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1st Feb.
Paris Archives,
K. 1567. |
212. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King.
I have a letter dated Antwerp, 26th ultimo, saying that the duke
of Parma, having received a letter from the queen of England, he
had left Ghent for Brussels, and had ordered Count Mansfeldt.
M. de Champigny, and President Richardot to go to Antwerp to
treat with the Queen's commissioners, for whom lodgings were being
prepared in the town.—Paris, 1st February 1588. |
5th Feb.
Paris Archives,
K. 1567.
French. |
213. Reply of the Queen of England to the Request of the
States for Greater Aid.—Greenwich, 5th February 1588.
She has been frustrated in her intentions but her fears have come
true. There is a good proverb in England which says the sooner a
threatened misfortune falls the better. Complains of the ingratitude
of the States after all she has done for them ; it is very strange
they should ask for further aid without giving her any account of
what had been done for them before. She swears by the living
God it is terrible, and she does not believe such ungrateful people
as they live upon the earth. She has sent them thousands of men,
whom they have not paid, but let them die of hunger and despair, or
else desert to the enemy. Is that not enough to irritate England,
and make the States ashamed of themselves, for Englishmen to
say they have found greater civility from Spaniards than from
them? She cannot suffer such conduct, and in future shall please
herself. She can do without them. They are not to think she is
obliged to help them for her own safety. Nothing of the sort. It
is true she does not want Spaniards for near neighbours, as they
are her enemies at present. But why should she not live at peace and
be friendly with the king of Spain, as she was originally? He has
always desired her friendship and has even sought her in marriage.
She sent them the earl of Leicester, intending that he should
manage their resources, but they conducted things in their own
way, and threw the blame on him. They had given him the title
of Governor, which he had accepted without her consent, and so
risked his person and property as well as his Sovereign's displeasure.
But after he had made this sacrifice for them, what authority had
they given him? They were simply playing with people. Leicester
was a gentleman, and a man of honour, and should not have been
treated thus. If she had accepted for herself the title they offered
her, by God! they would have found she would not have put up
with such treatment. God will punish them for their conduct, of
returning evil for the good she has done them. They are now
saying that the queen of England is making peace without their
knowledge. She would rather be dead than give ground for such
an assertion. Besides, Princes can discuss matters together, as
private persons cannot do. They are States, it is true, but they are
simply ordinary persons in comparison with Princes. She will do
nothing, however, without them, and will not allow their consciences
to be assailed. What more can they want of her than that? The
States have issued an edict forbidding the discussion of peace. That
is good in its way ; but let Princes act as they think fit on the
understanding that they (the States) will not suffer. Princes do
not use many words, but with such few words as are said by them
(the States) they must be satisfied and have faith. Whatever else
she may do for them in future she expects to be better treated in
return. She will probably depute certain members of her Council
to deal with them in future. |
6 Feb.
Estado, 950. |
214. Count De Olivares to the King.
(Extract.)
A Spanish doctor here, called Ricalde, who says that he studied
in Paris, tells me that he has seen a letter from Villeroy, Secretary
of State, to Cardinal de Joyeuse, saying that when the King (of
France) returned to Paris a meeting of very few persons was held
to decide what had better be done in face of the certitude that
existed that your Majesty's forces were being prepared to attack the
queen of England. Marshal de Retz and others were of opinion
that the King should avoid meddlling in the business, but should
devote himself to arranging the affairs of his own country ; and he
reminded him how badly he had fared in consequence of similar
movements on other occasions On the other hand the Queen-Mother
and the duke d'Epernon pressed the opposite view so warmly
that it was decided that Epernon, as admiral, should collect the sea
forces on the pretext of going against Rochelle, but that he should
not join the forces of the queen of England unless he saw an opportunity
of suddenly falling upon those of your Majesty, or otherwise
do you some great damage.—Rome, 6th February 1588. |
7 Feb.
Paris Archives,
K. 1567. |
215. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King.
