remembrance to assign me allowance for the repair of Harbottle Castle and Hexham gaol, both which standeth in great need, as Mr. Surveyor for her Majesty can inform you. |
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Signed. ½ p. (40. 64.) |
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Sir Thomas Egerton, Lord Keeper, to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 7. |
Returns enclosed the bill for the parsonage of Droxford, and will foresee that nothing be done to the trouble or hindrance of it.—At the Rolls, 7 May, 1596. |
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Holograph. ⅓ p. (40. 65.) |
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The Earl of Essex to the Queen. |
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[1596], May 7. |
Of such things as do belong unto our charge my Lord Admiral and I have jointly written to my Lord Treasurer. This is only to protest unto your Majesty that the point of your unkind dealing (if I may presume to use that phrase) the very day of my departure doth stick very deeply in my very heart and soul. And yet neither it, nor the desperate estate I am in if by this journey I do not recover myself, can make me so thrown down but that I go to this service with comfort and confidence. Perhaps it had been too much for me to go with this force, by which I know we can do your Majesty exceeding great service, and to have parted with words of encouragement from your Majesty. But howsoever it pleaseth you to punish me at my going out, I know your just and royal heart will right me at my return, and then I will bury my sorrows in the joy I shall receive. More my confused and troubled thoughts cannot say; but that as I would strive to be as much as any man to serve and please your Majesty, so I know I wish more high contentment and perfect joys than all the hearts or imaginations in the world can comprehend.—Plymouth, this 7 of May. |
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Endorsed by Essex :—“Copy of my letter to her Majesty; to be delivered to Sir Robt. Cecil.” |
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Copy unsigned. 1 p. (40. 66.) |
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The Eakl of Essex to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 7. |
In this packet you shall receive a letter unto her Majesty, which I pray you present from her humble servant; another from my Lord Admiral and me to your father, to which, for such little news as we have, I must refer you; and in this to yourself have patience if I deal somewhat freely. I have undertaken and hitherto proceeded with a greater work than ever any gentleman of my degree and means did undergo. I have asked her Majesty no money to levy, no authority to press, nor no allowance to carry the troops from the places of their levies to this general rendezvous; but here I have our full numbers and here I keep them without spending our sea victuals or asking allowance or means from her Majesty. I am myself, I protest, engaged more than my state is worth; my friends, servants, and followers have also set up their restes; my care to bring a chaos into order and to govern every man's particular unquiet humours possesseth my time, both of recreation and of rest sometimes. And yet am I so far from receiving thanks as her Majesty keepeth the same form with me as she would do with him that through his fault or misfortune had lost her troops. I receive no one word of comfort or favour by letter, message, or any means whatsoever. When I look out of myself upon all the world I see no man thus dealt withal; and when I look into myself and examine what that capital fault should be that I had committed, I find nothing, except it be a fault to strive to do her Majesty more service than she cares for. Well, I will neither amise her nor justify myself; but to you that are my fellows I will say that as I leave and cast off all care of myself to care for her Majesty's state and public service, so you do wrong me and betray her service, if you do not put her Majesty in mind how much she is bound in honour and justice to be protectress of me against all the world but mine own actions; in which, whatsoever come, I will never ask pardon for want of faith, nor, if I be not entangled by new directions, or scanted of the means allotted to us, plead excuse for want of fortune. But if they come to us that are behind, and every man join to do his best, I will answer the success with my life; for I know our cause is good, our means sufficient, and our way certain. [P.S.] I am not stirred with bruits and rumours, though I hear many strange news; but the multitude is magister erroris and they that are far off may mistake the object they see.—Plymouth, this 7th of May. |
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Holograph. Seal. 2 pp. (40. 67.) |
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The Earl of Essex to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 8. |
I send this bearer to you to know how her Majesty doth. I pray you if it be possible set him in the Conduit Court so as he may but see her look out of a window. He carries a letter to her Majesty which I will pray you to deliver. [P.S.]—I write thus shortly because I think I tired you with my discontentments in the last, and in another style I cannot write.—Plymouth, this 8th of May. |
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Holograph. ⅓ p. (40. 68.) |
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Sir Thomas Baskerville to Lord Burghley. |
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1596, May 8. |
This day I arrived upon this coast with three of her Majesty's ships and one merchant; the rest, some by contrariety of
