Elizabeth: August 1577

258. Robert Bowes to [Walsingham]. [Aug. 2.] Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 102.

Hawks sent by the Regent to Leicester and Walsingham, and Scottish falcons for Leicicester, Hunsdon, and Walsingham. Scottish bands in Holland. Suspicion of Captain Balfour. The Regent well affected to the Queen of England. Matters of religion. Lord Seton departed to the Spa. The Carrs at Edinburgh. Lord Maxwell continues in ward. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

1 p. No flyleaf or address. (Printed, Wright, vol. ii., p. 65).

259. Robert Bowes to [Walsingham]. [Aug. 2.] Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 102.

I received yesterday your packet to the Regent with a letter to myself for conveyance of hawks sent by his grace to my Lord of Leicester and yourself, and I have this day sent that packet to his grace.

The Regent has sent hither four casts of Scottish falcons, whereof two casts are to come to my Lord Leicester, one to my Lord Hunsdon, and another to yourself. All which I have sent forward by my own servant.

By former advertisements I have signified, by intelligence given me, that the colonel and captains of the Scottish bands in Holland, upon the "casshinge" of the same, were entertained with pension by Don John. I might, therefore, by the generality, suspect Captain Balfour [Bawfowre] whom you call "Baford," late colonel of those bands, and also Molyns, whose name I suppose is Harratt. But finding the grace given to Balfour by her majesty, with your own good opinion signified of him in your last letter, I condemn my judgment towards him, and still continue in suspicion of Molyns. Their doings herein may most readily be discovered where they served, and here I will do my endeavour to sound and find out the same the best I can.

The Regent keeps good health, declaring himself well affected to follow her majesty's course in all fortunes. He is greatly disquieted by the incessant spoils on the seas, which might seem to be practised to break the amity of the realms. He has much to do to pacify the minds of that people, being greatly alienated and almost desperate of redress.

There is no further mention of matters of religion since my coming from thence; but matters lying over in misliking, and that nation not destitute of malcontents, there be some that wish change of government, which in the scarcity of fit heads to enterprise the same, is still like yet to be deferred.

The Lord Seton, with unaccustomed bravery, is departed towards "the Spawe" for his health. The favourers of their Queen say that opportunity well serves in these days to work her good; but they groan to find that proceed and prosper no better.

The Carres have been at Edinburgh, at a law day, to pursue the slaughter of a Carre slain by the Rotherfords and the Turnbulls, whom the Lord Angus seems to favour. But the matter is adjourned to a new day.

The Lord Maxwell continues in ward upon suspicion of intent [to] arise troubles on the Borders. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

1 p. No flyleaf or address.

260. Mary to Monsieur Ligons. [Aug. 3.] C P., vol. X.

For answer to your letter of the 1st of May, I will pray you believe assuredly that I construed your former [letter] in no evil sense, but took the advice therein as coming from a faithful and affectionate friend of mine, to whom in many ways I think myself indebted.

Touching the earl, I give you thanks for advertising me of his necessity, and pray you to continue a friend to him, whom I make no less account of than of a very dear one to me, as shall prove if ever it pleases God to make my means extend to the same. I am sorry that ever he has had any occasion to mislike the Nortons, "but as I doo pres, echis gretnes and proximitie to them or any of the rest," even so I trust he has at length considered your remonstrance, that I could not have slipped the opportunity of that time by some way to show my remembering the earl, if I had received of them in my extreme need, and how desirous I was to acquit myself thereof, as most heartily I would towards every one to whom I am beholden, loving in no ways an ungrateful will. As soon as I may possibly ("conform" to your counsel) I shall make it appear of him to his support, being yet very low in means to this end, as I am certain you understand amongst my ministers there, and, in the meantime "sithe he hath accompanyed himself where he es" (out of the which, for jealousy in other parts, "I wishe he sold not his change)." I shall write that here in his recommendation which, I think, will take some effect to his contentment. And of the bruit between P. and me, if after mine of January you had showed the assurance you gave the earl in the contrary, as by this your last you do, I would not in the other have boasted to blame you, but have allowed (as presently) your circumspect and well considered answers therein, which, indeed, my intention was you should use no otherwise but in the same general terms only, and neither to him nor any other declare the particularity, as once I wrote inducing you thereunto. And albeit that P. minds, indeed, to catch two strings in his bow, as by my last, of the 12th of June, you have perceived, yet would I be loth (without the respect of my hazard) to lose any advantage I have to serve my turn of him, as he minds to do his of me. He has never yet in anywise "provoked" directly to have me in marriage, neither have I been forced to utter my liking therein. Sheffield Castle.