My advices from England are dated 24th and 26th ultimo (n.s.),
and only report that the Admiral had gone post to London to see the
Queen, and that it was not known whether Drake had left Greenwich.
It was therefore concluded that the return of the Admiral and the
making ready the Commissioners to go to Flanders might cause
Drake to wait. I have no assurance of this, however, either in the
letters or from the new confidant. The French ambassador in London
writes, that even if the Queen has not already come to terms with
your Majesty she will certainly do so. The fitting out of the two
fleets, he says, is all show, and so far as he can judge they will not
put to sea.—Paris, 7th February 1588. |
7th Feb.
Paris Archives,
K. 1568. |
216. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King.
The papers sent to me by the duke of Parma are a letter written
to him by the earl of Huntly and Lord Claude Hamilton, in reply to
that sent to them by the hand of Bruce. The substance of the
letter is to deplore the blindness of their King, and to express their
esteem for the assistance your Majesty desired to give them, whilst
regretting the impossibility of their sending ships to carry the
reinforcements over, in consequence of the suspicion it would arouse
in the heretics. They say at any time that notice is sent to them
they will have possession of Little Leith, (fn. 1) where not only the 5,000
Spaniards would be received, but twice as many if they were sent.
If it be necessary to delay the sending of the forces, they beg that
they should be provided with 50,000 crowns to enable them to hold
out against the heretics. Bruce says to the duke of Parma what
your Majesty will see in the accompanying paper, and in accordance
with this and the Duke's remarks, I reply to the Catholic lords,
adding that the earl of Morton will shortly be with them and will
give them further instructions as to how they are to proceed. I
say this because Morton tells me that he is sending a servant to
Scotland to beg the King's permission to return to his country, but
he only takes this step to reassure the King and the heretics, and to
give his own friends notice that he is coming at once. He will start
immediately after he receives your Majesty's orders, and I tell him
to go. He asked my opinion about sending his servant and I
approved. He is very zealous in religion and in his desire to serve
your Majesty.—Paris, 7th February 1588. |
15 Feb.
(N.S.).
Paris Archives,
K. 1568.
Portuguese. |
217. Advices from London.
Will follow instructions received about Don Antonio. He shall
not do the smallest thing without my knowledge. I do not write
oftener as couriers to Calais are so uncertain. The present is only
sent with the King (of France's) packet. I ought to write every
day, matters are so changeable and uncertain. On the 11th the
(peace) Commissioners took leave of the Queen, and each one is to
travel his own way to Dover, where they are to meet to-morrow,
16th, except Sir Amyas Paulet, who excused himself. On the 12th,
Dr. Derbar, with two commissioners from the States of Holland,
arrived, saying that they had decided not to come to terms with the
King, and requesting the Queen to surrender the fortresses she
held, as they themselves will defend them. They were to return
to-morrow, but will stay a few days longer. The Queen after
hearing them yesterday referred them to the Council which is to
meet to-morrow. She is determined to make peace if she can, but
meets with great opposition from Leicester and Walsingham, whose
main object is to delay matters till March to see what course the
King takes with the Armada. They fear the loss of dignity it will
be for them, if the King carries through his project after they have
sent the Commissioners. The Commissioners are only being sent
to gain time, with talk and appearances of peace until it is too
late for the King to take action. They know very well that peace
will not be made, as the King will not be satisfied unless they restore
that which belongs to him, and they say they will not do this, as it
will be against both their honour and their safety. I know this is
the idea they have and think necessary to report it.
With regard to the fleets, the admiral has gone to (Queenborough?)
with 14 of the Queen's ships and some merchantmen with five
pinnaces. He was to go thence to Dover, but was delayed by
weather until yesterday. He came to Court in the meanwhile and
returned in two days. The Queen's ships which have been fitted
out are the best she has ; four being 1,000 to 1,500 tons burden,
three of 900, five of 600 to 800, six of 300 to 400 and up to 500,
five of 200 to 250. These are being armed by the Queen in addition
to pinnaces. They are all armed with bronze pieces, the four great
ships with 48 guns, the 900 ton ships with 40 to 42 guns, the 600 to
800 ton ships with 34 to 38 pieces, the 300 to 500 ton ships with
22 to 28 guns, and the 200 to 250 ton ships with 18 to 20 guns.
