|
| Nov. 3. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Could not let his honour's man go empty handed, though
what has passed has been written by Mr. Wotton's servant.
Finds by Palavicino's letters "that the Germans' accustomed
covetousness maketh long delays," yet he hopes for a resolution by February at the farthest. |
|---|
| Begs to know his honour's reason for his hard opinion of
Grimston, as he must not use his services if he gives just
cause of suspicion.—Paris, 3 November, 1586. |
|---|
| Sends a little book newly come out.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVI. 69.] |
|---|
| Nov 4. | Duke John Casimir to M. de Quitry. |
|---|
| The conditions which the Signor Palavicino has sent me by
my counseller, the Sieur Schregel, are such that I cannot believe that anyone would advise me to accept them, being partly
almost impossible and partly entirely unreasonable; also quite
different from what he wrote to me on Oct. 17. The Queen could
not demand more if she were furnishing the entire costs of
the war, while it is notorious that the hundred thousand crowns
are not enough even to satisfy the eight thousand reiters whom
he demands, without the infantry and the artillery. |
|---|
| Also, I could not (even if that difficulty did not exist) depend
upon the bond of which he has sent me a copy, for two reasons,
needless to relate; so that if you do not explain this money
better (si n'esclaircissez mieux cest argent) I see a great delay
in the affairs of the King of Navarre, which grieves me very
much, knowing well the prejudicial consequence thereof to the
common cause. |
|---|
| At least my conscience testifies that it is not my fault that
all has not gone forward, but the burden is too great for one
man, and it is for you, the ambassadors of the King of Navarre
to clear up this matter, since you put it into my hands.—
Heidelberg, 4 November, 1586. |
|---|
| Note by Palavicino. The conditions sent by me with Scelegro
were seen by Messrs. Segur and Quitri and esteemed by both
to be very reasonable, and not at all disagreeing with those of
my letter of 17 October, but the Duke wishes by these allegations
to gain time.
Copy. Endd. Fr. ¾ p. [Germany, States IV. 108.] |
|---|
| Nov. 5/15. | De L'Aubespine-Chateauneuf to Burghley and Howard. |
|---|
| Has been informed by the French merchants, that under
colour of arrests made at Rouen and in Brittany, the merchants
of London mean to desire permission to stay the goods of
French merchants in this city and other places in the realm.
Prays that this may not be granted, as it would cause great
confusion in the traffic and commerce between the two kingdoms. Has especially heard that those of Tautenay [Totnes]
towards the West wish to make stay of what is owing by the
Sieur de Courtenay to the poor merchant named Le Pape, together with the wines and oils belonging to him. Being assured
of their good will and affection, will make no further request
in the matter.—London, 15 November, 1586.
Signed. Add. "A Messieurs les Grand Tresorier et Admiral
d'Angleterre." Endd. French, ¾ p. Seals. [France XVI. 70.] |
|---|
| Nov. 5. | Edward Wotton to Walsingham. |
|---|
| "I am advertised that the Spanish ambassador harboureth
secretly in his house an English jesuit newly come from Rome,
and meaneth shortly to send him into England, to work some
mischief there against her Majesty." I will do my best to
learn his name and get some special marks of him, that you
may the better give orders for his apprehension when he shall
land. |
|---|
| News is come that on the confines between Milan and Genoa,
three hundred Spaniards have been put to the sword by them
of Genoa; "which Spaniards had taken a castle belonging unto
that Seigneury; in revenge of which slaughter the governor of
Milan hath committed to prison all the merchants of Genoa remaining in Milan." For other particulars I refer you to my
lord ambassador's packet.—Paris, 5 November, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. "8 November" in error. 1 p.
Seal of the Wotton arms, a saltire engrailed. [France XVI. 71.] |
|---|
| Nov. 6. | Stafford to Burghley. (fn. 1) |
|---|
| I hope and assure myself "that your lordship's care of thankfulness and your son's to the cardinal [Savello] shall be discharged as effectually and secretly . . . as can be devised." |
|---|
| I have received and added the additions to our cipher. Some
of the names were in the other cipher, but I have put out
the old marks and put in the new, and pray you to do the same,
that we may not be mistaken hereafter. |
|---|
| "I am with your lordship's opinion that those bad companions
that are left on this side have further fetches in their heads
than any yet be discovered. . . . . I do what I can to discover them, and have a means in hand to see if by one that
is great with Morgan and doth sometimes haunt him in the
Bastile there is, under hope of fair promises and hope of liberty
(for he is very weary to be where he is) anything to be drawn;
but Mr. Secretary, that will let nothing that good is to be done
by my means, I am afraid will both cross me in the matter
and alienate the person's mind, whom he is acquainted withal,
that dealeth in it." Such things have been done to me already,
both with that person and others, and with that disgrace that
when some whom he had employed here made known to him
that they had access to me and desired to be dealt with by
my means, he would never deal with them after. "Truly he
showeth everyday more rancour than other against me," but
I the less care for it, seeing its only cause is "that I will
not be led to advertise every thing that his humour would have
me do." Of late however there have been two other causes
which have egged him on, though I have not spoken of them,
but now they must needs come out, though I beseech you to
keep it to yourself lest it hurt me more. One is that I honour
your lordship and depend upon your favour; as you will see
by an extract of a letter of Buzanval's to the Abbot of Albene,
in answer to one which the Abbot had written to him of me, (fn. 2) both
which letters passed my hands, and I opened them in Symier's
presence, and kept the Abbot's, sending it over "copied and as
near the hand as could be"; to which the answer coming, I
opened it also and send you an extract, which I pray you keep
to yourself, "because that upon the charging of the Abbot with his
own letter in very good company, whereof Soissons was one,
he asked me forgiveness . . . telling a probable though not an
honest reason why he did it; to prevent somewhat which he
had thought I would have done (having had good occasion from
him to do it, by some 'slipper' dealing he used with me in
disguising me somewhat of the King of Navarre's business
which he had the handling of), and thought by writing of this
aforehand that he that he writ it to would have given it out
to Mr. Secretary and others, perchance to yourself, so much to
my discredit, that whatsoever I writ after of the other matter
should have carried no credit." And thereupon I gave him my
word to forget all and to remain his very good friend and
gave him back his letter, though I kept the extract which I
send you. |
|---|
| The other [cause of rancour] is "that I would never take
knowledge, how often soever Mr. Secretary hath sent it me by
word of mouth, but never by writing, that I should and might deal
in anything Leicester sent me as in her Majesty's own affairs,
because now she had entered into open action of government; but
in the end, seeing I would take no knowledge by word of mouth,
which I might be disavowed of . . . he writ to me that the
Lords of the Council had given him commandment to write to
me that all things that came from thence, I should send them
first over, to have from thence direction how to carry myself
in those matters; and as you may perceive by that extract . . .
