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April 11.
K. d. L. x.
413n.
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786. The STATES-GENERAL to M. DE SELLES.
We received yesterday your letter of the 7th, and were glad to
learn from it that an answer had arrived from the King to
ours of December 31. We request you, with a view to saving
time and that we may see whether his Majesty appears inclined
to peace or not, to send us at once the said letter and reply
in writing without letting us be kept waiting as heretofore, considering
that until we have it we cannot give any pertinent
instructions, or depute persons of such quality as the importance
of the matter requires. If you find any difficulty in sending it,
please be at Louvain on the 19th of this month, in order on the
following day to meet some deputed by us at the village of
Meerbecke between Louvain and Mechlin, and at the house of
the lord of that place to declare the King's answer and resolution,
to the end that having heard the report of our deputies we may
give them further orders as may be fitting. In case it should
be necessary, we send you herewith a sufficient passport to enable
you to reach the place in question, though we do not think the
people would do you any harm, our former letters being sufficient
guarantee.—Antwerp, 11 April 1578.
Copy. Endd. Fr. 1½ pp. [Holl. and Fl. VI. 11.]
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April 11.
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787. VALENTIN DE PARDIEU, SIEUR DE LA MOTTE, and the
authorities of GRAVELINES to M. M. D'OFFAY, DE MARCEKERKE,
CAPTAIN SALLET, and the authorities of BOURBOURG [including
'viconte,' 'poortmaistres,' and 'Cuerheers'].
We have had this morning reports of meetings held in divers
places, and that persons came in the night to break down the
stone bridge, to the inconvenience and annoyance of those in
this town. We find this strange, having given no occasion therefore,
but on the contrary desire to live as hitherto in good
neighbourly correspondence. If anyone has told you anything
about what happened yesterday, beyond that twenty men, all
subjects of his Majesty, entered in order to fill up the companies,
we beg you not to believe ; for we and they desire to continue
united as before, according as we dealt yesterday with the deputies
of the members, expecting their answer to-morrow. Meantime,
subject to your correction, it would be well to contain yourselves,
fearing the consequences which might ensue.
We were informed yesterday that M. de Licques and Bryas
with 40 horse were between Calais and this town unknown to
us. We can assure you that we had no desire to receive them,
but hope to maintain ourselves as hitherto ; unless anyone forces
us, to our great regret, to do otherwise. We are sure that all
persons of sound judgement will try to bring about the contrary.—
Gravelines, 11 April 1598.
Copy. Fr. 1½ pp. [Ibid. VI. 12.]
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Week ending
April 12.
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788. [DAVISON to — (not POULET ; see No. 746).]
I have only written one letter to you since my coming into
these countries, which I sent by M. de Mailleroy, a gentleman
belonging to the Prince of Orange, dispatched before
Christmas last to that Court ; but having neither by him at his
return nor by any other heard from you since that time, I have
been in doubt whether any letters came to your hand, and the
slower to advise you of what has happened in the meantime. Howbeit,
understanding that this bearer repairs towards Paris, I would
not forget to accompany him with a line or two ; though not
knowing the man, I forbear to commit to his fidelity any matter
of consequence.
The present condition of things here is such as you can guess.
The enemy, having since the overthrow effected little of importance,
is now encamped about Philippeville, a town sufficiently
manned if the defenders do their duty. Meantime the States
begin to 'redress' their camp near Mons, where Count Bossu
is strongly entrenched with 5,000 foot and 1,200 horse, having
put four companies into Mons, and reinforced the garrisons of
Enghien, Ath, Condé, and other places thereabouts, both to keep
the enemy occupied in that corner, so that the reiters may be
less hindered in their entry, and to assure and be the better assured
of the Henuyers, who hitherto have been suspected, especially
by reason of the practices of the French, whose faction both
there and in Artois is not yet extinguished.
M. de Frezin is dispatched this last week to Cambray to meet
some deputies from the Duke of Alençon, or to repair to the Duke
where he is. Sainte-Aldegonde departed the same day for Worms.