of winds and other quitting of me, I hope are already returned, of which number Captain Winter, with her Majesty's ship the Foresight was the first, for I had no sooner left the harbour of Port Bella but he ran from the fleet, and since, what is become of him, I know not. If he did not “disimboge” before me he hath run great hazard with the ship. The success of this action hath contraried all expectation, for in it we have lost both the generals, Sir Nicholas Clifford, my brother, and many other worthy gentlemen, and gotten no great matter. Some pearl and silver there is which I fear will hardly bear the charge of this voyage, for we found the Indies so advertised that their tenable places were strengthened with all things necessary, and the other not to be held all things retired out of them to places of more surety, as you may better see by the discourse I send you enclosed. Touching her Majesty's ships, I resolve if it be possible to carry them about, for saving her Majesty a further charge; but our necessities are so great that I fear me we shall be forced to thrust into some harbour to supply our wants, for we have neither bread nor drink nor any other thing but oatmeal and maize. Which being done and God favouring us with a favourable wind, I will not fail to use all endeavour.—A seaboard the Scillies some 10 leagues, this 8 of May. |
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Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (40. 70.) |
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Sir Thos. Baskerville to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 8. |
This day I arrived upon this coast with only three of her Majesty's ships and one pinnace, which I have sent apurpose to Plymouth the sooner to advertise you of the safe return of the said ships; contrariety of winds having severed the most part of the rest from us, which I hope are already arrived. Touching the success of our voyage I refer you to the discourse I send my lord your father, and at my coming to Court, if it will please you to give the looking on of some plats and papers I have gotten of the description of the Indies, ports, havens, and fortresses, with the ways from the north to the south sea, and riches and commodities of many of those countries, they and myself are always at your commandment.—From a seaboard the Scillies some 10 leagues, this 8 of May. |
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P.S.—Some pearl and silver is gotten which is in my possession, the keys of which are in the custody of the men of war and deputies of the adventurers. |
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Holograph. 1 p. (40. 69.) |
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Richard Shipham and Richard Was. |
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1596, May 9. |
Receipt by Anthony Ashley for three books containing accounts between Richard Shipham and Richard Was, merchants, received of Mr. Willis, Sir Robert Cecil's secretary, to whom he had previously delivered them.—9 May, 38 Eliz., 1596. |
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Signed. ¼ p. (40. 71.) |
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Dr. Tho. Bilson, Warden of Winchester College, to Sir Ro. Cecil. |
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1596, May 10. |
I may, as unacquainted, omit some things which some of better experience would more readily observe; but otherwise I never had nor have any purpose by delaying or doing anything to offend her Majesty or slack her service. I wrote to you, as I hope you will witness, to know her Majesty's pleasure how soon it would like her to
require my attendance. Your letters are the first inkling that ever I had that her Highness expected my present going through with that which her gracious elemency hath bestowed on me. I will, therefore, with all possible speed hasten my journey to London, and provide to be in Worcester as soon as her Majesty shall think meet. My horses and men came out of the College circuit for the collecting of their rents but upon Saturday last, and myself have been fastened to my bed by some lingering of an ague the most part of the last week, and am not yet free, as the messenger himself saw. Yet I so much prefer her Majesty's pleasure and service before mine own health that, neglecting the one, I will, by God's grace, with all speed attend the other. As for making the profits of my living here, I protest I do refuse infinite suits of tenants that would gladly renew their leases, in respect I would not any whit alter my course heretofore observed, and not hinder him whom her Majesty should send hither. What things were granted at our audit at Michaelmas last, and the fines then rated by the whole fellowship, have been since performed, being very few in respect of the number that I leave unsealed; wherewith I will acquaint you at my coming up, that if need be, the truth thereof may be reported to her Majesty. The woods, the leases, the stock of the College, if it be no worse kept than I leave it (considering what tedious suits and dear times I have lighted on), I dare undertake they shall do well, though not so well as when the prices of things were half under that they now are. I beseech you to make my just excuse unto her Majesty for my absence, as also to promise for me that nothing shall be done in the place where I am offensive to her pleasure till my health suffer me to take the air without hazarding life and all.—Winton, 10th of May, 1596. |
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Signed. Seal. 1 p. (40. 72.) |
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Richard Carmarden to Lord Burghley. |
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1596, May 11. |
