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service, in any particular you shall command

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

This afternoon my lady found access to my lord

gomery* and Sir Edward Sackville, who seemed to contend which of them should show most patience in waiting (which they did a whole afternoon) the opportunity to bring my lord to his chamber, where my lady attended him. But when he was come, she found time enough to speak at large: and though my lord spake so loud as that what passed was no secret to me and some others that were within hearing, yet, because my lady told me she purposeth to write to your lordship the whole passage, it becometh not me to anticipate, by these, any part of her ladyship's relation.

him, to my lord marquis, (though it were with MAY IT PLEASE YOur Lordship, some adventure;) and withal he imparted to me what advice he had given to my lady this after-marquis, procured for her by my Lord of Montnoon, upon his visiting of her at York House, when Mr. Packer also, as it fell out, was come, at the same time, to see my lady, and seemed to concur with Sir Edward Sackville in the same ways; which were for my lady to become a suitor to my Lady Buckingham,* and my lady marchioness to work my lord marquis for obtaining of the king some bounty towards your lordship; and in particular that of the thousand pounds for the small writs. If I may speak my opinion to your lordship, it is not amiss to begin any way, or with any particular, though but small game at first, only to set a rusty clock agoing, and then haply it may go right for a time, enough to bring on the rest of your lordship's requests. Yet, because your lordship directed me to wish my lady, from you, by no means to act any thing, but only to open her mind in discourse unto friends, until she should receive your farther direction, it became not me to be too forward in putting it on too fast with Sir Edward; and my lady was pleased to tell me since that she hath | written to your lordship at large.

I inquired, even now, of Benbow, whether the proclamation for dissolving the Parliament was coming forth. He tells me he knows no more certainty of it, than that Mr. Secretary commanded him yesterday to be ready for despatching of the writs, when he should be called for; but since then he hears it sticks, and endures some qualms; but they speak it still aloud at court that the king is resolved of it.

Benbow tells me likewise, that he hath attended these two days upon a committee of the lords, with the book of the commission of peace; and that their work is to empty the commission in some counties by the score, and many of them Parliament men; which course sure helps to ring the passing bell to the Parliament.

Mr. Borough tells me, he is at this present fain to attend some service for the king, but about Saturday he hopes to be at liberty to wait upon your lordship. I humbly rest

Your lordship's forever to honour and serve,
T. MEAUTYS.

January 3, 1621.

I send your lordship herewith the proclamation for dissolving the Parliament, wherein there is nothing forgotten that we have done amiss; but for most of those things that we have well done, we must be fain, I see, to commend ourselves.

I delivered your lordship's to my Lord of Montgomery and Mr. Matthew, who was even then come to York House to visit my lady, when I received the letter; and, as soon as he had read it, he said, that he had rather your lordship had sent him a challenge; and that it had been easier to answer than so noble and kind a letter. He intends to see your lordship some time this week, and so doth Sir Edward Sackville, who is forward to make my lady a way by the prince, if your lordship advise it.

There are packets newly come out of Spain; and the king, they say, seems well pleased with the contents; wherein there is an absolute promise and undertaking for the restitution of the palatinate; the dispensation returned already from the pope, and the match hastened on their parts. My Lord Digby goes shortly; and Mr. Matthew tells me he means, before his going, to write by him to your lordship.

The king goes not till Wednesday, and the prince certainly goes with him. My lord marquis, in person, christens my Lord of Falkland's child to-morrow, at his house by Watford.

Mr. Murray tells me the king hath given your books to my Lord Brooke,|| and enjoined him to read it, recommending it much to him; and then my Lord Brooke is to return it to your lordship; and so it may go to the press when your lordship pleases, with such amendments as the king hath

To the Right Honourable my most honoured lord, made, which I have seen, and are very few, and

the Lord Viscount St. Alban.

'Mary, Countess of Buckingham, mother of the marquis. + Catharine, Marchioness of Buckingham, wife of the marquis, and only daughter and heir of Francis, Earl of Rutland.