You may safely guess at the negotiations of both. We are waiting
to see what the Duke of Alençon's departure may bring forth ;
whether a war against the King, some attempt against the
Protestants, or the offence or defence of these countries.
Rough draft. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. VI. 13.]
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April 12.
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789. DAVISON to BURGHLEY.
We have been able hitherto to effect nothing on our procuration,
the 'Foulkers,' the Welsers, and other principal 'counters,' having
upon these troubles removed hence, some to Germany and some to
France. This 'burse' was never worse provided, and the merchants
that remain are utterly indisposed to enter into the negotiation ;
so that I think Gilpin will have to go into Germany
to see what may be done there, though it is suspected that the
matter having been very indiscreetly handled the market is
already so forestalled that the difficulties will be all the greater
there. Howbeit, the States have signified to me that they are
desirous he should go, to make a trial, accompanied by a commissioner
of theirs.
M. de Frezin and Baron d'Aubigny, dispatched last week
towards the frontier, to meet some deputies from the Duke of
Alençon, are still at Mons ; where hearing that La Fougère was
returned hither from the Duke they await fresh advices from
hence before proceeding with their journey. He is come, because
their time is expired, and his master heard nothing of their commissioners,
to remind them of their promise, and to inform them
that he had deputed M. de Rochepot and M. des Pruneaux, who
are already at the frontiers of Artois, to treat with such as the
Estates should appoint ; requiring them to determine the place
and dispatch them with their answer as soon as may be. It is
thought he will be dispatched to-day ; and as the French deputies,
during their stay in Hainault and Artois, might under colour of
this treaty be able to do much harm, considering the number
of their friends in that corner, it has by some been thought expedient
that they should be brought to Brussels or Ghent, and
continue there during the negotiation. But I do not yet learn
what is decided.
The matter which the States' deputies at their departure had
chiefly in charge, as far as I can learn—for I cannot yet get
a copy or sight of their instructions—is to make some overture
to the Duke to enter Luxembourg and Franche Comté with a
suitable force, and thus divest and withdraw the enemy across
the Maes. I cannot hear that they have absolute commission
to conclude anything ; only to sound the Duke, and learn upon
what conditions he would embrace this overture, reporting to the
Council and States, that they may determine accordingly. This
traffic tends so far as I can observe to one of their ends ; either
to see if by some such expedient they may set the two Kings
in pique one against the other, a thing as profitable for them as
difficult in itself ; or to set the two brothers together by the
ears ; or else by temporizing with the Duke to gain time and
to break the intelligence, which, if they were to abandon him,
might follow between him and the enemy, his partaking with
whom could not fail to have very dangerous results for them.
However, wise men here feel that all this traffic on the part
of Monsieur is but flat 'abuse,' and a thing in which the French
King and Queen Mother have their interest. They are confirmed
in this opinion because one de Revers, born in the principality
of Orange, sent hither lately by the French King and Queen
Mother, seems by the language he has held with the Prince and
others to inveigh vehemently against Monsieur, accusing his
departure from Court, asserting that there is great hatred between
him and his brother and another, and in short disgracing him all
he may, in order, as is conjectured, to settle the better opinion
of him here, and push forward his negotiations. What other
end the journey of de Revers has is still in 'expectation,' because
he has not yet had his audience with the Prince ; though he
pretends that it is chiefly to make some overture for peace, and
offer the interposition of the King and Queen Mother, if those
here have any 'devotion' to use them. But the man, being well
known to be expert in giving an Italian boucon, is suspected by
the Prince's friends to have some such mischievous charge besides ;
and the Prince has been advised to dispatch him with all the
expedition he can ; a counsel which I think he will follow.
'In the neck' of these messengers from the French King and
the Duke, one arrived here with letters to the States from M. de
Selles, who having, he says, received an answer from Spain
to what they propounded to him at Brussels, and finding his
Majesty greatly disposed to peace, has thought good to signify
it to them, and advise them withal that not omitting so great
an occasion as is offered of procuring their own quiet, they would
send commissioners to some town in the country of Liége to
negotiate in that behalf ; to which end he has sent them safeconduct,
'bearing them in hand' that if the fault grow not from
themselves, he doubts not but the result will be to their profit.