According to your letter I have advised with the rest of the officers of the Custom house, touching the enclosed petition, and forasmuch as her Majesty hath an intention hereafter to make an alteration of some rates in respect they are too low, wherein also some are too high, which are likewise intended to be brought lower, of which alum is one of the chiefest, we all think it would be very prejudicial before the said time to make any alteration in rating; but rather, if the merchant be net disposed to bring in the same, to suffer him to go whither he will therewith, so that he break no bulk within her Majesty's dominion; and also that rather for that of late there was brought into this port both by an Englishman and a stranger a ship of alum, who without any difficulty answered her Majesty's custom after the high rate; so that if others should be permitted to bring in the same commodity at a lower rate it would much prejudice them in their sale.—From the Custom house, this 11 May, 1596. |
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Signed. Seal. ½ p. (40. 73.) |
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The Earl of Essex to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 12. |
If I seem unpatient, think how many things concur to move my patience. Sir Walter Ralegh, with the rest of our fleet, is not come, and yet he hath had (if the winds be the same there that they are here) all the wished winds he could desire, both to bring him out of the river and after he was in the Channel along to this place. Mr. Ashly is not come with our instructions and yet I hear he was despatched long since. Mr. Dorrell is not [at] hand, who would help in
bestowing the proportions of victual in every ship, and yet he promised to be here a week ago. I have not touched one penny of her Majesty's money, and have spent infinite sums of mine own, and neither here see any short end of my charge, nor find that above there is any feeling had of it. I pray you, therefore, in friendship resolve me whether it be decreed by her Majesty that I only shall be undone and the service fall to the ground to the end that I with it might be ruined; for except her Majesty had given out some words to shew her mislike or neglect of our going on, this slackness of all hands could not be used. I pay lendings to above 5,000 soldiers, I maintain all the poor captains and their officers. I have a little world eating upon me in my house, am fain to relieve most of the captains and gentlemen and many of the soldiers that came from the Indies; and yet I complain not of charge, but of want of direction and certainty in your resolutions above. Therefore, I do conjure you to deal freely with me in answering this letter, and to let me have answer quickly.—12 of May. |
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Holograph. 1 p. (40. 75.) |
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The Earl of Essex to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 12. |
This French gentleman came over with Captain Moyle in the Moon, and is sent from the governor of Brest to her Majesty. I am solicited by him and by M. Sourdeac's letter to give some address whereby he may come to her Majesty's speech, which I could do to none so fitly as yourself. I refer to his own report his errand; but I do wish that her Majesty did at this time spare her purse, yet that M. Sourdeac were held in hope of favour if he be assailed, and that in the meantime this gentleman, who is one of his principal followers, might be used with courtesy.—Plymouth, this 12 of May. |
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Holograph. 2/3 p. (40. 76.) |
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Sir W. Ralegh to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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[1596, May 13.] |
Since I sent my letter to your Honour from Dover, before I departed the Rode, there came up unto view some seven or eight sail of the Fleet, who being all like to perish on Wednesday, after midnight they were driven to let slip all their cables and anchors. I humbly beseech your Honour to cause a letter to be written to the mayor of Dover to send a boat of the town's to save the said cables and anchors, having all buoys upon them. They were let on the North East part of Goodden Sands in five or six fathoms. Thus I humbly take my leave from Dover an hour after my former letter, yours ever to do you service, W. Ralegh. |
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Endorsed :—“13 Maij 1596.” |
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Holograph. Undated. (173. 73.) |
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Sir Horatio Palavicino to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 13. |
Sends his Edward whom Cecil promised to take into his service, and who hopes to be of use not only with his body, but with his pen wherever Cecil pleases to employ him. Has given him a little pension for his support, and will be the first to condemn him if he fails in his duty.—Baburham, 13 May, 1596. |
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Italian. Holograph. 1 p. (173. 75.) |
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The Earl of Essex to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 14. |
I pray you believe this gentleman and further his despatch. I have no words to discourse nor will to entertain you with
an unpleasing style. We are, as you know, over head and ears, and must make this our master's prize. You are to help us now or to forsake us for ever, for it is the last time that I will have need of friends.—Plymouth, this Friday night. |
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Holograph. ⅓ p. (40. 78.) |
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[Tobias Matthew], Bishop of Durham, to Lord Burghley. |
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1596, May 14. |