John Borough, educated in common law at Gray's Inn, Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London, Secretary to the Earl Marshal, in 1623 made Norroy; in July, the year following, knighted, and on the 23d of December, the same year, made Garter King at Arms, in the place of Sir William Segar. He died October 21, 1643.

those rather words, as epidemic, and mild, instead

Philip, afterwards Earl of Pembroke.

+ Mr. Meautys was member in this Parliament for the town of Cambridge.

Thomas Murray, tutor and secretary to the prince, made provost of Eton College, in the room of Sir Henry Savile, who died February 19, 1621-2. Mr. Murray died, likewis April 1, 1623.

The History of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh. || Fulk Grevile.

of debonnaire, etc. Only that of persons attainted, enabled to serve in Parliament by a bare reversal of their attainder, the king by all means will have left out. I met with my Lord Brooke, and told him, that Mr. Murray had directed me to wait upon him for the book, when he had done with it. He desired to be spared this week, as being to him a week of much business, and the next week I should have it; and he ended in a compliment, that care should be taken, by all means, for good ink and paper to print it in, for that the book deserveth it. I beg leave to kiss your lordship's hands. Your lordship's in all humbleness

January 7, 1621-2.

to honour and serve,

T. MEAUTYS.

This proclamation is not yet sealed; and, therefore, your lordship may please as yet to keep it in your own hands.

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY MOST HONoured Lord,

I met, even now, with a piece of news so unexpected, and yet so certainly true, as that, howsoever, I had much ado, at first, to desire the relater to speak probably; yet, now I dare send it your lordship upon my credit. It is my Lord of Somerset's and his lady's coming out of the Tower, on Saturday last,* fetched forth by my Lord of Falkland, and without the usual degrees of confinement, at first to some one place, but absolute and free, to go where they please. I know not how peradventure this might occasion you to cast your thoughts, touching yourself, into some new mould, though not in the main, yet in something on the by.

I beg leave to kiss your lordship's hands. Your lordship's, in all humbleness, forever to honour and serve you, T. MEAUTYS.

LODOWIC STUART, DUKE OF LENOX, TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY LORD, It is not unknown to your lordship, that, in respect I am now a married man, I have more reason than before to think of providing me some house in London, whereof I am yet destitute; and for that purpose I have resolved to entreat your lordship, that I may deal with you for York House; wherein I will not offer any conditions to your loss. And, in respect I have understood,

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that the consideration of your lady's wanting a house hath bred some difficulty in your lordship to part with it, I will for that make offer unto your lordship, and your lady, to use the house in Canon Row, late the Earl of Hertford's, being a very commodious and capable house, wherein I and my wife have absolute power; and whereof your lordship shall have as long time as you can challenge or desire of York House. In this I do freelier deal with your lordship, in respect I know you are well assured of my well wishes to you in general; and that in this particular, though I have not been without thoughts of this house before your lordship had it, yet, I was willing to give way to your lordship's more pressing use thereof then. And as I do not doubt of your lordship's endeavour to gratify me in this, so I shall esteem it as an extraordinary courtesy, which I will study to requite by all means.

So, with my best wishes to your lordship, I

rest

Your lordship's most loving friend,

LENOX.

In respect my Lord of Buckingham was once desirous to have had this house, I would not deal for it till now, that he is otherwise provided.

Whitehall, the 29th of January, 1621,

To the Right Honourable my very good lord, my Lord Viscount St. Alban.

