Nov. 20.
London. |
61. [Sir Thomas Roe] to Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia. Your
Majesty's gracious letter of July found me retired to a country life
and safe harbour, after so many perils; from which place I could
write you nothing, or if I had adventured, might mistake or err
by passion. Now you will give me leave to render you an account
of all your favours. Your first with the enclosed to the Lord
Treasurer [Weston], which came very opportunely when I had
some cause to suspect his respects towards me, by effects of the
Court, I delivered, and it was very cheerfully received and served
to piece me up, at least to open me a way to clear any suspicion;
for then His Majesty had declared a new Ambassador to the King
of Sweden, when I had been sent for to go, and had with all
ingenuity proceeded and enlarged myself, both to the State and the
Marquis [Hamilton]; but when all was fished out of me, I was
forsaken, by whose fault I know not; but sensible of my own
reputation, I presumed to lament myself to my master who, though
with some reprehension, yet concluding with his grace and favour.
Upon better enquiry I discovered that the man mentioned by your
Majesty [Sir Henry Vane] had supplanted me enviously enough,
and [one] who is a bold undertaker, though I know he cannot build
on my foundations. This blow came from Vienna upon new
pretences that the prosperity of the King of Sweden would make
our treaty easy, if a man were employed that would advance peace,
to which I was esteemed an enemy; but I must bear it, yet not
without this resentment, that he grounded his fortune by assuming
an opinion of power he had with your Majesty, and yet I cannot
believe that he hath done all those offices which he would pretend;
so that what advanced his greatness humbled mine; and I conclude,
let him boast that puts off his armour as I have done mine. Your
Majesty commanded me to write you some relation of the business
that so much perplexed us of [Donald] MacKay [Lord Reay] and
[David] Ramsey, but the matter was so tender, and I so obnoxious
that I durst not enter into a forbidden secret until now that it hath
had an open hearing in a court held by the Lord High Constable,
[Chamberlain] the Earl of Lindsey. Particulars of the proceedings
in court. I never [can] believe that in a Christian state a truth
should be decided by blood; all I can say is that I wish your
Majesty to suspend your opinion of MacKay and the cause; for
though it be clear the Marquis [Hamilton] is innocent yet the
rhodomontades and discontents of Ramsey may have given some
occasion. I excuse none. Your Majesty's name was used in court in
his defence by Ramsey, in my opinion not to purpose, and he was
reprehended; he is not a man on whose discretion to rely, being
much transported with self opinion. Your last by Sir Francis
Nethersole found me in London to wait on the Polish Ambassador,
but my sudden departure afforded him not opportunity to let me
understand his credence nor your affairs, so that I could not serve
him; but the delays of this court have given me too much time
and I have omitted no occasion, as this bearer can testify, to whom
I have opened myself in what concerns it. The resolution your
Majesty will receive from him, yet I will take boldness to say, that
if his message be not concordant with your desires, though your
reasons be weighty and present, yet your wisdom will lengthen
your patience, for I know his Majesty will bring the treaty to a
sudden trial, and I trust none, and I wonder why some men did not
see a back door open to them, to escape out of censure in case the
treaty should not be performed. This night I have consulted with
Sir Robert [Anstruther, Ambassador to Germany] upon the news of
Prague, which may alter resolutions, in which we see God calls us,
for these are not human prosperities, but the enemy hath ever a
counter mine or counter rumour, in which we are not skilful. I
conclude your Majesty can never safely nor wisely resolve without
my master [King Charles] who cannot forsake you and who doth
best judge his own affairs; this moderation is duty in me and will
be wisdom in you for you cannot be protracted many days. I
presume not to give counsel, for I am not come so high; then I
might weigh the reasons, now I obey in an humble ignorance; yet
I shall never change the opinion that the Lord Treasurer [Weston]
will serve you, at least oblige him by believing. He useth me with
a great confidence and lately vowed deeply to me in private, that
he could never think this kingdom happy, safe nor rich, until your
Majesty and your children were established, and that he would
contribute his blood to it; but that as a [Privy] Councillor he could
not give the occasion to cast the breach after so much labour upon
ourselves and leave the King's honour at stake; yet he professes so
far, that the King was able to perform the offers made by Fane
[Sir Henry Vane] which are now only to make a league and the
clause of peace and mediation retracted. I will hope well of him,
because he is a wise man, and there is nothing else left but
hope. If your Majesty had not money, perhaps your great
solicitor had his own affairs in principal recommendation, all
faults are not ever laid aright. For myself I suppose I stand in
His Majesty's grace and do believe I shall have my turn, but I
know God will conduct the whole business and take the honour to
Himself. He that hath begun it with miracles will have no helper.
If I have not part of fortune here, I have honour enough in the
sincerity of my negotiations and that God hath blessed them and
made me one instrument, though I boasted not until another
would take my honour, of bringing the brave king [Gustavus
Adolphus] into Germany, which I would rather have inscribed on
my tomb than titles dearly bought with the loss of honour; from
the sincere and plain ways I have walked in nothing shall deter me,
and though I am not upon that altitude to promise your Majesty
much service, yet I will not think I can do none, and I shall still
take it to be a glory to receive your commands which can never be
severed from my duty to His Majesty, and though it be too high a
title, I am as much your Majesty's martyr as I do desire to be
believed. [Copy. 3 pp.] |