In hope to have found Mr. Parkinson and Mr. Whithed both together, and so to have prevented all conference between them touching Matthew Goodman, I did somewhat the longer forbear to send for them. But perceiving I could not in any good time meet with them both at once, I was fain to take them single, as by the several dates of their examinations may appear, which I send you here included; being all I can get of them, saving that by Mr. Parkinson I find (which he earnestly besought me not to set down in his examination) that Goodman bestowed a fair leather jerkin, thick stript down with gold lace, a rich girdle and very gallant rapier and dagger upon a certain gent at Berwick, and a good sum of money upon his wife, to procure his enlargement thence; which upon demand Parkinson thinketh he will confess. By this other enclosed you may understand that Northumberland wanteth no bad guests; yet having not sufficient authority to make search of any man's house, especially by night, ne yet to command any sufficient number to give their assistance in that kind of service, for want either of the general Commission Ecclesiastical or some particular warrant under the hands of three of the Privy Council, we dare not attempt the apprehension of any of that sort, as otherwise myself and some few other could be contented to adventure to do.—At Durham, this 14 of May, 1596. |
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Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (40. 79.) |
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Enclosing :— |
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(1.) The Examination of William Whithead. |
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Saith that in some time of February last, but what day he cannot say, he, travelling towards the house of William Rokeby of Skiers, co. York, Esquire, about a marriage between his daughter and the eldest son of William Rokeby, met by chance in an inn at Catherick, co. York, with one Mr. Goodman and another called Robert attending upon him as his servant, whom yet he said was his kinsman—a goodly, tall man and well apparelled, and, namely, his girkin of buff thick laid with gold lace. |
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Item. This examinant and Goodman falling upon occasion into communication of ordinary matters and none other, Goodman said he had some 4,000l. which he would be contented to bestow in land in the north parts if he could come to a good bargain. Whereupon this examinant made offer unto him of his house and land of Munckweremouth, which Goodman said he would see in his journey northwards, being (as he said) bound towards Barwick : but for what cause he was bound thitherward he said nothing to this examinant. And so this examinant departed to Mr. Rokeby's and gave Goodman direction to go to his house at Weremouth; but Goodman went not then thither but directly to Barwick (as he thinketh) for that in the beginning of March he found him at Barwick, in the house of Wydow Anderson, Inn-holder there, where he, this examinant, and Henry Perkinson of Beamondhill, co. Durham, Esquire, dined altogether, from whence
this examinant, Henry, and their attendants, having gotten a passport from Mr. John Carey, deputy governor there, travelled that night to the house [of] the Lord Hume called Douglass in Scotland, leaving Goodman in Barwick as aforesaid. |
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Item. At their being then together, Goodman told him that the L. North had written letters to Mr. John Carey against him, and that thereupon he was there stayed and called in question; but for what cause neither did this examinant require nor Goodman discover, but as he thought it was to get some money from him whereof he made no sparing. |
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Examined as to the cause of his and Henry Perkinson's then going to London, he said he went partly with Perkinson whom the King had sent for to bring hounds and hunt with him at Ayton and thereabouts some three or four miles from Barwick; but chiefly to end a cause then in controversy touching the manor of Gryndon in the Bishoprick between Mr. Robert Bowes, her Majesty's Ambassador, then in Scotland, and Perkinson. |
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Further, he saith that the day after he came to Douglas he went to the King of Scots at Edinburgh and did signify to the King that night that Mr. Perkinson was come with his hounds to give his attendance, where also he did deal in the said controversy with the Ambassador, and from him besought his letter of answer to Mr. Perkinson then at Douglass. |
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Item. Mr. Perkinson and he tarried in Scotland about three weeks, and returning thence to Barwick, there found Goodman at the same house but under the charge of the Mayor of that town, expecting (as he said) some favourable answer of his deliverance from the Lords of the Privy Council : which obtained, he promised to come to Weremouth to proceed in the bargain and purchase, if they could agree, the price being 1,800l. And so Whithead and Perkinson returned home to Weremouth, and about a week after Goodman repairing to Sunderland, a little port town nigh Weremouth, and sending for this examinant to one Nich. Jefferson's house there, he went and requested him to Weremouth : whither the next day he with the said Robert came accordingly. He abode there three or four days, but did not use any speech concerning the bargain for the land, but rather sought that this examinant would procure him credit with the Bishop of Duresme to exercise the office of a schoolmaster, which he had given himself unto before upon some unkindness that had passed between him and some of his friends for lands in Lancashire and Kent and elsewhere.