ANSWER OF THE LORD VISCOUNT OF ST. ALBAN. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I am sorry to deny your grace any thing; but in this you will pardon me. York House is the house wherein my father died, and wherein I first breathed; and there will I yield my last breath, if so please God, and the king will give me leave; though I be now by fortune (as the old proverb is) like a bear in a monk's hood. At least no money, no value, shall make me part with it. Besides, as I never denied it to my lord marquis, so yet the difficulty I made was so like a denial, as I owe unto my great love and respect to his lordship a denial to all my other friends; among whom, in a very near place next his lordship, I ever accounted of your grace. So, not doubting that you will continue me in your former love and good affection, I rest

Your grace's, to do you humble
service, affectionate, &c.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

As my hopes, since my misfortunes, have proceeded of your lordship's mere motion, without any petition of mine, so I leave the times and the

ways to the same good mind of yours. True it is, a small matter for my debts would do me more good now than double a twelvemonth hence. I have lost six thousand pounds by year, besides caps and courtesies. But now a very moderate proportion would suffice; for I still bear a little of the mind of a commissioner of the treasury, not to be overchargeable to his majesty; and two things I may assure your lordship of: the one, that I shall lead such a course of life, as whatsoever the king doth for me shall rather sort to his majesty's and your lordship's honour, than to envy: the other, that whatsoever men talk, I can play the good husband, and the king's bounty shall not be lost. If your lordship think good the prince should come in to help, I know his highness wisheth me well; if you will let me know when, and how he may be used. But the king is the fountain, who, I know is good.

God prosper you.

Your lordship's most bounden and faithful,

Gorhambury, January 30, 1621.

FR. ST. ALBan.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Your lordship dealeth honourably with me in giving me notice, that your lordship is provided

of a house,* whereby you discontinue the treaty your lordship had with me for York House, although I shall make no use of this notice, as to deal with any other. For I was ever resolved your lordship should have had it, or no man. But your lordship doth yet more nobly, in assuring me, you never meant it with any the least inconvenience to myself. May it please your lordship likewise to be assured from me, that ever desired you should have it, and do still continue of the same mind.

I

I humbly pray your lordship to move his majesty to take commiseration of my long imprisonment. When I was in the Tower, I was nearer help of physic; I could parley with my creditors; I could deal with friends about my business; I could have helps at hand for my writings and studies, wherein I spend my time; all which here fail me. Good my lord, deliver me out of this; me, who am his majesty's devout beadsman, and

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

Remembering that the letter your lordship put yesterday into my hand was locked up under two or three seals, it ran in my head, that it might be business of importance, and require haste; and not finding Mr. Matthew in town, nor any certainty of his return till Monday or Tuesday, I thought it became me to let your lordship know it, that so I might receive your lordship's pleasure (if need were) to send it by as safe a hand as if it had three seals more.

My lord, I saw Sir Arthur Ingram, who let fall somewhat, as if he could have been contented to have received a letter by me from your lordship, with something in it like an acknowledgment to my lord treasurer, that by his means you had received a kind letter from my lord marquis. But, in the close, he came about, and fell rather to excuse what was left out of the letter, than to please himself much with what was within it. Only, indeed, he looked upon me, as if he did a little distrust my good meaning in it. But that is all one to me; for I have been used to it of late from others, as well as from him. But persons apt to be suspicious may well be borne with; for certainly they trouble themselves most, and lose most by it. For of such it is a hard question, whether those be fewest whom they trust, or those who trust them. But for him, and some others, I will end in a wish, that, as to your lordship's service, they might prove but half so much honester, as they think themselves wiser, than

other men.

It is doubtful whether the king will come to morrow or not; for they say he is full of pain in his feet.

My lord marquis came late to town last night, and goeth back this evening; and Sir Edward Sackville watcheth an opportunity to speak with him before he go. However, he wisheth that your lordship would lose no time in returning an answer, made all of sweetmeats, to my lord marquis's letter, which, he is confident, will be ward wisheth that the other letter to my lord both tasted and digested by him. And Sir Edmarquis, for presenting your discourse of laws to his majesty, might follow the first. I humbly rest Your lordship's forever truly to honour and serve you, THO. MEAUTYS.

Martii 3, 1621.

FR. ST. ALBAN.

Gorhambury, this 3d of Feb., 1621.