there was nothing they desired more than to have her Majesty
so far engage herself in name and effect in those matters,
as no way she should get out of them again." And let me
warn you of a thing which I know of by Junius and another,
come from Cambray (where they had dealings with the governor
about a matter which I think you know of by my Lord Leicester's
commandment); "that if Leicester, by Mr. Secretary's means
and all the friends he is able to make at his coming home can
be revenged of you, either in your honour or your life (these
were their words) for crossing him in his absence in these
matters, he will do it. Though I know your lordship cares not
for your own particular in public respects, yet one half warned
they say is twice told." If I had not made that man believe me
affected to Leicester, I had not known this. I am not worthy
to give you counsel, being young and far unfit for it, but if
I might be bold to tell you what I think, "if there be not a
farther public cause to move it than any I see, which I would
have a care to above all other things, if I had as much credit
as your lordship hath, and he born to do no more good than he
is, I would keep him where he is, and he should drink that
which he had brewed. Her Majesty is not for his tarrying there
bound to do no more than she shall see cause, but I would keep
him there to undo himself, and sure enough from coming home
to undo others . . . . Your lordship may perchance think part
[ly] the spleen moveth me; I confess I am a man as other
men be, and I have a spleen as other men have, but
I protest afore God that shall save me, that it is more
in respect of your lordship, whom I honour (and where
I love, I love with passion) than in respect of myself—for as
for my part, I can never fear undoing, for I have nothing to
be undone of—but I would be 'lofte' [loth] to see him have a
hand at his return and his favourers to have a hand over
you, which both his cunning and the event of these naughty
times will give him a great deal of means to do." |
|---|
| I cannot tell the ground of the reports of my interception of
letters to the Queen of Scots (fn. 3) ; unless that, whereas I wrote on
July 18 of last year to Mr. Secretary to ask her Majesty's
pleasure (as I then advertised you) what she would have me
to do upon certain motions made to me by the Bishop of Glasgow
and others, both French and of our nation, "to have me favourable to the Queen of Scots, and to draw me, upon fear they had
of the change of her guardian, to be a means that she might
be gently dealt withal, and to see . . . if I would help to some
means to send to the Queen of Scots, I could not—to keep them
in hand still with some opinion that I might be brought to
pleasure her till such time as I heard back again of her Majesty's
will in it—carry myself, as I take it, otherwise nor more discreetly than to let them . . . to live in hope that by little and
little I might be drawn to pleasure her; and having received
commandment not to deal in it, if I had upon a sudden showed
another change in me unto hard terms against her, I must
plainly have discovered myself openly then to have meant (as
I did) cunning with them; and therefore I rather thought fit
to break off with them under colour that I had thought of the
matter and essayed some means which could not now be brought
to pass . . . and therefore desired them to be contented; and
in truth, since, they did never speak to me of it. If upon this
they took some 'heartigrease' [heart of grace] and have written
hope to the Queen of Scots of me I know not . . . and the
same persons, speaking to me of divers of her Majesty's councillors' dispositions to violent courses, and among the rest
speaking of your lordship, that you had not ever been seen to
have counselled those courses, I made them answer that in no
case they should ever find you violent, nor particularly in the
matter of the Queen of Scots consent to any usage of her, which
they complained of since her change; and whereas they seemed
to doubt somewhat of the danger of her person, I told them
they did not need to fear neither the Queen's own disposition nor
your counsel to use any violent course with the Queen of Scots,
if she kept herself without especial cause giving and that in the
worst kind. This, my lord, is the truth of all things . . . which
I send to you as if I were at the day of judgment to speak
there. Since having commandment from Mr. Secretary in the
Queen's name not to deal with them, I never dealt further,
which I think I may be bold to say was the worst counsel
that ever was given to her Majesty," for if I had been suffered
to go through with that course, the Queen would not have run
in hazard of these last things being discovered by chance, and
perhaps worse things not yet known; which I think would
have been the best piece of service ever done to her. |
|---|
| This is all I know, and is surely the ground "whereupon (if
they have written anything to the Queen of Scots) they have
made their profit; which cannot be neither Mendoza nor Morgan,
for I spake with none of them, nor they to me. And thereupon
I think it is that they which hate you and love not me ground
their plots;" but God will repay their malice and protect
innocency. |
|---|
| "For Mr. Secretary's speaking of my coming home, I would
to God it did proceed from as unfeigned a good will towards
me as he doth dissemble it closely, without any defect of my
part that I do know towards him, without it be for going
justly the right and true way to the Queen's service, which I
think he never meant to have executed but with slights and
colourable ways. I pray God her Majesty may reap as much good
of his counsels as I wish. |
|---|
| "For my desire to come home, I leave it to your Lordship's
advice. For my part, as I am used, I have little joy to tarry
here, and though I know the longer I tarry the further I
shall undo myself, but [sic yet] rather than they should have
that hand over me that by cunning I should be brought home to
serve their turns and wills, or that they should make their profit
. . . if in the midst of this troublesome time, afore either a
peace were made or things desperate never to hope of any, I
should require or desire to come home, I had rather rub out
awhile, and find means to tarry longer; for I will rather eat
brown bread and water than hereafter give them any just
cause to hurt me." But I depend so much upon your advice that
I pray I may have it, and I will follow it. |
|---|
| "For their whispering that I should be in great debt, and
that by unmeasurable playing, my lord, it is very true that
I am in great debt, and to Marchaumont particularly of six
thousand crowns that he is bound for me," which I have paid
five hundred crowns a year rent for, these two years and more.
The time of discharge is past and he may ere long be earnest
with me for it. I owe also other good sums, "but that the cause
of it is unmeasurable play only, the manner of living that I
have lived here, the extreme dearth of the time, and the extraordinary charges that the necessities of the time hath constrained me to be at (which I have not as other men afore me
have done, run open-mouthed with crying upon her Majesty's
little allowances in respect of the greatness of the charge in
this place) may make it known well enough that that is false,
and that their colour of pitying me is but to colour their hate
to me." They speak as though in secret to your lordship, and
as of love to me, but here they make it known abroad and in
everybody's ears, and the fault has not been in them that I
have not had the greatest scorns done me, for their "leaguers"
have been with some that I owed to, and particularly with Marchaumont, to persuade him to sue me;—that I was not worth
a groat, and that there was no way but shame to make me
employ my friends to save me. "To deny to your lordship
that play (whilst Monsieur was alive and a little while after
his death, with his that did daily haunt me) hath not helped
to set me behindhand about six or seven thousand crowns, truly
it is true . . . therefore my lord, believe that which I tell
you and no more." I protest before God nothing galls me more
than that they have in that some just vantage over me, and
I would lose one of my hands that they had it not; though if
they had half the love towards me that they feign, they would
rather hide a fault than blaze it; and would not have remembered it two years afterwards. "For, my lord, take it upon
my truth . . . if I have these two years played the value of
two crowns, never give credit to anything I say whilst I live.
