Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 20, 1608. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1968.
This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
'Cecil Papers: October 1608', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 20, 1608, (London, 1968) pp. 247-264. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol20/pp247-264 [accessed 17 April 2024]
October 1608
| Donell O'Carroll to the King | |
| [before 1 Oct. 1608]. |
Two petitions. (1) Served the late Queen in
the wars of Ireland, wherein his cousin the Lord O'Carroll was slain.
Was under his cousin's leading, was left for dead, received many mortal
wounds, was maimed, and lost the use of his hands. Prays for pension,
being unable to relieve himself.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 40.) |
|
(2) His services in the Irish wars. Prays for pension or other maintenance.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 341.) [See Cal. S.P. Ireland. 1608–1610, p. 512.] |
|
| Daniell O'Caroll to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| [?1608, before Oct. 1.] |
His military services in Ireland under his
cousin Sir Charles O'Caroll. Prays for pension.—Undated. 1 p. (P. 1127.) [See Cal. S.P. Ireland, 1608–1610, p. 512.] |
| Lord Gray to [the Earl of Salisbury] | |
| 1608, October 3. |
It is neither requisite for you nor me to say much
for silence after a long correspondency, neither for writing after long
silence, correspondency having lost the own natural definition on my
part; it being certain that your Lordship was furnished with sufficient
matter (but not necessary) to have written to me ever since it pleased
God [to] call on her Majesty, your last sovereign, but I had no matter
at all of requital: which made me eschew the opinion both yourself and
the world might conceive of my oversight, only now and then as occasion did offer to disturb your services with some my idle letters of
compliments, and yet of this sort not so frequently as willingly I
would have done if I had not concurred in opinion with you, that best
counsel for both was discontinuation of frequent intercourse, till time
might both clear the hard constructions of our former correspondency,
as likewise produce haply some new subject of exchange. Not that ever
I had a meaning the same should flow from me, for the day of his
Majesty's preferment concluded all my ambitious thoughts, and now
my carriage these five last years and your dutiful service and continual
endeavours both in his Majesty's first purviewing to that crown and
continuance since have cleared the designs of the correspondency I had
not only with yourself, but before with your father of good memory;
but I think fitter now to pass with silence all their extravagant dis
courses than to revive my mortified senses by commemoration of them.
Discontinuation and disease of my body both have so oppressed and
dulled the little wit and memory I had, that before I can take on me to
send you sufficient answer whereupon to ground apology for preservation
of his Majesty's princely reputation, or yet an assured way to set you
on the right grounds for exposing the mysteries of this knavery, I must
commit my engine of new to the grindstone, for it is become all rusted
and obtuse; yet I rather make choice to show my own weakness than,
through not making answer at all, to furnish subject unto you to esteem
that I am changed either in affection to his Majesty's service or in duty
to yourself. I know nothing can come to the heart of a sincere man more
contrarious than such imputations, and knowing his Majesty's humour
I am well assured these malicious reports from Rome is (sic) even more
ingracious nor the summons or challenge of a mighty neighbour
prince for a dangerous war. What was my conceit, at my returning
from Rome at that time when Sir Richard Preston was gone from his
Majesty towards your late sovereign, of those letters alleged written
by his Majesty to the Pope and certain cardinals, your Lordship very
well sets down in your letter to me. Certain it is such letters came to
Rome at sundry times, and alleged commissions, but none so far as
ever I could remember so notorious as those carried by one Edward
Drommond, who, if I rightly remember, came to Rome about the
beginning of March 1600, one to the Pope, others to the Cardinals
Aldebrandino, nephew to Clement 8, then Pope, to Bellarminio, and,
which this note you send me touches not at all, one to Cardinal Caietano;
the contents whereof all tended in substance to the preferment of the
Bishop of Veson to the cardinalate, albeit certainly the meaning of
either the impetrator or surpriser went further on. The letters concluded
in end credit to the bearer of them, he likewise giving the reason why
his Majesty did crave the Bishop's preferment to the hat. Thus I
may write the more confidently, for that my eyes did see not only the
letter direct to the Pope, but likewise that direct to Caietano, (fn. 1) who was
at the date of the letter protector of Scotland at the Court of Rome,
and cousin through Parma to K[ing] Ja[mes] the First, but dead before
the letter came to Rome. I came first to knowledge of those letters by
Cardinal Burgeso, now Pope, who a little before I came to Rome was
admitted protector in Caietano's place for Scotland, and at my first
arrival offered me great courtesies. The Pope, having after the delivery
of the first letter understood that yet there rested another for Caietano,
thought meet that the same should be delivered to Burgeso; and
Chrichtoun, your Lordship's man, the Jesuit, was deliverer of it in
plain consistory. For in all this comely negotiation the Jesuit Chrichtoun carried the vogue more than Drommond, and was till that time
confined at Avingeon. He likewise sent to Rome a letter of his Majesty's
written to himself, on sight whereof Belarimino, then his superior,
released him, and the sight of his Majesty's letters graced him more in
that Court than ever he was, and gave better faith to the other letters.
So soon as the letter came to Burgeso he sent for me and asked my
opinion. Indeed, I said abruptly to him that I scarce could believe the
King had written, for he showed me not the letter at that time, yet
was glad that I had said so much, for if he durst he abhorred at that
time the Jesuits, like as did all, for the most part, the cardinals. So he
told the Pope what I had said to him, and on the just morrow sent his
own coach for me to come to the Pope to St Peters, which was the 2
time I saw him. He asked of me if I knew the King's hand and cachet.