⅓ p. Cipher. Deciphered. Indorsed.

261. Mary to Doctor Allen Cope. [Aug. 3.] C.P., vol. X.

The many good reports and multitude of rare virtues flowing in you, which long ago have made your name be known not only to me but to the greatest and everyone of good in christendom, have no less made me esteem your comfortable letter in this my affliction as a singular sign of some good to ensue thereupon, than most heartily to accept your godly and honest offers, in special your prayers at the holy altar, which I understand by the conveyer hereof (fn. 1) have this long time been used by you and such as are under your charge, of which I cannot better acquit myself than by mine daily to God for the strengthening and maintaining with His grace and Holy Spirit in all your designments tending to His glory unto the time it pleases Him to grant me means otherwise to aid and supply the achieving thereof, and to recognise your sincere affection towards me as I have goodwill. There is no particular joy, restitution or advancement on earth that I desire, saving only the relief of the Catholic Church and fortitude thereof to the universal flourishing aud re-establishment of her faith and religion, but specially in this poor isle. To which end, if it shall please Him to make me serve in anything. I do even now, as I have long before, dedicate and abandon my life into a thousand more torments, and all I have in this world thereunto, wishing no greater felicity and consolation than in that quarrel to leave the miseries of this wretched vale. In the meantime, considering the good which manifoldly I received since my arrival in this realm, as well by the wicked, who through persecution have made me, with God's grace, better acknowledge myself than before I could in prosperity, as by the good people who in my lowest extremity have given me comfort and relief, which binds me—without my natural inclination—in recompense, to wish weal to the whole, specially to the faithful, who have suffered with loss of lands and goods, and finally [been] banished —albeit with separation of their bodies—into strange countries. I wish their hearts not to be so far severed as, to my grief, I understand they are divided into sundry factions; to the reunion and reconcilement of whom I have this long time been most desirous to interpone my credit. As yet I am in deliberation if by any means I may profit therein, and hereof—knowing your ability and the good opinion every one of them has of you—I have found no way so fit as to call to your help and to pray you, for God's sake and mine, to employ your travail in so good a work, and, if possible, in such a sort as may be brought to some good end; and if my name may serve therein in any way, to use it as you think needful, which I remit to your discretion, and I shall heartily allow and authorise you in the same. Sheffield Castle.

1¼ pp. In the margin: "The Q. of Scots to D. Allen Cope descifored by M^r Somers." Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 103.

Copy of the same.

Cott. Calig., C.III., fol. 554.

Another copy of the same.

262. Mary to Mr. Morgan. [Aug. 3.] C.P., vol. X.

Since my writing to you on the 12th of July, I received yours of the 26th of May, together with it Doctor Allen's cipher, and two others from Betoun, master of my household, and, "conforme" to your advice, have written to Doctor Allen anent the reconcilement of the divided of our nation. The letters he inclosed you may "cause convoye" as your means will serve. "I have yet heard nothing of George Moor's presenting in service to my host," albeit the Countess of Northumberland has thereof written to me as you do. I have answered her, and also given thanks to Sir Francis Inglefeld for his goodwill towards me, uttered to you, and I have taken order to give Mr. Shelly thanks, as you desire. The Lord Great Treasurer is now at Buxton in quiet manner. Sheffield Castle.