But have bitten my nails with grief that I have ministered them
cause of speaking . . . . |
|---|
| For Marchaumont and Simiers' ruling of me, believe me that
they cannot rule me "in anything that is of my charge farther
than to serve my turn, and I not theirs." I have not seen
Marchaumont five times these two years, for since he entered
into the League he has come little hither and if he come to
see me once while he is in the town, that is all; "for I am
somewhat plain about his having been of the League, and he
cannot well abide to hear speak of it. But in truth he is a
man that for mine own particular I love because I have good
cause, and that is all." For Simiers, you know how long I
have loved him, and he willingly serves my turn in many things,
both from his love to me and to her Majesty's service, and that
to very good purpose. All that comes to me from the King of
Navarre comes by Simiers and the Abbot Albene, to whom all
the King of Navarre's folks are addressed, and who are the only
men that do anything for him here. I think he has no man so
sufficient in his service, which I know is the cause that many
try to hinder him, and hate him; particularly Buzanval, who is
in England, and I know is one of the chiefest causes of these
speeches of ruling me. "For the other that they say is lodged
in my house . . . the man is known to be of as good a reputation
as any gentleman in France is . . . I have loved him and he me a
great while as my brother; we were companions in arms and bed
almost two years together with the Prince of Condé, who I can
assure you made as much and more account of him than of
any that was about him then, though he were not belonging
to him, but to Monsieur, being his captain of his guard—though
then he followed him in those wars, at which time I was never
more beholding to man in my life, for I have proved it that
the hazarding of his life hath not been spared for me, and
thus . . . . if I may not without offence lodge him in my house
. . . or do him any other courtesy I can, truly my lord, I were
more like a bondman than a free man." He has never opened
his mouth to enquire anything of me, but if I have had a
mind to know anything, he has spared neither labour nor ways,
and I dare boldly say, never any has served a man's turn better
than he has mine. I know the Abbot d'Albene hates him as
a toad, and has written all the evil he can to Buzanval, of
purpose to have him give it out to Mr. Secretary, that I might
be warned of him, "and barred of their companies that love
me entirely and I them . . . Alas I am afraid they shall have
their wills of that poor gentleman, for I have not seen him
these three or four months. He was hurt at Peyre; shot through
the thigh in two places and through both his legs, so that
every day we looked to hear he was dead, and yet we are
not thoroughly assured of his life, or at the least he will be
utterly maimed whilst he liveth; but if he live he shall find
me ever to love him as his brother, if I have not from her
Majesty commandment to the contrary, or from your lordship,
which I know I shall not have without greater cause. |
|---|
| "For my man Lylly; that he should give advertisements to
Morgan, I will answer for nobody in such a case, but . . .
this I dare assure you, that he can give them none if he
would to any purpose, for he knoweth no more of me and my
doings, but that which I would have the world to know, than the
Pope of Rome knoweth, nor dealeth with any paper or writings
of mine." He haunts some of the papists here by my commandment, to draw out of them what he can; but they can draw
nothing out of him but what I would have them know. I think
it is very certain that what they have given out of him is
but to draw those from me that I love more than them, and to
put with me such as they think good; which has been a practice
ever since I came. For the first post that ever Mr. Secretary
dispatched to me when I came into France, he writ "that
it was by her Majesty's commandment, but that he could by
no means know of her whence she had it; and his servant
Wa[l]ter Williams being here this year, sent to me from Mr.
Secretary . . . and being well tippled, I drew so far ginger out
of his nose, talking of Lylly, that he confessed unto me that
it was he that gave the advertisement to Mr. Secretary (and
that before I came out of England), and that Mr. Secretary,
seeing his time, made the dispatch to me as though he had
newly received it. Judge, I pray you my lord, whereupon
this ground cometh, to have this hard impression put into
her Majesty upon every tale that is brought him of a drunken
knave or of such pettifoggers as he hath here; whereof at
this hour there is here two or three that I know and will not
see them, that send unto him many a made tale, God wot; and
yet I dare say that he addeth more credit unto it than to anything that may come from the sufficientest person that may
advertise him." I pray you make her Majesty acquainted with
what you shall see cause of these things. If it is her will that
I should get rid of Lylly, I shall not be so foolish as to "stand
in it"; but I should be sorry for no cause to be constrained to
put away a man that has served me long and loves me, to serve
other men's slights and cunnings. And if it be her Majesty's
will, I will not, as my Lord Admiral writes, send him over under
colour of giving him a packet, but openly to answer anything
that can be laid against him. But I would be loth to do it
without good ground, that they may not, as they did the last
time, "give out wonders against him, and when all came to
all, to lay nothing to him of weight but the knowledge of
my lord of Leicester's book, and to sound of him what he knew
of my doings." Therefore I pray for your lordship's advice,
for my Lord Admiral has written to desire me for very
love to put him away, and I know has done it for love
to me: "but he is of so good a nature as I know that their
cunning may easily abuse his goodness . . . " If it were Lylly
alone, I should have the less cause of grief, but first he began
with Michael Moody, whom I loved most of any man I had. He
was kept half a year "under commandment"; Mr. Secretary
never sent me word of it and he dared not write; and when
in the end I heard of it and desired that he might be punished
if guilty or absolved if innocent, Mr. Secretary only answered
that he had true advertisement of very evil service he had
done, but that he could not produce his accusers or bring him
to further trial for certain respects. Truly it would have been
more reason to send me word of it and let me put him away,
than to stay him without my knowledge, and forbid him to
come to me more. There was but one left nearest to me untouched, Grimston my secretary, and at his last being in
England, Mr. Secretary grew into a mislike of him, said openly
that he was an unfit man to serve me, and when Grimston came
to him desiring to know his fault and craving no favour, first
gave him hard words and afterwards, when my mother spoke
with him of it, answered only that "that he would not for the
disgrace of the poor gentleman tell it," and to himself said, for
all satisfaction "that he would upon his own protestation suspend his judgment of him." At this hour, Mr. Secretary hath
in this town "two or three goers and comers, besides leaguers,
whereof the sufficientest is one Stanley, a tailor by occupation,
that write to him and send him as many lies almost as they
send him lines . . . and when their news comes over, he giveth
it out for the most substantial that may be." |
|---|
| I wonder your lordship has not written to me of the jar
between myself and my wife which they have given out under
colour of pity to me, and have sent me word of under colour
of friendship; "but God neither hath nor I hope will either
give her or me so little grace, as that we will not be wise
enough to forsee their bad intents." |
|---|
| I have been bold to be somewhat long, [in order] to lay all
things plainly before your lordship. I pray you to use it as
your wisdom gives cause. "There are some things I would be
glad there was no words made of, especially the extracts of
the Abbot's letter to Busanval and the other's answer to him,"
both because I promised him it should not be spoken of, and
also, "that if it be known I have looked in the others' letters,
they shall no more of them pass my hands; which were not
good in divers respects." And so, praying you to use all things
to the impeachment of their evil wills towards me that take
pleasure to do me no good, I end, begging you to give me
your best advice, which I will follow in every point.—[Undated.] |
|---|
| Postscript. How Mr. Secretary should come to know that
it was Symier who gave me that advertisement I know not,
unless he communicated it to Busanval from whom I know he
hides nothing; "and that he knowing where Simier maketh
love, have guessed it to come that way to me."
Endd. by Burghley "6 November, 1586, Sir Edw. Stafford to
me." 12 closely written pp. Cipher words mostly undeciphered.