To this they have answered that they have ever so earnestly
affected a peace that they have left no means untried to induce
their enemy thereto ; and although they now have little hope
that negotiations with him can yield them much fruit, yet to
satisfy his request and to show their prompt inclination to such
a peace as might be consistent with their safety, they will send
deputies to Mechlin, if he will appoint some place midway between
there and Louvain for their meeting, that they may see what
commission he has, and proceed accordingly.
To 'confront' this motion from M. de Selles, the Emperor's
ambassador, having heard from his master to the like effect,
signified the same day to the States his Majesty's wish to send
down his often-named commissioners, with one of the Prince's
Electors, to labour in the mediation of this peace ; earnestly
recommending to them meantime the two half-worn points of the
Romish religion and due obedience to the King ; though, as he
said, he doubted not their dutiful regard to entertain both as they
were in the time of Charles V (saying nothing of the Pacification
of Ghent)—which indeed is as much to say, as to revive the
placards and persecution, the original cause of all the alterations
that have happened in these countries. So these negotiations,
in some wise men's opinion, tend to no other end than the sowing
of zizanie and division among them under colour of religion, in
hope that the Catholics, when they see they may have peace,
though patched with some plausible conditions, will be ready to
accept it ; and the Protestants, whose number grows singularly in
all parts of the country, seeing themselves secluded and unprovided
for, neither will, nor indeed can with safety embrace it. Thus,
the one part banding against the other, the enemy hopes to prevail
the more easily over both, to the flat disjoining of the country ;
which the Prince long since foreseeing has by all means sought to
prevent, especially by withholding as much as he was able the
breaking forth of religion into public exercises, though the
Gauntois, those of this town, and others, have importunately
pressed him in that behalf. But as it is a thing that cannot be
suppressed much longer, the number of Protestants being very
great, and the impression of religion being of the greatest force
in men's consciences, he fears it will in the end be the pretext
for some notable division, a thing which can only be remedied
by maintaining the Pacification of Ghent. That the enemy has
no meaning to observe this may appear from their captious
interpretation of a clause in the States' letter to the King. The
procuring of some tolerable moderation for the cause of religion
was a special cause, as he has often protested to me, of the
Prince's desire for her Majesty's open declaration of herself ; not
that he intended in any sort to supplant and root out the Romish
religion by establishing the other in liberty, but only with the
toleration of the one to provide for the other, that the poor souls
that desire to serve God in liberty of conscience might no more
return under that tyrannous persecution, which they have heretofore
suffered. For this cause he would beseech her Majesty that
whenever she pleases to interpose for peace, she would vouchsafe
to have a tender care for the general cause of God and particular
estate of her poor neighbours that profess His true religion. But
hereof he discoursed more particularly with Mr. Wilkes.
The forces with which Count Bossu was encamped last week
near Mons are now mostly at Avesnes, Landrecies, Quesnoy, and
other places on that frontier ; some think lest the French, who
have departed from Don John as malcontent, passing along that
frontier, should 'have to surprise' some of those important places.
The Count himself is to return to Brussels to-night.
The enemy is still encamped before Philippeville, where the
defenders have made two or three brave sallies, and it is hoped
will be able to keep the town for six weeks. The enemy, being
ill-provided with artillery to batter it, and sending to Marienburg
for certain pieces and provision, was refused by the governor and
magistrates on the excuse of the importance of the place, which
had no more artillery than it required for its own defence. He
met with the like repulse at Charlemont, as also in seeking to
change the garrisons of both places, suspecting, as it seems, some
traffic between those towns and the States ; who indeed have upon
this news sent secretly to see if they may do any good with
them.