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Item. The fourth day of his abode at Weremouth one naming himself Francklyn came thither, and asking for Goodman they conferred together and came into the house, where Francklyn shewed this examinant a warrant from the Lords of the Privy Council for the apprehension of Goodman, whereupon he discharged his house of Goodman and brought him and Francklyn to the water side, and saw them set over the water to Sunderland, where the said Goodman and Francklyn lodged that night, and in the morning took journey towards London (as he thinketh). The said Robert, Goodman's servant, remaining at Weremouth two days after, this examinant lent him a horse to ride after his master to London, which horse he appointed his brother, George Whithead, being now in London, to receive of Robert. |
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Utterly denies that he or Mr. Perkinson, or any other to his knowledge, did offer any money to stay the execution of the warrant
, or to seek any means to withhold Goodman from the apprehension of Francklyn, or that he had any practice or privity with Goodman, or doth know any other matter touching him than as aforesaid, only he saith that Goodman is a lame man of one of his legs, and a very wasteful spendur and careless player away of his money, chiefly at dice. |
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Signed :—Wyll. Whyttheyde; Tobie Duresme. |
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Headed :—“At Bishop Auckland, viijo. die Maii, 1596. The examination of William Whithead of Munckeweremouth in the county of Daresme, gent., taken before me, the Bishop of Durham, the day and year above said.” |
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3 pp. (173. 69.) |
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(2.) The Examination of Henry Parkinson of Beaumont Hill. |
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He saith the first time that ever he saw Matthew Goodeman was at Barwick in the house of widow Anderson, where this examinant was with William Whitehead of Monckwermouth, and the said Goodeman with divers others did dine; but denieth that he had any private conference with Goodeman at any time, or was privy to any purchase that he would have made of Mr. Whitehead's land. |
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Examined of Goodeman's conversation, he saith that he saw nothing in him but that he was a frank spender of his money and a bold but not a cunning player of dice. |
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Upon a letter from Lord Hume in the King of Scots' name requiring him to come and bring his hounds to hunt with the King about Douglasse and Aiton in Scotland, this examinant, with the said William Whitehead, about Midlent last, by licence of Mr. John Carye, did pass from Barwick thither and hunted with the King about three weeks. |
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Mr. Whitehead in the mean season went to Edenbrough to confer on this examinant's behalf with Mr. Robert Bowes, her Majesty's ambassador in Scotland, about a lordship of his in the bishopric of Durham, called Grindon, and brought this examinant a letter of answer from Mr. Bowes. |
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At the time of Francklin's coming to Munckweremouth to apprehend Goodman, he saw Whitehead deliver him to Francklyn, and did neither himself make offer nor know nor hear that Whitehead did offer any sum of money for staying of any warrant to be executed on Goodman. |
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Saith that Goodman is lame, about fifty years of age, as he supposes, of whom he knoweth nothing otherwise than is aforesaid, saving that he heard a boy that waited upon Francklyn report that the said Goodman was a most bad fellow, a conjuror, a cosener, and that he had five wives alive, and that one of those wives was to complain of him at London; and also, that one of her Majesty's Privy Council had one of his conjuring books. |
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Finally, he saw the said Francklin, Goodman and the boy take boat and pass over the water to Sunderland, where they lodged that night and thence departed, as he thinketh, the next morning towards London. |
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Signed :—Henry Perkynson; Tobie Duresme. |
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Headed :—“At Bishop Auckland 13 die Maii 1596. Reg. Regine 38. |
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1 p. (173. 76.) |
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(3.) [Probably] Francis Bunny to the Bishop of Durham. |
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I talked with Nicholas Ruderforth (for his name is not Gawin howsoever I mistook it) according to my promise, upon Tuesday the 11 of this instant, but could give him no direction what your Lordship would do because, as I told him, I had not heard from you. He seemeth still rather more desirous than before to have something done. He brought me a note how to find the secret places in Dissington, the Grange and Rochester. [Note in margin : Dissington is Clement Ogle's house : The Grange, Widow Lawson's : Rochester, one Rotherforde's—all in Northumberland. T. Duresme.] |
