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July 7
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252. COBHAM to [WALSINGHAM].
But that I would not let Mr Burnam pass empty handed, there
is not otherwise matter to certify you of, more than was written in
my last by Mr Prim.
Through the 'Queen's Mother's' and all the French commissioners
staying with Monsieur at Mantes, we are 'deferred to
receive' our answer ; so that we stay in lingering, daily expected
their return ; being further advertised that Monsieur is to leave
Mantes about the 15th.
There appear many troops marvellously well horsed and in order
with their lances on their thighs, and divers regiments of foot, who
are coming to these quarters ; so it seems they have this relieving
of Cambray at heart. These are the preparations and certain
shows of their intended purpose.
M. Damville, second brother to this Duke Montmorency, is come
to Court, and young Bellegarde. I write of them because they are
counted strangers in these parts.
St. Luc is on his way to Monsieur, with a regiment of foot and a
cornet of horse ; which methinks could not well be done without
leave of the king.
I suppose you are otherwise advertised of the flock of these
English Malcontents, Romanists, and others in these parts, and
therefore I write no particulars.
I have thought it not impertinent to remind you that since the
Lord Hamilton has received favour from thence, that he were [sic]
in some sort employed, and not suffered to remain unprofitable 'to
whom' he owes duty and service.Paris, 7 July 1581.
Add. and Endt. gone. 1 p. [France V. 108.]
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July 7.
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253. JUAN BAUTISTA TASSIS to the KING OF SPAIN.
Cipher. Add. with seal to Idiaques. Endd. by Burghley. Sp.
10 pp. [Spain I. 68.]
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July 7.
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254. THE SAME deciphered and translated.
I wrote in my last so much as concerned Portugal ; herein, before
I treat of the matter of Flanders, I am to signify that I copied out
your letters of the 15th ult., and with them the dispatches for the
Prince of Parma, which were forthwith sent by a post on purpose,
according to your order. I likewise sent what 'meseemed' touching
those particulars of which you treated and whereon you commanded
me to discourse, so far as the state of things there seemed to suffer,
praying the prince to perform the same, keeping that very course,
and defend himself much more surely and better, as I hope he will
be very well able. For with the good provision of money which
you have made him, he has wherewith he may sufficiently shift, and
prevail every way. I will send him what is to be furnished out of
this realm with all possible speed. There can now be no delay, for
Tuesday last Jerome Gondi came to me from the king to tell me
that he was very glad to show your Majesty this friendship, to
permit the same to be carried out, the 300,000 crowns which I had
made petition for ; howbeit with this addition, that you would
'show him so much pleasure' as to suffer his subjects to carry
out of Spain 500,000 ducats within one year or a year and a
half, by which means a supply would come into this realm,
whereby he might hereafter be able to pleasure your Majesty in
so great a matter. Besides he might recover himself a little
'of the good carrying forth' which he knows has been used for
Flanders, whence he has had advertisements, so that what remains
is very much consumed. To this I answered that I would let you
understand so much, and that I did not doubt but that you would
be glad to requite the king 'with the like friendship to that he
desired' in as much as he [sic] was able ; giving him infinite
thanks for the permission of carrying out money, and saying that I
would advertise you of it that you might thank him as it deserved.
He prayed me on the other side earnestly to be a means that it
might be brought to pass. Now I procure that make haste,
and that he 'go in hand' with what concerns this point, to the end
the prince may have the money to serve his turn.