²/3p. Indorsed: "3 Augusti 1577. The Q. of Scots to one Mr. Morgan."

263. Monsieur Nau to his Brother. [Aug. 6.] Cott. Calig., C.III., fol. 545.

[Extracts].—Ceste lettre est en haste, mon frere, encores que je sois infinement presse de . . . n'ay voulu perdre ceste commodite . . . du premier office de Justice . . . la somme de douze cens escuz. Jay ung . . . premiere depeche en lettres ouvertes si je me puis avec cestecy. Ceste vous . . . lequel pourra journellement estre adverty de la vaccance, d'aultant quil assiste de veiller pour moy que ceste party ne meschappe. Si il se present quelque . . . de finance par dessus ladicte somme, je suis d'advis que vous parfournissiez . . . et me faciez scavoir combien il ya du proffiet a le revendre comme il seroit p . . . quand l'occasion sen presenteroit ou payer finance: autant en pourrey vous faire moindre que ladicte somme a la charge du surplus. Si ung office de justice vient, vous le mectrez au nom du dit— (fn. 2) si vous ne trouvez promptement, a qui vous en deffa . . . ung priz raisonable de lung et laultre de ne perdre point cest oportunité, et . . . avec levesque de Glasco et le chancelier Vergier, lors qu'il sera besoing a my faire plaisir, comme il . . . le moyen a cause de la, je veille tousjours apres la reserve qui m'a esté do . . . vous de l'estat de thresorier, et ay esperance de vaincre tous difficultez qui s . . . or pour bien a [?] manier votre faict.

Nous sommes tous engarbouillé par deca sur l'apprehension que ceulx de ce pays . . . querre. Sheffield.

Postscript.—Veilley pour moy pardela comme il . . . de vous en ceste captivité.

1 p. French. Copy. Partly in cipher. Edge decayed.

264. Shrewsbury to Burghley. [Aug. 12.] C.P., vol. X.

Whereas it pleased God yesternight, a little before supper, to visit suddenly my dearest jewel under God, next to my sovereign, with mortality of sickness, and that it has pleased God to take that sweet babe from me—she surely was a favoured child—I thought it rather by myself than by common report you should understand it from me, though it nips me near. Yet the sore I have of God, and the dutiful care to discharge my duty and trust my mistress puts me in, make me, now she is gone, to put away needless care, and to look about me to that I am put in trust withal, and because I doubt my wife will show more folly than need requires, I pray your lordship write your letter to her, which I hope will greatly relieve her. Sheffield. Signed: G. Shrewesbury.

1p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed by Walsingham.

265. Seizure of Scottish Barques. [Aug. 14.] Lansd. MSS., vol. 25, fol. 11.

"Generall matters to prove the seazure lawfull."

No entry made at Beaumaris in the Queen's books of any part of the goods come to Chester. No custom paid there. No cocket or certificate made at Beaumaris to prove payment of custom. No bonds taken there.

No entry of barque, boat or goods by any officer at Chester. No warrant for discharge; no custom paid, or any wares rated before the seizure.

"To prove the same to be pirates."—The great barque is appointed for the wars, and has above twenty men aboard. No mention made in the charter-party of the great barque of any wares but rye and timber, whereas they had aboard wheat, wool, "checkers," halberds, and a greater quantity of rye and other wares unknown. No charterparty, name, master, owner or merchant of the little barque, nor any wares aboard her till they came to Beaumaris. The little barque being 9 tons burden was tied with a tow to the stem of the great barque, being only 40 tons burden, The seizure of Captain Thorneton, who said he had yielded one barque to Mr. Glaseor and kept the little one to himself. In the charter-party the merchant is to discharge the Scots of all troubles till they be ashore. The examination of the merchant is contrary in divers point.