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

I had not failed to appear this night, upon your

* Mr. Chamberlain, in a MS. letter to Sir Dudley Carleton, lordship's summons, but that my stay till to

dated at London, January 19, 1621-2, mentions, that the Marquis of Buckingham had contracted with the Lord and Lady Wallingford, for their house near Whitehall, for some money.

*Lionel, Lord Cranfield, made Lord Treasurer in October, 1621.

inorrow,

I knew, would mend my welcome, by bringing Mr. Matthew, who means to dine with your lordship only, and so to rebound back to London, by reason my Lord Digby's journey calls for him on the sudden. Neither yet was this all that stayed me; for I hear somewhat that I like reasonably well; and yet I hope it will mend too; which is, that my lord marquis hath sent you a message by my Lord of Falkland, (which is a far better hand than my lord treasurer's,) that gives you leave to come presently to Highgate: and Sir Edward Sackville, speaking for the other five miles, my lord commended his care and zeal for your lordship, but silenced him thus: "Let my lord be ruled by me: it will be never the worse for him." But my lord marquis saying farther to him, "Sir Edward, however you play a good friend's part for my Lord St. Alban, yet I must tell you, I have not been well used by him." And Sir Edward desiring of him to open himself in whatsoever he might take offence at; and, withal, taking upon him to have known so much, from time to time, of your lordship's heart, and endeavours towards his lordship, as that he doubted not but he was able to clear any mist that had been cast before his lordship's eyes by your enemies; my lord marquis, by this time being ready to go to the Spanish ambassador's to dinner, broke off with Sir Edward, and told him, that after dinner he would be back at Wallingford House, and then he would tell Sir Edward more of his mind; with whom I have had newly conference at large, and traced out to him, as he desired me, some particulars of that which they call a treaty with my lord treasurer about York House, which Sir Edward Sackville knows how to put together, and make a smooth tale of it for your lordship and this night I shall know all from him, and to-morrow, by dinner, I shall not fail to attend your lordship: till when, and ever, I rest

:

Your lordship's in all truth

to honour and serve you,
T. MEAUTYS.

Endorsed,
Received, March 11.

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I have received, by my noble friend, my Lord Viscount Falkland, advertisement, as from my lord marquis, of three things; the one, that upon his lordship's motion to his majesty, he is graciously pleased to grant some degree of release of my confinement. The second, that if I shall gratify your lordship, who, my lord understandeth, are desirous to treat with me about my house at London, with the same, his lordship will take it as well as if it was done to himself. The third, that his majesty hath referred unto your lordship the consideration of the relief of my poor estate. I have it also from other part, yet by such, as have taken it immediately from my lord marquis, that your lordship hath done me to the king very good offices. My lord, I am much bounden to you: wherefore, if you shall be pleased to send Sir Arthur Ingram, who formerly moved me in it for your lordship, to treat farther with me, I shall let your lordship see how affectionately I am desirous to pleasure your lordship after my Lord of Buckingham.

So, wishing your lordship's weighty affairs, for his majesty's service, a happy return to his majesty's contentment and your honour, I rest Your lordship's very affectionate to do you service, FR. ST. ALBAN.

Endorsed, March 12,

To the Lord Treasurer.

TO HENRY CARY, LORD VISCOUNT FALKLAND.* MY VERY GOOD Lord,

Your lordship's letter was the best letter I received this good while, except the last kind letter from my Lord of Buckingham, which this confirmeth. It is the best accident, one of them, amongst men, when they hap to be obliged to those, whom naturally and personally they love, as I ever did your lordship; in troth not many between my lord marquis and yourself; so that the sparks of my affection shall ever rest quick, under the Appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, September 8, 1622.