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Since I wrote to you, Metcalfe was at Dissington. Patteson alias Nicholas is in the bishopric, either at Nich. Hedlye's or at Johnston's of Twysel, who, he saith, is a most perilous man. He thinketh that they will steal abroad about Whitsuntide, if they be not taken before, as he thinketh it were easy to do. If you have not before sent an answer, if it may please you to send a letter to Durham to Mrs. Barnes to be sent to me, I shall cause my neighbours, if any come to Durham, to call for it on Saturday, I would think it were well if so good opportunity were followed; but this I commend to your vigilant care. |
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For my own matters, I am sorry to see such profanation as I daily do, and it so little reformed or regarded as it is of many. I will open my grief. Upon Sunday we had a hopping. For the Sunday after St. Elen's day is our day of disorder : it is a day of feasting and dancing. I not knowing how to mend the matter, and to hinder the disorder as much as in me lay, sent for Rich. Colson, a constable, for the other constables were not in the town. [Note in margin : Let a warrant go for him presently.] I told him that whereas many pipers and minstrels would be in the town, and they all are by our Statute Laws rogues, if they have not licences, he should either cause them to void the town, or else, if they would needs play here, he should as rogues carry them to some justice of peace to be committed or used as he thought good. The constable seemed not to mislike this, but when the time came he suffered them not only to play but even in service time and so until night; for at evening prayer most of the youths were dancing after their pipes when they should have been at the church, and yet not one of these have their licences. I speak as much as I can against such things, especially in these days rather of mourning than of mirth, but my people are as in a dead sleep or a trance, past sense or feeling. I would I could obtain that the constable for neglect of his duty were well fined; it would be a good example hereafter, which if your Lordship will do then the sooner the better, for now, in some place or other, every Sunday is thus consecrated to Bacchus.—Ryton, this xijth of May 1596. |
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Endorsed :—“Mr. Francis Bunnye's letter for the apprehension of two seminary priests.” |
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Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (173. 72.) |
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Dr. Bilson to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 14. |
I was prepared to come towards London this Friday and to have showed myself at Court the Sunday following, but that yesterday night, at nine of the o'clock, I received letters from Her Majesty in the behalf of Mr. Henry Cotton, requring him to be chosen fellow of
this house, if any place were void or could be made void by way of resignation. This matter hath bred here much difficulty, by reason that every fellow of our house standeth expressly sworn not voluntarily to forsake the house without giving four months' warning at the least; so that no resignation can presently be given without evident and apparent perjury. A poor old man was induced to offer a resignation in case Mr. Cotton might be chosen in his place; but after it was offered and the danger of the statute perceived, he did not only revoke it, but with great terror of conscience refuseth to persist in his purpose of resigning. The danger of this statute hath stayed the rest of the fellows as yet from making any election, by reason if they choose Mr. Cotton upon this resignation, the party that offered to resign his place is inevitably perjured. To save him from manifest perjury, they think they have no way left but to refuse to elect upon this conditional surrender of his place. This case hath much troubled me in labouring them to give their voices, whiles they decline by their act to hem one of their company within the peril of manifest perjury. Myself hath this whole Friday treated with them to do somewhat in satisfaction of Her Majesty's letters; but the case is so weighty that I am forced to defer the despatch thereof till Saturday. There shall truly want in me no readiness nor pains to obey Her Majesty's pleasure; but no election can be good without the consent of the rest, whose resolutions I cannot yet receive. This duty being performed with as much speed as possible, I will not fail forthwith to present myself to you and to make what haste her Majesty shall appoint me for my repair to Worcester. The fellows themselves will, according to their “devoyres,” wait on you to show the reasons of their doings; myself am not nor mean not to be any partaker with them if they do otherwise than her Majesty hath required them, but rather an earnest exhorter of them to remember their duties and perform her Majesty's pleasure, beseeching you to inform her Majesty of the necessary impediments of my coming to London by her express commandment, lest happily her Highness might be otherwise offended with my absence.—Winton, this Friday night, being 14th of May '96. |
