May.
B. M.
Add. 26,056b.
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385. Document headed "Orders to be verbally given to Zubiar—
not to be taken in writing."
He is to start for England with all speed, pretending that he is
going for his own affairs, and, on his arrival, he is to endeavour to
see Captains Morgan, Frobisher, Lane, Olivier, and the other
German, and find out what their wishes are. He is to see each one
separately and press the business home with the one that appears
to be most attached to his Majesty's interests and is best fitted for
the execution of the business. If they agree mutually, he will
approve of it and urge them to proceed with great caution, promising
them large rewards from his Majesty. He will deal with them as
clearly as possible, and in the manner he thinks best to attain the
end in view, namely, to get Flushing to return to the King's
service.
It appears that all these captains have one or two ships of their
own, in which they can go backwards and forwards to Flushing,
and if they or some of those who are in the place can put between
decks some thousand Walloons or a sufficient number for the
purpose in hand, and as soon as the ships are in port, seize a gate
and land their men smartly, they may master the place. If these
captains be not already in the garrison there, they can enter with
their ships carrying troops as has been mentioned. In such case
they themselves should land and seize a gate before letting their
men be seen and then proceed as before-mentioned.
For this purpose the Walloons under a good officer might be
gathered quietly at Sluys, or some other Flemish port which might
be chosen by the captains themselves as being most convenient for
the embarkation.
If several of these captains agree to undertake the enterprise it
would not be bad to arrange that some of them should remain as
hostages in Flanders, or at least that the Walloons, if necessary,
should act as masters when on board the vessels.
If these captains succeed in killing, subjecting, or expelling from
the place those who are there, and make themselves masters of the
town, without any help from our people, they shall be very richly
rewarded and they may surrender the place without misgiving.
If they cannot succeed at Flushing they might do it at Caunfer,
Incusen, or Brille, although Flushing would always be considered
the best.
If they cannot undertake this, see what part of the enemy's
fleet they could burn or sink, or what other signal service they
could do, or put them into communication with the Grand
Commander (Requesens).
All this must be done so secretly that not even Antonio de
Guaras or other Spaniard, or anyone else, shall hear of it, but, if it
be necessary to employ the service of any Spaniard, let it be Lopé
de la Sierra, who is now in London and is a man fit for anything,
for whom I will give him a letter.
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