Having signified me thus much, Gondi answered me concerning
the other point which I required at the king's hands, touching Count
Vimioso. Upon this I spoke and treated in my last audience as
effectually as I could, according to your Majesty's instructions,
endeavouring to persuade the king that he should do that which I
craved at his hands. But for all I can do, I perceive that he thought
to excuse himself by the great liberty of this realm and a thousand
things besides ; whereby it appears plainly that whatever is said it
will go forward. Notwithstanding, I 'gave not over' to reply upon
them to Gondi and to pray him to do you that pleasure which I
besought him, which was to give us audience again. On Sunday I
thought to have it, and the Nuncio and I went to Saint
Maur for it. As we entered the house we were told the king was
ready to depart, and prayed to pardon him till another day, 'that
there abode the mother' tarrying for us ; which seemed to us strange,
that after they had delayed us, at the end they came not to the point,
and being come to the house refused to give us audience. But
finally, any man that is resident about a prince must carry himself
somewhat according to his will, and seek to content his 'vaine'
[? vein]. I for my part dissembled the matter as well as I could,
and went in to speak with the queen, tarrying till Tuesday to speak
with the king ; when I dealt with both him and his mother about
the journey of the Duke of Anjou. Concerning this both of them
gave me the same good words that they always did, the king
especially telling me that it was against his will, and that he had
endeavoured to 'let' it, which I knew, and that withal he was
determined to add to the former proclamations another for the
confiscation of all their goods who were with his brother, and that
he had sent to his people at Compigne to 'stop him of' his journey.
He heaped up hereunto many words full of amity and good will,
which hitherto I have conceived in him by others. This matter of
the proclamation has 'sorted' no effect ; and in fine it seems he
will be able by main force to go forth according to his desire, and
it is to be feared that he will go forth, not caring, for the preservation
of the king or his mother, to leave his enterprises. As for
force, they never use it, whatsoever dislike men say is between
them ; because, as I think, the mother's desire is always by fair
means to reconcile them, to which end she had wrought so far by
mediation that they should have met at 'St. German' last Friday,
to go to which place they both set forward that day towards her,
the king being accompanied by 50 or 60 horse, and the duke having
taken his journey from another place with a few to go himself to
Saint Germain. But when he was advertised of the company his
brother brought, it seems he entered into such suspicion and diffidence
that he resolved to return whence he came. The king likewise
returned hither again the same night and the next day to Saint-Maur.
Hereupon is grown great discourse through all this Court,
wherein they speak so diversely of it that how little soever a man
write of it, he cannot do without fear of erring. Many say now
that they are in hand with practices to remedy the faults and to
conclude the businesses between them. We shall hear what the
time will bring forth ; and I am angry that succeed [sic] so diversely
and uncertainly, which is not well.
As concerning the journey of the said duke into Flanders, it is
certain that he is gathering his people with all earnestness, being
resolved to be with them upon the frontier within a few days.
Moreover for the number that is levied, they say they will be
10,000 foot and 2,000 horse, French, and 6,500 reiters, which it is
said come to him. 'Mary' it is not as yet known when they will be
levied. The greatest part of the Frenchmen are adventurers who
come voluntarily to serve him, some with 100, some with 50, some
with more, some with less, as they are able to make, and it is said
the horsemen are for the most part lances. If they are thus disposed
we shall see in time ; and the 'rest' is I hope in God that
they shall not now do us the harm they think for. It is good not
to dispraise them in anything, but to make great account of his camp,
this being the true way to overcome them, to seem to make great
reckoning as he does, and to oppose our labour against him, so well
provided that for all he can be able to do he be fain to give over
this enterprise as I trust, and not 'dismay' the Prince of Parma,
using in all things diligence and watchfulness as the case requires ;
in which he is to signify to your Majesty as he has already written
divers times to me.
As for money, it is not understood that the duke has any provision
any way proportionable to the plot ; whereupon it may be
that at the last he may be afraid it should be published, considering
that such default is wont to break such manner of attempts.
Neither, as they say, has the duke great means to gather money
sufficient for an enterprise so sudden ; for albeit his appanages be
great and rich, which are in this realm, as he cannot bring them to
pawn, his ordinary expenses admit not so great an over-plus to be
reserved out of them, considering the ordinary waste he lives with
and the 'riolty' he uses in his house ; which is not compassed
without great cost. And although he be the only brother of this
Crown, yet the merchants for lending of money look for something
else than goodly appearances or great promises, being accustomed
to be sure of somewhat beforehand, and not to build in the air.