[France XVI. 72.] |
|---|
| Nov. 6. | Stafford to Burghley. |
|---|
| I have written three letters to Mr. Secretary; in one, "what
I received from the King of Navarre, and withal sent him such
things as passed between those that were sent from the Queen
Mother to him, whereof Laborde, that came from him delivered
me copies of, as also a packet for Buzenvall . . . which I think
is a dispatch like of one that he hath sent by sea to her
Majesty named M. Menet, who hath been there afore. |
|---|
| The other contained an advertisement given me of a certain
person gone into England to offer violence to her Majesty's
person, to be followed by three others who "have taken the
sacrament to die or to execute that which they have pretended."
I cannot yet get any particularities, but am about it all I can.
In the meantime it is warning for her Majesty to take heed
who comes near her and look well to herself. |
|---|
| "The third letter is what I have learned of the answer the
Scottish ambassador had of the King presently after our audience, what Bellievre's charge is," who tomorrow goes from the
King to her Majesty about that matter. He is "the wisest and
the honestest withal of all the Council, altogether affected to the
general good, and particularly to the 'welthe' of this estate. He
hath taken this commission very unwillingly, but he is the
King's servant . . . and assuredly will effectuate his commandments, but will not pass them. I would for his own particular,
he might receive honour and favour." I beseech you, if you
see him privately that he may know I have recommended him
particularly to you. |
|---|
| "I send your lordship a letter that Pin, the King of Navarre's
secretary writ to me (fn. 4) . . . I have 'enterlined' (sic) certain lines
which maketh me to fear that ex abundantia cordis os loquitur,
and that an advertisement that hath been given me long agone
[may be true], that the King of Navarre will make a peace
either without forces, if none come, or with the advantage of
the bruit of the forces when they are a-coming, and make his
profit and not let them come far on; but truly, truly I am
'loft' to judge evil of him, and yet he that 'have' had it knoweth
very private things on both sides, and withal will lay any wager
that the King of Navarre will see Queen Mother and that shortly,
and that there will be strange things wrought there." |
|---|
| I dare write this to nobody but to you, for fear it be misinterpreted, and besides, if it be known that I advertise it,
it would make me lose my credit here with them, "which I
could be 'loft', to do, for surely there is nothing sent by me into
England but Buzenval is informed of straight by Mr. Secretary,
and he sendeth it hither, which is a great wrong done to one
in my place." |
|---|
| I fear there is the like dealing with Palavicino, for he writes
"that what private charge soever he hath, Buzenval knows it, and
I am sure it is by the same means, and I can assure [you]
that for not doing whatsoever they would foolishly have him
to do at all times, they have from thence written so of him
hither that he was counted a man corrupted by the contrary
party; but I have stood him in stead, and dealt plainly with them. |
|---|
| "I am afraid that Walter Wiliams, Mr. Secretary's man,
that is new come from thence . . . hath been made an instrument
to discredit Palavicino there, and to deliver out somewhat to
his disgrace in England, for to me he spake almost as evil
of him, but not altogether, as Buzenval hath written hither.
He is your lordship's most affectionate, and therefore I thought
fit to advertise you, that if there be any such wrong done him
there, you may stand him in stead, for I take him to be a
very honest man. |
|---|
| "This man of Mr. Secretary's, who is as very a knave as
any is in England, and one that he useth very much to such
purposes, used to me as he passed many hard speeches of William
Cecil; that he was a very dangerous young man, that he prayed
God he proved a good subject; that he went home with assurance
to serve the Pope's turn, which he had promised and vowed when
he kissed his feet; that he was certainly a jesuit professed; bid
be [sic me] inquire further, I should know more. . . . If
there be not some practice in hand to call your lordship (fn. 5) or
some of yours in question underhand, I dare be bound to be
hanged." . . .—Paris, 6 November, 1586. |
|---|
| Postscript.—"Marchaumont hath often desired me to do his
humble duty to your lordship and to assure you that there is
nobody in France more assuredly at your commandment than
he, and I dare withal assure your lordship of it."
Holograph. Add. Endd. Cipher words partly deciphered. 3 pp.
[France XVI. 73.] |
|---|
| Nov. 6. | Horatio Palavicino to Burghley. |
|---|
| I am writing to tell Mr. Secretary the point which our negotiation has reached, as also does M. de Quitry, come hither from
Heidelberg, seeing that we have not yet concluded everything,
or passed the needful writings; there being some delay arising
from the designs of Duke Casimir, which covertly tend to
assuring himself of greater contributions, and of the consent
of all these princes; being inclined to wait till spring, notwithstanding the very warm requests of Segur and Quitry, and all
my own urging; my offers being such that they cannot reason-
ably be gainsaid, as in truth they have not been, by those who
of late came to me on his behalf; whence it comes that we
are reduced to this point:—that he must needs determine, or
at least make known his mind; it being to be doubted that the
return from France of the ambassadors, and the reply that
they have brought, together with their ill-treatment, will cause
him on the one hand to await the opinions and resolutions of
the princes, and on the other will give him hope of considerable
aid. But shortly we shall see clearly.—Francfort, 6 November,
1586.
Add. Endd. by Burghley. Italian, 1 p. Words in italics, in
cipher, deciphered. [Germany, States IV. 109.] |
|---|
| Copy of the same. [Ibid., IV. 110.] |
|---|
| Nov. 6. | Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I sent my last off in haste, that your honour might be informed
of what M. de Quitri had written me from Heidelberg of the
intentions of Duke Casimir. I was then expecting the man
who was to come from him to conclude the writings. He came
and saw not only the amount of money made ready, but also
the details thereof and the bonds of these merchants; and
found, as regards this sum of 120,000 florins, all in such good
order that it could not be gainsaid. |
|---|
| He then demanded of me a private bond under my own
name, for the promises of the said merchants, and for the 30,000
florins more which were wanting to the sum of 150,000, which
I granted with all promptness, and offered for his satisfaction
the minute of the bond, which he carried away with him. At
our meeting, he said on behalf of Casimir that he could not at
the present bind himself to be the conductor of the reiters, because, albeit he was resolved to do it, there were difficulties in
regard of his State; but promising in case of legitimate impediments to give a prince of the Empire, and by him to bind himself
in accordance with our demand of the month of April. |
|---|
| I said that all that her Majesty had done merited fully that
she should be given personal satisfaction, and offered to pass
the writings in such manner that he should have no cause to
fear that it would get wind, but finally I consented to be
satisfied with the words of the bond as it was proposed in April. |
|---|
| With this and with the copy of all the writings, his man left
me, who was Selegro himself, he who has returned from France;
and I am expecting the final resolution, as also do all these
French gentlemen who are here, and who ardently desire it;
being much annoyed by so long delay, which gives them cause
to suspect that Casimir is still waiting for the man he sent
into Denmark, whose return is delayed much longer than was
expected. |
|---|
| As to the condition of the contribution of the princes, demanded by me, I had not much debate with the said man,
although I perceived that it was not liked; because it appeared
reasonable to await the reply of the Landgrave, which was not
then come. It come soon afterwards, and to the effect which
you will see by the annexed, which seems to me hard, though
clearly enough in favour of Casimir. Matters remain in these
terms. When I have more to write to your honour, I will do
it with all diligence. |
|---|
| Today I have received yours of October 1, from which I
was very glad to see that you were in good health. |
|---|
| As to the payment of moneys there, I have ordered my men
to demand no more than they have actual need of from the Lord
Treasurer. But if all the orders given by me are observed,
I shall soon have in these parts the whole sum which is resolved upon. |
|---|
| From France we hear that the rest of the forces which remained together are to be dissolved, and that the King of
Navarre runs no danger of being driven to greater necessity
during this coming winter; which is a singular work of God's
goodness, who has miraculously sustained him, by means of
the discord and disorder of his enemies. Whence it is to be
hoped that past adversity will be changed for him into greater
felicity. |
|---|
| I rejoice with your Lordship that matters in England go
on so surely for the purgation of the ill humours which have
troubled the kingdom—and chiefly for what they are preparing
touching the root from which they were nourished and increased (fn. 6) —
that I hope her Majesty may for the future have much tranquillity and repose. And truly, the anxiety and danger being
excepted, there could not have been a better occasion to take
in hand afresh the authority of the state, to root out the troubles
which had arisen, and to prove to the world the detestable
designs of the adversaries, than this has been (fn. 7) ; whereby I
have firm hope that the name of the Pope will be for ever rendered
odious to our posterity. May it please God to grant this by
his grace, and ever to preserve her Majesty and all hers in long
and happy life.—Francfort, 6 November, 1586. |
|---|
| I wrote on the 23 of last month that the Turks had taken a
frontier town in Hungary, called Comar, and this is true, but
as there are two Comars, and I had been informed that it was
that which I described, you must know that it is the smaller
Comar, somewhat nearer to Vienna, but not nearly so important.
