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1575. Jan. 2. |
1. Thos. Copley to Lord Burghley. As soft water may in time
pierce marble, I hope my often suits will in time pierce my
hardest enemies. I send you in writing what has passed between
my Lord Ambassador and me. Want has been a spur to me to be
an earnest suitor to enjoy my own, but now it is the least of
many, for I am likely to enjoy abundance; but no change of
estate can alter my duty to Prince and country, which I wish to
serve rather than spend my life in foreign service. All the Queen's
affairs lie not within the precinets of that island; all princes have
to deal with princes adjoining, and if the Queen would employ me
therein, she should soon find my faithful service. Pray procure me
this, and bind me to you as your natural child. [1½ pages.] |
Jan. 23. Brussels. |
2. Sir Fras. Englefield to Lord Burghley. I have long refrained
from complaining at my long exile from my native country, and the
withholding of my living; but I must lament that I have lately
been falsely accused of violation of duty to my Sovereign, and the
breach of the bands of conscience and honesty. |
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I am accused of conferring with the Countess of Westmoreland
on State matters; furthering and setting forth the book of treasons;
being privy to a conspiracy to poison you, and perhaps more, as
nothing can be more vile and odious. |
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No way is left me but to appeal to your wisdom and equity, not
to believe me culpable of such villainy without proof, which can
never be had. I have declared myself so far to my Lord Ambassador here that his alleged informers have denied their information
of me. I can do no more till my information is made more particular. |
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Inquiring about the author of the book, I find that a few years
past Mr. Gifford, a lawyer, brought into these parts notes like the
contents of the book, entitled "A detailing of certain secret practices, tending to the change of the State, &c." He proceeded with
it whilst here, and carried it back to England. When he took leave
of me on my going to Spain, from which he had tried to dissuade
me, he said, "Well, then must I keep and retain in my breast something which I had thought to have imparted to you if you had
tarried." I conjecture this alluded to the said book; but I never
saw him since. |
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I regard my own soul and honesty too much to attempt to poison
you; some have tried to put you in fear of your life, to bring their
other purposes to pass. |
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As to the Countess of Westmoreland, I should not have been foolish
enough to choose her had I been disposed to enter into error. Search
into my dealings with the Duke of Alva and this governor, and you
will find me unable to treat with strangers in matters of moment. |
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I will give you any further satisfaction in my power, and rely on
your compassion towards all the afflicted, and beg you to obtain for
me the enjoying of my own revenue, that I may not be forced to
live on foreign entertainment. I could then change my abode for
one less subject to suspicion. Thanks for your preserving my poor
inheritance from spoil. [2¾ pages.] |
Jan. 26. |
3. Walter Wykes to Mr. Maddock, Westminster Palace. I
gave Bawser and Cate, of Colbrook, 12 days' notice for the sitting
on commission; but they and Bretteridge wrote to Sir John Danvers,
reporting me to be lewd and troublesome, and refusing to sit in the
commission. Pray renew it for me without my adversaries, for
I have the secretary's letter to Sir John Danvers and Mr. Brouncker
for attaining my leases and living, with arrears from 1572 of 700l.,
at 60l. a year, to be determined by the said persons, or else by
Sec. Walsingham; but I went to the commission for the further
discovering of traitorous persons. I know Sir John Danvers,
Mr. Brouncker, and Mr. Reed will show me justice. [1 page.] |