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| Oct. 22./Nov. 1. |
M. De Clervant to her Majesty. |
|
All the chiefs of this army, of whatever nation, know how
greatly God has employed her Majesty in the maintenance and
advancement of his church, and how much of her means she has
given for the raising and marching of this army, for the succour
of the churches of France and the King of Navarre. Baron
Dhona has written to her of their state on behalf of the Germans,
as the writer now does on that of the Swiss, knowing that she
will be pleased to hear thereof. Hopes for the continuance of
her benefits, as a Christian and wise princess, who knows well
the consequence of their prosperity or ruin. There is, thank
God, very good harmony between the various nations, both chiefs
and private persons, whether when they face the enemy or when
there is question of public affairs; and if there be some murmuring as regards lodging and such things, this is common in
all armies. They have less money than could be wished, the
need whereof might well bring quarrels in married life; there
may be vexations but not divorce, for they are bound together
by particular oaths of the German nation to the Swiss not
to abandon them before a good peace for the Religion
be established in France, although they may be reduced to hard
shifts. Prays her Majesty to remedy this by her good and ample
means. The camp near Chateau Landon, 1 November, 1587,
stil nouveau. |
|
Signed. Add. Endd. by Burghley. French. 1½ pp. Seal.
[France XVII. 130.] |
| Oct. 22./Nov. 1. |
Clervant to Walsingham. |
|
Prays him to excuse the needy if they are importunate; to
impute the fault to those who compel them thereto, and to aid
in overthrowing them, or at least in bridling their boundless
ambition. Their army has done and will do well so long as it
subsists, but its divers needs cause it to waste away, while
their enemies spare themselves and wait to make an attack
upon them until they are feeble. She only who has made them
what they are (after God) can and must maintain them, even
for her own sake, to enable them to make a good peace; whereby
they may be able to do her as much service as she has done
and will do to them. They two are both servants of princes, and
have one and the same aim; viz. the glory of God and the
advantage of their Majesties. He counsels his master to spend
all in order to become rich. It is the husbandry of great princes
and their way of saving. For himself, he employs all in order
not to lose a part; and uses the greater boldness to beg, for
the public good, from the abundance of those great princes
whom God has created to serve for his glory and the comforting
of the oppressed. |
|
The Duke of Bouillon is writing to her Majesty, as is also
the Baron of Dhona. Has made bold to do the same to tell
her of the carriage of the Swiss troops.—The camp near Chateau
Landon, 1 November, 1587, stil nouveau. |
|
Holograph. Add. Endd. French. 1 p. [France XVII. 131.] |
| Oct. 27. |
Stafford to Burghley. |
|
In answering a letter from Mr. "Palvesino" on matters touching the King of Navarre, I have been bold to write plainly unto
him, and desired him "to communicate unto her Majesty the
letter to your lordship, and to those that it shall be thought fit."
It may be thought presumption in me to write so plainly, but
methinks it is my duty, being here to put her Majesty in remembrance to take time and occasion when it is offered her, and
that truly not for the King of Navarre's sake but for her own.
If it were only for that King's cause, I have no great reason
given me to be hot in it, either by himself or his ministers,
but I am her Majesty's devoted servant, and that makes me bold,
seeing an occasion offered which, not being taken, will be irrevocable; "for sure this is it that must either heal us or kill us."—
Paris, 27 October, 1587. |
|
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVII. 132.] |
| Oct. 27./Nov. 6. |
The Consuls and Senators of Stade to the Queen. |
|
We have received with extreme pleasure your Majesty's letters,
by which you not only ratify all the agreements made between
us and the commissioners of the Society of Adventurers, but
also are pleased to remember kindly our zealous friendship and
to show a like interest in us. |
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We render your Majesty many thanks for your goodwill to us
and our city, and humbly pray for a continuance thereof; and
for our part will never cease in our efforts to prove our willingness to serve you. |
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We hope it will not be displeasing to your Majesty that before
the arrival of your letters, it had been mutually agreed that the
commercial treaty should be for a period of ten years. It has
been customary to make such treaties perpetual, but since everything is difficult at the beginning, and no one can predict with
certainty as to the future, the limit of ten years was fixed by
us in the first place for the continuance of the residency. When
that period has elapsed, we can treat for a perpetuation of
mutual commerce, since your letters testify that such a treaty
will be to the advantage of our city. |
|
Meanwhile, we will leave nothing undone that may promote the
continuance of the goodwill which has arisen between the English nation and this State, as a result of this ten years' commercial treaty.—Stade, 6 November, 1587. |
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Add. Endd. Latin, 2 pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II.