Add. Endd. Italian, 2½ pp. [Germany, States IV. 111.] |
|---|
| Enclosing. |
|---|
| The Landgrave of Hesse to Palavicino. |
|---|
| Your letters of the 18th of this month from Francfort reached
us a few days ago. The reason why you will receive our
answer later than you might expect is that on that same day
letters were brought to us of the return of our deputies from
France; whose advent we have expected ever since. Being
however uncertain by what causes their arrival is delayed, we
have thought we must not keep either your messenger or yourself
waiting any longer. |
|---|
| As to the matter itself, you will have sufficiently understood
from our former letters what are the reasons which have made it
difficult, may even impossible for us to come to any definite
decision in matters of so great concern and such doubtful issue,
wherefore bearing in mind what we formerly wrote, we have no
further advice to give you, save that you should not forget
the old proverb Carnis testudinis aut edendas aut non edendas.
By which adage, those who have addressed themselves to great
matters are warned not to spare the costs, but rather to go
forward strenuously and without looking back with what they
have designed, lest perchance, carefully looking to what is of
less consequence, they should lose what is of more value;
wherefore they should provide themselves with sufficient strength
to be able to accomplish what they are about to undertake,
lest that should befall them which lately happened to the mercenary army of the Comte de Mœurs. For if (which may God
avert) the army now being got together to be sent into France
as well in behalf of the said King [of Navarre] as for the freeing
of the protestants from the tyranny of the League, should be
compelled to retreat, from lack of money or provisions or any
other cause, it would be far better, both for the King of
Navarre, the Queen of England and the reputation of the
German name, that nothing should be attempted, rather than it
should be abandoned with such loss of credit for want of
money. |
|---|
| How much it is to the interest of your Queen that the King
of Navarre and his associates should be defended, you will, with
your singular wisdom, easily conceive; as surely those French
ships lately made ready against England have plainly demonstrated to all that if once the King of Navarre were destroyed,
the whole weight of the war would rest on the shoulders of
her Majesty. Which may God avert. Cassell, 28 October, 1586.
Signed.
Add. Endd. Latin. 1 p. [Germany, States IV. 111a.] |
|---|
| Duplicate of Palavicino's preceding letter, signed by him,
with copy of that from the Landgrave.
Add. Endd. Italian. 2 pp. [Ibid. IV. 112 and 112a.] |
|---|
| Nov. 9. | Stafford to Burghley. |
|---|
| "Yesterday the Abbot of Albene had news from his kinsman
that he writ unto at Rome to deliver your lordship's care [sic]
of thankfulness to the Cardinal. (fn. 8) I saw the letter, containing
this effect:—That the Cardinal hath had so long time in
estimation your lordship, for the virtues and wisdom that [he]
heard and knows by divers accidents that were in you, that he
did honour you as much as any man that he doth know this
day in Christendom; that therefore he shall ever be very glad
when any occasion shall be offered for him to show the honour
he beareth to your virtues . . . and in that respect was very
glad of this occasion of being able to show some courtesy
to my cousin Cecil; besides, he hath ever particularly loved the
nation and would be glad that he might show them his goodwill
. . . That he was not out of hope but that times might so
fall out that he might better be able to show his love to all
English and particularly with your lordship, whom he esteemeth
above all the rest. We that read this last point glozed upon
it that he hopeth to be Pope, and that then he should not need
to be afraid to show his goodwill to any he hath a mind unto,
and they that know him better thinking [him] to be a very
wise man, and therefore think, if he come to be Pope, he may
like enough govern himself 'wiserly' than other have done afore
him. I think Bellievre hath some particular matter of amity to
treat with the Queen besides this matter of the Queen of Scots.
. . . I know no man likelier to give help to bring any good
thing to pass than he, the man of himself being wise and void
of all passion to any body or any thing but to the preservation
of the public state of Christendom and chiefly of this estate
here. . . . Wooton here giveth out in private. . . that Burghley
counselleth more than any the death of the Queen of Scots;
that he told her Majesty that if the Queen of Scots' head went,
that Burghley would make his peace with the Scots King (fn. 9)
and almost speaketh of nobody's earnestness else. This hath been
told me of them that he hath said it unto, and whom have asked
it of Stafford, who hath answered that Burghley would ever
counsel all things according to his conscience and for the good
of her Majesty that was to be looked for; but to be hastier
than others I knew Burghley would not. |
|---|
| "I see Mr. Wotton would fain have a commission to tarry here
still . . . whereof I beseech you I may have your lordship's
mind."—Paris, 9 November, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1½ pp. Words in italics, cipher,
partly deciphered. [France XVI. 74.] |
|---|
| Nov. 10/20. | Henry, Prince of Conde to Walsingham. |
|---|
| "Vous entendrez de Villesaison, mon conseiller et secretere,
lequel j'envoye presentement vers la royne vostre mestresse,
l'occasyon de mon voyage parde¸a, luy ayant commandé s'adresser
particulierement a vous, pour l'asseurence et experience que
j'ay de long temps de la parfete amitye et bonne volunte que me
portez; en laquelle confiance je vous prye bien affecteusement
vouloyr ayder le dict Villesaison de vostre faveur envers sa
Magesté pour obtenyr ce qui je desyre d'elle. Enquoy vous
obligerez infiniement celuy quy est et sera a jamais vostre plus
affectionne et meilleur amy, Henry de Bourbon.—Guernsey, 20
November.