I answered if any man knew it, I did. So he showed me the letter, and
if I do truly remember the reason of the letters for the Bishop's preferment was quo facilius quis sit status vestrae curiae intelligamus, or near
these words, and not as is writ in this note, and concluded caetera hisce
nuntiis committimus. This was Chrichtoun and Drommond. When the
Pope asked of me whether I knew it to be the King's hand or no, I
answered mihi videtur sed certo definire non possum. On this answer it
was inferred that I concluded to the Pope that it was feigned, so the
Jesuits who had absolute government of that Pope did take such
indignation that they gave out to the Pope that I was a spy for the
Queen of England; and if I had not without saying farewell taken post,
it had stood hard for my life, as indeed this same Pope told after to
some now in service with his Majesty, and said to myself that if all my
business was at an end, his opinion was that I should stay no longer
either at Rome or within the Pope's dominions. Albeit Persones, the
Jesuit, and Chrichtoun concurred not in the Bishop's preferment, yet
they all concurred against me and to have the letters to be accounted
authentic. Persones desired no favour to proceed from Rome to his
Majesty, but his authorising the letters proceeded for that it was the
point whereat of a long time they had shot very curiously, ever since
the '87, to have some show of intelligence between his Majesty and the
Pope: not that they meant it effectually, but only to bring his Majesty
in disgrace with her Majesty then of England, and with all other both
Protestant princes and subjects in Europe, thinking thereby that
necessity should compel him to a Catholic course and so should fall
loose (?) at all hands. For the book for the Spanish title sufficiently
witnesses their malice, but to explode this matter, and to express the
same clearly to the world ab ipsis incunabilis it will rather appear a
volume than a missive; and if my wit, memory and health were as they
have been, I should search all my dispersed papers throughout the world,
and I think might say as much as truly in this for his Majesty as any
now has life, his Majesty's self only excepted. But my health is so
variable, that I dare neither promise nor attempt any such burden. I
leave then to further occasion and better memory the pedigree from the
infancy of this malicious design, and have answered only to the first
point of your Lordship's letter directly; that such letters they have at
Rome, at what time received and by whom. Now, my Lord, whether
false or true, his Majesty can best resolve that doubt; but till I hear
from his own mouth the contrary, I shall ever hold it for a plain contrived
falsehood, knowing how deeply his Majesty ever studied to the contrary
course. And for me, I am to denounce a defiance to all my ill-willers,
that ever I sounded that way since the '83 that I fell in the English
course, and his Majesty can best be my witness if ever I did counsel
him, being in Court or since, but to keep soundly his own course, for I
have to rejoice that I was the first that had the happiness to bring it
from doubtfulness to that blessed amity which ended effectual all the
happiness of this part. And if my fortune be to live, I am not in
despair for it yet to reap my own thanks. Your Lordship now has of
me all I remember necessary to be written in this errand for the
present, and my disease is vehement as I think you shall have hard
reading of my writ, yet I thought no[t] fit to commit this subject to the
hand of any other. If you have occasion to write back, I would be
glad to see the book triplici nodo triplex cunaeus, together with the
reports from Rome, and I shall return all in security. Sir William
Bowyer sent your letter to me from Barwick the 29,yr [29 September],
which I received 2/8r [2 October] and dispatched the same that night
towards him; but the stay of passage for vehemency of the plague is
hinder (sic) Fowelis, 3 Oct. 1608. Holograph. Endorsed (in Salisbury's hand): "The L. Greys l're to me." 5½ pp. (126 59.) [See Gardiner, History of England, ii, 31.] |
| Justices of the Peace in Devonshire to the Privy Council | |
| 1608, Oct. 4. |
They have used their best endeavours to abate the
great price of corn, according to the Council's order of last summer.
Notwithstanding this, the present high prices—wheat at 8s the bushel
of 8 gallons, rye at 6s 8d, barley at 5s 4d and oats at 2s 8d—in consequence of a very rainy and unfavourable harvest, are like to grow far
higher unless provision be had from other countries.—Castle of Exon.
4 Oct. 1608. Signed: William Strode; Chr. Harris; Thomas Drewe; George Smythe; Robert Haydon; Jo. Northcot; Nicho. Gilberd; William Barnard; Gregory Sprint; Anthony Copleston; Marcus Cottell; Ri. Waltham. 1 p. (195 52.) |
| Ri[chard] Cocks to [the Earl of Salisbury] | |
| 1608, Oct. 5. | The first day of this present month of October I received your letter dated the 20th ult. with the enclosed for Mr Skrymser, and the morrow after I went to Aquilat and delivered it to his own hands. I find the gentleman very willing to do all he may to assist you to bring in his nephew Jones for ward. He has delivered to me an indenture tripartite wherein is the particular of all his nephew's lands, and I have given him a receipt to return the said indenture within 20 days after lawful demand made by him. He says further that the gentlemen commissioners are all ready to perform what they promised when it shall please Mr Lawley to sit upon it, most of them being enemies to Mr Flood who married his daughter to your ward, and they will be sworn that the land was held in capite both in the father's and grandfather's days of this Jones. Besides he can bring in proof that the father of this young Jones has encroached or enclosed ground, since the Earl of Leicester obtained the change of copy, for above 20l per annum, and the order in these parts is, if any encroachment be made, it brings in all other lands which before was free. Also Mr Lawley has wrote Mr Skrymser that neither Mr Flood nor his son-in-law Jones cannot show any warrant or writing to confirm any such grant obtained by the said Earl. I doubt not but it will be very easy for you to prove Jones ward to the King. |