69.] |
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Short abstract of the above. [Ibid. 72 IV.] |
| Oct. 28./Nov. 7. |
Proconsuls and Senate of Hamburg to the Queen. |
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Letter of which the contents are sufficiently shown by the
English abstract given below.—Nov. 1587. |
|
Add. Endd. Given under the Seal of the town. Latin. 4½ pp.
[Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 70.] |
| Oct. 28./Nov. 7. |
Another copy of the same.—7 Nov., 1587. |
|
Add. Endd. Latin. 5 pp. [Ibid. II. 71.] |
| Oct. 28./Nov. 7. |
"An Abstract of the Governor and Council's letter of Hamborough to her Majesty of the 7 of November, 1587. |
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1. "They show that although they found some insufficiency in
the instructions that Mr. Saltonstall and Dr. Fletcher (sent unto
them from hence) had [given them], and that their citizens did
require the rest of the Hanses should be made acquainted with
their proceedings herein, yet they so moderated the matter as
that:— |
|
2. They made a decree in August last, whereby they licensed
our Merchants Adventurers until Easter next in anno '88, as
well to bring in our cloths to them as to transport thence
their commodities in as free manner as their own citizens; and
therefore:— |
|
3. Find themselves greatly grieved that, shortly after, the
said Saltonstall and Fletcher concluded and established a Residency at Stada, or Stoad, on the river Elb or Albis. |
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4. They complain that their neighbours of Stoad have by this
contract of residency with our merchants greatly prejudiced the
privileges that the Empire hath confirmed unto them on the
river Elbe, which they may not and will not neglect to defend. |
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5. That they have purchased these privileges on the river Elbe
with their great charges, and are at great yearly costs, as
well in keeping the channel thereof from being filled up with
sands, as also with clearing the river of pirates; and this done
without either those of Stoad or any other their neighbours'
contribution. |
|
6. That the commonalty of the city having now at length
given them, the Governor and Council, their full consent to order
this matter as pleases them, they have treated anew with Mr.
Saltonstall and Dr. Fletcher at Stoad, and have agreed with
them [on certain articles], if her Majesty shall yield consent,
to whose determination they will wholly submit themselves [and
the cause.] |
|
7. Have sent her Majesty the heads of the articles capitulated with Saltonstall and Fletcher at their meeting at Stada,
not much different from those granted twenty-one years ago. |
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8. Desire her Majesty would ratify these articles, and send
to the merchants at Stada to return themselves to Hamburgh,
or else signify speedily what she would have altered in the
articles, or what other course she would have to be taken in
this business etc. |
|
9. Conclude that they cannot tolerate this injury offered
to their privileges by those of Stada, and desire her Majesty
to yield also some remedy. |
|
1¼ pp. On the same paper as the abstract of Earl Edzard's
letter (see p. 393 above. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 72 I.] |
|
Another Copy of the above, with slight verbal differences;
on the same sheet as the Merchant Adventurers' answer thereto.