Signed. Add. Endd. "20 November, 1586, from the Prince
of Condé." 1 p. [France XVI. 75.] |
|---|
| Nov. 10/20. | M. De Laubespine-Chasteauneuf to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I pray you to remember to speak to Sir George "Carre" for
Geoffrey Pryere, as tomorrow is the day for the action before
the judges of the Queen's Bench; or, if you cannot do so today,
to write to the said judges to suspend it; otherwise I shall be
obliged tomorrow to send one of my men before the said judges,
to vindicate Pryere, as being my domestic servant. For no one
in future would serve the ambassadors of France, if it were
permitted at every turn to sue them at law. And while I desire
to do justice on such of mine as shall offend any of the Queen's
subjects, I pray that the privileges of ambassadors may be
preserved. I am willing to produce the said Pryere before you
that you may judge if he is guilty of anything, but seeing he
is my servant, I pray you to send to the said judges that they
are not to go on to the hearing of the cause.—London, 20
November, 1586. |
|---|
| Postscript. May it please you to have a letter signed for
François Bernard touching certain spices and cottons which
have been taken from him. The letter is in the hands of the
clerk of the Council, Mr. Wade.
Signed. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [France XVI. 76.] |
|---|
| Nov. 10. | Report by Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Having written last on the 6th instant, I will now relate what
has happened since. On the 7th, the Sieur de Quitri received
a letter from the Duke (of which I send a copy) which troubled
us greatly, as being altogether contrary to our expectation.
Yesterday the Sieur Saracino returned from the said Duke,
and confirms us that divers things contained in the writings
sent by me with Scelegro were much pondered over by him, as
not agreeing with what was settled with me at 'Neusceles'
[Neuschloss] in April, and must be carefully considered by him
even to the smallest points, wherefore he grieved that I proceeded with him so rigorously. |
|---|
| But with this we were much dissatisfied, seeing the season
so far advanced, and it being very important that the Sieur de
Mongla should be sent to the King of Navarre with full security,
and no longer with any uncertainty of succour. |
|---|
| Wherefore, considering all that has been seen and felt concerning the Duke since his return from Saxony, it is to be
feared that he is, on the one hand held back by his own
particular ends, and on the other, that he wishes to conduct this
enterprise in a very different way from that which the Navarresse
ministers think expedient, and will put forward many difficulties
to gain time. |
|---|
| It seems to me that he does not wish to bind himself to go
in person to the aid of France; nor does he consent to be
bound for that prince whom he might appoint in his place,
nearly so freely or with such clear words as in April last.
Whence I imagine that he will rather depend upon the resolution
which shall be taken by the Princes upon the reply of the King
of France brought by their ambassadors, fearing otherwise to
be left alone in the enterprise; that he wishes to know what
his man will bring from the King of Denmark, who is not yet
returned; that he will be glad to let the spring pass and not
take the field before April or May, and that hoping now more than
ever before for the aid of these princes, he wishes to assure
himself of it, notwithstanding whatever may be the harm of
such delay, or else not to be personally bound to the enterprise.
Also that he is vexed at the condition of holding up half of
the 100,000 crowns at her Majesty's pleasure in case of contributions from the Princes. |
|---|
| But as it appears to the Navarrese ministers that to satisfy
the aforesaid ends of the Duke will be less inconvenient than
the giving up of the hope of this levy, and the sending away
of the Sieur de Mongla without any assurance after so long a
stay; and they inclining always rather to gratify all the Duke's
inclinations than that her Majesty should be satisfied; they
have suddenly turned round as regards my obtaining anything
according to her wish, especially complaining that he is so
hotly pressed to treat, and not rather allowed freely to take
all this money. Whence we have today had much talk and
many disputes upon the writings demanded by me, when by
the reasons on the one hand and the result on the other, which
show the honesty of these demands, and my diligence loyally
to pay the Duke the sum promised to him, I finally brought
them (having conceded some small matters and changed a few
words) to approve them afresh as being very reasonable, and
send them back to the Duke, to whom I have written that I am
ready to agree to them provided that they are accepted within
a few days and that I receive no orders to the contrary; and
all hope he will be satisfied herewith. I send you a copy of
this writing annexed. |
|---|
| But even though this be concluded within these ten days, the
obligation to pass the muster will not be until March, whereas
at first I wished it to be in February, and if I had not held
firm, the Duke would have put it off until May, but I clearly
protested that to wait so long was needless, and I would rather
advertise her Majesty and await new orders, showing them that
this is quite contrary to her intention, which was to grant this
second sum in order to see the King of Navarre succoured this
spring, and that if time were given to his enemies to spoil
the new harvests, which in Languedoc and Guienne are gathered
at the end of May, all those of the Religion would be reduced to
a miserable condition. Truly they allege that there will not be
enough to live on in France, on account of the dearth, and because all the corn will be carried into the fortified places during
the last weeks of this season; but there will be enough to
live on in Lorraine, which is a large and abundant country,
and where the provisions for two months will be useful not
only for the war in France but for that in the Low Countries. |
|---|
| Nevertheless I fear that the Duke will make delays, but if
he does so, or wishes to put off the musters further than March,
I shall not consent, and will rather advertise your lordship
thereof, and not care if they complain of me, as already they
begin to do, because I have not satisfied all their wishes. . . . |
|---|
| I think her Majesty has much occasion to complain of him,
and should signify the same to him on the first opportunity;
as that he has not replied to the letters brought by Walter
Williams; that instead of joining the contributions of these
princes with her own in this cause, which would be an excellent
example for the future, he conceals and keeps them apart;
that he does not forbear to demand my bond in my own name,
and that I should put all the money into his hands before the
end of January, against all custom and reason; and lastly that
he, seeing before his eyes the occasions which moved her Majesty
to increase the first disbursement, would not agree that the
second should be less, but was offended with me because I did
not offer him the whole on the first day. |
|---|
| Returning to the subject of the negotiation, I say that notwithstanding the aforesaid uncertainty, whether the Duke will
or will not treat at once, I ought to make all haste to get
together this money, that in time of greater need we may not
be unprovided, and also because the Focchers of Augsburg
have agreed with King Philip to pay him 500,000 crowns in
February and March, so that there will be great scarcity, and
much more difficulty for me; wherefore my men should be able
to aid me at once, as I am giving them order to do, praying your
lordship to facilitate their procuring the said money. |
|---|
| If her Majesty has not yet answered mine of the 7th of last
month concerning the power proposed to be given me in relation to this business to aid France by some other means than
by the Duke, in case he should decline the enterprise or delay it
so much as to be useless, I pray that I may know her wishes
as soon as possible, and that in that case she will write a kind
letter to the Landgrave to assist me in obtaining Duke Philip
of Brunswick, Duke Otto of Luneburg or some other who would
resolutely carry out the design; also letters to Duke Julius of
Brunswick and the Prince of 'Hanalt,' leaving it to me to give
them if there is need. For we cannot depend upon the Landgrave, who is so anxious to please the Duke that his last reply
to me was made according to the latter's direction, to whom he
sent a copy of it, which the Duke showed to M. de Clervant. |
|---|
| It will avail much not to be attacked at any point, or subject
to the ill designs which some of those about the Duke have in
relation to the services of foreign princes and the necessity of
the common cause. And there is no doubt that he either cannot
or will not hasten in any way the enterprises of the war, or
having done so, will not, I fear, continue in them so long or
so freely as another prince, remaining subject to the danger of
some diversion or at least jealousy of his own interests in regard
to the administration of the Electorate. And if ever there
were need to have an army and uphold the fame of the common
cause, it will be this next spring, for to the needs of France