We have here been long in distrust of la Motte, Governor of
Gravelines, who, having been several times sent for by the
Governor and States, and always excused himself with one delay
or other, has now, as we learn by two or three posts come this
day from Bruges, one 'in the neck' of another, deciphered his
long-dissembled treason and confirmed the suspicion, by declaring
himself and that town for Don John, and receiving M. de Licques
with some companies of French, who have long hovered about
that corner. There is no doubt a beginning of some great
alterations, but you shall hear more in a day or two.—Antwerp,
12 April 1578.
P.S.—News has just come that the enemy has abandoned the
siege of Philippeville and has come down to Nivelles.
Add. to Burghley, but apparently written as to the secretaries.
Endd. 5 pp. [Ibid. I. 14.]
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April 12.
K. d. L. x.
411.
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790. DAVISON to the SECRETARIES.
Identical with the last. Marginal notes by Lisle Cave. Endd.
by L. Tomson. 4 pp. [Ibid. I. 15.]
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[April 12.]
K. d. L. x.
410.
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791. DAVISON to LEICESTER.
Draft of two paragraphs of a letter, practically identical with
portions of the last two.
Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. VI. 16.]
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April 13.
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792. [COUNT ADOLF OF NEUENAHR] to DAVISON.
Your goodwill to the common cause does not suffer me to let
slip the opportunity of sending you this word, to let you know that
I took the road to continue my journey the day before yesterday.
I should have started some days sooner, but that, among other
reasons, Duke Eric of Brunswick's reiters were still passing
through the places where my road lay.
I would send herewith the articles which in compliance with
your wish I promised to let you have, if my servant had not,
in pursuance of my orders, communicated them to you.
As for news, you shall know that a certain Christoffel von
Holtstein has been taken by Duke Eric's people, and it is to be
feared that he either has been or will be put to the torture. I
am sorry that the good fellow did not keep a better lookout.
Don John has received some Italian companies, called earless
and noseless ; people banished from their own towns and countries
for their perpetual misconduct. It seems strange to me if such
a stamp of people can ever be employed for any good ; and I
know not why he seeks good fortune from or relies on such
people, abominable and execrable above all others.—Brouck, 13
April 1578.
Add. Fr. 1½ pp. [Ibid. VI. 17.]
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April 14.
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793. MEMORANDUM to the LORD TREASURER for the delivery
of 5,000l. to the MARQUIS OF HAVRECH.
Whereas her Majesty has been pleased at the request of the
Marquis of Havrech in the name of the States of the Low
Countries to lend them 5,000l., to be repaid upon the receipt
of the first money they shall receive by virtue of the procurations
given them by order of her Highness for the taking up of 100,000l.,
or in case none be taken up upon the procurations, in such time
and in such order as your Lordship shall appoint, these are to
desire you that order may be taken for it, and delivery of it
made to such as by the Marquis shall be thereunto deputed. And
since security is offered, as reason requires, her pleasure is that upon
view of the Marquis's authority, you shall take his bond or
appoint it to be taken by those that deliver the money to those
authorized by him. And that you should order Mr. Davison not
to sign or make delivery of any bond for the reimbursement of
such sums as shall be then taken up by virtue of the procurations
until he see her Majesty sufficiently provided for according to
such direction as he shall receive from your Lordship for the
reimbursement of this 5,000l.—Greenwich, 14 April 1578.
Endd. as above by L. Tomson, and corrected in his hand. 1 p.
[Ibid. VI. 18.]
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794. Another copy of the above. 1½ pp. [For. E.B. Misc.
II.]
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April 15.
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795. POULET to WALSINGHAM.
I shall thank, love, and honour you as long as I live, and this
is the recompense you may expect from me for your daily benefits,
of which I will omit the greatest, being your friendly care to
hide my faults and further my credit with her Majesty, and only
mention the letters written by you and others at your procurement
in my favour to any landlords of the City of London, and your
friendly dispatch of my servants. I have taken order that you
shall not hereafter be importuned by any belonging to me ; it
being more than reasonable that my servants coming for my
business should pass at my charges.