1 p. Indorsed: "Articles to prove the seisure made by the Comptroller of Chester of the Scottishe barkes to be laufull."

266. Leicester to Walsingham. Elizabeth. [Aug. 1577.]

I have sent the Regent's letters again. Since my former letters I have talked with her majesty about that matter. I see she wishes all due redress and satisfaction to be had for the Regent, and conceiving with myself that it needs not much further to trouble her withal, but that we, by the authority we have, do send and take as good order in that case as we may possibly, both for satisfaction by restitution and apprehension of the offenders, if they be to be had, upon such information as you may get by Mr. Fullerton or otherwise, you may cause such direction to be given as shall be requisite.

Her majesty willed me to signify to you that she will have Mollyns deferred by your advice as long as may be, or he may depart hence, to see what may be discovered of his doings. Balfour she minded to use well, and his hour is now come to speak with her. Signed: R. Leicester.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

267. Shrewsbury to Walsingham. [Aug. 17.] C.P., vol. X.

I herewith send you a packet from the Scottish Queen, and hereby must impart to you how it has pleased Almighty God to call to his mercy my only grandchild, son to Gilbert Talbott, my son, which by nature troubles me. Howbeit, I most willingly obey His will who took him, who only lent him without grudging thereat, but my wife (although she acknowledges no less) is not so well able to rule her passions, and has driven herself into such case by her continual weeping as is like to breed in her further inconvenience, and being desirous to prevent the same by my best persuasions (she being now at Chatsworth, and not able to come hither) I am desirous to go to her for a while, and to carry my charge with me also, if her majesty's pleasure stands therewith; wherein I am to pray you to move her highness, and to let me have notice. Hearty thanks for your occurrents. Sheffield. Signed: G. Shrewesbury.

Postscript in Shrewsbury's hand:—I am driven to use the help of my man, for that I am troubled with some pain in my hand.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

268. Walsingham to the Regent Morton. [Aug. 21.]

William Nutshawe. on his return to England, has made to me so great and good report of your honourable dealing towards him in his suit, that I cannot but think myself more bound to your grace for the same than for any other private man's cause I have at any time heretofore troubled you with; and though his said suit has not yet taken that good and full effect which he and his friends here looked for, by reason of the want of somewhat to be by him further showed before my lords and the rest of the Council in Scotland, as also to be done here in England by virtue of commission to be directed from you for the appearance of the Lord Robert Stewart in Southampton, there to hear as well the proofs on Nutshawe's behalf as to allege what he can to the disproof thereof, yet I doubt not but as soon as these things necessary first to be done shall be accomplished, there will ensue that good end of the matter which is hoped for, and to that end I humbly crave the continuance of your favour towards him.

¾ p. Draft. Indorsed by Walsingham: "21 August, 1577. To the Regent's Grace."

269. [The Regent Morton] to [Sir John Foster]. [Aug. 25.] Cott. Calig., C. III., fol. 530.

