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because I could be content that the matter of Peacham were first settled and put to a point. For there be, perchance, that would make the example upon I. S. to stand for all. For Peacham, I expect some account from my fellows this day. If it should fall out otherwise, then I hope it may not be left so. Your majesty, in your last letter, very wisely, put in a disjunctive that the judges should deliver an opinion privately, either to my lord chancellor or to ourselves, distributed; his sickness, made the latter way to be taken: but the other may be reserved, with some accommodating, when we see the success of the former.

I am appointed, this day, to attend my lord treasurer for a proposition of raising profit and revenue, by enfranchising copy-holders. I am right glad to see the patrimonial part of your revenue well looked into, as well as the fiscal. And I hope it will so be, in other parts as well as this. God preserve your majesty.

that it is needless; I commended my lord's diligence, but withal put it by; and fell upon the other course, (which is the true way ;) that is, that whosoever shall affirm, in diem, or sub-conditione, that your majesty may be destroyed, is a traitor de præsenti; for that he maketh you but tenant for life at the will of another. And I put the Duke of Buckingham's case, who said, that if the king caused him to be arrested of treason, he would stab him; and the case of the impostress, Elizabeth Barton, that said, that if King Henry the Eighth took not his wife again, Katharine Dowager, he should be no longer king; and the like.

It may be these particulars are not worth the relating. But, because I find nothing in the world, so important to your service as to have you thoroughly informed, (the ability of your direc tion considered,) it maketh me thus to do; most humbly praying your majesty to admonish me, if

Your majesty's most humble and devoted I be over troublesome. subject and servant.

A LETTER TO THE KING OF ACCOUNT OF OWEN'S

CAUSE, ETC. 11 FEBRUARY, 1614.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENT MAJESTY, Myself, with the rest of your counsel learned, conferred with my Lord Coke and the rest of the judges of the King's Bench only, being met at my lord's chamber, concerning the business of Owen. For although it be true that your majesty in your letter did mention, that the same course might be held in the taking of opinions apart, in this which was prescribed and used in Peacham's cause; yet both my lords of the council and we, amongst ourselves, holding it, in a case so clear, not needful; but rather that it would import a diffidence in us, and deprive us of the means to debate it with the judges (if cause were) more strongly, (which is somewhat,) we thought best rather to use this form.

The judges desired us to leave the examinations and papers with them, for some little time, to consider (which is a thing they use;) but I conceive there will be no manner of question made of it. My lord chief justice, to show forwardness, (as I interpret it,) showed us passages of Suarez and others, thereby to prove, that though your majesty stood not excommunicated by particular sentence, yet by the general bulls of Cœna Domini, and others, you were upon the matter excommunicated; and therefore that the treason was, as De præsenti. But I that foresee, that if that course snould be held, when it cometh to a public day, to disseminate to the vulgar an opinion that your majesty's case is all one as if you were de facto particularly and expressly excommunicated, it would but increase the danger of your person with those that are desperate Papists; and

For Peacham, the rest of my fellows are ready to make their report to your majesty, at such time, and in such manner, as your majesty shall require it. Myself yesterday, took my Lord Coke aside, after the rest were gone, and told him all the rest were ready, and I was now to require his lordship's opinion, according to my commission. He said, I should have it; and repeated that, twice or thrice, as thinking he had gone too far, in that kind of negative (to deliver any opinion apart) before; and said he would tell it me within a short time, though he were not at that instant ready. I have tossed this business, in omnes partes, whereof I will give your majesty knowledge, when time serveth. God preserve your majesty.

Your majesty's most humble and devoted subject and servant.

A LETTER TO THE KING, REPORTING THE DAY OF HEARING OF I. S. HIS CAUSE, IN THE STAR CHAMBER. 29 APRIL, 1615.