Besides otherwise it will be hard to get so much money, which even
with a good credit is hardly obtained, they saying that they hear
he is a watchful prince and amorous of honour. And in truth it
is pity, being of this quality that he is, and being of so good
hope, that he does not rather take delight to employ his youth on
other enterprises than to snatch at what belongs to your Majesty,
in favour of your rebels and those whose intent is nothing else but
to root out religion ; to the preservation whereof, being son and
brother of the Most Christian King, he ought to have more
particular regard, and bethink himself of the friendly turns and
courtesies which more than once this Crown has received at your
hands, in not only not procuring its harm, but in loving and serving
it, wherein they shall deserve such good turns [sic], flying all
ingratitude, which in all times has been ever accounted so worthy
of reproach as all the world knows. But to conclude, his heat of
youth carries away with it this and other considerations, specially
when it is not accompanied with those of riper years. I pray God
to change these cogitations into other better and more quiet ; and
although he be our enemy, yet this is to be desired because he is
our neighbour.
It is understood that those of his house go forward very confidently
and that all is bravery if they find the play sure without
remembering the proverb that said they went out for wool but
returned with flocks [sic], and that they make their reckoning without
their host. I hope they will be better than they 'say for' ; and
that either his mother or his brother should help him with money
there can as yet be gathered no certainty. There are who say
that the Queen of England furnishes him with some, notwithstanding
I know not what credit to give to any part of that
by reason of the difficulty which always presents itself in this
matter. Yet it may be thought strange that there having been so long
likelihood of the truth of the marriage pretended, she should not
already have parted with some of her goods, and should not now
begin to show the affection and love that she bears him not without
pretermitting so great an occasion wherein to make proof of it,
being as they tell me a noble and liberal queen, it should be no
marvel, and specially so great certainties being verified among
many that it is likely the marriage will take place in the end ;
whereof the most that I have to signify is that the commissioners
who went to England bring a treaty of matrimony signed by them
and by those of the Queen's part, with articles in part concluded,
in part left undetermined, and sent hither to be resolved on by the
king, with a fixed time wherein it is to be done. Some say that
the drift of Monsieur, the Prince of Orange, and the Queen of
England, is to cause the king to denounce the amity which he has
with your Majesty, persuading themselves that in promising this
and setting the world in a hurly-burly consists their happiness.
Bnt I hope that his Majesty being the Most Christian King and so
wise a prince will always in things so hard prefer the universal
weal of Christendom before the particular fancies and devices of
these practisers.
Our Holy Father's nuncio, a man of great example of integrity of
life, and who seems to be marvellously well affected, has, I understand,
many times moved the king touching the journey of his
brother into Flanders, exhorting him to divert him from wronging
a king from whom he has never received but good turns. He
has done this it is imagined by order of the Holy Father, who,
notwithstanding you are beholden for his goodwill, though it
avail nothing, has done what a common father could and ought
to do.
Thus go matters for certainty here, and I see not what good will
be done, seeing entreaty will not serve. So there is no remedy but
to refer all to God, who knows how to make an end of all this when
it is His will, for all that men can do to 'repunge' it.
I have seen the papers of Contador Navarete, whom God pardon.
I could not yet gather anything for all the diligence I could use ; it
being great cruelty that the poor man died in prison without fault
and without all reason contrary to justice. They may go hunger
now after his papers that he left ; not being able to come by them.
Although they be of small importance, they would be worth the
seeing. But to conclude, thus goes the world, and at this present
so great is the liberty and licentiousness, which is pity. And now
for all this they make reckoning to see if they can have them, though
they import them little.
The copies for which you sent to me of those writings and reports
which remained in my custody at my departure from Maestricht,
are in hand, and setting in order and shall be sent with all the
speed that may be. They cannot, however, be ready hastily,
because certain papers concerning the same matter were left behind
me in Flanders because I could not be so much charged. I have
sent for them, and though in haste, they will require time because
of the way. I pray you impute it not to my slackness.