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your lordship's hands. Yet, thus much I am glad of, that this course, your lordship holds with me, doth carry this much upon itself, that the world shall see in this, amongst other things, that you have a great and noble heart.

ship drew it with caution, I dare not venture it upon my memory to carry level what your lordship wrote, and, therefore, despatched away this messenger, that so your lordship, by a fresh post, (for this may hardly do it,) may send a warrant For the particular business of York House, Sir to your mind, ready drawn, to be here to-morrow Arthur Ingram can bear me witness, that I was by seven o'clock, as Sir Arthur* tells me my lord ready to leave the conditions to your lordship's marquis hath directed: for the king goes early to own making: but since he tells me plainly, that | Hampton Court, and will be here on Saturday. your lordship will by no means have to be so, you will give me leave to refer it to Sir Arthur Ingram, who is so much your lordship's servant, and no less faithful friend to me, and understands value well, to set a price between us.

For the reference his majesty hath been graciously pleased, at my lord marquis's suit, to make unto your lordship, touching the relief of my poor estate, which my Lord of Falkland's letter hath signified, warranting me likewise to address myself to your lordship touching the same; I humbly pray your lordship to give it despatch, my age, health, and fortunes, making time to me therein precious. Wherefore, if your lordship (who knoweth best what the king may best do) have thought of any particular, I would desire to know from your lordship: otherwise I have fallen myself upon a particular, which I have related to Sir Arthur, and, I hope, will seem modest, for my help to live and subsist. As for somewhat towards the paying off my debts, which are now my chief care, and without charge of the king's coffers, I will not now trouble your lordship; but purposing to be at Chiswick, where I have taken a house, within this sevennight, I hope to wait upon your lordship, and to gather some violets in your garden, and will then impart unto you, if I have thought of any thing of that nature for my good.

So, I ever rest, etc.

Your books are ready, and passing well bound up. If your lordship's letters to the king, prince, and my lord marquis were ready, I think it were good to lose no time in their delivery; for the printer's fingers itch to be selling.

My lady hath seen the house at Chiswick, and they make a shift to like it: only she means to come to your lordship thither, and not to go first: and, therefore, your lordship may please to make the more haste, for the great lords long to be in York House.

Mr. Johnson will be with your lordship tomorrow; and then I shall write the rest. Your lordship's in all humbleness

and honour to serve you.

TO THOMAS MEAUTYS, ESQ.

GOOD MR. MEAUTYS,

For the difference of the warrant, it is not material at the first. But I may not stir till I have it; and, therefore, I expect it to-morrow.

For my Lord of London's stay, there may be an error in my book;§ but I am sure there is none in me, since the king had it three months by him, and allowed it; if there be any thing to be mended, it is better to be espied now than hereafter.

I send you the copies of the three letters, which you have; and, in mine own opinion, this demur, as you term it, in my Lord of London, maketh it more necessary than before, that they were deli

THOMAS MEAUTYS, ESQ., TO THE LORD VISCOUNT vered, specially in regard they contain withal my

ST. ALBAN.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

I have been attending upon my lord marquis's minutes for the signing of the warrant. This day he purposed in earnest to have done it; but it falls out untowardly, for the warrant was drawn, as your lordship remembers, in haste at Gorhambury, and in as much haste delivered to Sir Edward Sackville, as soon as I alighted from my horse, who instantly put it into my lord marquis's hands, so that no copy could possibly be taken of it by me. Now his lordship hath searched much for it, and is yet at a loss, which I knew not till six this evening: and because your lord

The Lord Viscount St. Alban, in a letter to the king, from Gorhambury, 20th of March, 1621-2, thanks his majesty for referring the consideration of his broken estate to his good lord, the lord treasurer.

thanks. It may be signified they were sent before
I knew of any stay; and being but in those three
hands, they are private enough. But this I leave
merely at your discretion, resting

Your most affectionate and assured friend,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

March 21, 1621.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW

GOOD MR. MATTHEW,

I do make account, God willing, to be at Chiswick on Saturday; or, because this weather is terrible to one that hath kept much in, Monday

Ingram.

+ History of the reign of King Henry VII.
Dr. George Mountain,

His History of the reign of King Henry VII.

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