By your letters of the 20th of August, and report of the gentleman, bearer thereof, I understand of your receipt of the Queen's majesty's letters touching remedy to be taken for the late attempts of the Fenwicks and Shaftoes in Lyddesdale, when one of the Elliots was slain. In your letter you make mention of one of the Robsons of Tindale who was slain, and no redress could be gotten by the officers of this realm, which he thinks might be an encouragement to them to seek revenge. To this I must answer you, that I wrote to the Queen's majesty, your sovereign. Whereupon I perceive you have received this late direction. But your comparison of the case does not agree. For, to be plain with you, I do not stand so much presently in suiting the redress of the slain man of Lyddesdale as I think the form of this dealing strange. It is no marvel to hear of a slaughter committed by thieves against thieves in stealing; following the redress of which slaughters has with small contradiction lain over continually from the warden's order to the meeting of commissioners. But in a time of so good peace and amity, that a number of English gentlemen who are not accustomed "in the trade of theves" should lie in an "ambusshement" in Scotland for the murder of the King my sovereign's subjects imports another manner of matter, whereanent I am desirous to understand your answer in writing by this bearer, what I may be assured of, and how far I may assure the King my sovereign's subjects to look for touching the keeping of the peace and quietness, and if you will assure me that they may safely live without invasion of Englishmen under your charge, and safely follow their goods wanting in the accustomed manner, unpursued for their lives; for if matters shall pass forward in this order new begun, neither dare Scotchmen follow into England nor Englishmen into Scotland; and what may succeed thereon, you may well consider. I have done hitherto what I could to keep quietness; whereof, if I had not been the more careful, our folks who were lately pursued are known "bent innowghe of their inclinacion to seeke theyr private revenge." "Alwese," till the receipt of your answer, I will still travail to the keeping of quietness on this side, notwithstanding the occasions given to the contrary. For the fugitives, indeed, I think it had been better for the common peace and quietness of both the realms that more had been hanged and banished long since.

Touching the note of your fugitives delivered to my Lord of Angus at Jedburgh [Jedworth], as you write, the same note was immediately delivered, as your own letter purports, to the warden of the March of this realm, yourself being present, now ten months past: and if there had been any default of a resolute answer and redress, I think it might have been long since craved and redressed, considering your often meeting with the said Warden since, and in case of his undutiful answer it might have been complained upon before this time to myself. But now I shall remember it, as I wish you to have consideration of this bill of fugitives that I send you herewith inclosed, and especially of David Elliot [Elwet], called "the Carlinge," and John Elliot, called "the Todsfoit," fugitives of Scotland, plainly received among the Fenwicks and Shaftoes. With which purpose I will forbear longer to occupy you, but have directed the bearer hereof, William Douglas of Colebranspeth, my cousin and servant, to confer with you, and to report what to "lyppen" for at your hands. Holyrood House.

1½ pp. Copy.

270. Instructions for William Douglas. [Aug. 25.] Cott. Calig., C. III., fol. 531.

"Memor of credit to William Douglas of Colebranspethe to be declared to my Lord Warden of the Myddle Marches of Englande, at Holyrodus the xxv^th of August 1577."

You shall deliver our letters and let him understand that we have purposely directed you to return to us his resolute mind and answer what to "lyppen" upon touching the continuance of quietness and keeping of good neighbourhood, and how "we think not this example of the slaughter of Robsone to make this attempt in Lyddesdale," there being so great diversity in the form, and "of the apparente consequence," and that the matter cannot fail to induce further inconvenience if it be not quietly repaired, and men restrained from attempting the like; for not only in this, but other ways we found the new begun dealing hard, to have, "ambusshements" lying in our country, and no sure access to follow into England when true men's goods are reft and stolen by Englishmen. What shall be "lippned" to under his charge, and if on his word we may assure the King's subjects that they shall safely live without invasion by England under his charge, and safely follow their goods wanting in the accustomed manner, unpursued for their lives; for if matters thus continue, none dare follow either into Scotland or England. If my own care and goodwill had not been the greater, the Scotsmen who received the late injuries had been able enough to suit their private revenge before now.

Touching the receipt of fugitives, you shall deliver this note with their names. For the most part their receipt is in the West Marches; but being now to be pursued, they will seek refuge, we doubt not, within the bounds of his charge, and if it should be permitted it could not but fail both to frustrate her majesty's determination and ours. For this cause you shall earnestly require him to take heed hereto, etc.

1½ pp. Indorsed: "25° Augusti. Copy of the L. Regentes letre to the Warden of the Middle Marches."