[Ibid II. 82 I.] |
| Oct 28./[Nov. 7.] |
A summary of points or articles of late discussed between
the ambassadors of the Merchants Adventurers and the deputies
of the Senate of Hamburg in the neighbouring town of Stoad. |
|
1. The Senate of Hamburg at their own costs to provide the
Merchants with a commodious house or curia. |
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2. Besides the former moderation of taxes, the Senate to
establish a diminution, so that no more than four shillings of
Lubeck shall be demanded for each cloth; and the English to
enjoy equality and the same rights with our citizens. |
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3. Nevertheless, this immunity is by no means to be extended
to any other foreigners than the English. |
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4. As to the packing of the stuff, the same custom to be
used here as in England. |
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5. A petition by the Senate for the restoration of their privileges in England, of late shown in writing, to be duly considered. |
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6. The English merchants to abstain from the taking out and
selling of merchandise outside the bounds of this city. |
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7. Frauds as to the declaration of merchandise or payment
of lawful customs, according to the common law and custom of
England to be punished. |
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8. The decennial obligation of continuing the residence to be
reciprocal. |
|
Besides the foregoing main heads, the Senate of Hamburg
declares that all those articles concluded in the year 1567 between
the ambassadors of the Adventurers and the Senate of Hamburg, and reciprocally secured by their seals, are to remain and
be understood in full vigour, according to their literal sense.
Endd by Laur. Tomson: "Sent with the letters 7 November
'87." Latin. 1¾ pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 73.] |
| [Undated.] |
"Answer by the Commissioners of the Merchants Adventurers to certain points informed by the Senate of Hamburg
and the Alderman of the Stilliard." |
|
1. Information. It is informed by the Senate that their decree
delivered on Aug. 22 was not final, but that they expected a
further reply and continuance of the treaty. |
|
Answer. This is affirmed without probability or show of
truth; for 1, it was a decree not only of the Senate but of
the burghers; 2 its very form is peremptory, refusing to grant
a residence on any conditions whatsoever; 3, it was delivered
"with a flat denunciation that they would admit no further
answer," though we entreated their commissioners to deliver
our petition to the Senate for the continuance of the treaty: but
they answered that they had special charge from the Senate to
receive nothing, but only to deliver the decree. |
|
2. They say they have treated anew with us since our contract
made with Stoad, and that we agreed with them on certain articles
etc. |
|
Answer. There has been no such agreement, nor "liking at
all on our parts to any one article propounded by their Commissioners at Stoad; to whom we answered so oft as they
came to us (being then as importune with us as they were hard
and unreasonable before) that being refused by them and now
having contracted with Stoad, our commission was ended." When
they wrote to her Majesty and your honours we could not in
common courtesy deny them carriage of their letters, but it
is but a device to break off the residence at Stoad, and so have
to return to Hamburg or what conditions they list, or be quite
banished out of Germany. |
|
3. "They say they imparted with us the letters of the Alderman
of the Stilliard. |
|
Answer. If they mean the letters themselves, it is utterly
untrue. They only told us that the said letters "contained a
catalogue of all the Hanse grievances, and namely of the imposition by Sir W. Rawley's licence, which they specially urged:
that he exhorted them to make their advantage of the time, and
the present extremities of the realm, and to stand fast together
for the recovering of all their old privileges. That besides the
matter of traffic . . . he entered [into] discourse in his said letters
concerning the state and government of this realm, in such sort
and with such terms, as that they were assured her Majesty and
your honours (to use their own words) would first hang him up,
and then send him home" if you knew the contents of his
letters, and their manifest contradictions to their decrees and
other writings. |
|
1st Contradiction. Their letters of Aug. 19, 1586 say they will
contract for the residency with the Adventurers without consent
of the other Hanse towns as aforetime; [letter quoted] but their
decree calls it a public cause that concerns all the Hanse towns