IT MAY PLEASE your excellent MAJESTY,

I. S.'s day is past, and well past. I hold it to be Janus bifrons; it hath a good aspect to that which is past, and to the future; and doth both satisfy and prepare. All did well: My lord chief justice delivered the law for the benevolence, strongly; I would he had done it timely. Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer spake finely, somewhat after the manner of the late lord privy seal: not all out so sharply, but as elegantly. Sir Thomas Lake (who is also new in that court) did very well, familiarly and counsellor-like. My Lord of Pembroke (who is likewise a stranger there) did extraordinary well, and became himself well, and had an evident applause. I meant well also; and because my information was the

ground, having spoken out of a few heads which I had gathered; (for I seldom do more) I set down, as soon as I came home, cursorily, a frame of that I had said; though I persuade myself I spake it with more life. I have sent it to Mr. Murray, sealed; if your majesty have so much idle time to look upon it, it may give some light of the day's work: but I most humbly pray your majesty to pardon the errors. God preserve you

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are to have all the Old Company's profit, by the trade of whites; they are again to have upon the proportion of clothes, which they shall vend dyed and dressed, the Fleming's profit upon the teyntour. Now then as I say, as it had been too good husbandry for a king to have taken profit of them if the project could have been effected at once, (as was voiced ;) so on the other side it might be, perchance, too little husbandry and profidence to take nothing of them, for that which is merely lucrative to them, in the mean time. Nay, I say further, this will greatly conduce and be a kind of security to the end desired. For I always feared, and do yet fear, that when men, by condition merchants, though never so honest, have

A LETTER TO THE KING, CONCERNING THE NEW gotten into their hands the trades of whites, and

COMPANY. AUGUST 12, 1615.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, Your majesty shall shortly receive the bill, for the incorporation of the New Company; together with a bill, for the privy seal, being a dependency thereof. For this morning I subscribed and docketed them both. I think it, therefore, now time, to represent to your majesty's high wisdom that which I conceive, and have had long in mind, concerning your majesty's service and honourable profit in this business.

This project, which hath proceeded from a worthy service of the lord treasurer, I have from the beginning constantly affected; as may well appear by my sundry labours from time to time in the same. For I hold it a worthy character of your majesty's reign and times; insomuch, as though your majesty might have at this time (as is spoken) a great annual benefit for the quitting of it, yet, I shall never be the man that should wish your majesty to deprive yourself of that beatitude; "Beatius est dare, quàm accipere," in this cause; but to sacrifice your profit (though, as your majesty's state is, it be precious to you) to so great a good of your kingdom: although this project is not without a profit, immediate unto you, by the increasing of customs upon the materials of days.

But here is the case. The New Company, by this patent and privy seal, are to have two things wholly diverse from the first intention; or rather, ex diametro, opposite unto the same; which, nevertheless, the most of necessity have, or else the work is overthrown. So as I may call them, mala necessaria, but yet withal temporary. For as men make war to have peace, so these merchants must have license for whites, to the end to banish whites; and they must have license to use teyntours, to the end to banish teyntours.

This is therefore that I say; your majesty upon these two points may justly, and with honour, and with preservation of your first intention inviolate, demand profit in the interim, as long as these unnatural points continue, and then to cease. For your majesty may be pleased to observe they

the dispensation of teyntour, wherein they shall
reap profit for that which they never sowed; but
have gotten themselves certainties, in respect of
the state's hopes; they are like enough to sleep
upon this, as upon a pillow, and to make no haste
And though it may be said
to go on with the rest.
that that is a thing will easily appear to the state,
yet (no doubt) means may be devised and found
to draw the business in length. So that I con-
clude that if your majesty take a profit of them,
in the interim, (considering you refuse profit from
the Old Company,) it will be both spur and bridle
to them to make them pace aright to your ma
jesty's end.

This, in all humbleness, according to my avowed care and fidelity, being no man's man but your majesty's, I present, leave, and submit to your majesty's better judgment; and I could wish your majesty would speak with Sir Thomas Lake in it; who, besides his good habit whichr he hath in business, beareth (methinks) an indifferent hand in this particular; and (if it please your majesty) it may proceed as from yourself, and not as a motion or observation of minę.

Your majesty need not in this to be straitened in time, as if this must be demanded or treated, before you sign their bill; for I, foreseeing this, and foreseeing that many things might fall out which I could not foresee, have handled it so, as with their good contentment there is a power of revocation inserted into their patent. And so, commending your majesty to God's blessed and precious custody, I rest

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Your majesty's most humble and devoted subject and servant.