| Mr Skrymser tells me he will ride into Wales or any other place to help you what he may, provided that you will bear his charges, and if you prove the ward he expects you will pay him the charge he has already laid out, and do him a pleasure when time shall serve; and if you cannot prove the ward, then that you will be content with the loss he has already without bringing him into any further trouble for any promise he has past, offering, if ever you prove that he has been about to compound with Jones, Flood or any other, or ever received the value of a penny from them, to give you all the lands he has. He presumes so far upon your letter sent him that he will not appear to answer to the privy seal served on him. Mr Lawley has written me another letter how the privy seal is served on Mr Flood; his letter I will bring along with me as also Mr Skrymser's indenture, and be with you very shortly in company of my brother, who will bring up his lease and provide money ready to compound, only all must be done in your name and you shall be contented to your own contentment, and keep Mr Tupper sure; and he shall have whatsoever you appoint if we may get the fee simple or fee farm from the King, for Mr Bowyer bought it over our heads without giving us any notice thereof, only, having gotten the old Lord Stafford into a merry vein, got both the manors from him for two hundred and odd pounds; but my father stood out long and would not pay Bowyer any rent, and it is certain that my ancestors have held Stalbrok in possession since the time of Edward the Fourth, so I hope his Majesty will have compassion on us and confirm us still in it, that we may remain his Majesty's tenants and Mr Bowyer be content to receive his money back, if you think it so requisite. | |
|
As touching Mr Broughton I have made inquiry. The house is some
9 or 10 miles from Stafford, hard by my Lord Jarrat's house, a very fair
house and well seated, being moated about and a park belonging to it
with some store of deer in it. He is accounted to be a gentleman of as
great antiquity as most in Staffordshire. The old man which is alive
now is grandfather to him which is heir; he is a man of some 80 years of
age and more, and has two uncles alive which are belonging to my
Lord Jarrat; the one of them is as a companion or company keeper
with him, and the other wears his cloth and is his falconer. The land
may be worth some 240l or 300l a year at most, and there is woods upon
it esteemed worth 1000 marks or 1000l. The old gentleman was in
hand not long since to have married the heir to a gentleman's daughter
in this country, because he would prevent his falling into ward. This
I write you is truth and all I can hear concerning that matter.—Stalbrok, 5 Oct. 1608. Holograph. Unaddressed. 3½ pp. (126 62.) |
|
| [Sir Thomas Edmondes] to [the Earl of Salisbury] | |
| 1608, Oct. 5. |
Touching the truce with the States desired to be
enlarged 30 years. Colonel Simple going towards Calais to consult with
some of his countrymen to stir some troubles in Scotland. Nothing more
done touching Willford. Owen 2 hours in secret conference with the
Nuntio. Bainham coming back from Antwerp to Brussels commanded
by the Archduke to be gone. Abstract. (227 p. 351.) |
| Jane Jobson to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| 1608, Oct. 7. |
I wrote unto you last Trinity term, wherein I was
suitor to you to pity and favour poor Anthony Atkinson, who was
thrust out of his office by the wicked practices of Emanuel Fenton, now
searcher of the port of Hull. Atkinson was there placed by my uncle,
your father, upon his own desert at my request; and during the 14
years he was searcher he used himself like a just servant and officer to
the late Queen. Then were prohibited goods and unlawful passengers
restrained, but now the port is open whereby danger and dearth increase, which proof will verify, if your Lordship will hear it, or else
never own me for your kinswoman. I could write more on his behalf
but I would not be thought partial. My husband has been justice of
peace 28 years, and now put out of the commission without cause, and
young men placed on the bench. I have had great loss by fire, but this
is more grief to me to see him thus disgraced without desert.—Brantingham, 7 Oct. 1608. Holograph. ½ p. (126 64.) |
| Sir Thomas Lake to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| 1608, Oct. 8. |
I send herewith the two tables for suits, signed by his
Majesty. The other copies shall come tomorrow. I send also the commission for the Cinque Ports, for the Lieutenancy of Surrey, a bill for
Shelbury, and another for Sir Robert Stewart. The gentlemen you
commanded me to warn to attend you at London are not here, nor came
not down with the King, so they are to be found about London. His
Majesty signed these things this morning, but forbore to read your
letters; when he has, you shall receive his answer. I have sent your
letters to my Lord Chamberlain by a man of my Lord of Montgomery's.
—Court at Royston. 8 Oct. 1608. Holograph. 1 p. (195 53.) |
| Tobias Dehemme | |
| 1608, Oct. 11. |
Certificate by Sir John Pettus, Mayor of Norwich,
and George Downy and Joshua Cully, Justices and Aldermen, that
Tobyas Dehemme was born in the parish of St Andrew, Norwich, on
8 March, 1587, and has ever since that time very honestly behaved
himself.—11 Oct. 1608. 1 m. (219 7.) |
| The Earl of Salisbury to [Sir Thomas Edmondes] | |
| 1608, Oct. 13. |
The proceedings in Willford's cause well approved.