They are well provided with artificial fire, and instead of harquebusses,
carry muskets and half-muskets. Amongst the ships is one
that was made by Raleigh very strong by means of a new invention of
castles, so that she could never be taken broadside on (?) (alla banda).
She is 600 tons burden and is victualled for six months. (fn. 2) They
have held a review of sailors and although they say there were
11,000, there were not really more than 7,500, and some of these
refused to serve.
Of the above ships, Drake takes five, one of 800 tons, two of 600,
one of 400, and another of 300, with two pinnaces and two others.
The admiral has 14 ships and four not yet ready. Drake is
accompanied by 20 ships, and six pinnaces belonging to private
persons, some being his own. They are all armed with iron artillery,
except a few that have the guns taken from the Indiaman they
captured. The merchant ships are five of 300 to 400 tons, four of
200 to 250, six of 160 to 200, five of 100 to 140. He (Drake) has
not left Plymouth yet, as the ships are not ready. It is expected he
will be told to stand by as the Commissioners have gone, but the
intention is that which I have already reported, namely, that he
shall go to the Coast of Biscay and Galicia, and destroy all the
ships he can find, whilst the other fleet remains in the Channel.
Very few of the nobility embarked with the Admiral, only a few
barons and knights, and a very small number of soldiers, nearly all
the men being seamen. Drake takes 3,000 men, and the Admiral
3,800. Four of the Admiral's ships were sent to Flushing with
10,000l. to pay the garrison. There was a disturbance in Flushing
between the inhabitants and the English, and they fear a massacre
there.
With regard to the (French) ambassador, I know that no
negotiations are going on for closer alliance (between France and
England), but his King does not wish for a settlement to be arrived
at with the master (i.e., the king of Spain) ; and he has taken care
to let them know of some things to arouse their (i.e., the English)
suspicions. They (the French) sent to the ambassador a copy of a
letter written by the marquis of Santa Cruz to his Majesty on the
24th October, saying that the Armada should not be allowed to sail
for England before March, in consequence of the dangerous and
uncertain weather here and in Scotland. He (the ambassador) also
received a list of the ships and men his Majesty was preparing in
various places for the purpose in question. All of the information
was furnished by the agent of the king of France in Madrid, and
has been sent hither for the ambassador to use it as he pleases. I
have persuaded him that it will be better not to show it or say
anything about it (to the English), in consequence of the suspicion
with which they look upon him here, but I will find out more about
it and report (fn. 3)
Some days ago the Queen received news that the king of
Scotland had fallen into the hands of the Catholics. God send it
may be true.
Note.—The above letter, although unsigned, is evidently from the
Portuguese spy, Antonio de Vega, and like all his communications is
insufferably verbose, confused, and obscure. |
15 and 19
February.
Paris Archives,
K. 1568. |
218. Sampson's Advices from London.
Don Antonio says that he understands from the Queen that she
greatly desires peace at any price ; and his own opinion is, that
seeing both she and the rest of them are so anxious for it, peace will
be arranged.
The Queen told him in conversation that she had heard that the
king of France and the Queen-Mother were trying to attract him
hither (to France) with great promises, and she would be glad to
know whether such was the truth. Don Antonio says he did not
know what answer to make, except that if such were the case he
was not aware of it. He suspects that Chateauneuf has done this
for him, or else that Stafford has heard something about it in
France. Some days ago Don Antonio wrote to France that they
were not to discuss his going thither, but the Queen-Mother wishes
him to send his sons.
Don Antonio was grieved at the news from France of Leiton's
imprisonment. |