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justice upon the commission for the indicting of | ble to truth and your majesty's service. If this

the great person, one of the judges asked him whether Roper were dead? He saith, he for his part knew not; another of the judges answered, It should concern you, my lord, to know it. Whereupon he turned his speech to me, and said, No, Mr. Attorney, I will not wrestle now in my latter times. My lord, (said I,) you speak like a wise man. Well, (saith he,) they have had no luck with it that have had it. I said again, "Those days be past." Here you have the dialogue to make you merry, but in sadness I was glad to perceive he meant not to contest. I can but honour and love you, and rest

Your assured friend and servant.

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New Company break, it must either be put upon the patent or upon the order made by themselves. For the patent, I satisfied the board that there was no title in it which was not either verbatim in the patent of the Old Company, or by special warrant from the table, inserted. My Lord Coke, with much respect to me, acknowledged, but disliked the old patent itself, and disclaimed his being at the table when the additions were allowed. But in my opinion, (howsoever my Lord Coke, to magnify his science in law, draweth every thing, though sometimes unproperly and unseasonably, to that kind of question,) it is not convenient to break the business upon these points. For, considering they were but clauses that were in the former patents, and in many other patents of companies, and that the additions likewise passed the allowance of the table, it will be but clamoured, and perhaps conceived, that to quarrel them now is but an occasion taken, and that the times are changed rather than the matter. But that which preserveth entire your majesty's honour, and the constancy of your proceedings, is to put the breach upon their orders.

For this light I gave in my report, which the table readily apprehended and much approved; that if the table reject their orders as unlawful and unjust, it doth free you from their contract; for whosoever contracteth, or undertaketh any thing, is always understood to perform it by lawful means; so, as they have plainly abused the state if that which they have undertaken be either impossible or unjust.

I am bold to present this consideration to that excellent faculty of your majesty's judgment, because I think it importeth that future good which may grow to your majesty in the close of this business; that the falling off be without all exception. God have you in his precious custody.

I spake yesternight long with my Lord Coke; and for the "Rege Inconsulto," I conceive by him it will be "an ampliùs deliberandum censeo," (as I thought at first,) so as for the present your majesty shall not need to renew your commandment of stay. I spake with him also about some propositions concerning your majesty's casual revenue, wherein I found him to consent with me fully; assuming, nevertheless, that he had thought of them before; but it is one thing to have the vapour of a thought; another to digest business aright. He, on his part, imparted to me divers things of great weight concerning the reparation of your majesty's means and finances, which I heard gladly; insomuch as he perceiving the same, I think, was the readier to open himself to me in one circumstance, which he did much inculcate. I concur freely with him that they are to be held secret; for I never saw but that business is like a child which is framed invisibly in the womb, and if it come forth too soon it will be abortive. I know in most of them the prosecution must rest much upon myself. But I, that had the power to prevail in the farmer's case of the French wines, A LETTER TO THE KING TOUCHING THE LORD without the help of my Lord Coke, shall be better able to go through these with his help, the ground being no less just. And this I shall ever add of mine own, that I shall ever respect your majesty's honour no less than your profit; and shall also take care, according to my pensive manner, that that which is good for the present have not in it hidden seeds of future inconveniences.

Your majesty's most humble and
bounden subject and servant.

CHANCELLOR'S SICKNESS. FEBRUARY 9, 1615.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY,

I am glad to understand by Mr. Murray that your majesty accepteth well of my poor endeavours in opening unto you the passages of your service; that business may come the less crude, and the more prepared to your royal judgment, the perfection whereof, as I cannot expect they should satisfy in every particular, so I hope, through my assiduity, there will result a good total.

The matter of the New Company was referred to me by the lords of the privy council; wherein, after some private speech with Sir Lionel Cran- My lord chancellor's sickness falleth out "dure field, I made that report which I held most agree- tempore." I have always known him a wise

man, and of just elevation for monarchy, but | Company, that they are unlawful and unjust, and your majesty's service must not be mortal; and themselves have now acknowledged the work imif you lose him, as your majesty hath now of possible without them by their petition in writing, late purchased many hearts by depressing the now registered in the Council Book: so as this wicked, so God doth minister unto you a coun- conclusion (of their own making) is become terpart to do the like by raising the honest. God peremptory and final to themselves; and the imevermore preserve your majesty. possibility confessed the practice and abuse, reYour majesty's most humble subject served to the judgment the state shall make of it. and bounden servant. This breach then of this great contract is wholly on their part; which could not have been, if your majesty had broken upon the patent: for the patent was your majesty's act, the orders are their act; and in the former case they had not been liable to further question, now they are.