Advice not to go further in it lest our Ambassador should draw to
himself or my Lord a greater obligation than is meet. In the treaty of
the truce our Ambassador is advised to value our King's mediation
above the French, and this out of friendship not out of weakness. Abstract. (227 p. 351.) |
| King James to the Privy Council | |
| 1608, Oct. 17. | Because we know that whosoever loves our person or our honour now as King of England will hold no less dear anything that concerned our reputation as King of Scotland even before we came into this kingdom, we have in a late accident which nearly touches our reputation reposed ourselves upon your faith and loves to us to discover the truth and advise us how to clear our reputation in so public a role cast upon us. The matter is concerning the defamation wherewith we are charged in a book lately published in the name of a chaplain (fn. 2) of the Cardinal Bellarmine's, that we should have written letters to the Pope and certain Cardinals of the tenor mentioned in the said book. Now though from the beginning we know ourselves innocent, yet we were forced to bethink ourselves how we might make this innocency manifest, and having called to mind such ancient circumstances as might serve to that end, in our late speech with our Secretary of Scotland we have drawn from him a confession that the said letters were written by him or by his privity, but how our hand was gotten to them it is not yet clearly discovered. Wherefore we have thought good to use your service in a diligent examination of him, and have conceived certain interrogatories to be ministered unto him, by which we assure ourselves that the truth will be brought to light. Wherefore our pleasure is that you call before you the Lord Balmerinoch, our Secretary of Scotland, and first admonish him of his breach of duty in that being at his departure from us at Royston commanded to keep his chamber he hath shown himself abroad, as well in our Palace at Westminster as in other places; and then to examine him upon the articles sent herein and upon any other circumstances that may occur to you. Given under our signet at Newmarket, the seventeenth day of October in the sixth year of our reign. |
|
PS. In James's hand. Though ye were born strangers to the country
where this was done, yet are ye no strangers to the King thereof, and ye
know if the King of Scotland prove a knave the King of England can
never be an honest man; work so therefore in this as having interest in
your King's reputation. Signed at the top. 1½ pp. (134 123.) |
|
| The Enclosure | |
| Interrogatories to be demanded by the Lords of the Council at my Lord Balmerino, Secretary of Scotland, concerning a letter written from us to Pope Clement the 8th. | |
| Whether did not the said Lord Balmerino at many several times urge earnestly that such a letter should have been written, and if we did not ever refuse the same, and what were the reasons of our refusal. | |
| Whether in his knowledge any such letter without our privity was passed our hand or not after we had refused the directing of the same. | |
| In what manner was our hand purchased thereto and who was the presenter of the same. | |
| If in all the time of his being our Secretary in Scotland any man did ever present any foreign letters except he or his deputy. | |
| To demand the particular time when this letter was passed, and who was then his deputy for presenting of any foreign letters unto us. | |
| What the contents of the letter was, and if it contained nothing else but a recommendation in favour of the Bishop of Vaizom. | |
| Whether did not the same letter contain credit to the bearer or no; whether was the commission of credit to more than one and who they were. | |
| Whether did we write any letter to Mr William Chreichton, alias Father Chreichton. In what language and what were the contents of the same. | |
| Whether he did ever hear Sir Edward Drummond move us for the writing of such letters to the Pope or not. | |
| Whether did Sir Edward Drummond at any time present any letter to have been signed by us or no. | |
| If he knoweth of whose handwriting the same letter sent to the Pope is. And the cause of his knowledge. | |
| If he himself did ever draw up that letter in form before it was written in mundo or not, or of whose draught the letter was. | |
| Whether ever he read to us that letter or the copy thereof, or if we read the same ourself, or if he gave us the copy thereof to read. | |
| In what form did the letter begin; for if it had not been written in the accustomed form with the styles of father and holiness, it would never have been accepted at Rome. | |
| When our subscription was had thereto, who did then write the superscription above the same, and in what terms the same was set down, whether frater or filius. | |
| Concerning the sealing of the letter, whether the same was done with our great signet or little cachet. | |
| If he should pretend ignorance or lack of memory in any of those particular (but very substantial) circumstances, the small likelihood of any truth therein would be objected to him that in a matter that he himself was so many times an urger and which was refused, the letter being also singular, in regard there was never any such letter before or since, whereas a multitude or variety of such like letters might have bred perhaps some confusion in his memory to have remembered particularly upon all the circumstances of the passing of any of the same; that therefore he being our Secretary, having the charge and trust in these affairs, could in any sort in a matter of such moment be so forgetful. | |
| And as it is without all question that the whole circumstances and manner of passing of the same is sufficiently known unto him, so you would demand of him if Sir Edward Drummond did carry that letter from him, and if the same was not closed up and sealed before he did take the same away. | |
| It is to be demanded of him if he remembers that, before our coming from Scotland, at any time we caused Sir Edward Drummond to be taken and examined concerning the carriage of such a letter, and whether the same was at the time denied by the same Sir Edward or not. | |
| To demand which of our Council of Scotland were at the examination, and what was deponed by the said Drummond. | |
| If he should pretend his ignorance of the same as not being present thereat, yet it is certain he did know the same in so far as he was a special suitor unto us for the said Drummond's relief out of ward. And therefore it shall be asked of him whether he did not approve Sir Edward's denial of these letters, by assuring us at that same time that there was never any such thing passed, and herein to inquire of the time of this examination, and how long it was after the first passing of the letter. | |
| Whether we ever asked of him after Sir Edward's departure any news concerning these letters, and whether there was any hope of making the said Bishop a Cardinal or not, or ever talked with him in that purpose, before it was laid to our charge by Henry Bruncard in the late Queen's name. | |
| Let him be inquired upon his great oath if at any time since Sir Edward did carry that letter to Rome (but specially in that time of his being in Scotland and when he was apprehended and examined for that matter), he had any conference with the said Sir Edward concerning that letter and the delivery thereof. And specially if he did not ask Sir Edward how the same was accepted by the Pope. | |
| Whether did not Sir Edward in private conference betwixt them regret and lament the death of Cardinal Caietane, who was protector of the Scots nation in Rome, and died in the time the letter was in carrying thither. | |
| Whether he did not, after the time of Sir Edward's examination and denial of the letter, specially will him at his return to Rome to take some course for the obtaining of the said letter. | |
| And specially it is to be demanded of him, if within this twelvemonth he hath had any correspondence either with the Bishop of Vaizom or with Drummond, and, if there has been any intercourse of letters betwixt them, who were the bearers; and if anything was written concerning this point. | |
|
It is to be demanded of him how many letters were written to