271. Leicester to Walsingham. [Aug.] Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 107.

Lest you should think I were negligent in moving her majesty in those things I received from you, which concern her service, I thought good to let you know, although I have no sufficient answer yet to send her, how upon declaration of the Regent's letter to you, she seemed to be somewhat moved that she should be bound to give restitution to every man, and that she had sent three ships to the seas, and with what charge we know; and her majesty a while continued rather increasing in this kind of mislike than otherwise, and so I forbear to press her further till I see a more convenient time, and then will get her further pleasure, and so write to you, only sending this in the meantime to let you know I was not unmindful thereof. And now am I greatly to thank you, good Mr. Secretary, for your great pains about my private cause, which of all the sins that ever I committed, I looked least to be charged with that fault Mr. Scott has touched me withal. But, as it cannot suffice that he be found a false lying varlet, so do I wish that he, being plainly known, be no further esteemed than such a knave deserves for making too many more such knaves by any little encouragement. But I fear there be too many of his profession even in the nearest company to the highest, and so downward to exercise their faculty, and being discovered, without good example made, will increase the number, I fear. You will not believe how particularly and craftily this knave has incensed her majesty to make her think he was neither the author nor chief doer in this slander, and how far he makes show to her of such a matter, indeed, to be in handling, reporting certain speeches of Hide's with Lord Dyer, which should tend to this effect, that Lord Dyer should cast out words that he knew a bag of money making to defend the suit [etc. Matters relating to Scott's statement to Queen Elizabeth].

Mr. Balfour [Baford] stays here to kiss her majesty's hand this evening. I have showed her your letters. She is hardly informed of the man. I fear she will be a little too plain with him. I have persuaded all I can. She might win him, and I hope she will in the end be brought to offer him a pension. Signed: R. Leycester.

3 pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

271. Mary to the Bishop of Glasgow. [Aug. 31.] C.P., vol. X.

This will be the third [letter] I have written since receiving your last by this secret way, and only to advertise you of the suspicions and jealousies which your journey to the baths has brought, and chiefly on the part of Walsingham, who, having been for a long time in apprehension of some sinister event in this kingdom, labours as far as he can to throw the cause of it on me, having started divers rumours as soon as you were sent by the King to Scotland, to negotiate the transfer of my son; and according to this invention the Earl of Huntingdon lately gave advice to the Earl of Shrewsbury that you had arrived there with an ambassador; that you were preparing soon to make a journey to Rome, and—the most apparent of all—that you were going expressly to the baths to approach Don John, and to treat with him of my marriage, and to take resolution in the practices and enterprises that he imagines are being treated of between the Pope, the King of France, the King of Spain, and myself, wishing above all to have them discovered, and that nothing will pass there of which he may not promptly have good news; but up till now, with all his artifice and subtlety, he has not known how to seize any opportunity sufficient to give faith and proof to his turbulent imaginations, which I am sure hold him well in play, and he will not leave any stone unturned to surprise me if I leave anything for him to bite at. I do not know what advise he can have received on the contents of the last dispatch which has been sent me by the ordinary, suddenly after your return to Paris; but he has opened and read it even to the least letter, thinking to discover there, as he himself has said and written, that which he has not found, of which he makes certain, in spite of this, of being enlightened shortly, as of a matter of great importance. And on this account I desire much that your brother coming here may not have deposited upon himself any cyphers, fearing that he may be searched on the suspicion which wrongly they have conceived of him here.

I am surely advertised that Morton does worse than ever in Scotland, and principally against my good and faithful subjects, which makes me enter further in defiance of the overture which you have made me on his part for his reconciliation. Take care and proceed with him by firm speech as you have commenced, without going further than, at the same time, he himself will enter into the game.

As for George Douglas, I pray you to instantly secure the payment of what is assigned him in the Duchy of Chevreuse, advertising that which may be there for my service, and the credit that he has now near to my son, and of those who have him in keeping.

People wish to assure us here of the renewal of the troubles of France, and of the continuation of those in the Low Countries, wherein those of this country put their best hopes for the conservation of their repose and estate.