A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, TOUCHING A MOTION TO SWEAR HIM COUNCILLOR. FEB. 21, 1615.

SIR,-My lord chancellor's health growing with the days, and his resignation being an uncertainty, I would be glad you went on with my first motion, my swearing privy councillor. This I desire, not so much to make myself more sure of the other, and to put it past competition; (for herein, I rest wholly upon the king, and your excellent self) but, because I find hourly, that I need this strength in his majesty's service, both my better warrant, and satisfaction of my conscience, that I deal not in things above my vocation; and for my better countenance and prevailing where his majesty's service is under any pretext opposed, I would it were despatched. I remember a greater matter than this, was despatched by a letter from Royston; which was, the placing of the archbishop that now is: and I imagine, the king did on purpose, that the act might appear to be his own.

for

My lord chancellor told me yesterday, in plain terms, that if the king would ask his opinion touching the person that he would commend to succeed him, upon death or disability, he would name me for the fittest man. You may advise whether use may not be made of this offer.

I sent a pretty while since a paper to Mr. John Murray; which was, indeed, a little remembrance of some things past; concerning my honest and faithful services to his majesty, not by way of boasting, (from which I am far,) but as tokens of my studying his service uprightly and carefully. If you be pleased to call for the paper which is with Mr. John Murray, and to find a fit time, that his majesty may cast an eye upon it, I think it will do no hurt and I have written to Mr. Murray to deliver the paper if you call for it. God keep you in all happiness.

Your truest servant.

A LETTER TO THE KING OF ADVICE, UPON THE

BREACH OF THE NEW COMPANY. FEB. 25, 1615.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, Your privy council have wisely and truly discerned of the orders and demands of the New

There rest two things to be considered: the one if they (like Proteus when he is hard held) shall yet again vary their shape, and shall quit their orders, convinced of injustice, and lay their imposition only upon the trade of whites, whether your majesty shall further expect? The other, if your majesty dissolve them upon this breach on their part, what is further to be done for the setting of the trade again in joint, and for your own honour and profit? In both which points I will not presume to give opinion, but only to break the business for your majesty's better judgment.

For the first, I am sorry the occasion was given, (by my Lord Coke's speech at this time of the commitment of some of them,) that they should seek, "omnem movere lapidem," to help themselves. Better it had been, if (as my Lord Fenton said to me that morning very judiciously, and with a great deal of foresight) that, for that time, they should have had a bridge made for them to be gone. But my Lord Coke floweth according to his own tides, and not according to the tides of business. The thing which my Lord Coke said, was good and too little, but at this time it was too much. But that is past. Howsoever, if they should go back, and seek again to entertain your majesty with new orders or offers, (as is said to be intended,) your majesty hath ready two answers of repulse, if it please your majesty to use them.

The one, that this is now the fourth time that they have mainly broken with your majesty and contradicted themselves. First, They undertook to dye and dress all the cloths of the realm; soon after they wound themselves into the trade of whites, and came down to the proportion contracted. Secondly, They ought to have performed that contract according to their subscription, pro rata, without any of these orders and impositions: soon after they deserted their subscription, and had recourse to these devices of orders. Thirdly, If by should have laid it upon the whites, which is an order and not by subscription, yet their orders unlawful and prohibited trade, nevertheless, they would have brought in lawful and settled trades. full manufactures, merchandise of all natures, poll money or brotherhood money, and I cannot

tell what. And now lastly, it seemeth they would go back to lay it upon the whites: And, therefore, whether your majesty will any more rest and build this great wheel of your kingdom, upon these broken and brittle pins, and try experiments further upon the health and body of your state, I leave to your princely judgment.

company. And, therefore, I dare not advise to adventure this great trade of the kingdom (which hath been so long under government) in a free or loose trade. The third is, a compounded way of both, which is, to go on with the trade of whites by the Old Company restored; and, that your majesty's profit be raised by order amongst themselves, rather than by double custom, wherein you must be the actor: and, that, nevertheless, there be added a privilege to the same company to carry out cloths dyed and dressed custom free; which will still continue as a glorious beam of your majesty's royal design. I hope and wish at least that this, which I have written, may be of some use to your majesty to settle by the advice of the lords about you this great business. At the least it is the effect of my care and poor ability, which if in me be any, it is given me to no other end but faithfully to serve your majesty. God ever preserve you.