I must not forget to recommend to you this bearer, Mr. Bracey,
for a gentleman as well affected to religion and his duty to his
prince and country as any that has come from England for this
a long time ; begging you to let him know that my recommendation
has added something to your gratification towards him.
I have not written the other letters herewith without some
pain, being but just delivered of a sharp fit, though only of two
days' continuance, and therefore have forborne to write as fully
as I wished, which I trust shall be recompensed hereafter ; and
have written this time to no one else. Please excuse me to such
of my Lords as you shall think good. I hope two days' rest
will restore me to my former health ; and I am sure that one
day's writing would make me unable to write for many weeks.
I am persuaded that this accident of sickness will preserve me
from a further mischief.—Paris, 15 April 1578.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [France II. 30.]
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April 15.
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796. POULET to the SECRETARIES.
Bussy d'Amboise came secretly to this town on Good Friday
last, and remained two days. It is given out that he came to
renew acquaintance with his mistress, or to seek opportunity to
kill 'Kellus,' or both, and the King pretends to be much offended
with his coming 'in this order.' Others think his coming was
to confer with the King touching the 'voyage of Flanders,' which
carries no likelihood, for many obvious reasons. Wise men make
choice of grateful messengers in matters of importance, which
would be ill-observed if Bussy were sent for this purpose. It
is certain that he had conference with divers great persons during
his stay here. The matter is not worth further discourse ; I will
only say that this journey of the Queen of Navarre will make
many angry minds before it is executed.
I know it is said both here and in England that the Protestants
of this realm ought not to enter into any association with Monsieur,
and many reasons are alleged. But it is one thing to say
that his friendship is suspected, and another thing to say that it
cannot be profitable. If they are satisfied touching the first,
which few impugn, the second may easily be confuted. They
will say that the Papists have no confidence in him, and that
at his first going out, when he had not yet cracked his credit,
he was not followed by two hundred good horse. I would wish
these men to consider only two things, the force of Monsieur's
name in France, and the importance of his appanage as it is at
present. Whoever knows the French humour will not deny
that things past are easily forgotten, and that the present state
only is regarded, so that Monsieur's name will not be made
abased by his former double dealings ; and I may conclude that
he has far greater credit at this time than in the first troubles,
when the King had made no proof of himself, and was not hated
by his people as he is now, which gives force to his next heir.
His appanage is known to be such that if he joins the Protestants
they will be masters of the better part of France before a stroke
be given. Private suspicions, private partialities, and private
quarrels, are the only overthrow of this match, and I fear it will
be repented. God forbid the King should be touched in life or
crown ; I would hold them traitors and infidels that would attempt
it ; but it would be happy for the French if some matters of
policy were reformed, and happy for themselves and their
neighbours if the King were by some good means drawn to perform
the promises made by himself and his predecessors in matters
of religion. It is best to leave this question to themselves ; yet
our interest in it is so great that they cannot blame us for saying
what we think. I will only say that if religion quail in France,
the King of Navarre will be worthy of blame. He has two strings
to his bow, and the weakest is strong enough to win him his
game. War and peace, force and fair means are both for his
advantage. He may do well with both, and cannot fail to establish
religion in this realm, if he take his counsel from the Almighty.
If the Protestants were of power to give the law to the King
and his brother, I would allow of their neutrality ; but when
they confess that the King continues ill-affected towards them
and watches his opportunity to destroy them, I say they should
rather hazard while there is some hope than wait till they are
driven to yield by necessity.
The King entertains the King of Navarre and the Prince of
Condé with all the good offices that can be devised, and Queen
Mother undertakes to conclude the marriage between the Prince
and the sister of the French Queen. But I think she reckons
without her host. It is said that the Princess of Navarre likes
very well to hear of the mention of marriage between her and
Monsieur, but many think the King of Navarre will never consent
to it.
Although this Latin copy enclosed is of no great importance,
it may serve to confirm the opinion conceived of the preparations
of Fitzmorris for Ireland. Also I have thought good to trouble
you with these two copies of letters sent out of Britanny, and
with an advertisement touching Monsieur.
