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TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I thank your lordship for your last loving letter. I now write to give the king an account of the patent I have stayed at the seal. It is of licence to give in mortmain eight hundred pounds land, though it be in tenure in chief to Allen, that was the player, for an hospital.

I like well that Allen playeth the last act of his life so well; but if his majesty give way thus to amortize his tenures, his courts of wards will decay, which I had well hoped should improve. But that which moved me chiefly is, that his majesty now lately did absolutely deny Sir Henry Savile for two hundred pounds, and Sir Edwin Sandys for one hundred pounds, to the perpetuating of two lectures, the one in Oxford, the other in Cambridge, foundations of singular honour to his majesty, (the best learned of kings,) and of which there is great want; whereas, hospitals abound, and beggars abound never a whit the less.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

My VERY GOOD LORD,

This morning Mr. Attorney came to me and desired of me many writs of ne exeat regnum against most of the Dutch merchants, and withal let me understand that there was a discovery of an infinite transportation of gold and silver out of this realm, by the said Dutch merchants, amounting to millions; and that Sir John Britten had made a book thereof, and presented the same to his majesty; and further that his majesty had directed him to prosecute the same; and had also given to Sir Thomas Vavisor the forfeiture of such ten of them as he should choose.

Hereupon, I thought it my duty, as in a matter of great weight, to signify to his majesty, by your lordship, what I conceive.

The discovery I think very happy: for, if it be true, it will be a great benefit to his majesty; it will also content his people much, and it will demonstrate also that Scotland is not the leech (as some discoursers say,) but the Netherlanders that suck the realm of treasure; so that the thing is very good.

If his majesty do like to pass the book at all; yet if he would be pleased to abridge the eight hundred pounds to five hundred pounds, and then give way to the other two books for the University, it were a princely work. And I would make But, two things I must represent to his maan humble suit to the king, and desire your lord-jesty: the first, that if I stay merchants from ship to join in it, that it might be so. their trading by this writ, I must do it either ex preserve and prosper you. officio, or by special warrant from his majesty.

God ever

Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

York House, this 18th of August, 1618.

I have written to my Lord Chamberlain, being Chancellor of Oxford, to help in the business.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

Looking for matter of service, I have found out a suit for myself, and it is proper for me more than all men, because it is within the accompt of the hanaper. But I have made a law to myself, that I will never beg any thing, which shall not bring a gain to the king; therefore, my suit is to farm the profits of the alienations, yielding a thousand pounds a year more to the king than

If ex officio, then I must have more than a bare surmise to grant the writ upon, so as I must be acquainted with the grounds, or at least appearance of proofs. If by special warrant, then I desire to receive the same. The other is that I humbly beseech his majesty that these royal boughs of forfeiture may not be vintaged, or cropped by private suitors, (considering his majesty's state as it is,) but that Sir Thomas Vivasor or Sir John Brittain may have a bountiful and gracious reward of their discovery, but not the prime, or without stint.

In sum, I would wish his majesty to refer the whole business and carriage of the same for his honour and profit to the commissioners of treasure, or because it is a legal forfeiture to myself, Mr. Chancellor, Sir Edward Coke, and my Lord Chief Justice of England, and by us his majesty shall be assured to know the best cause for his justice, honour, and profit, and that he may dispose what

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bounty he will. God ever preserve and prosper of the pursuivants in a way, which I think will

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you.

October 19, 1618.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

This long book which I send for his majesty's signature, was upon a conference and consult yesternight, (at which time I was assisted by the two chief justices, and attended by the surveyor, attorney, and receiver of the court of wards, Fleet-hear of the king's good health. God preserve wood,) framed and allowed.

It is long, because we all thought fit not to piece new instructions with old instructions, but to reduce both old and new into one body of instructions. I do not see that of the articles, which Gorhambury, this last are many, any could have been spared. They are plain, but they have a good property, that they will take fast hold. I may not trouble his majesty with choosing some of them in particular, when all are good, only I think fit to let his majesty. know of one, which is, that according to his own directions, the oath of making no private unlawful profit is now as well translated to the master and officers that may take, as to the parties and suitors that may give.

It little becometh me to possess his majesty that this will be to his majesty's benefit ten thousands yearly, or fifteen thousands, or twenty thousands; for those rattles are fitter for mountebanks of service than grave counsellors. But my advices (as far as I am able to discern) tend or extend but to thus much: this is his majesty's surest and easiest may for his most good.

Sir Miles Fleetwood, who both now and heretofore, hath done very good service in this, meriteth to be particularly from your lordship encouraged: which I beseech your lordship not to forget. God ever prosper you.

Your lordship's most faithful

earnest to be cool and faint; which weakness, if it should make the like alteration at the bar, it might overthrow the cause; all the remedy which is in my power, is by the advice of the judges to draw some other of the learned counsel to his help, which he, I know, is unwilling with, but that is all one.

This I thought it necessary to write, lest the king should think me asleep, and because I know that his majesty's judgment is far better than mine. But I, for my part, mean to go on roundly; and so I ever rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

October 9th, 1619.

we proceed, I should send the letter to his majesty, because I would not straiten his majesty in any thing.