All the frontier-posts and their officers remain in that continual
good correspondence and agreement that you gave order for ;
particularly with the governor of Burgundy, 'of' whom you have a
vigilant officer as in this time is needful in that province, which
now is 'wronge at' with inward intelligences, now with invasions,
whereof I have written to your Majesty sundry times. But seeing
there is so good and renowned a governor there, I hope he will
take care to have those esguizaros (Swiss) always ready with which
that province has the leagues you know of, and for which in
necessity help and succour is at hand ; and although they brag
here, yet I believe that for this part they will be glad to leave us in
peace.
For Luxembourg you have Count Mansfelt, who being an old and
diligent soldier, as is well known throughout the world, and all the
subjects of that province so valiant and faithful that for that part
we may well say we may sleep in quiet, and I believe that they have
taken such order for the defence of it that those who would do them
harm will find a hard reckoning of it. Besides, it is to be believed
that they will join with the Germans who are thereabouts by means
of the money which you have sent for to give them satisfaction.
I hear they are in hand already, and very forward that they may
be 'strait' at Cambray, whence they write me that they come with
a very good will and very well affected to be present at this invasion
of the French, and in good hope to overcome. They are old and
good soldiers.
There is much speech here of the 'pretence' of the Prince of
Orange at the same time that the Duke goes towards Cambray.
Some say he means not otherwise than to join him ; which will be
doubtful by reason of the great 'compass' of ground he has to
pass through the midst of our strength, which we believe he dare
not do, and that he directs himself this other way in which there is no
doubt, unless the Prince of Parma have not provided sufficient force
to cut off his intention, inasmuch as by reason of the taking of
Breda he leave to look any more this way. Again it is to be thought
that the Prince of Orange, seeing it in vain to go about, will look
rather after his own house than respect a stranger, and therefore
will rather incline that way in as much as the other requires, if they
tell me true that he goes with the duke well furnished, showing
himself wholly his ; and whoso knows him well is not ignorant that
the chief thing he respects is his own benefit and that he will never
lose his own to help any foreign body ; a thing to be marvelled at,
how much beguiled these men are, being persuaded to think true
what he tells them, and that it is his very purpose to yield them the
government and rule for the obtaining whereof he has passed so
many years by all the ways and means which the whole world
knows. Ambition blinds them so that they cannot see that he
pretends nothing less and that his end is nothing else but to procure
by their force and the expense of their 'moines' and men's lives
trouble for your Majesty and entangle you with wars and he in the
meanwhile [sic] and gain time by the 'exception' of the Catholics
and other indifferent persons ; whereby he uses to strengthen his
own matters till he may establish them wholly.
It is said here that the King is determined to call home his
ambassador M. de Saint-Goard from the Court, and that he sends a
secretary to remain there. If it be so, it will be better understood
there. It has not been said here so far that they are sending
another in his place ; nor is it known what they mean thereby,
whether to have the place void for a time.
They say also that they send into Germany an 'Alman' gentleman
called Schomberg, who is of those that were wont to serve this
Crown with reiters, and that he goes to confirm those who take
part with this Crown, to whom they owe a sum of money. Also
they say he carries a certain quantity of money with which to give
them some contentment.
You commanded me to keep 'straight' intelligences with your
ambassador resident at the Emperor's Court, which I endeavour to
do to the utmost of my power. But I have of necessity to advertise
you that there is so small means to write to that court and the way
is so long and so dangerous by Flanders that I cannot maintain
intelligences that way so ordinarily and often as I wish. But you
shall understand that I will not be uncareful to entertain it with
the officers of Italy whence there is ordinary and continual means.
The like is to be done with Don Bernardino, who is nearer.
Some days ago there came to me a Friar Francis of the province
of Brabant, whence they are scattered through the whole world in
extreme poverty and necessity, so that it is to be greatly lamented.