is added that King Philip manifestly has some great design
against us, having not only made the agreement with the
Focchers for money payable here in a special place and not to be
used for the Low Countries, but for as much more to be paid
in Savoy and Burgundy, as is written to me by a well informed
person in Genoa. |
|---|
| Moreover advices of the 3rd of October from Madrid say that
the King has publicly declared war against England; and that
troops are being raised in Andalusia and other provinces, to be at
Lisbon by Christmas, there to await naval matters. Your lordship's
wisdom will judge what may be expected from all this, it being
enough for me to give you notice thereof, and to ask you to
let me know what her Majesty may wish me to do. |
|---|
| The enterprise upon Geneva does not seem so much given over
as was thought; and it is to be feared it will be revived more
dangerously, as the Swiss are not entirely united. It is hoped
that it will not come to an absolute breach amongst them,
albeit those of Lucerne have consented to give residence for
three years to a nuncio of the Pope, whereby they open the
way the more easily to execute their designs of discord and
war within that nation. |
|---|
| The Sieur de Segur has just received letters from M. de
Mongla, who is still at Heidelberg soliciting for the King of
Navarre, and writes that the Duke wishes him to stay a
week longer, giving him hope of being then dispatched with the
desired result, as he is expecting the reply of the Princes upon
the return of their ambassadors, upon which alone he depends,
notwithstanding all his promises to embrace the enterprise for
the 100,000 crowns alone. Upon this it is to be hoped he will
conclude matters with me and that at last we may begin to
act, as these French gentlemen certainly persuade themselves.
Endd. Italian. 4¾ pp. [German States IV. 113.] |
|---|
| Probably enclosed in the above. |
|---|
| Copy of the writing demanded of Duke Casimir. |
|---|
| That Duke Casimir shall declare in writing that he has treated
with the ambassadors of the King of Navarre for a levy of
eight thousand reiters and fourteen thousand footmen, partly
Swiss and partly German, with arms, munition and sufficient
artillery: that for the means of making the said levy, he is
satisfied with what moneys the said Navarese ministers shall pay
him from the King of Navarre and for the rest with the fifty
thousand crowns that shall be paid him by the hands of William
Shute by order of Horatio Palavicino, who is here for the Queen
of England; D. Casimir contributing all that may be lacking to
accomplish and complete the said levy. And he promises that
within the term of four months from the present date, the whole
levy shall be made and assembled at the muster place, and that
muster shall be taken; and he, D. Casimir will pay what shall be
needful for the said army, which shall march without demanding
any other money for France, to succour the King of Navarre
and the churches of France. |
|---|
| That D. Casimir himself shall be their captain and conductor as
he has resolved and determined unless prevented by illness or
domestic trouble, which please God may not happen. |
|---|
| That in case he were prevented from going, he promises to
appoint a commander in his name, who shall take his place,
and who shall be a Prince of the Empire, of a great house,
and whom Duke Casimir can trust as he would himself, to carry
out the journey for which the said army is designed. |
|---|
| That the said army being thus raised and conducted, either
by Duke Casimir or the prince who shall take his place, shall
enter France, and not depart therefrom until the King of
Navarre be succoured and the liberty of the churches restored by
the establishment of a good peace, to their satisfaction. |
|---|
| That for all these things, Duke Casimir shall give promise in
the said writing to the Queen of England "en foi de prince," and
upon his honour, to accomplish them without fail and to the
Queen's satisfaction.
Undated.
Endd. by Palavicino as in headline. Also, in another hand
"Secret advertisements from Mr. Oratio Palavicino." Fr. 1 p.
[Germany, States IV. 114.]
[The words in italics, in cipher, undeciphered.] |
|---|
| Nov. 11. | Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Sends this packet (fn. 10) off at once, as nothing can be more important than that his honour should be promptly informed of
what passes, and if either by the value of what he writes, or
as a proof of zeal, it shall be pleasing to her Majesty, it will
be a great satisfaction to him. Prays for a speedy answer,
that he may know how to act as to each one of the particulars
therein contained. |
|---|
| The Duke is sending Zolcher over, but as he is taking wines
with him, and will go by way of Bremen and Emden, his journey
will be slow.—Franckfort, 11 November, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. Italian. ¾ p. Seal of arms.
[German States IV. 115.] |
|---|
| Nov. 11. | Horatio Palavicino to Burghley. |
|---|
| Each time that the points of this negotiation are urged upon
the Duke, there are disclosed such avaricious designs as give
me a thousand vexations, instead of his granting me those
honest satisfactions which I demand, for he evades binding himself, or at least evades in the bonds words which shall clearly
and effectually hold him to his promises. And these French
gentlemen, instead of supporting me in my demands, upon the
execution whereof their own security in good part depends, no
longer care for ought but to please the Duke, from whom they
are to obtain their succour . . . . The Navarrese ministers and
I yesterday made an agreement according to the writing which
I send Mr. Secretary, and to which they make no doubt but
that the Duke will consent; and this seems very likely, as he
is keeping back the Sieur de Mongla[s], who has been pressing
strongly to return home. |
|---|
| I quite expect to need to have all the money in hand before
the end of January, whatever difficulties there may be, and for
this shall be very diligent, being most anxious not be fail on
the day of my promise. |
|---|
| I send particularities of all things to Mr. Secretary, which I
pray you to look at for your better information. In these
reports you will see some news which I have had by way of
Genoa from Spain, which is in great part the cause why I
desire this to come as soon as possible to your hands, praying
for your direction in these matters, and that you will bethink
yourself that this business with Genoa will come to nothing
unless I know how you would have me carry myself therein,
although the party is very eager to know the conditions, and
almost complains of me, because he has not had them before
now. But I do not wish to take the least step beyond what
your lordship thinks expedient.—Franckfort, 11 November, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. by Burghley. Italian, 1¼ pp. Seal
of arms. [German States IV. 116.] |
|---|
| Nov. 12. | George Frederick, (fn. 11) Duke of Prussia to the Queen. |
|---|
| Acknowledging receipt of her letter, dated Greenwich, 24
March, 1585[-6], and by way of answer thereto complaining of a
breach of customs' regulations by seamen in the employ of a
company of English merchants established at Elbing and trading
with Konigsberg; to wit that whereas every ship entering Konigsberg is bound forthwith to deliver to the Prefect of
the Customs an exact inventory of her cargo, and on leaving
Konigsberg for Elbing to exhibit certificates of her merchandise,
as well imports as exports, that by comparison of the certificates
the port dues may be levied without suspicion of fraud, nevertheless some English ships, having touched at Konigsberg, ignored the Prefect and, despite his vehement protests, forthwith
stood for Elbing; wherefore certain of the ships were brought
back to declare their cargoes. And it happened that in August
of last year, an English ship that had put into the port [of
Konigsberg] stood for Elbing, and the clerk of the ship landed
and came to the Prefect and certified the merchandise aboard the
ship; to wit fourteen bundles or bales, as they call them; which
number appearing to the Prefect small for the size of the ship,
he repeatedly warned the clerk of the ship to beware lest by
a false manifest of the merchandise he should jeopardise both
ship and goods. |
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| The clerk persisted in averring that he carried nought but
the said number of stuffs. The ship having sailed a little further,
came to anchor, and shortly afterwards a smaller vessel, used
for unlading larger ships, was brought alongside, and some
of the bales were transferred to her; which being done before
the eyes of the Prefect of the Customs, and observed by him,
he visited the ship, accompanied by some others, and found that
instead of fourteen bales of stuffs as pretended by the clerk, there
were twenty-six larger bales and thirteen smaller ones; also six
bales of rabbit-skins and one bale of white hides, besides a last
of herrings; and scarcely a third part of the merchandises duly
described. |
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| The ship and goods have accordingly been justly confiscated,
and the Duke is confident that the Queen will have more regard
to his friendship than to the complaints of the merchants.—
Königsberg, 12 November, 1586.