several Cardinals at that same time, and if any letter was written to
Caietane; and to ask of him if he did require of Sir Edward an account
of the letter which was sent to him, because he was dead before Sir
Edward's arrival at Rome. Whether did not he himself write letters in his own name to any in Rome with the said Sir Edward, and to whom. |
|
| Whether he did at any time receive any answer of the said letters back. | |
| Whether did not the Bishop of Vaizom by missive take notice of the favour done to him in purchasing those letters from us. | |
| Whether he have any copy of that letter among his papers, and whether he did not keep a register of all foreign letters or no; and if this letter was insert in the same; and who hath the keeping of the book. | |
|
Whether any other foreign letter, in the time of his being Secretary,
was ever sent to us the answer whereof we ourself did not either indite
the whole body of the letter or at least reform and correct it before the
passing thereof, except for matters concerning merchants or such
ordinary trifles. Endorsed: "Oct. 17, 1608." and by Salisbury: "Interrogatories sent by the K." (134 124.) |
|
| Christopher Musgrave to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| 1608, Oct. 18. |
I gave you notice by a letter that I sent from Stilton
of a misfortune that did befall me by breaking a horse's leg, yet notwithstanding that the buying of another made my money very short
and the fall of my horse had much bruised my body, I made shift to
arrive in Northumberland, where now I am with the deputy-lieutenants
with the best means we may, ready to purchase those lands your Lordship sent me about. I entreat you to send down some money to furnish
me with another horse and things necessary, and to direct them to
Mr John Carve's house, postmaster of Newcastle. The deputy-lieutenants are loth to write before some good be done in our purchase, which
we fear so much the less by how much we have notice of the same lands
by a third person, and nevertheless we must do all things very quietly
because R. Musgrave is very often remaining (?removing) from place
to place and of him must we make our purchase.—18 Oct. 1608. Holograph. 1 p. (126 66.) |
| King James to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| [1608] Oct. 19. |
I have received your joined letter whereof I am so
amazed as I am forced to seek from you a further resolution in them by
these few lines. First ye write a riddle, for after that by a large preface
ye have promised first to inform me of the truth, next to let me know a
way how to effect my just desire, and last how to free myself from
importunity; yet when ye come to the matter ye say nothing in that
second point which is most material of all, save that it is thought
necessary I be thought earnest out of my own sense, and not out of the
infusion of others. How I should work this ye make no mention, neither
how I could do more in that than I have done, as yet, for trial [of
Balmerino] must precede any thinking of punishment, and by this
time every man knows how earnest I am in that; and the more I wonder
that ye make no mention of the receipt of my letter to the Council
anent that, so as ye may be sure that I will leave no means (if I know
them) that may satisfy the world of the truth of my part. The other
point is that I cannot wonder enough how these false reports can
be spread; for Hay himself was a witness with other two or three more
that at my first entering with him [Balmerino] in that purpose, he made
no sticks to confess at the first that he himself was the maker of that
dispatch to the Pope and the Cardinals, that he had oft solicited me in
it for the well of my service, and that I had oft refused him. Indeed
he would fain have bound it upon me that at the last, through his
importunity, I had granted unto it, but there we differed. This was in
my withdrawing chamber in Royston, when I confess I purposely left
my bed-chamber door open that two or three there might hear what
passed betwixt us, whereof Hay, as I said, was one, but how far after
noon he confessed his own guilt in the presence of his fellow secretary,
how on his knees he craved pardon wishing he had never been born,
and how I told him that I could not resolve what pardon to bestow upon
him till first I had clearly tried all, and then would advise how far mine
own honour would permit me to pardon him; of all this, I say, I am
sure ye are long ago informed by him that was the only witness at our
afternoon's meeting, so as his false suggestions shall, I hope, produce
no other effect but the just aggravating of his own punishment. As
to behaviour towards Hay, I could say no other ways to him nor no
man, except I were not true nor honest to myself, and the better I
may say it unto him since he himself hath already taught me that
lesson, for not a day before his parting out of this he began purpose
with me anent that man, protesting unto me that he never saw man
look as he did that Sunday, and of himself concluded that if any rigour
were spared in that man's punishment, my honour could never be
cleared, for he said the least sparing of him would ever be thought
collusion betwixt me and him. But since it goes so, the publicer my
actions be in this the better it is. To conclude, I remit to you and all
honest men to think upon all the ways that may be for clearing of my
honesty in it; which I had the more need to do considering his treachery.
I only pray you to think that never thing in this world touched me
nearlier than this doth. God knows I am and ever was upright and
innocent. But how the world may know it, that must chiefly be done by
some public course of his punishment, wherein I look to hear your
advice after his examination, and so farewell.—Undated. Holograph. Endorsed by Salisbury: "His Majesty, 19 Oct." 3 pp. (134 104.) |
| The Earl of Lincoln to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| 1608, Oct. 19. | I understand by my son that the Lord Chief Baron has made a motion that your Lordship might be entreated to end and order the cause that was opened before him concerning his Majesty's lease which he has given to my son, and sent him also to me to know whether I would do the like. I therefore send my son to you to procure your acceptance of his offer, and to excuse my not coming at this time in person, till I am somewhat better able to endure the air. I know not whether my son or I shall be more beholden to you if you hear and determine both our causes; for though my son and all his counsel be so confident in the cause that they make no doubt nor fear thereof, yet knowing how ill his green years can match Sir Edward Dymock's practices and how weak his purse is to maintain suit, I am glad he shall be censured by so honourable a personage. For myself, though my son by his Majesty's lease carry all my title away which can by no law be avoided (if the King's lease fail), yet in respect I shall have quietness with such a violent adversary, I shall think myself more happy in the end of my years to have my honour saved than if I gained thereby another worldly wealth. I am bold also for your better ease to move you that those that have been chosen by us beforetime in this cause. viz, his uncle Sir Thomas Lambert and Mr Baron Heron, may be required to make some breviat or collection of my griefs and Sir Edward Dymock's, that you may judge of them, and we be not tedious unto you. |
|
PS. You may perceive my weakness who am not able to write myself
for the great pain in my head, but am forced to use my secretary, which
I never did before, especially in a matter of so great importance; and
therefore I hope shortly to attend and satisfy you in all things.—19
October, 1608. Signed. Seal. 1 p. (126 65.) |
|
| [Sir Thomas Edmondes] to [the Earl of Salisbury] | |
| 1608, Oct. 19. |
A process betwixt the Duchess of Longueville and the
Duke of Arschot. Judgment given in behalf of the Duchess. Touching
Willford, the sentence forborne in regard of our Ambassador. "I
understand that it is underhand given out against me that I have engaged myself in this business further than I needed to have done or
was fit for me, having no commission for the same from his Majesty, etc.