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Signed. Seal. 1¼ pp. (40. 84.) |
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Gio. Battista Giustiniano to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 14. |
Calvo is returned and, by order, as he says, of Signor Palavicino, has come to me this morning expecting to learn your pleasure what to do. I told him I had as yet no orders. Asks for directions. Would come myself, but business of Signor Palavicino's prevents it.—London, 14 May, 1596. |
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Italian. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (40. 77.) |
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Treaty with France. |
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[1596, May 14]. |
Portion of draft in Lord Burghley's hand of treaty with France against Spain. |
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Imperfect. Latin. 4 pp. (167. 120.) |
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Anthony Ashley to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 15. |
Give me leave to marvel as much as yourself at the matter and manner of your last letter, having given no just cause of least offence, especially to yourself, whom above all others of your sort I have loved. What offence can be conceived by you against me in making suit to your father for his letter commendatory to the Generals, upon those grounds contained in my letter, viz., that I knew not certainly what to
do in discharge of my duty by any letter or other direction in writing from her Majesty or their lordships, as I had in the Portugal expedition; alleging that if by writing I were warranted to obey the Generals in all things it should fully satisfy me, for then should I know certainly the limits of my duty and charge, whereas now dangerously depended betwixt both, as I know (in the sincerity of your own judgment) you do easily conceive. For I assure you the matters delivered me in charge by her Majesty are both in number and quality so much different from that which is set down in the instructions as my mean capacity could not conceive them (as I thought) any ways so well as by writing; howbeit I desired no such thing, but only my lord's favourable letter, which I assure myself would have wrought very good effect. |
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If you will give me leave to speak plain, without offence, you shall not find that any of my fellows was ever employed under the Earl of Leicester in the Low Countries, or under others elsewhere, without instructions either under her Majesty's signature or her Privy Council's, whereby they had the more credit and respect given them, and were the better warranted to the furtherance of their services; whereof at this day I can show you very many. Think not this to grow out of a proud or malapert humour, but only out of the honest zeal I have to be blameless and heedful in the due execution of her Majesty's commandment, neither was it safe for me to affect peremptory instructions, but barely such as might contain the tenor of my employment, had they been only to have signified that her Majesty was pleased to employ me under the Generals in that service, with such a title and to such end. I cannot deny but you read me the instructions, and part of them (as was fit) you concealed; but therewithal I hope you remember that you charged me I should not be known thereof to any for the causes then delivered and therefore I might in this sense also to good purpose say unto my Lord that I knew not what I was appointed to do. Likewise some difference there is in reading a thing advisedly and otherwise, neither do I desire to be trusted with what mine inferiors know, much less with what my betters are; yet shall you never find me false what trust soever you repose in me, not only by reason of my oath as her Majesty's sworn servant, but as your true follower. It is some touch to have stayed thus long purposely for the instructions and now to depart empty handed, the Generals being so formerly advertised of the cause of my stay; and my stay in town all night grew, as you know, upon the matter of the diamond and not of of mine own desire, and if you had given me the carriage of them according to her Majesty's express pleasure given me by herself, and advertised the Generals so much by your private letter, you might have done me a special favour. For had not this been, I might have departed a fortnight since. I do no less marvel you should term my letter a complaint; I pray you rest satisfied herewith, not taking my letters in ill sense, for you shall not be slily nor Spaniardlike handled by me, but honestly as becometh me, and if I could have drawn a letter from your father, I see not which ways it could have much offended you. For the diamond, so heavily laid on me since my coming home, I have sent to the party, but cannot yet get him by reason of his absence at Lambeth, and will not fail to get it ere I go, or in case I fail and her Majesty do not recover it, I will lose her favour, her service, and that poor livelihood I have, and happily may bring to pass somewhat else as acceptable if all be not marred with over haste.—From my house this 15th of May, 1596. |