He brought me two psalters, in 'written hand,' and fairly limned,
and if not the best and fairest that be, yet very old and curious ;
and for their quality seem to him to deserve to be carried to
the monastery of San Lorenzo. He prays your Majesty on behalf
of the said order in the province of Brabant, and beseeches you to
send them some relief. It is a godly and a holy deed, and it is good
that I show my duty and what I may to commend them to your
Majesty.
I had received a dispatch from Don Bernardino de Mendoza,
which he sent by an express messenger ; whereupon I was sending
another from here in all haste, as he prayed me, and as I was writing,
I was fain to stay him till now, by reason I was to get him a passport,
which hindered him some time. Diego Maldonado prays that
he who deciphers this, since in respect of the haste that was used
in writing it, he finds already that he has made many faults, would
be so good as mend them and supply them.7 July 1581.
Translation. Endd. by Burghley : Taxis letters in English to the
King of Spain. 6 pp. [Spain. I. 68a.]
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July 8.
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255. TASSIS to the KING OF SPAIN.
Cipher. Add. (with seal) to Idiaques. Endd. by Burghley. Sp.
7 pp. [Spain I. 69.]
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July 8.
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256. The above deciphered.
(This line is nothing, and the rest that follow to the fourth line,
for greater darkening and confusion of the beginning of this letter ;
these are nil, and after them it begins on the following line.)
I last wrote to your Majesty on the 20th ult. A few days after
there was spread in this Court a rumour that Don Antonio was
certainly come to this realm. Some said to Britanny, others to
Normandy, the news running by everyone as they understood it, as
commonly happens in things that are doubtful and uncertain. It
was well-known afterwards that his arrival was true, of which it is
reported that he came in a Flemish hulk. Without knowing what
it was carrying it landed in sight of Calais some Portuguese in
disguise. They entered Calais clad in russet, and were entertained
there some days, practising as I understand with the
Spaniards that are there, and in a few days took their way to
England ; Don Antonio being, as it is said, solicited by that
Queen to come thither. They publish that he escaped out of this
realm by a marvel. It is said that there go with him one Botello
and a certain Silva, but not the Bishop of la Guardia, whom according
to this account he must have left in the kingdom. It is to be
believed that Don Antonio did not delay to advertise the Most
Christian Kings [sic] of his coming, (these are all nulls to the end
of this line) and has doubtless made some arrangement with them ;
since he must know of the favours that Count Vimioso has had
from them, which no doubt must lead him to hope to find some
friendship with them. Just as little do I doubt that the Queen Mother
wrote or sent to tell him that he was welcome, for if she did so to
the servant, she will do it to the master. But I can get at no more
details about it, except that I have heard the consul was back from
Calais, and as I suspect, sent for the aforesaid arrangement, for he
is an instrument much used by the Queen Mother in these affairs
of Portugal. It would not be strange if he also bore the commission
of inviting Don Antonio to come here, as I am persuaded the
Queen Mother desires, since she sets so much by favouring Don
Antonio and his affairs, and takes great account of everything
Portuguese by reason of her own pretensions there ; wherein she
proceeds with so much passion and confidence, talking in a way
inconceivable to me when I consider it, in claiming what she
does claim. So much she declares, and shows herself so desirous to
favour Don Antonio, and further to remit things to him and aid
him to become master of the kingdom, by ceding to him the rights
that she now claims for herself and makes out the case that we see ;
if this friendship be not feigned with the object of aiding
Don Antonio with soldiers of her own nation to do his business,
and then one may well believe that for all they go as soldiers
of Don Antonio they will not cease to be Frenchmen wherever they
may find themselves. On this account it seems to me that she is
sorry he has gone to England, fearing that that queen may seek to
steal the blessing, and herself use the opportunity offered, which
may now very easily be, and one may believe that the queen
certainly when she dares means to injure your Majesty and give
you trouble. I do not suppose anything has been said, his coming
being so recent that one cannot believe that any treaty has been
begun of the design and enterprise in which Don Antonio will wish
