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Jan. 31.
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724. Report of the proceedings of the Privy Council on
Jan. 31, 158 1/2, in consequence of the decision taken by the Hanse
Towns at their meeting held at Lubeck, 4 November 1581 ; present,
the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Admiral, the Lord Chamberlain, the
Earl of Leicester, and Sir F. Walsingham, secretary. Appended are
copies of various decrees and documents bearing on the question.
Endd. Latin. 34 pp. [Hanse Towns I. 65 bis.]
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Feb. 5.
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725. ALFONSO FERRABOSCO to the QUEEN.
The fact of my having been defrauded by all those to whom I
had either by way of loan or deposit made over the greater part of
the recompense that your Majesty had 'shown' for my ancient
service has emboldened me to break my long silence, and to entreat
that in accordance with the true information which will be given
you by my proctor Mr Lorenzo Dandini, you will grant me justice.
I thank you humbly for the pity which you show towards my
poor son, and being able to recognise it only in the mind, I pray
heaven for every happiness for you. Turin, 5 Feb. 1582.
Add. Ital. p. [Savoy I. 4.]
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? Feb. 26.
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726. MARCHAUMONT to WALSINGHAM.
I have been to your chamber, to speak to you according to the
discourse I had with the Queen, who is being importuned by certain
impassioned Spaniards who little love her greatness. There must
be no more temporising now ; postponement is ended (est leve la
remise) by the acceptance his Highness has given, as she will hear
from the lords who arrived at Gravesend yesterday. I would wish
not to importune her, but herein delay is of importance. Besides
that we shall be in the month of March directly, when the sum is
needed. I would give a pound of my blood to let some other be
the solicitor in this affair. I beg you, sir, if you see the Lord
Treasurer, with whom but for this I hoped to dine, to tell him that
after the Queen the matter touches him more than any other, and
that he should recall the truth of what has past, and the promise
he made to Monsieur ; whoso does a pleasure promptly, he
gives twofold. I pray you, if your business allows, to come to this
place and carry to her Majesty the Lord Treasurer's opinion,
remembering what passed between us in writing, of which I have
so much. There is no longer any place for temporising.Greenwich,
Monday morning, 1582. (Signed) P. Clausse.
Add. Endd. by (?) L. Tomson : Febr. 1581 (alt. by later hand
to 2). Fr. 1 p. [France VII. 29 bis.]
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Mar. 3.
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727. THOMAS COTTON to WALSINGHAM.
Since you accepted the true purgation of my innocence, and
therefore I hope happily determined me by your means some better
course of fortune than heretofore, I am humbly to thank you. And
'where' it pleased you by your letters to the Prince favourably to
commend me, and assure him withal of my honest service, I find
his former hard opinion altered, though some of the same humours
ambitiously in 'other' yet remain. So now I am in good hope to
be by your means yet again employed. Let it not therefore,
I beseech you, any way be offensive, though I seem to trouble you
once again.
Having observed the courses here, I find his Highness in shew
very much to regard such as her Majesty may recommend ; which
albeit I am not there present, by your favour may easily be procured
her letters to that effect. I find his countenance good. Also
that it may please you to write again to the Prince on my behalf,
and that he will take the protection of my suit to his Highness. I
desire a regiment of foot, if any Englishmen can be suffered to
come over, which the Prince may procure ; or if not, some reasonable
charge of horse, as he shall think good. This if it please you,
that I may have those letters with the most haste I crave, considering
now the resolutions are presently to be had, I trust you will
never have dishonour in advancing me ; 'but very well assured' of
a faithful servant. If the Prince of Orange remembers my service
and good will these thirteen years, and now these three last past
what good occasion I have had to forsake him, and to be malcontent,
if so I may term it, when so much ingratitude has been used
to me, condemned without cause, my companions 'cast' after well
deserving, yet it nor any other could alter me from his service or
the cause ; but with an infinite charge live here in the face of the
world, ever saying purification was properly to those that are
innocent, myself to be justified [sic]. His Excellency by your
favour may do me right, and restore me to that credit which by
hard means was taken from me. My dear time spent, my blood
lost, a faithful service remaining (without offence) considering the
time that ravins (?), I may boldly say deserves it, and withal good
turns 'breed bondage in me of whom I receive them.'
This day the General States are arrived. His Highness on
Monday makes his propositions. Since his arrival divers banquets,
etc.
I hear very credibly that here in Antwerp they have agreed he
shall have a public church for the mass, albeit at first divers
'oposite' against it. Truly if it be not looked to there may be
doubt of great practice, as there is no doubt but of great factions.
It is thought Ghent and the rest will yield to the like. I will
believe it when he is there ; but I would not be in his case that
shall say the first mass, if Gentners change not their old wont.
I fear by this long 'detracting' it will this year fall rather to a
defensive than offensive war, or with some reasonable camp to
'fronter,' if more haste be not made [sic].
The Prince told me he had news the enemy prepared their forces
for Meenen ; but I believe considering it is strong, and 900 good
soldiers in it, the place poor, they will not go about to spoil their
camp, which now they ought to nourish and reinforce. I rather
fear Oudenarde, for 'there' we have no passage good for Tournay,
Hainault, and Artois.
It is thought the Liberty of Religion will make divers towns
revolt.
I talked lately with a very great learned man who is about the
duke, and amongst 'other' he said, "tell me [sic] what stir you
shall have within five months for religion in England" ; alleging
what number of 'sects' of Papists were suffered and nourished in
all parts. Albeit I doubt not it is very well seen to, it cannot be
too much.3 March 1582.
Add. Endd. 4 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 37 bis.]
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Mar. 19.
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728. to [? WALSINGHAM].
In sending you a letter from M. du Plessis, based upon a subject
which I am sure will not be less unacceptable to you than to us, I
have wished to write you this word to recall myself to your favour,
of which I beg you always to grant me a share, as I desire to merit
it by serving you.
This misfortune (inconvnient) that has occurred has changed
nothing, nor diminished the good will of this people towards his
Highness. They have all comported themselves with all the respect
and obedience that can be desired. I cannot say to you enough
that the act is strange and marvellous (esmerveillable). The best
thing in this great misfortune is the assurance that we have of the
Prince's cure and convalescence. Since the letter that M. du
Plessis wrote you he has had his second dressing and is doing much
better.
Wonderfully great discoveries are being made of the adherents
and accessories to this disastrous assassination ; and believe me
there is a good deal of mixed traffic (marchandise) from many
quarters in it. His Highness has determined to clear it up so well
that nothing in it will remain unknown. I will not weary you with
longer discourse.Antwerp, 19 March 1582.
In the hand of E. Burnham ; probably a copy. No add. or endt.
Fr. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 70 bis.]
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