Howsoever my care shall be always to prefer the faithful and exact
discharging of my duty before the respect of malicious imputations"
The Marquis of Malespine, nephew to the Prince of Massa, come to
Brussels; purposes to go into England; treats with our Ambassador to
procure him good welcome. A courier come from Spain with order for
money, 125,000 crowns, so small a proportion as they are ashamed to
speak of it. An incursion made by some horse of the Hollanders upon
a dorp in Brabant, upon pretext of not paying ordinary contributions;
suspected to be a plot to cause the Archduke to draw some forces together, who for want of pay would straight fall to mutiny. The Nuntio
treats with the English to be informed particularly of the state of
Catholics in England. Abstract. (227 p. 351.) |
| Lord Balmerino's Confession (fn. 3) | |
| [1608] Oct. 21. | It is too great presumption to offer to your most princely eyes these lines from the hand which hath so highly offended your Majesty; but because it were continuance in mine offence to labour to obscure the clear sun of your Majesty's unspotted integrity, and that the imputation of my misdemeanour which I justly deserve may lie upon myself, I have truly set down herein how that letter to the Pope Clement, wherewith your Majesty is falsely taxed, was without your knowledge passed your hand amongst other letters which I did present to your Majesty by the abuse of your trust, whereof I was not worthy. |
|
In the year of God 1598, at the earnest suit of the late Archbishop of
Glasco, your Majesty's Ambassador then resident in France, the
Bishop of Vaizon and divers others your Majesty's well affected friends
and servants both in Italy and France, who were very anxious to have
had some correspondence betwixt your Majesty and the Pope, Sir
Edward Drommond being by them directed in Scotland to follow that
business, I presumed divers times to move your Majesty therein, and did
offer the frame of such a letter as I would have had signed by your
Majesty to the Pope. Whereunto I ever found your Majesty so unwilling
as your Highness did altogether refuse to write, denying ever to write
with those styles that the Pope did assume to himself. But I being in
my too great zeal, and assured hopes were given me by greater statesmen than myself of the benefits which would come to the strengthening
of your Majesty's title by the Pope's friendship, overcome with weakness and presuming that the good success of my true intention should
efface the memory of my offence, I caused draw up a letter with the
said Sir Edward's hand as from your Majesty to the Pope, but very
sparingly, containing only thanks for his kindness and bygone favour,
with commendation of the Bishop of Vaizon, your Majesty's nativeborn subject, to be made a Cardinal. To the which letter, amongst
others of that kind written to the Duke of Florence, Savoy and some
cardinals in favour of the said Bishop, all presented by me to your
Majesty one day in the morning when your Majesty was going an
hunting in haste, your Majesty did set your hand; for finding the letters,
all in Latin and the Bishop of Vaizon's recommendation the subject
and having formerly refused to write to the Pope, your Majesty did
nothing suspect that any such should have been offered to your hand;
and after your Majesty had signed it Sir Edward did add the Pope's
styles both in the beginning and above your Majesty's subscription in
the end. Some letters, two or three (as I do remember) signed by your
Majesty to some cardinals, containing nothing but thanks and recommendation of the said Bishop, were given to the said Sir Edward and
close cachetted, to be directed by the Bishop of Glasco's advice to such
of them as were in his judgment best affected to your Majesty, and, as
I did afterwards hear, two of them were given to Aldebrandino and
Bellarmino, and the third to Caietan(o), who was protector of the
Scottish nation. Here was my first fault of preposterous zeal, weakness
and presumption. My next was fear of your Majesty's displeasure,
because the late Queen's Ambassador having expostulated for your
Majesty's dealing with the Pope, and I being asked thereof by your
Majesty did pertinaciously deny that there was any such matter, and
for your Majesty's better satisfaction I moved Sir Edward to return
into Scotland, who being examined did at my desire justify my denial,
and that he had carried no letter for the Pope. I pressed him very
instantly at his return to Rome to labour to retire the said letter and
destroy it, fearing lest the knowledge of it might hereafter breed your
Majesty's discontentment, as it hath done at this time to my exceeding
great sorrow. And because my attestation in this kind, which I protest
before God and his angels is true, yet will not be a sufficient liberation
of your Majesty's princely honour, which is dearer to me than my life,
I am not hereby to beg any pardon, but that your Majesty will take
such course, without any respect unto me, whereby your Majesty's
innocency and my offence may be made known to the world.—Westminster, 21 Oct. Unsigned. Endorsed: "1608. The L. Balmerinagh his confession." 1½ pp. (126 67.) |
|
| The Earl of Southampton to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| [1608] Oct. 23. | I am bold to put you in remembrance of my losses at Bristow by reason of purveyance. The commission you directed has been proceeded in, and the witnesses will testify that my complaint is just. I protest I have abated it out of the rent I receive for that port, as the farmer has affirmed. I beseech you allow it. Though of small value with the King, yet it is a great sum in my purse, and much more than out of the meanness of my fortune I can spare. |
|
If any in behalf of the merchants trouble you about the allowance
for leakage which they desire, I beg you will defer proceeding in it till
I wait upon you.—23 Oct. Holograph. Endorsed: "1608." 1 p. (195 54.) |
|
| [Sir Thomas Edmondes] to [the Earl of Salisbury] | |
| 1608, Oct. 23. |
A letter by Mr Willford to give him access to my
Lord. Abstract. (227 p. 351.) |
| The Bishop of Bath and Wells to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| 1608, Oct. 24. |
When his Majesty appointed some other bishops and