La Roche departed hence on the 6th, and took his journey
towards Picardy with the younger son of M. Crèvecœur, so that
it is likely he is of this match for Monsieur, if he be not dispatched
towards Scotland.
This enterprise touching the Low Countries has much troubled
the King, who, hearing that some private gentlemen in Picardy
assembled forces for that service, being at his house of Olinville
sent for M. Pibracq to come to him with all speed ; where he
'spared not to say in his fury, that these fellows that mustered
without his licence or authority should be cut in pieces.' It was
answered that if he really wished to live in peace, he must seek
some other expedient, that this could not be done without forces,
that Monsieur would not take it well, and would use all possible
means to further their enterprise, while the Protestants seeing
their neighbours armed on every side would provide for their own
safety ; that this combustion would not be easily appeased, and
the only way to avoid mischief was to take the protection of the
States upon himself, which would be gladly accepted by the
most part of them. By this means he might not only keep his
realm and subjects quiet, but also procure some honourable composition
between the King of Spain and the Estates. 'I will
have no war with the Spaniard,' says the King, 'and will provide
some better remedy if I can.' Some interpreted these words to
the disadvantage of Monsieur, grounding their opinion upon the
practice used in the like case by Lewis XI.
But it is possible that this speech extends only to the negotiation
of Gondi, who came to me in the evening of the 12th and told me
that he is appointed by the King and Queen Mother to repair to
England, only to assure her Majesty of their great affection
towards her, and of their desire to omit no good offices that may
belong to good neighbours and friends ; wherein he used such
prodigal speeches that I had rather refer you to his own reiteration
than take upon me to make true reports of them, especially of
what concerns Queen Mother, which he said was affirmed to him
with great oaths.
I wish this gentleman to be well used, because of the place which
he holds here ; but when I consider of the man as he is indeed,
as well of his own disposition as for the duty he owes to some
great personages here, I cannot but suspect the choice of such an
instrument ; the rather because the resolution has come from
Olinville, where the King, the Duke of Lorraine, and the house
of Guise have spent all last week, intending next week to go to
Monceaux, a house belonging to Queen Mother, whence the Duke
of Lorraine returns to his own country. If this man be well
observed, I fear it will turn out that he has as much to say to
the ambassador of Spain as to her Majesty. Some good men have
come to me on purpose to pray me to suspect his voyage. The
only way not to be deceived is to look for no plain dealing from
this kind of people, while making your profit of the present time
to be engaged no further than that you may turn your leaf with
safety upon every new occasion.
Though the States seek several patrons according to their
several affections, it seems that they continue in one constant
mind to expel the Spaniard, and some of good judgement here
think that if they did but the third part of what they might do,
they would make this summer so hot and so 'chargeable' for
the Spaniard that he shall find cold lodging there next winter.
Your letter of the 9th came to my hands yesterday. Its contents
shall be accomplished with all expedition. I conferred
about them with Delbene immediately upon its receipt, and asked
him if he would deliver a message to Queen Mother from me
touching the matter lately in communication between him and
me. He refused utterly to do so at that time, saying that he
was informed of Gondi's departure for England ; whom he knew
to be a Spaniard by birth, a Spaniard of heart, a Guisard, and
a traitor to this country, and therefore should think himself
unhappy if through himself a matter of this importance should
be committed to him. He added that if it turned out that Queen
Mother had taken this occasion to send Gondi into England he
would renounce the service of the French nation ; not for the
wrong done thereby to me, which he said he knew to be none
at all, but of the wrong done to him ; meaning, as it afterwards
turned out, that he thought himself as sufficient as Gondi to treat
of these affairs in England. Thus you see how it is that you
cannot hear from me in this matter so soon as I should wish,
unless this message be committed to Gondi, of which I knew
nothing.
I asked Delbene if he knew the cause of this man's dispatch
into England. He said he could not tell, but thought it was
for Scottish matters, "and let them say here what they will,"
says he, "the late practices made by Moulins were authorised
from hence." He tells me that Gondi does all he can to succeed
Mauvissière in England, and thinks it will take effect.