to deal ; until he is with the count, or at least until he informs him
more thoroughly of what he has discovered while he has been here,
it being reasonable that he should wish to decide nothing without
his advice, since through the experience he has acquired in the
time he has been going about here he will be able to explain what
is most convenient for him, being as many people say, a man of
understanding and very vigilant. Yet I hope that he is too late, as
I think it would have been much safer and better to have accommodated
himself to the will of God, and confessed your Majesty's
justice as the others did, and Don Antonio himself should in truth
have taken that road, and rather have enjoyed your Majesty's
clemency and goodness than have put forward pretensions so much
out of the way that for the very smoke of them he has abandoned
a secure and quiet life, and thrown himself at the feet of strangers,
and proved in his own person what it is to leave one's country and
resort to England and France to be brought back to it. It is clear
besides why they like outlaws here, and how time is apt to treat
them and what they come to at last ; whereof the histories are so
full and the examples so recent that there is none who does not
know them. If Don Antonio does not, let him look at Philippe de
Comines, and he will find what is there said, and how a prince of
that Crown who came here to ask for succour in the end left the
certain for the uncertain ; nor do men always do what they want.
It is said that Don Antonio has with him much jewellery, and
that some of it is now beginning to appear here ; which may really
be believed, since it was natural that being there he should think of
what might happen and provide himself as far as possible, and that
in this he would confide in no one ; but at any rate one may
suspect that if he did not so order he has missed his aim, for if he
comes here denuded, for all the fine words he may give he runs a
risk of not achieving all to which he pretends, poverty being
despised, and the friendships being few which reach so that for their
sake people care to risk or waste their own substance. Though
these Christian kings are great and powerful, great charges fall on
them, and though they get plenty of money they have plenty of ways
to use it without wasting it on a third person. Yet without this he
need not think to get a soldier to serve him nor vessel to carry him,
if he has no money. Yet for this and all the rest that they want
he cannot be lacking, if it is as they say, and they have more than is
necessary, as I hear is in the mouths of all the Portuguese and is
the ordinary language of the count ; who must be very confident
of it, since he has for so long entertained Strozzi
and other captains of this realm, affirming that he wants
to undertake a very great enterprise. It is opnly known here, too,
that a Genoese, Mortara, is going about buying a great quantity of
arms, whose total comes to more than 50,000 ducats. If this is for
arms only, there must in reason be a good sum for other things.
In fact they published here a few days ago that at the Islands they
have taken many ships coming from Brazil and elsewhere, with
merchandise of great value. They say that they know from the
count that a small vessel which was sent to the Islands has reached
them. But with all this, so far as enterprise goes, for all he may
have said, I see no result, and they are unable to do anything of
importance without its appearing, if it is to do any harm. I know
that no fleet has set out to hurt your Majesty, except several pirates
that have been sailing all this summer with great freedom. I am
well persuaded that Don Antonio means to come with intent not to
repose, but as soon as possible to make his arrangements for trying
his fortune, and the quarter to which I imagine they turn their
eyes most is the Islands. There is, however, no need to be careless
on the mainland ; provision must be made in all ways, that we may
not find ourselves tricked. It is said that the Count of Vimioso is
coming here in a few days, and I will go bail that they receive him
[as well as?] he can desire, everything Portuguese having the wind
fair here. As I hear too he will not come empty-handed, for they
say here that he comes with 50 or 60 post-horses. I will go bail
that he hoists the same sails that he set at Blois ; even more, as he
is coming to a land of such great pomp as this is, where he will
want to make a brave and gallant show. Having already spread
over this realm a great reputation as a liberal spender, a very wise
part no doubt, he will not fail to attract thereby many men, nor to
raise a great following ; it being the ordinary custom throughout
the world that whoso spends and gives is beloved and sought after
and well regarded by all.