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[P.S.] I pray conceal this matter of my suit from the Generals lest they conceive it to my prejudice otherwise than I meant. |
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Signed. Seal. 2 pp. (40. 80.) |
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Anthony Ashley to [Sir Robert Cecil]. |
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[1596, May 15.] |
One Tirry, a goldsmith dwelling at the Black Lion in Cheap, is the party that first contracted with Mr. Francis Langley and myself for the diamond, and took assurance by obligation for 2,600l. in the name of one James Woolveridge, a Fleming, of purpose to conceal the true owner, who (as I am informed) is one How, a goldsmith that dwelleth in Tirry's house. |
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Myself with Francis Langley and Hannibal Gammon, a goldsmith, were jointly bound to Woolveridge for this money. The stone is at this present in cutting at the said Gammon's house at The Horseshoe in Cheap, in a study in the second storey of his house, by a Dutch cutter, and will be best recovered by his means. This cutter may be apprehended in the morning as he cometh from his house to work, and so may be accompanied by some fit person to the place where it remaineth, being charged to be in hand with cutting a ruby or carbuncle of great price. I do not find that it will be ready for the mill as soon as it was thought. But if her Majesty will be pleased for a time to forbear, I will undertake to deliver it her with mine own hand upon any penalty or displeasure, whereas by other means there may be some danger, but will write you somewhat more hereof in the morning before my departure, if I [can] prevail. |
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Endorsed by Cecil :—“Mr. Ashley.” |
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Unsigned. 2/3 p. (40. 88.) |
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Thomas Fane to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 15. |
Having received your letter of the 14th instant concerning cables and anchors lost near unto the Gooden [Goodwin] Sands, I have taken order for recovery of the same by all means possible. I know no means to send them unto Plymouth except by a boat expressly appointed for that purpose.—Dover Castle, this 15th of May, 1596. |
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Holograph. ⅓ p. (40. 81.) |
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Dr. Julius Cæsar to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 15. |
Mr. Wynne hath been with me and requested me to send back the reversion which you sent unto me, for that he thinketh I shall not have audience before Whitsuntide. At my last audience I offered it to her Majesty's signature, but she put it off amongst other things till some other time. The book you shall receive by this bearer.—From the Doctors Commons, this 15th of May, 1596. |
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Signed. ⅓ p. (40. 82.) |
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Edward Hayes to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1596, May 15. |
For the action preferred herewith unto you, the time serveth well, now that all men will affect any course, especially this so just, and needful besides, whereby her Majesty may be thoroughly enabled for the common defence. Hereby her Majesty may not only cure many inconveniences in the commonweal, but gather besides a present mass of treasure, whereof it is commonly thought her Highness shall have need. The necessity therefore of the cause every way must render it plausible enough. For your private, it shall deserve much grace at her Highness's hands, and moreover fill your coffer with treasure. The difficulties that may happen in the execution have been premeditated, with salves for every sore. Vouchsafe therefore to peruse
this brief extracted from a larger discourse, wherein I have with my father long travailed, hitherto without fruit, it may be through imperfections in my former labours, now in my last reformed. The cause and ground I take it for very just, which if it may not so be thought, I shall think my travail well employed if I may but obtain your patronage in other employment, being now an old professed seaman and zealous towards the voyage of Guiana, wherein (if my service shall not be used about this money suit) I am very willing to follow Sir Walter Ralegh with the best means I can procure.—From my house, Hamsett Park in Sussex, 15 May, 1596. |
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Holograph. 1 p. (40. 83.) |