Please excuse what you find amiss in this letter. I have written
with some pain, having kept my bed the better part of three days,
by reason of a disease no less painful than strange to me. Some
think it is the beginning of the stone. Whatever it is, it has
been one of the 'hardest plucks' that ever I felt,
M. Strozzi is sent to the King of Navarre and Prince of Condé
with all the sugared words that can be devised to keep them quiet,
which some think would be easy if the Protestants did not fear
some further treason.
Monsieur no doubt makes as great preparations as his power
allows, and the loss of Gravelines may minister new proffers to
hasten this journey. I lament the irresolute and negligent provision
for the safety of those countries. Our sheriffs are wont
to say in England that they can never yield a better penny than
they receive. If Gravelines had been in our hands, though with
displeasure, it might have been yielded again with favour and
many thanks at our will and pleasure. We may perhaps live
long enough to be driven to do more when it will not be so easy.
The King and Queen Mother will not be here till the 19th, and
hope to dispatch a messenger to you the 21st, or as soon after as
I may.—Paris, 15 April 1578.
Add. Endd. 6 pp. [France II. 31.]
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April 15.
|
797. WALSINGHAM to LORD COBHAM.
Her Majesty is given to understand that M. de la Motte,
governor of Gravelines, has lately revolted from the States to
Don John, and by means of secret intelligence between himself
and M. de Licques has seized that town on pretence of keeping
it for the king. This sudden alteration of his breeds much
jealousy in the hearts of those who seek the preservation of their
country's liberty ; and as his meaning is not apparent to her
Majesty, namely, whether he intends to keep neutral, or to 'impatronise'
Don John of it, or to deliver it to the French (in
respect of which two last there is no great choice as regards the
benefit of those countries, whose liberty is by one and the other
likely to be overthrown) her pleasure is that you should forthwith
dispatch a messenger to la Motte to learn from him in her
Highness' name what his intention may be and exhort him to
have regard to the state of that country, which, as she is
informed, seeks nothing in derogation of the king's superiority,
but only to preserve themselves against the violence of such as
go about to oppress them and to extinguish the government
which from the beginning has been established among them.
And as she is given to understand that this alteration may proceed
from some jealousy conceived by him on occasion of
some lewd speeches and other unkind dealings used towards
him, she wishes him to be told that in such public actions
as carry with them so great peril they that make account
of their honour should always take heed that no private
quarrel draw them to injure a whole state, lest while they
persuade themselves to be revenged of private wrongs they call
a sudden destruction both upon themselves and upon the rest.
Therefore it is looked for that a man of his judgement should
foresee the end of so dangerous a course as for a private revenge
to throw himself and a whole state in peril. And if he thinks
that her Majesty's mediation may prevail to salve such jealousies
on both sides, and to procure satisfaction of such injuries as
have been done him, she is pleased to interpose, and doubts not
she will be able to bring to pass what shall be honourable to
him and beneficial to the States, with no less good service to
the king, whose interest in those countries she has a special care
to conserve. To this effect she would have you dispatch the
messenger with as convenient speed as you may ; and because
the matter is of importance, and it is to be feared the effects
will be worse than is given out unless they be prevented in time,
when the certainty is known from him, order may be taken
accordingly before the disease takes too deep root.—Greenwich,
15 April 1578.
Copy. 2 pp. [For. E.B., Misc. II.]
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April 15.
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798. EDMONDE BYSCHOPPE to DAVISON.
Certificate of good conduct for William Cowley, a soldier in
his company, and request that favour may be shown and help
given to the said Cowley so far as is proper. "If one Vaughan,
my soldier, or any of my soldiers comes to Lyre without a passport
from me, kindly arrest him and let me know."—Herentals,
15 August 1578.
Add. in English. Flemish. ½ p. On the back, beginning of
a letter in Davison's hand ; and pen-and-ink drawing of a head,
perhaps a fancy portrait of Don John. [Holl. and Fl. VI. 19.]
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