Of Don Antonio's Portuguese partisans who are going here, I hear
that one of the chief is Geronimo 'Pezzopayo,' whom if I remember
right I knew at Antwerp. He is an old man, and by what they all
say he talks much, making professions of his party at every opportunity.
They say he is providing money for the count, and that
they have delivered certain jewels to him for security, which I
believe, because men who trade are not wont to [open ?] their purse
without knowing what, and getting security that they may lose
nothing. The said 'Zapayo' has been in it some years, and as I
hear knows his business well. There is another called Alvaro
Mendez, whom I understand to be a man of more wealth and more
importance, and more considerate in his talk, and they say also in
what he lends. Anyway I hear he is not so rash in these matters
as the other, and if he assists the count he does not do it so openly
that it is known by everyone. Perhaps as a more prudent man he
wishes to sail with the wind whatever offers may be made him, and
in the event of not being certain to leave Don Antonio's business ;
thinking in such a case to keep his retreat open and not depend on
others. They tell me that he is a man 'of interests,' and that for
the king to get hold of him the purse is more necessary than
words.
There is also one Antonio de Escobar, who was they tell me sent
last year by Don Antonio to England and Flanders. He has lived
at times with Francisco Giraldi. This man I hear is versed in
affairs here, owing to the long time he has dealt in them, and they
tell me he is an able man, a fit instrument to do them much
service. Having enquired what kind of man he is, I am told
that he was born at Santarem, and that he has a mother there and
his house. It seems to me it would not be much away from the
purpose to make some demonstration there with such people, that
they may at least understand that sin is not virtue, and that those
who seek to do disservice to your Majesty receive their deserts.
Clemency is not always good ; at times justice is quite as necessary,
that it may serve as an example to others designing the same.
Another who has attached himself to the count is called Custodio
Leyton, whom I found here charged with the business of the
Infanta, as I wrote at the time. He has already been in treaty
with me, and I think has been won over, and is quite resolved to
serve you. I assured him that if they wished to go with their
merchandise to Lisbon or any other part of our realms, you would
always give them all the good entertainment they could desire and
liberty to return when they would ; and of this they might be sure
without giving anything. I offered to write for them on this point
if they liked. On this they departed, and I know not if they will
go thither where they said.
I cannot refrain from humbly begging your Majesty to give orders
that courtesy and good treatment may always be shown to traders
of this quality, in order that they may invite others, and so bring
the concourse of merchants there, and abundance of business with
them.
Endd by Burghley. Sp. 6 pp. [Ibid. I. 69a.]
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July 8.
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257. English translation of the above [very bad].
Endd. by Burghley. 5 pp. [Ibid. I. 69b.]
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July 9.
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258. TASSIS to the KING OF SPAIN.
Cipher. Autograph date and signature. Endd. by Burghley. Sp.
3 pp. [Spain. I. 70.]
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July 9.
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259. The above deciphered.
Endd. by Burghley. Sp. 2 pp. [Ibid. I. 70a.]
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July 9.
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260. Translation of the above.
Francisco Giraldi, who in the time of the late kings was their
ambassador here, is here now as a private person 'keeping no countenance'
(sin tener amparo ninguno), and lives not without great
danger through the ill will borne him by those of his nation that
follow the faction of Don Antonio ; whose boldness is now infinitely
increased through his coming, and some misfortune may really
happen to Giraldi. I find him very apt and ready in your Majesty's
service, and fully resolved to die in it ; considering which, it seems
to me not well that anything should happen to him, and this leads
me to beg you for that which I cannot but tell you he deserves for
his good proceeding.