as well as themselves and that they cannot contract for a residency without regard to them [letter quoted], which their propositions to the Senate at Stoad "interpret to be meant also of
the King of Spain's consent as necessary . . . being of the
Hanse confederacy and so having a suffrage and interest in
this action." In their said propositions they affirm also that
their letters of August 19 (wherein they say they will contract
without consent of the other towns) were written with the
knowledge and consent of the same. |
|
2nd Contradiction. Their letters say that for recompense of
this Residency they will be content with what her Majesty promised them in her letter delivered to their legates at Nonsuch
3 October, 1587; "viz. with that which they enjoyed at the beginning of her Highness' reign" [letter quoted.] But their decree
says that they look for the taking away of all the grievances specified in the letters sent them by the Alderman of the Stilliard,
"which, as divers of their Senate have signified to us are of
two or three hundred years old; viz. all such alterations and
detractions from the Hanse liberties and customs in England
as have fallen out since the accord of Utrecht," in 1473. |
|
3rd Contradiction. Their letters say they will grant the Residency at Hamburg if they may have assurance of performance
of what her Majesty promised the Hanse legates at Nonsuch;
whereas their letters make it apparent that in the said answer
at Nonsuch it is expressly stipulated that they shall first yield
the Residency, in these words:—"Therefore if it seem good to
the Hanse towns to grant the English merchants such residency,
her Majesty doth promise that so soon as she shall be certified
thereof, she will take away all such grievances etc." |
|
Their decree says that before Easter next; "to wit before
they grant anything on their parts, they look for a removing
of all the Hanse grievances," and in their propositions to Stoad
they allege "that it was so agreed that her Majesty should first
yield restitutionem privilegiorum, and then they the Residency." |
|
4th Contradiction. Their decree says they cannot grant this
Residency "for the respects they ought to have to the other
Hanse towns, which also they affirm in their propositions to the
Senate of Stoad." Contrary to this, they now sue to her
Majesty that the Merchant Adventurers may return to Hamburg,
without consent of the other towns. |
|
5th Contradiction. In their letters etc., they profess great
friendship to her Majesty and this realm. |
|
Contrary, their propositions to Stoad say "that they were
advised by the King of Spain not to draw unto them the King's
enemies," wherefore they persuade them of Stoad to reject the
English merchants. The like is apparent in their late letters to
Verdugo, Captain of Groningen, "wherein they writ that they
have now satisfied the King of Spain's request by casting off
the English . . . As also by their open rejoicing when any
news cometh of ill-success for England or good for Spain etc.
[and] by their arming of certain ships of late for the King
of Spain's use when they heard of invasion intended by him
against this realm etc." |
|
[In the same hand as the endorsement.] By the premises,
your honours may see either the malice or the inconstancy of
these men; and how dangerous either would be at these times to
the trade of our merchants residing there we leave to be considered by your wisdoms, as also what policy it might seem to
leave a place "more commodious for trade, more friendly for
affection, more easy for conditions, where the Residency is well
planted and may be better strengthened . . . for a place incertain, less commodious for trade, of harder conditions, either
of enemies or of no good friends, being ready to gratify our
enemies upon every occasion with our hurt and disadvantage." |
|
Endd. as in headline. With memo. by Laur. Tomson. "This
followeth the letter of the States of Hamburgh of the 7 November, 87. 4½ pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 74.] |
| Oct. 28./Nov. 7. |
Jorge Rodrigues da Costa to Francesco Pietro de Belmonte. |
|
Concerning hides and money which are being sent over from
Bahia, Puerto de Plata, and Puerto Ruo by himself and others,
with directions as to their disposition. Payments to be made
to Gaspar de Gaia, the bearer of this letter, to the writer's
wife and to Gaspar Nunez. Part of the goods and money belong
to his brother in law, Baltazar Rodrigues, who will give orders
what is to be done with them. This is all but poor stuff, but
with the first fleet which reaches Terra Firma they will enter
on big transactions.— Cartagena, November 7, 1587. |
|
Add. Francesco Pietro de Belmonte in Sevilla, in the street
of la Galera. Spanish. 1 p. [Spain II. 85.] |
| Oct. 29./Nov. 8. |
Dr. Schulte to Burghley and Walsingham. |
|
I think your lordships have not forgotten what you wrote to
me early in this year, when the Society of Adventurers first came
to us; the questions you asked and the requests you made.