myself our tax in answering these late books, I well hoped we should
have eased his Majesty of his labour, but it will not be. His Majesty
has set pen to paper again and is very busy in answering of the Latin
book, and had written a great deal with his own hand till I came unto
him from my Lord of Rochester's conservation. Now his Majesty is
pleased to use me to write for him. This I will tell you of his Majesty's
pains, that my Lord of Chichester having sent some six sheets of his
doing, the King has done 10 or 12 sheets. There is nothing in my Lord
of Chichester's that is not in his Majesty's, and many things in his
Majesty's that are not in the Bishop's, that for my own part I wonder
when his Majesty has them. Proceed in this business I perceive his
Majesty will, though in truth I am very sorry for it, for he takes too
much pains about it. Some things there are which I suppose his Majesty
will crave from you, which has made me the bolder to write these lines
unto you, that they may be in the better readiness. The examinations of
Garnet, the examinations of Falkes, the examinations of Thomas
Winter, the just date of the priests' treason, the true date of the first
hatching and plotting of the powder treason, the time when anything
was first taken of the recusants since his Majesty's reign, these particulars his Majesty said your Lordship could supply him withal, and therefore I have made bold to intimate them to you.—From Court at Newmarket, 24 Oct. 1608. Holograph. Seal. 1½ pp. (126 68.) |
| [Sir Thomas Edmondes] to [the Earl of Salisbury] | |
| 1608, Oct. 26. |
The manner of Willford's delivery. Offer to send him
to our Ambassador requiring a note of his hand, which he refused. He
forbare moving the sending of some special messenger into England
about stirring his Majesty to more earnest mediation in the peace,
in regard the treaty was still on foot. "Moreover, I can assure your
Lordship that they are here so tied to the directions of Spain as they
dare not to take any new resolutions without receiving first the allowance of that place, and as matters stand they have a greater confidence
in the operations of President Janin than his Majesty's commissioners.
It may please your Lordship to direct me how, in respect of these considerations, I shall govern myself for the prosecuting of the motion
before mentioned, and I will not fail carefully and with the best
dexterity I can to discharge my duty therein" A speech that the
King of Spain will continue the war and employ no more than a
million a year, which will not suffice to satisfy the third pays of the
army. If they betake themselves to that resolution then it is to make
only a defensive war, to attend what better advantages time may
produce in their favour. The President Richardot willingly forgot his
instructions in Holland, which were not the originals but forged for the
purpose to abuse the States. Abstract. (227 p. 351.) |
| The Justices of Cornwall to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| 1608, Oct. 31. |
They fear that by untrue information of great plenty
of corn there, Salisbury may give warrants to take up corn to pass for
London or other ports. They bought experience dearly last year, for it
was thought much might be spared, and the less care was taken to
prevent secret transportation: whereby great sums of money were
disbursed by their shire for corn brought from Ireland, Denmark and
divers parts of England: and the want thereof is such now that many
can scarce pay their rents. If prices rise higher than at present, being
above 8d a gallon, it may prove very dangerous to the poorer sort.
They cannot expect corn from Denmark or the east ports, because it
has failed in the inland shires, and they are the remotest part of the
kingdom. They have also to consider the provisioning of his Majesty's
ships. They beg that the officers of the ports may be ordered not to
make any cocket to transport corn hence from port to port without the
licence of two justices. In the meantime they make stay of such transportation till Salisbury's pleasure be known.—Penryn, last of October
1608. Signed: Raynold Mohun; W. Wrey; Jo. Parker; Nicholas Prideaux; Rd Carew of Antony; [?Fra] Vyvyan; Thomas Seyntaubyn. 1 p. (195 55.) |
| King James to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| [1608, Oct.] |
My little beagle, although I am not now to be long
absent, yet can I not delay that piece of time before that your fellow
councillors should be acquainted with my thankfulness for their endeavours in this trial so nearly concerning me; you shall therefore tell
them that there could not have been a more proper and pleasing
antidote ministered unto me against the just grief I had conceived of
the slandering my reputation in a case of this nature, than when I
heard with what a full cry ye all and every one of you went against that
man in the defence of my innocence, and how every man strove to
show his zeal and affection above his fellows, if he could for the clearing
of his master: and how God hath now blest their pains and honest
intentions they may likewise see. For my part I may justly say that the
name given me of James included a prophetical mystery of my fortune,
for as a Jacob I wrestled with my arms upon the V of August for my
life and overcame; on the V of November I wrestled and overcame with
my wit, and now in a case ten times dearer to me than my life, I mean
my reputation, I have wrestled and overcome with my memory. I
cannot also conceal your happiness to be the [?Treasurer] in such a time
when as the office of Secretary is so unlucky; two years ago in France
a Secretary betrayed his master's trust, and by drowning escaped
hanging; the last year the Principal Secretary of Spain was tried a
knave and made invisible; this year now, the Scottish Secretary
[Balmerino] is like to speed little better. Well, ye are happy that are
more than a Secretary; but if the Secretary here prove a knave, what
will come of the Thesauraire; show this part of my letter if ye dare now
to your fellows. To end now I remit to the bearer to show you what
course I would have taken now both anent the party and for my honour's