Some days ago I saw letters from the Duke Casimir to this Queen, upon whom he shows to depend entirely, giving her advice of some discord excited newly between the Lutherans and Calvinists, even in the country of the Count Palatine, his brother, who had been advised by the said Calvinists, and that on this he ought to make a general assembly in Germany of the principals of the one and the other opinion, where he prays her to intervene by some deputy on his behalf. And after one rather long discourse against the Catholics, sworn (thus he says) to their ruin, he offers all his means for the maintenance of their religion and defence of their confederates unworthily afflicted and pursued. Referring the additional [advice] to the bearer, to whom he gives credit, which you will impart to "p" and "q" to give to the King if they think good. And you will advertise them that many proposals have been reported here which are said to have been put forward by "p," of which Walsingham has tried to make his profit. He is, perhaps, the author of them.

I would not forget to remind you, and them also, of the choice of a successor to Monsieur de Mauvissière as a thing that I consider to import much the good of my affairs here. For I have not the means to negotiate more surely with my friends in this kingdom than by the ambassador of France, or him whom I should desire to appoint near to him, forasmuch as they cannot be constrained to render account of their actions and behaviour as those who are subjects, not daring on this account to discover themselves, the one or the other.

Moreover, I receive daily so many complaints of the little diligence and duty of Dolu in the handling of my finances, and I hope from him so little comfort in necessity of my affairs, seeing the refusal he makes to advance one sou beyond the funds in his receipt, that I am determined to make use of him no longer, and am resolved to break with him, if he does not do better, as soon as I could find some one else worthy and sufficient in his place. On which do not fail to give me advice, as I have asked you in my last [letters]. And, nevertheless, do not make it known to anyone whatsoever. for fear that it should do wrong to my service.

"q" complains—and with just occasion—that it is eighteen months since he has received a single penny of his pension, not having other means to feed and support himself. I am very ill–content with the length of time that they keep various other parties that I have appointed. The treasurer gives no other reply to those who pursue him, than that they should cause themselves to be put upon the sale of office [Fr. parties casuelles], and that those deceive them who give them other commandments. Wherefore it is made apparent to me, that he only has regard for his private advantage.

I do not write anything of the affair of your brother, having remitted everything to his return, to see if, in his presence, we can do more than in his absence (which, as I understand by "d," Monsieur de Mauvissière, will not be long) who will keep me waiting by him for your news to inform you more fully of mine. Sheffield.

[In the margin] The rest is from Nau — her secretary. I thought to accompany the present with a portrait of her majesty, but the painter has been unable to perfect it before the departure of this despatch. It will be by the next. We are, to my great regret, very disturbed here by several impressions, from which I should wish, for my particular, to be well delivered. They have given me a new companion, who is called Maille, to assist here in the Council with Monsieur Chasteau; it is for them and for me to obey, as I shall do all my life, and I acknowledge myself obliged to it without failing in my duty in regard to anyone, and principally you. Assuring myself that you will always hold it agreeable according to the judgment you will form of that which I can do for your service, I kiss your hand very humbly. You can sufficiently comprehend how all things pass without it being necessary to write to you more fully about them.

My lord and brother, I pray you to send to my brother the treasurer one word inclosed herein, marked "d"; the other marked — (fn. 3) is for Monsieur Le Maistre, to whom I recommend myself very humbly, and to you also.

3 pp. French. Copy. Indorsed: "August 31. Thextract of a ciffre from the Queene of Scotts to the Busshop of Glascso."

273. Monsieur Nau to his Brother. [Aug. 31.] Cott. Calig., C. III., fol. 546.

The Queen of Scots is discontented with regard to her dowry and Dolu's service. It is necessary for him to speak to the Bishop of Glasgow and the chancellor De Vergier to help him with their recommendation. Is to obtain letters from all the Seigneurs of Guise in his favour, [and from] the Queen Mother and others of credit. Sheffield.

1½ pp. French. Copy. Indorsed. Partly in cipher. Edge decayed.