You gave some arguments not to be despised, and reasonably
seemed to demand the same of me; calling to mind the letter
of the Senate of Hamburg and all the communications that had
passed between us in writing when I was in England and
afterwards. |
|
I, for my part, did all that a man might do, forgetting nothing
of all that had passed. That the matter has not been brought to
the issue which we hoped for, seems to me to have been due
to an unforeseen stroke of fate, and whether this will cause
greater damage and inconvenience to England or to our city
I cannot yet say. I could wish, however, that our people had
shown more sense and circumspection in the business; had been
more attentive to their own earlier letters, and more thoughtful
of what had been done previously. Then, I certainly think, our
affairs would have been in a happier condition, and there would
have been no need for us, with great shame and disgrace, and
no small expenditure of means, to ask again for what had been
once offered to us, and practically thrust into our hands, but
which has slipped from them because we, in our folly, could
not appreciate it. I am ashamed to do more than merely indicate this, as it impugns our honour. Moreover you will learn
all in detail from your ambassadors; most excellent and able
men. |
|
If I have been silent during the whole summer, it is not due
to ill humour on my part. The matter has been tossed about
on such varying waves of fortune that I found it quite impossible to decide what I ought to write to you. Also, I have
been nearly all the summer suffering from fever, and when
vouchsafed a little respite from sickness have been bound by
other engagements, for many difficult affairs have come up for
consideration in this city with the King of Denmark, concerning
our rights and liberties. These have been a great obstacle in
the way of the English business, and on account thereof, and
for certain private causes, the negotiation has at length collapsed. |
|
What was done here last summer, and how the business was
hindered, your lordships must know without any words from me,
and I think you must have heard the whole story long ago, to
the regret and indignation of the Queen. So there is no need
for me to write further, and indeed I am ashamed of the whole
matter, and you will be able to inform yourselves at large when
your ambassadors return home. |
|
All our deliberations and thoughts must now be directed to
finding a remedy for the present disturbed condition of affairs,
healing the wound that has been made, and retracing our steps
where there have been mistakes. I fear there will be toil and
labour in this, and that your people will cause us very great
difficulties. As for ours, they are ashamed (but too late) of
what they have done. The Queen, your lordships and the Society of Adventurers should consider that the Church never
refuses her bosom to the returned wanderer, and that God
Almighty receives those that are penitent, and rejoices in their
salvation, not their death. |
|
Your lordships will learn (from the letters themselves) what
the Senate of Hamburg is writing to the Queen; what excuse they
put forward and what their latest petition is, and you will
examine the matter. I shall refrain therefore from going over
the same ground, but one thing I must add by way of corollary
and as a warning to you; namely, that the threats mentioned
touching the men of Stade (which I protest were not put in
the letter on account of her Majesty, or in any way to the
prejudice of the English nation) should not be altogether passed
over in contempt, as they might lead to very great dissensions,
and result to the detriment of those of Stade and indeed the
ruin of both cities. And even if little or no inconvenience should
accrue to England therefrom (and the men of Hamburg do not
wish that it should) yet they might cause trouble and misfortune
to the men of Stade, which those of Hamburg could not avert
without serious prejudice to their city. And so, inasmuch as it
is said in the Scriptures "Blessed are the peacemakers," I
beseech your lordships to soothe and heal with good and reasonable counsel the dissensions which have lately arisen between
the Society of Adventurers and our city; to appease the Queen's
offended feelings against us, and to avoid giving occasion for
future quarrels between neighbouring cities in Germany. Nay,
more to assist in bringing us back to the path whence we have
wandered and gone astray. And, since a fresh offer has now
been made to the Society of Adventurers of all the ancient
privileges they formerly had in Hamburg, with very few exceptions and modifications . . . if this offer be accepted, the Residency there (which is desired not only by the English nation and
the Adventurers but also by the men of Hamburg) can be started
anew, under happier auspices, at Easter next. |
|
If any wrong has been committed by our people, I think it
should be put down to error and imprudence rather than to any
ill-feeling towards England. Certain persons have perhaps
sinned through lack of judgment (not out of malice), but even