That German personage of whom you wot since Blois, who
wrote to me that he much desired to enter your service, so as in
the quality of pensioner he should be bound to serve you with
soldiers of his nation whenever and wherever there should be
occasion, and whom I then promised to advertise his offer to you, has
now written anew, desiring to know whether I had done so, and if
you were resolved therein, and prayed me to send some answer ;
again requesting that if the answer were not come, I would write
again and beseech you 'to be at a point' with him that way, saying
withal that though you did not at once grant his request, he would
not 'leave to be' always an affectionate servant of your Majesty in
your affairs. He is a man of the quality you see, and it was from
the time when I made his acquaintance in Germany on some
occasions when I was sent there by the Governors of Flanders, that
his writing to me arose. He seems to me an honourable and skilful
gentleman, and one by whom you may on occasion be well served ;
and seeing you have besides so many pensioners there, it may seem
to import little ; yet the more you have at your devotion in
Germany the better. I refer all to your wisdom, which can best
tell what to do in this behalf.
For 'intelligences' in this realm and Court we are marvellously
feeble (flacos) and unprovided. I do not know whether it is owing
to the time that this post was unfilled, or if formerly they had
none. I have found nothing of importance on foot. One goes for
the most part blindfold, and hears of nothing till it is published.
This is the more surprising, as I have heard at various times that
this nation are wont to be very free in familiar talk of passing
affairs, whereby they came to know them shortly and easily ; having
as they tell me more access to a credit with the councillors and all
those who meddle in any way with matters of State. The change
may be imputed 'to that' when, as the present king went to Poland
passing through Germany, it was discovered that they knew there
minutely many things which had happened and were happening
here ; whereupon order was taken that matters should be handled
with more cunning and secrecy thenceforth, if not with more
prudence on their part, even though they know of anything shaped
by the 'tertiaries' of our order (los terzeros de nuestra profesion : qu.
ambassadors). It may be added that this is an age when Spanish
affairs give offence (dar en rostro) to all ; whence there is no one who
does not avoid our presence, and who will keep company with us,
or even speak to us, some for the ill will they bear us and because
they do not favour your affairs, others lest they should be suspected
of looking at our affairs with a friendly eye, or at least desire to
see peace between the two Crowns. This no doubt causes the
position of this office to be somewhat hard just now ; while the
same is not the case with the agents of other princes, who though
they have some that do not favour them, have many more friends
and associates who will disclose to them what others conceal, and
have wherewithal to serve their masters without getting abandoned
and neglected. For all this I do as much as I may to fulfil the
duties that one who is sent here seems to me bound to do, having
his excuse when he cannot do more. [Paris, 9 July 1581.]
Endd. by Burghley. 2 pp. [Ibid. XI., 70b.]
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July 9.
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261. SOMERS to [? BURGHLEY].
I should do this gentleman much wrong, and show myself
unthankful, if I let him go, returning now home, without this testimony
how careful and diligent I have found him to do any good
service for the weal of her Majesty and of his country. I have
found that by his acquaintance abroad in foreign parts and here,
and his long experience in the courses of things, he is able to inform
you of things not unnecessary for your knowledge, to be compared
with other, which perhaps you have from the very places and persons.
Your experience of his dexterity so recommends him to your favour,
that I should 'wear' your time by speaking of him as in my opinion
he deserves. I find him very willing to serve at home or abroad, as
by convenient means he may be encouraged. He goes some part of
the way 'by journey,' and therefore hoping that within two or three
days you may hear from the ambassador by an express messenger,
I say nothing now of our affairs, saving that this Sunday morning
the Queen Mother returned from the Court at Saint-Maur, having
stayed in this town this night as she came from Monsieur her
son [sic].
As we hear, the king will send some to the ambassador tomorrow,
with some direction. Meantime I have by letter put M.
Pinart in mind that there are now but 15 days to come of the six
weeks, and that her Majesty expects news, being now 8 days since
our audience, and 6 since the queen and commissioners went to
Monsieur. Having written thus far, the ambassador was advertised
that M. Pinart will be with him this evening ; and so indeed hither
came MM. de Bellivre, Brisson, and Pinart, who with M. de la
Mothe have appointed to be with the ambassador to-morrow at 7.
Paris, Sunday, 9 July in the evening, 1581.
Add. and Endt. gone. 1 p. [France V. 109.]
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