Signed. Add. Endd. Latin. 6 pp. [Germany, States IV.
117.] |
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| Nov. 12/22 | Glo (?) Homen to the Signor Gaspar Bras, hidalgo of the
King's household in the town of Mazagan, his lord.
Note attached to the head of the letter. If the petition which
goes herewith is not approved by your honour, I pray you to
have another made from the letter. I kiss your honour's hands. |
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| Although I have not deserved that you should trust me, in
what I have made bold to crave of you, I have sent, or to express
it better have godfathered a petition to you, with a despatch of
the chief executive officer, the overseer of the revenue, and other
lesser officials. They produced before me the information of
my father-in-law, Alvaro Fiz do Sardoal, who served in the city
of Zamor[a] and this town of Mazagaon till after the defeat
of Luis de Lourino when there hastened thither Senor Dom
Dioguo de Sousa, who came into this kingdom to be married
to his foster-sister: Dom Dioguo craved of Senor Gilfiz (may
he be in glory) that he would send to fetch her, and he promised to do so, but his death prevented it. As for myself, let
your honour order me what to do and I will do it, cost what
it may. They write that there came here as his gossip, Bastiano
d' Almeida; and the witnesses are Francisco Teles, and Senor
Migel Leite, and Belchior Gracia and some other old gentlemen
who were living here in the time of Luis de Lourino. I pray
you for the love of God let this not be forgotten, and send
me word here in what I may serve you. I kiss your lordship's
hands and those of the signora Caterina de Medina and the
other ladies.—Lisbon, Nov. 22, 1586.
Endd. Portuguese, 1 p. [Portugal II. 24.]
[The sense of the above is not always clear, and the petition,
which would have explained it is wanting. Probably intercepted.] |
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| Nov. 14. | Duke John Casimir to Walsingham. |
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| Some time ago it pleased the Queen, on my recommendation,
to grant to Zolcher, my servant, whom I am now sending into
England, the exportation of four hundred tuns of the beer of
that country, which he has not yet been able to enjoy because
of the custom that those who are first in date shall precede
others. As I have heard that you have such a grant, which
you have the right to enjoy before all others, and desiring to
aid the said Zolcher all I can to avoid the great costs and
perils to which he is liable by waiting until all those before
him have received the fruit of their privilege, I pray you
most affectionately to do him this pleasure for love of me,
to allow him to transport his wines before your own exportation,
or during it, if it has already begun; the quantity being so
small that it will not greatly delay your privilege. |
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| In which you will do much good to Zolcher, and I shall esteem
the kindness as done to myself and acknowledge it in any
greater matter wherin you may use my friendship.—Heidelberg,
14 November, 1586.
Signed. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Germany, States IV. 118.] |
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| Nov. 14. | Duke John Casimir to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Having heard from my servant Zolcher that you liked the
wines of my growing which I sent you by him last year, and
God having given me better this season, I desired to send
you some, and to pray you, if you and your good friends like
them as I hope, to remember me, to maintain me in the good
graces of the Queen your mistress, and to assure yourself that
you have in me a prince who is as much your friend as you
can desire; and though I do this to no other end, yet, in passing,
I cannot but recommend to you to continue to serve the Queen as
much as possible by your good and wise counsel, for the advancement of God's glory wherever there may be need.—Heidelberg, 14 November, 1586.
Signed. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Germany, States IV. 119.] |
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| Nov. 14. | Order concerning the Steelyard. |
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| On this date, the Commissioners of the "Steedes," to wit Mr.
John Shulte, licentiate in civil laws and senator of Hamburg,
and Mr. George Liseman, with Mr. Alderman and his Assistants,
being assembled "in the summer hall in the garden"; Daniel
Bernds and Joachim Faget were called in, to whom Mr. Shulte
declared that he and his fellow commissioner were sent from
the Steedes to her Majesty, to whom they had discharged their
commission and had taken leave of her. They were also charged
to learn what order and government was kept in the House
[i.e. the Steelyard] and whether the merchants and others belonging to the same lived agreeably to the statutes, constitutions
and ordinances made by the Steedes. |
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| "Howbeit, he and his fellow commissioner had not only . . .
been credibly informed of both their misdemeanours, but also
partly had seen and heard the same themselves, and that it was
a common bruit . . . at Hamborough that they used many
shifts and unlawful practices, and therefore had been, and yet
were the undoing of many young men; as they had not long agone
made his brother, Andrew Shulte not only lose his credit but
also his good name and fair fame," persuading him to become
bound for them when they knew they could not pay. Furthermore that they were conversant with no merchants save Russians
and such like. There were many complaints of Mr. Alderman
and the House by their creditors; and that it was in danger by
lewd and light people which daily resorted unto them and by
them were lodged. |
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| On Oct. 21 last Daniel Bernds was "fetched forth of the House
by sergeants, when he was escaped from them, being by them
arrested in the open street; the which by man's memory had
not happened to the Steelyard, whereby they disfranchised and
dishonested the whole house and the whole Company"; wherefore they were commanded to avoid the house and seek
some other dwelling. Nor was it meet for the Steedes
and governors of the House to suffer such disorders. Faget
and Bernds "seemed to excuse the matter" but without any
ground, and were therefore told they must obey the order, or
further commission would come from the Steedes. |
|---|
| [Copy certified by Adam Wachendorff, secretary. Dated at the
top, 1586, November 14.]
Endd. 2 pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 53.] |
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