they were urged on and incited by others, and maybe were encouraged by certain vipers which you in England nourish in
your bosom. I leave it to your lordships' judgment to decide
whether the punishment should fall on any persons other than
the actual instigators and plotters. If a little punishment were
meted out to them, it would not be amiss. |
|
As for me, I have acted in good faith and with diligence to
the best of my ability, I have not neglected any of the things I
promised the Queen and your lordships to do; and my reward has
been that I have encountered great difficulties, incurred the
hatred of many persons, and been forced to suffer, with a few
others, under unjust calumny. Of this I have many witnesses,
including the ambassadors of the Queen and the Adventurers,
who are still here, and are not ignorant of the matter. I desire
you to make enquiries of them. Even the expences of my
embassy to England two years ago, have been denied me by the
men of Lubeck, as guardians of the Hanseatic treasury; and
64l. sterling still remain due to me, of which I have been defrauded to this day. Nevertheless, if I can be of any service
to the Queen, your lordships, the Society of Adventurers or the
English nation, until this business has been brought to the
desired termination, or at any other time, I will show you that
I am not lacking in goodwill and a desire to deserve well of
you. Nor do I doubt but that the Queen and your lordships will
by instinct take a worthy and fair view of this matter, and
deal graciously with me; especially since you are not ignorant
what was offered to me at your order and that of the Queen by
Sir Robert Beall, secretary of the Council; and hand it over to
me after being signed by your lordships. I sincerely hope that
you and the Queen will bear this in mind. |
|
It only remains that the letter now written by the Senate
to the Queen and the things that have so far been done, be
viewed with kindly eyes and considered with an impartial mind,
and that a definite answer be given as soon as possible, and
then I hope and think that what could not be done this summer
(unkindly fate forbidding) will be accomplished with happier
prospects early in the coming year. But the answer should not
be long delayed, for delay is pernicious to many things and
Fronte capillata posthaec occasio calva.—Hamburg, 8 November,
1587. |
|
Postscript. I pray you to greet Sir Christopher Hatton from
me, who is better known to me than the other lords of the Council. I also beg you to keep this letter carefully and to let me
have a reply shortly, if possible. |
|
Add. Endd. Latin. 5 pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II.
75.] |
| Oct. 30./Nov. 9. |
Proconsuls and Senate of Hamburg to the Lord Chancellor,
Lord Treasurer and Mr. Secretary. |
|
It has always been our earnest desire that the connection
between England and the Hanseatic cities, which has existed
from time immemorial, should be preserved in full strength, and
that certain clouds and occasions of trouble should be removed.
Nothing therefore could have caused us more distress than to
learn that we have fallen under suspicion of hindering this
connection and friendship. |
|
Your Excellencies know the reasons for which Richard Saltonstall, Governor of the Society of Adventurers, and Giles Fletcher,
Doctor of Laws, were sent to us last summer bearing letters
from the Queen and yourselves. We received them with all
due honour, heard the tenour of their mandates, and appointed
certain of our Senators to treat with them. |
|
The first difficulty which arose was in regard to customs or
dues, your ambassadors complaining that these had been increased beyond the sum fixed in the former privileges. But
this tax was increased some years before, with the consent of
our own citizens and subjects, and had been paid by them
up to the time of the arrival of your ambassadors. Our citizens
would have considered it very hard that the Society of Adventurers should have preference over them, to the great loss and
cost of the city, and should enjoy greater privileges and immunities than the inhabitants themselves. Nevertheless, we arranged that a certain modification of the tax should be made
quietly, so that you might have a clear proof of our goodwill
and friendship, even at great expence to our State, and we also
held out a hope that in treating about the residence, we might
make some further modification, that no possible cause of complaint might remain. This necessarily caused some delay, which
your ambassadors seemed to resent. But we could not have
avoided this without seeming to give an excuse for faction and
tumult among our citizens. |
|
This difficulty having been overcome, your ambassadors at
once urged us to treat about the residence, in accordance with
the privileges formerly granted them, certain articles and heads
being added and others withdrawn. |
|
We did not reject this, or refuse anything in connection with
the residence; but we warned the ambassadors in a friendly
way that we ought not to seem to be having regard to our
own private profit rather than to the public good and the other
confederate cities; and asked them therefore to give us some
