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July 2. Denmark House, Strand. |
68. [The Council of the Prince of Wales] to Fras. Nicholls, receiver
of his revenues in cos. Bedford and Bucks. The King having
granted the Prince the honour of Ampthill, you are to receive from
Thos. Daniell, the King's receiver in those counties, all the sums
received for those lands newly granted, and to levy all rents and
profits thereon from Michaelmas next. Six signatures. [1 page.] |
July 3. London. |
69. John Earl of Bristol to Sec. Conway. Thanks for your
friendly care of me. God knows how I desire to have this business
fairly passed over, and shall contribute all I can if, by the King's
permission, I might see you on Monday next, at your coming to
town. In the interim I will get my answer ready to the questions
which I do not doubt will be so satisfactory that His Majesty
will not detain me one hour longer under his displeasure. But
I hope my answer will not offend, it tending only to my own
justification and not to the blaming of any, unless by their criminating me, I shall be forced to it. In that case, whosoever I shall
find either to be my accuser or to oppose my admittance to the
King, or Prince's justice, I shall labour to maintain my honour
against any opposition. But I hope all parties (when by my answer
they shall see my innocency) will join in restoring me to His Majesty and the Prince's favour. I have returned the original articles
which you sent me, and which need not go to the Commissioners, as
if you date and sign them, it will be sufficient. |
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Understanding of Marquis Hamilton's going to Court this day, I
intreated to speak with him on divers things wherewith I shall
acquaint you. [2 pages.] |
July 5. St. Giles. |
70. John Earl of Bristol to Sec. Conway. I received yours of the
30th ultimo, with a paper of questions, neither dated nor signed by
you or any of the Commissioners by which they may be avowed in
future proceedings; yet some of them of that nature as, should I
be found culpable of them, might prove capital. Pray send me
another copy, dated and signed; meantime I will go on framing my
answer. I understand His Majesty had appointed the Commissioners that were formerly for the Spanish business to draw up the
questions, which will give my cause a fair way not to have questions administered upon particular distastes or to be examined
upon opinions and thoughts, rather than upon any omissions or
commissions in my employments. My suit to His Majesty is to
continue the same course for expediting my cause, and that my
answer may likewise come to the hands of the Commissioners, to
every one of whom I shall send a copy, as their meeting will be
difficult by reason of his often removes. I pray that my cause may
come to a fair, public decision. [1¾ pages.] |
July 5. Windsor. |
71. The King to [the Council]. Many persons have lately violated
the proclamations for reformation of buildings in and about London,
by rebuilding with timber, or building on new foundations. An
exact certificate is to be taken of all offenders, and the sheriffs
ordered to demolish such buildings as may give the greatest example
to terrify others; the rest to be proceeded against in the Star Chamber.
The buildings in Long Acre especially are to be pulled down, and
information to be brought of any future offenders. [2 pages, draft;
noted as sent to Lord Brooke unsealed.] |
July 7. Whitehall. |
72. Council of War to the Council. Lord Danvers, Governor of
Guernsey, represents that the castle has only men enough for times
of peace, and not to defend it from surprise in these dangerous times,
and begs and addition. We think there should be 50 more men at
least, who might be levied about London, as he wants two gunners
and 16 other artificers for repair of the castle and of the arms,
to ease the annual charge therein. If you approve, we will give our
warrant for the charges. [1 page.] |
July 7. London. |
73. John Earl of Bristol to Sec. Conway. I have now made
ready my answer to the twenty interrogatories. As I have reserved
many things to be delivered to His Majesty by word of mouth, and
as it will be impossible to clear any doubts which may arise without
my presence, I have petitioned leave to present my answer in person,
if not as a councillor and faithful servant, yet at least as a supposed
delinquent and examinate. Although I perceive that my Lord
Duke remains little satisfied, notwithstanding my address to him,
yet out of his nobleness and love to justice, he has promised to assist
in procuring me a fair and speedy trial; for the rest I must rely upon
God, His Majesty's justice, and the goodness of my own cause.
[1½ pages.] |
July 10. London. |
74. John Earl of Bristol to the King. Last night I heard from
Sir Fras. Cottington, that you did not hold it fit to comply with
my petition to be admitted as a delinquent. I moved you not
primarily to be admitted as such, but rather to have it in that
nature than not at all; but I am most unfortunate to be debarred
as a servant, and not admitted as a delinquent. I have sent my
answers to the 20 questions. As a clear answer to so many could
not be without length, I send you an abstract, which I beg you to
give my cousin, Simon Digby (who is sworn clerk extraordinary of
your Privy Council), leave to read to you, and which will not take
up above half a quarter of an hour. I beg expedition in my cause,
for besides the grief of being long debarred your favour, God has
sent me a great misfortune, in the death of Sir Robt. Seymour, who
for many years has managed all I had, so that my fortunes stand so
embroiled that after I have kissed your hands, I shall beg some
months to settle my private affairs. [1¾ pages.] |
July 11. St. James's |
75. Lord Danvers to Sir Thos. Edmondes, treasurer of the household. Pray remind Sec. Conway of the 50 soldiers assigned for
Guernsey, and beg him not to pretermit my petty portion when
those for Ireland are resolved on. [¾ page.] |
July 21. London. |
76. John Earl of Bristol to Sec. Conway. The day that the
King removed from Theobalds', I received a sad message, being
debarred kissing his hands. I hoped he would have been satisfied
with my answers to the 20 questions, but I am to be further interrogated. Let the further questions be sent, and I shall make an
honest and true answer. God knows that my heart is so free from
any want of fidelity that a bare narration of the truth will suffice. |
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My wife likewise brought me leave for some months to tend
my private estate, which, through my long absence, and the sudden
death of Sir Robt. Seymour who managed it, is much embroiled.
I go west next Monday, but shall leave some one always attending
upon you, to understand His Majesty's pleasure. |
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P.S.—My nephew, young Lord Digby, well bred in religion, desires
to make some abode upon his lands in Ireland; pray move His
Majesty that he may go over with some particular commendation,
as all the lands he holds are by His Majesty's special award, and
he has taken much pains in the business. [1¾ pages.] |
July 22. St. James's |
77. Lord Danvers to Sec. Conway. You promised the Duke of
Buckingham to dispatch my 50 men. The Lords have allowed
me arms and ammunition value 1,200l., requiring better guard
than 14 warders and one cannonier for 40 pieces. Those soldiers,
consisting of many artificers, will save the King much now spent
in repairs. [¾ page.] |
July 24. Ashby. |
Sec. Conway to Lord Danvers. He cannot receive a reply about
men to be sent to Guernsey, till there be a resolution taken in some
points propounded by the Council of War. Will endeavour to
expedite it. [Minute, Conway's Letter Book, p. 139.] |