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May 18.
Rouen. |
13. Sir Thomas Copley to Sec. Walsingham. By letters from
Tournay, I perceive the good Prince of Parma granted my son
William, seven days after his repair thither, 15 crowns a month
maintenance, but the licence for me to remain here another year,
which I sent him to sue for, he cannot obtain, so that I must
return with speed. Thus you see how I am forced to obey such
Princes as feed me and mine abroad, while my own is detained
from me at home; yet better is it here to enjoy liberty, though with
some lack of living, than at home to have living with want of
liberty; nay of both, as the matter is now handled, by exacting the
20l. a month, if it be true. |
|
I tremble to think what consequences such hard dealing is like
to breed, but I will not presume to see further into the matter
than you and other grave heads of Her Majesty's council. I pray
God to direct all your counsels to His honour, Her Majesty's service,
and the quiet of the realm; but I crave that I may not go back
without some fruit of my quiet living in this country these three
years, continually sueing for grace at home, and drawn forth in
daily expectation thereof. |
|
My daughter of Eteves has come to a house of her husband's
seven leagues on this side Mounts, and near the French frontiers,
with hope to obtain her mother's company and help at her delivery
of her fourth child, the middle of next month. It would grieve me,
at my return into those parts, that my friends should reproach me
with having lost all this time, contrary to the advice of most of
them, who thought I deceived myself in hoping any good from
thence, except I would go home, which I dare not do for fear of
Norrice, the pursuivant, and such like mates, at whose mercy I
would be loth to stand. It is better to sue for grace here than at
home in a dungeon. Vestigia me terrent; I hear of many who
go thither, and come no more back. Fear keeps me abroad, and
not guilt of any crime, or will to commit any against my Sovereign
or country. The bearer, my servant, is sent to give life to my suit.
Let me have the comfort of a letter, to know my fate. I hope to
receive satisfaction, not only from foreign parts, but from home,
and to perceive that charity is not clean extinct there, and rigour
resolved upon for the only stay of the State; which if it be, God
help: for innumerable experiences have taught that to be the most
brittle and unsure. Nullum violentum diuturnum. [1½ pages.] |
May 20.
Jersey. |
14. Philip de Carteret to Sir Francis Walsingham. Thanks for
your favours, without which the difference between me and Sir
Thomas Leighton would lead me to sell and quit all, or to be in
continual trouble. I hope that the future state of Sark will be
provided for at the coming of Sir Amias Paulet, and that I and the
rest of the inhabitants may possess our own in peace. [1 page,
French.] |
May 29.
The Court. |
15. Sec. Walsingham to the Masters of Requests. Hugh Beston
being indebted to Dorothy Downes alias Powell, late wife and
executrix of Lawrence Downes, and she having lain in prison these
17 weeks under an execution for debt, and having condemned
Beston by course of law, he, knowing her disability, has brought a
suit in your Court to stay her proceedings, to which she has answered
on oath, wherein the truth of the case may evidently appear.
Regarding the poverty of the poor woman, pray dismiss her to her
lawful recovery of her just debt, unless it is proved why dismission
shall not be granted. [½ page.] |
| May. |
16. Note of stores supplied by the Office of Ordnance for the island
of Jersey; total charge, 293l. 12s. 2d., besides carriage; with note
of powder delivered in 1573 to 1577. [12/3 pages.] |
