Border Papers volume 1: January 1594

926. Carey to Burghley. [Jan. 4. 1593–4.]

The Lord Zouche her Majesty's ambassador, arrived here on Wednesday the 2^d instant, whom I received with such entertainment "as his worthynes requyred and a towne of warre wold affourde,"—who means to stay here a few days till he hears from the King. Thus much, "upon vehement suspitions and conjectures which I gather touching the Kinges inclinacion and good meanyng towardes us," I shall declare my opinion, which is—"that what promises or fayre wordes so ever the kinge shall gyve us, or doe wee what we can to gett his kyndenes, yet will he when he gettes his tyme and his owne turne served, gyve us the slippe,"—as these inclosed advertisements will show your honour.

I must recall to your honour's memory my former motion for allowance of the marshal's fee, for otherwise I must repay it at Our Lady day, and give up the place, having then served a whole year for nothing—whereof my chiefest hope is your lordship will have due consideration. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet as before.

927. Carey to Burghley. [Jan. 10.]

I have "this ix^th" received a letter from the council and one from your lordship. The council desire me to send the priest in my custody to the Bishop and Dean of Durham, but as he has been somewhat sickly and weak, and therefore not well able to ride, I thought it best to stay him 3 or 4 days, till his helth serves him better, with assurance that he will be forth coming, God willing.

"My lord Zouche was into Edenborowe the v^th of this monthe and the Kinge is loked for ther this daye."

Your lordship says that I have written two letters on behalf of two "severall" men for the comptroller's place—which is so indeed, and might show fickleness and uncertainty if I could not answer it. I wrote first for Master Crane at his earnest request, knowing what I said of him to be true, and also his long continuance in the place under Master Bartun and Master Erringetun, has bred in him a "resonabell perfettnes" in many things. For proof of which we much miss him here now, for I cannot take the muster this quarter, or have the books of accounts and reckonings made up this half year, nor the warrants; so we are in great disorder, and I would your lordship with my father might dispatch him back. "And nowe lett me a littyll exceuse my laste letter wryghten for Master Boyer." I thought it my duty to advise what was "fite for her Majesties serves and most profitabell for her pourse," although no suit was made to me by any but Master Crane. Yet knowing the sufficiency of Master Bowyer, who has much better skill in fortification and this kind of works than Master Crane, being a man who has travelled over the world, and not only seen the best fortifications, but carried away much, as your lordship would find if you knew him—and a man redy with his pen, and knowledge to make a pound go as far as any—these were the reasons for my writing. Now if it please your lordship to decide this controversy, I will give my "folishe" opinion—I think it would please Master Crane and not hinder her Majesty's service if he were made clerk of the check and musters, and Master Boyer comptroller of works, which is the only office touching her Majesty's profit and service.

I must intreat your lordship not to let my lord my father know that I have written on the matter—for I have not written to him. "But your lordshipe maye aske my lord, of youerselfe, whear he is that he him selfe presented to you at Tiballtes (fn. 1) withe the plottes of Berwike? And so to talke withe him forther as beste shall seme in youer wisdome."

Again praying your lordship not to show him my letter, so he will take it ill for two respects—one that I have not written to him—the other, that I have written against Master Crane. "Barwike this x^th at vj a cloke in the morninge." Signed: Jhon Carey.

2½ pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

928. Carey to Burghley. [Jan. 26.]

Although I know you have the affairs of Scotland now plentifully from all hands, yet give me leave, "to bestowe like the poore widowe, my talent also in dischardge of my dewtye," of what I hear, but cannot affirm their truth.

I sent the priest on his amendment of health, under escort of 6 garrison men and a man of Lord Huntingdon's, "this xxiij^th day" to Durham, as the council directed.

The Scottish news is—"the Governor of Roane called Monsieur du Valeraies, hath written from thence to his lieutenant in the Newhaven in France, called capten Gud John, that he shall wryte into Scotland by his moyance with the merchantes of the said Newehavens lettres, and send into Scotland to merchantes of Edenbroughe, six thowsand crownes of the sonne, to be bestowed on corne for the victuelling of Newhaven, with other provisions, as herringes, salmon, powlder, and shott for munition." To verify this, 10 or 12 ships are ready to ship wheat and the other provisions for Newhaven, to sail before the 15^th February, and some of them are being laden in Scottish ports, and their charter parties are made to the town of "Deipe."

I am informed the said Monsieur du Valeraies has written that the leaguers' pretence is only to "wrack" the French King, and to subdue England by means of the Spanish forces, part of which are already at Blowat in "Britannie," and the rest to rendezvous there, till the troops are refreshed, and shipping prepared at "Crossick" and other ports in Brittany, to land them on the north of Scotland, where Huntly and his faction command. "This platt is set downe at Madrill by the King of Spaigne and letters sent to Monsieur du Valeraies to enterteigne all Scottesmen that shall come to Newhaven, to make that nation furnishe the leaguers. For some Scottesmen brought lettres to the King of Spaigne to Madrill, and were dispatched in vj daies after there arryving there.

Ther is a shippe to come from Cales in Spaigne eyther to London or els to Leath in Scotland loaden with figges, rasins, and secke wynes." She belongs to Hollant, for the Scottish ship passed away under a great colour of falsehood, and left her merchants at Cales. The pilot came to Scotland with letters to some of the nobility. A "speciall eye" should be had to the merchants of that ship, chiefly one "William Fowlers," for letters and other weighty matters will be found in her. Huntly's principal man is revolted to Athol. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

929. Carey to Burghley. [Jan. 26.]

Since making up these inclosed I hear from a friend as "of trothe" that 2000 Spaniards are to be sent to Roane before the last of March, out of Spain or Dunkirk. Coronell Simple is to go to Scotland with provisions ere the Spaniards arrive from Blowat, and to see if the Scottish earles and lords remain constant. Also two "frigottes" are to come from Spain to Newhaven with great treasure of gold and silver to Monsieur du Valeraies governor of Rouen, which comes from Madrill "directed to Heynninty." And an ambassador sent by the pope to the leaguers against the French king. Signed: Jhon Carey.

½ p. From the indorsement, evidently a postscript to last letter.