assurance as to the restoration of the privileges in England,
not only to us but also to the other cities, and to tell us
what we and they might expect; for this is the foundation of
the whole negotiation as to a residence in Hamburg. In reply,
your ambassadors appealed to the letters of the Queen and your
Excellencies, and to our letters. At last, after many conferences
and communications on both sides . . . we put in writing our
intent and opinion, with the consent of the deputies of the
citizens (as is the ancient custom in difficult affairs); sealed it
with our seal, and ordered it to be shown by the deputies to
your ambassadors. |
|
After reading our declaration (of which a copy is enclosed)
and deliberating thereupon, your ambassadors by word of
mouth propounded certain objections to our resolution, promising to put the same in writing. To this our deputies agreed,
and asked that the writing might be handed to them as soon as
possible, so that it could be shown to us without delay; whereto
your ambassadors consented. |
|
On the following day, without giving us any writing, they
went off to Stade, without our knowledge, and quite contrary to
our expectation. Nothing was further from our thoughts than
that they would put aside all the unfinished negotiations with us,
and treat for a residence at Stade, of which, previously, there
had never been any treaty or thought. We supposed that they
would return to us, take up the negotiation again and bring
it to a conclusion. What, then, was our surprise to hear that
they had settled with the men of Stade for a ten years' residence, and that the agreement had been put in writing and
sealed by both parties. Even if the procrastination or other
inconveniences caused by our deputies . . . annoyed your ambassadors, we do not think they gave them any real cause for
going off in this way, leaving the treaty entirely abandoned, and
without either denunciation or farewell. |
|
This in itself was distressing enough to us, seeing that a Residence at Hamburg, on fair and equal conditions, had not been
denied to the Society; and that indeed they had been granted
permission to live and trade here freely until Easter of next
year, '88, and longer if desired, pending a suitable agreement
on the outstanding points. But what disturbed us far more
was, that your ambassadors clearly showed that their mind was
alienated from us; and we knew that the result would be that
the Queen, the English nation, and the Society of Adventurers
would be made less friendly to us, without hearing what we had
to say. The agreement with the men of Stade was confirmed, as
we afterwards heard. |
|
On our part, to show plainly that we were ready to carry
on the negotiation as to a residence at Hamburg, we several
times sent deputies to Stade to acquaint your ambassadors with
our resolve. But although they kindly admitted them to conference, discussed all the proposals with them, gave it as their
opinion that the residence at Hamburg would be the most convenient, and complained only of the delay in the business, they
nevertheless decided that as a pledge had been given to the
men of Stade, that pledge must be strictly observed . . . and
that the question of a public treaty with us must be put off until
better times, unless some method of dissolving honourably the
agreement with the men of Stade could be found; touching
which they were not competent to decide . . . |
|
Our deputies publicly put forward some arguments to the
contrary, yet in order to preserve the mutual friendship and
ancient connection between this and the other Hanseatic cities
and the Society of Adventurers, we strove with the Archbishop
of Bremen, the magistrates of Stade, the chapter of the church
at Bremen and the Senate of Stade . . . to find some legitimate compromise, as your ambassadors are fully aware . . .
Nor shall we desist from following, so far as we honourably and
lawfully may, any path which will lead to the desired conclusion of the negotiations . . . And we do this the more cheerfully, in order that the Queen, your Excellencies and the English
nation, as well as the Society of Adventurers, may see clearly
that it is a matter of concern to us that our old friendship
and connection with England should be maintained intact, and
also in order that we may prove our willingness to reciprocate
in actual deed what we have received in writing and by word
of mouth, putting aside the many difficulties, envyings, sinister
suggestions [etc.] which we have patiently endured, not only
recently, but during almost the whole period of the controversy.
From all which we think it is quite clear that we have at no
time given just cause to any for the abandonment of the treaty
about the residency which had been begun . . . |
|
And so, if the Merchant Adventurers have a mind to return
to us, we will come to an agreement as to a residence on fair
conditions, within one day, provided the privileges in England,
promised to us and the other confederates, are confirmed, as
we have written more fully to her Majesty. If they are not, then
we commit all to God, and look upon it as the decree of fate . . .
