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March 1.
London. |
100. [Sir Thomas Rowe] to the Queen of Bohemia. I promised
last week to write my thoughts to your Majesty, and now I would
willingly send you some news. Of ourselves we have none, nor do
we ground our counsels upon ourselves, but upon such advices as
come from beyond the seas. What they are, I know less; but there
is much come, as we suppose, by an express post from Frankfort,
but so enclosed in buff and fortified with engines of war that none
can penetrate it, and few dare ask, for the courier is the famous
Mr. Gyfford, who is gone post to Newmarket, silent in all but his
horn, a person of whom, if your Majesty have not heard his
description, were as difficult and strange a theme as any monster of
Africa, and would be a whole subject of a large discourse. But I will
leave him and tell you the moral of the fable, that now all business
is shut up in so few breasts that we know nothing what is done or
doing, only we are satisfied of the safe arrival of the King of
Bohemia with his troops, and of his cheerful reception and welcome
from the brave King of Sweden, in despite of the rumour that he
was neither expected nor could be grateful; a rumour so gross, that
I do not believe it got any entrance into His Majesty or any
wise man. Now he may treat his own affairs, but I am persuaded
as he shall see clearly, so he shall gain more by his presence than
by mediation. I am now going back to my rest, not ambitious of
employment except it proceed natively from my master's own breast,
on whom only I depend, and trust not in saints and angels, if
there be any such about him. Almighty God conduct the King to
that end to which he is now in the way, and send your Majesty
more happiness than the bounds of my thoughts can comprehend,
and above the malice of your enemies, that they may not hope to
change it, as I shall never my devotion. [Copy. 1 p.] |
March 3.
London. |
[The same] to the Earl of Holland. Distracted between two
passions, sorrow and joy, for your fall and your escape, I cannot
choose but lament the one and congratulate the other. This fall
hath lifted you up and made you know how to value yourself,
whom you find so valued of all good men, and I hope it will lift up
your thoughts to Him who can only save in danger, who watcheth
over His servants by a tutelar angel, because He knows from
Paradise itself man will fall. I beseech you, fright us no more,
afflict us not with love and fear that we may lose you, in whom a
kingdom and the best cause hath so much interest that you venture
more than your own. I have such a share of sense, if you fell, as if
you would have left me a public orphan, without friends, for you
know too late I lost one, and you are now all the stock. I had a
purpose to wait upon you, but though I am confident there is room
in your heart for my love, I did doubt my presence would more
prejudice me, that now hope nothing, than it could serve you.
[Copy, on the same sheet as the preceding. ¾ p.] |
| March 5. |
Warrant of the Lords of the Admiralty to Captain John
Pennington, to appoint what ships under his charge may soonest be
ready to repair to Margate, there to take aboard the Abbot de Scaglia,
Ambassador from the Duke of Savoy, now about to return home,
with certain of his train, servants and trunks; and also to waft such
vessel as he shall provide to transport the rest of his servants and
horses to Dunkirk or some other port of Flanders; after doing
which, Captain Pennington is to return and guard the narrow seas.
[Minute, see No. 93 of this volume.] |
March 12.
Newmarket. |
101. Earl of Holland to Sir Henry Vane, Lord Ambassador to
the King of Swethland [Sweden]. By the hands of your son, I
received an expression of your favour and remembrance; by him I
return my humble thanks and my wishes that all your negotiations
may prove as full of good success as they are weighed with care and
wisdom by you, which will bring honour to you and satisfaction to
all. Endorsed by Sir Henry Vane: "From my Lord of Holland
12 March. Newmarket. Rec. the 16 April." [1 p.] |
March 23.
Baynard's Castle. |
102. Earl of Leicester to [the same]. If I had known how to
make my letters acceptable or myself useful, I had often presented
your Lordship with my humble service since you went from hence,
but I apprehend so much the greatness of your business that I
thought I should be guilty of a fault if your hand lost so much
time as to open my epistles. But now I have your letter to witness
that I am obliged to return thanks for your favour. Endorsed by
Vane: "From my Lord of Leicester, 23 March 1632. Rec. the
16 April." [1 p.] |
| March. |
103. Petition of the Cutlers' Company to the Privy Council. By
grant from the late King, petitioners have power to search all shops
and privileged places for wares belonging to their art, to seize base
wares, and to carry them to their Hall to be viewed and defaced.
The brokers in Long Lane, being ignorant of the art, buy, sell, and
trim as cutlers do, thereby harming petitioners and cozening the
public, and petitioners have lately found in the shop of one
Edmond Phillips and Thomas Backe swords and halberts which
are base and insufficient. Beg that the offenders may receive such
punishment as may deter others. Signed by John Benyend,
Francis Fulwell, Warden, Robert South, George Moore, and William
Cave. [1 p.] |
| [March.] |
104. Certificate to the same that Philip Hinnes has been and is
so ill of an ague that he cannot travel a mile from home without
apparent danger of his life. Signed William Briers, Thomas Balle,
William Arnold. Endorsed. "Philip Kinnes (sic) sent for by
warrant." [⅓ p.] |