clearing. Fare well.—James R. Holograph. Endorsed by Salisbury: "His Majesty to me to be imparted to the Council." 1 p. (134 98.) [Partly printed in Gardiner, History of England, 11, 32.] |
| [?Thomas Wilson] to [the Earl of Salisbury] | |
| [1608 ?c Oct.] |
Your Lordship may be pleased to sign this packet
to the post; it goes to Sir W. Boyer for business that requires speed,
for the mason caused me to write in my last for more pavement than
now they say will be needful, because now the[y] find there is so much
Purbeck come; so we shall save charge, and have that which is ready
sooner. Herewith goes a receipt of 50l which we paid yesterday for him
by the Mayor of Berwick's appointment, who upon that receipt is to
pay it Sir W. Boyer. It should have been paid him a good while since,
but that my Lord of Dunbar's man, that should have received it, was
departed hence before I was aware. The mention of my Lord of Dunbar
puts me in mind of a matter which I should have informed your Lordship in ere this, but that this lingering cold so possesses me by fits that
I find myself unfit to attend; and that is a suit about dyeing which has
been dying and living often, and now is revived, likelier to live and do
good than I am. The thing is partly an invention of a brother of mine
that has been a clothier and a dyer long, with the help of one or two of
my other friends that are parties in the business. I hear it is the same
or much like to that of my Lord of Dunbar, who would have had the
sole sale of logwood and so many other things in the patent as they
say would have been worth 40,000l a year; but this is a poor mechanical
thing, the benefit whereof is drawn out of the sweat of men's brows to
make good use of that which is nought and unlawful, which binds no
man either to buy it or to use it, but that they which have invented it
may have the benefit of their invention, and the gain so small as they
shall sell that for 6d a pound which cost 5d besides labour. The King
grants nothing in it but that which they may do without a patent, and
for prejudicing the patents of the farm of logwood, it cannot but bring
them benefit; for making logwood of good and durable use there must
needs be the more spent of it, and so their benefit the more, and that
lawfully, which now is unlawful. Where it is said the colour becomes
more dark and duskish by the use of this stuff, 't is true that nothing
makes so lively a colour as logwood, no grain colours like it, but the
colours dyed herewith are sure and good. It is a suit will bring the King
benefit, do the Commonwealth and the reputation of our cloths good,
and hurt to none. The Parliament shall have no cause to clamour for
making hereof felony, as in my knowledge they would have done the
last session, if it had not been commonly delivered by some. They
say now that this great 40,000l a year suit wherein my Lord of Dunbar
was interested, is now by a trick gotten in substance by their farmers of
logwood, for, say they, those patents had the sole sale of logwood, these
have but the farm for which they pay 1700l a year, and gain as much
more by it. This will in a little time bring the sole bringing in of logwood
into their hands, for 't is a sure rule amongst merchants that he, that
can afford a commodity better cheap than any, will soon bring in the
sole trade thereof into his hands; as they may do this by the gain of the
farm, this trick of theirs, say they, doth, they think, now see as like
Jupiter's walking in a net, and the Parliament, whensoever it be, will
bail so much at this matter as at any one grievance; but if in the meantime it may be made of good and lawful use, none will stand against
it. This day I hear the certificate from those logwood farmers is to be
returned, whether it be prejudicial to their patent or no. And though
this indisposition of mine keeps me from attending you, you shall see I
am not idle by some things which I will send hereafter; for though my
thoughts be most fixed upon your private service, yet I should be to
blame not to apprehend this public business which concerns you so much
to be well-informed in. Though I begin with one wherein I and my
friends are interested, yet have I others in the fire, which when they
are well-tempered, you shall hear of them. The shoptakers begin now to come again. Yesterday there have two or three gone through with me.—Undated. Unsigned. 2½ pp. (119 138.) |
| [See Cal S.P.Dom, 1603–1610, p. 462.] | |
| The Company of Dyers in London to the Privy Council | |
| [?1608, Oct.] |
The King has granted a patent to certain gentlemen
for the true compounding of logwood with certain stuffs which should
make uniform and durable colours. They have tried the said stuffs,
but find them to make no surer colours than logwood by itself. Since
the first trial the patentees have delivered other stuffs which are worse
than the former by many degrees, and yet they sell a pound thereof for
as much as will buy 10 pounds of logwood They pray that, the stuff
being more harmful than profitable, the patent may be made void —
Undated. 1 p. (196 128.) |
| The Patentees for making a compounded stuff for dyeing to the Council | |
| [1608, Oct.] |
They have a patent for the making and sale of the
above, for the bringing in of logwood and the seizing of that wood found
in other hands, they paying to the King 25l for every ton of the stuff.
They have found the stuff fit and good, and have bought great store of
logwood; but the dyers of London combine to buy and use the said
wood, and resist seizure of the same. They beg that the Dyers' Company
be called before the Council, and order taken to enforce the patent.—
Undated. 1 p. (196 1282) |
| [Cf Cal. S.P.Dom, 1603–1610, pp. 462, 473, and ibid: Addenda, 1508–1625, pp. 510, 511.] | |
| The Dyers of London to the Earl of Salisbury | |
| [?1608, Oct.] |
In the matter of their complaint against the patentees
for logwood, who pretend by their compounded stuff to make sure and
good colours, the Council ordered trial to be made of the stuff; but the
Commissioners appointed forbade petitioners to make the trials,
and the patentees molest them with frivolous uits. They pray him to
call the parties and hear the cause. [Note at foot as to the suits in the
matter.]—Undated. 1 p. (P. 2088.) Copy of the above. 1 p. (P. 2089.) |