The other answer of repulse is a kind of opposing them what they will do after the three years contracted for? Which is a point hitherto not much stirred, though Sir Lionel Cranfield hath ever beaten upon it in his speech with me: for after three years they are not tied, otherways than as trade shall give encouragement; of which encouragement your majesty hath a bitter taste. And if they should hold on according to the third year's proportion, and not rise on by further gradation, your majesty hath not your end. No, I fear, and having long feared that this feeding of the foreigner may be dangerous. For as we may think to hold up our clothing by vent of whites, till we can dye and dress; so they (I mean the Dutch) will think to hold up their manufacture of dying and dressing upon our whites till they can cloth so as your majesty hath the greatest reason in the world to make the New Company to come in and strengthen that part of their contract; and they refusing (as it is confidently believed they will) to make their default more visi-hasty or much in appetite, if I put you in rememble to all men.

Your majesty's most humble subject,
and bounden servant.
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ANOTHER LETTER, TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS,
TOUCHING A MOTION TO SWEAR HIM COUN-
CILLOR. FEBRUARY 27, 1615.

SIR, I humbly pray you not to think me over

brance of my motion of strengthening me with the
oath and trust of a privy councillor; not for mine
armed within,) but for the strength of my service.
own strength, (for as to that, I thank God I am
The times, I submit to you who knoweth them
best. But sure I am, there were never times
which did more require a king's attorney to be
well armed, and (as I said once to you) to wear a
gauntlet and not a glove. The arraignments,
when they proceed; the contention between the
the rege inconsulto, which is so precious to the
Chancery and King's Bench; the great cause of
king's prerogative; divers other services that
concern the king's revenue, and the repair of his
well of my relations touching his business; which
estate. Besides, it pleaseth his majesty to accept
call it) for one that is no councillor. But I leave
may seem a kind of interloping (as the merchants
all unto you, thinking myself infinitely bounden
unto you for your great favours; the beams where-
of I see plainly reflect upon me even from others:
that as the king showeth himself to you the best
so that now I have no greater ambition than this;
In which wish and vow, I shall ever rest,
master, so I might be found your best servant.
Most devoted and affectionate to obey
your commands.

For the second main part of your majesty's consultation, (that is, what shall be done, supposing an absolute breach,) I have had some speech with Mr. Secretary Lake, and likewise with Sir Lionel Cranfield; and (as I conceive) there may be three ways taken into consideration. The first is, that the Old Company be restored, who (no doubt) are in appetite, and (as I find by Sir Lionel Cranfield) not unprepared; and that the licenses, the one, that of 30,000 cloths, which was the old license; the other, that of my Lord of Cumberland's, which is without stint, (my Lord of Cumberland receiving satisfaction,) be compounded into one entire license without stint; and then that they amongst themselves take order for that profit which hath been offered to your majesty. This is a plain and known way, wherein your majesty is not an actor; only it hath this, that the work of dying and dressing cloths, which hath been so much glorified, seemeth to be wholly relinquished if you leave there. The second is, that there be a free trade of cloth, with this difference; that the dyed and dressed pay no custom,. and the whites double custom, it being a merchandise prohibited and only licentiate. This continueth in life and fame the work desired, and will have popular applause. But I do confess I did ever think, that trading in companies is most agree- A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, TOUCHING

able to the English nature, which wanteth that same general vein of a republic, which runneth in the Dutch; and serveth to them instead of a

+

HIS SWEARING COUNCILLOR. MAY 30, 1616. SIR,-The time is, as I should think, now or never, for his majesty to finish his good meaning

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