And if the Merchant Adventurers have their domicile and residence at Emden, or any other place or port, we shall envy
nobody, but shall wish them good luck and prosperity and be
ready and willing to give them every proof of friendship and
goodwill that is in our power. |
|
But Stade is only five miles distant from here, and when
we consider the grave injury and disgrace, the emulation, the
diminution of our royalties, privileges, taxes, rents etc.; and
the decrease and destruction of our whole mart, we can never
permit the transference of free import and export to the men
of Stade, in return for a residence, without violating the oath
by which we are bound to the State, even if we have to take
extreme steps (most unwillingly) against our neighbours, the
said men of Stade, with whom we have no small controversies in
other matters also. |
|
And so, not being conscious of ever having done any injury
to the Queen, her realm, or the Society of Adventurers, . . .
we confidently trust that the Queen, your Excellencies and the
Adventurers, will give this defence and excuse of ours its due
weight; and devise some suitable method whereby the residence at
Stade may be dissolved, in a quiet and friendly way; the friendship between us renewed, the negotiation for a residence at
Hamburg and for mutual imports and exports brought to the
desired conclusion and the privileges promised to Hanseatic merchants in England put in operation . . . And we earnestly pray
that you will give us a written reply as to what may be expected by us, from the Queen, Your Excellencies and the Society
of Adventurers . . .—Hamburg, 9 November, 1587. |
|
Add. Endd. Latin. 10 pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns, II.
76.] |
| [Oct. or Nov.] |
Answer of the Merchants Adventurers to the statements in
the Earl of Embden's letter of Oct. [13–]23. |
|
1. The Adventurers acknowledge the honourable [and ġra]cious
inclination of the Earl in granting them privileges and
residence in his town of Embden, by [reason] whereof, from
1564 to 1579 they maintained a continual trade there, and
[trans] ported thither as much cloth and other commodities as
the town and countries adjoining would consume; and brought
[from] thence such things as were to be had for the service of this
realm; and from 1579 until this year 1587 maintained there an
ample trade, to the honour and benefit of his people and (the
service of her Majesty and the Commonwealth [of England]. |
|
They also confess that his lordship has sustained great trouble
and charge in defending his right and jurisdiction against the
injurious complaints of the Hanses to the Emperor and Princes
of Germany, yet they may not neglect to show to their honours
[the Privy Council?] that they and their trade "were touched
nearly, but untruly by the complaints of the Hanses, and that
the commissioners of the said Earl could not maintain their lord
and master's rightful cause wi[thout the] commendation of the Adventurers' honest and merchantlike trade." Sundry times they
yielded moneys to his commissioners by way of gratification,
amounting to the sum of [torn] thousand marks sterling, besides
horses and beer sent to him by them. |
|
They did not depart from Embden without his privity, for
in September last, so soon as the Adventurers in Embden knew
of the agreement, they sent their clerk to signify to the Earl
their purpose to depart; showing [how] "by reason of the troubles
and dangers by water and land, they had found last summer small
utterance for their cloths etc. (and foreign merchants [besides]
themselves having turned their trade to Stade and Hamburg)
. . . and so craved his lordship's favourable construction of their
de[parture], promising when the passages to and from his town
by water and land should [be restored] they would maintain such
trade in his town as the same should bear." |
|
2. They confess that the Earl has not offered hard measure to
them, and that their departure proceeded only from the reasons
aforesaid; and therefore they humbly pray that her Majesty will
not carry any hard opinion of the said Earl, nor of themselves,
who were compelled by necessity to withdraw. |
|
3. [As to his promise to perform whatever her Majesty shall
require of him.] "Such hath been his lordship's promise at
all times; and the same, for ought the Adventurers could ever
perceive, he hath endeavoured to perform." |
|
No date. Endd. 1 p. On the same paper as the abstract of
the Earl's letter. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 77 II.] |