The evidence went well, (I will not say I sometimes helped it as far as was fit for a judge,) and at the arising of the court, I moved their lordships openly, whether they would not continue this cause from day to day till it were ended; which they thought not fit, in regard of the general justice, which would be delayed in all courts: yet afterwards within I prevailed so far, as we have appointed to sit Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and to sit by eight of the clock, and so to despatch it before the king come, if we can. God preserve and prosper you. I

ever rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Friday, at 4 of the o'clock, 1619.

If the king, in his great wisdom, should any ways incline to have the ore tenus put off, then the way were to command that the matter of the This 22d of October, ore tenus should be given in evidence, by way of aggravation, in the main cause. And it is true, that if this precursory matter goeth well, it giveth great entrance into the main cause; if ill, contrariwise, it will do hurt and disadvantage to the main.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

These things which I write now and heretofore, in this cause, I do not write so as any can take knowledge that I write; but I despatch things ex officio here, and yet think it fit, inwardly, to advertise the king what doth occur. And I do assure your lordship, that if I did serve any king whom I did not think far away wiser than myself, I would not write in the midst of business, but go on of myself.

This morning, notwithstanding my speech yesterday with the duke, he delivered this letter enclosed, and I having cleared the room of all save the court and learned counsel, (whom I required to stay,) the letter was read a little before our hour of sitting. When it was read, Mr. Attorney began to move that my lord should not acknowledge his offences as he conceived he had committed them, but as they were charged; and some of the lords speaking to that point, I thought fit to interrupt, and divert that kind of question; and said, before we considered of the extent of my lord's submission, we were first to consider of the extent of our own duty and power; for that I conceived it was neither fit for us to stay proceeding, nor to move his majesty in that, which was before us in course of justice; unto which, (being once propounded by me,) all the lords and the rest, una voce assented. I would not so much as ask the question whether, though

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I do not love to interlope by writing in the midst of business; but because his majesty commanded me to acquaint him with any occurrence which might cross the way, I have thought fit to let his majesty know what hath passed this day.

This day, (which was the day set down,) the great cause of the Dutchmen was entered into. The pleading being opened, and the case stated by the counsel, the counsel of the defendants made a motion to have certain examinations taken, concerning the old defendants suppressed, because they were taken since the last hearing.

I set the business in a good way, and showed they were but supplemental, and that at the last hearing, there were some things extrajudicial alleged, ad infimandum conscientiam judicis, and therefore there was more reason these should be used, ad informandum conscientiam judicis, and that there was order for it. The order was read, and approved by both the court and the defendant's own counsel; but it was alleged, that the order was not entered time enough, whereby the defendants might likewise examine, wherein certainly there was some slip or forgetfulness in Mr. Attorney, or Britten, that followed it, which I wish had been otherwise, yet it went fair out of the court.

But after dinner my lords were troubled with it, and after much dispute, we have agreed to confer silently, and sine strepitu to-morrow, and set all straight, calling the judges and the learned counsel, with whom I have spoken this evening, ] think to good purpose. For in good faith I am fain

to be omnibus omnio, as St. Paul saith, to set for- | business of your majesty's attorney-general, both ward his majesty's service. for the satisfying your own honour, as also for calling in the late exorbitant charter of the city; which are the two ends, as we conceive, that your majesty proposed unto yourself.

I discern a kind of inclination to take hold of
all accidents to put off the cause, whereunto
neither I shall give way, nor I hope his majesty;
to-morrow, if cause be, I shall write more, but
I hope all shall be well. I ever rest
Your lordship's most obliged

friend and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Friday night, 19th November, 1619.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

To effect both which, we humbly presume to present thus much unto your majesty as our opinion. First, That an information be put into the Star Chamber, as we formerly advised, against your attorney as delinquent, against the mayor, &c., as interested, and against the recorder also mixedly with some touch of charge.

That the submission by letter offered by Mr. Attorney is no way satisfactory for your majesty's honour, but is to be of record by way of answer, and deduced to more particulars.

I have conferred with Sir Lyonel Cranfield, That any submission or surrender of the patents according to his majesty's special commandment, by the city should be also of record in their antouching two points of value, for the advance-swer; and no other can be received with your ment (the one present, the other speedy) of his majesty's honour, but by answer in court: the majesty's revenue. same to come merely of themselves, without any The first is of the corans, to restore the imposi-motion on your majesty's behalf, directly or intion of five shillings and sixpence, laid in the late queen's time, and drawn down unduly, to serve private turns, to three shillings and four pence, which will amount to above three thousand pounds yearly increase.

The other is of the tobacco, for which there is offered two thousand pounds increase yearly, to begin at Michaelmas next, as it now is, and three thousand pounds increase if the plantations of tobacco here within land be restrained.

I approve, in mine own judgment, both propositions, with these cautions: That for the first, the farmers of the corans do, by instrument under their seal, relinquish to the king all their claim thereto, by any general words of their patent. And for the second, that the bargain be concluded and made before the proclamation go forth; wherein, perhaps, there will occur some doubt in law, because it restraineth the subject in the employment of his freehold at his liberty. But being so many ways pro bono publico, I think it good enough.

His majesty may, therefore, be pleased to write his letter to the commissioners of the treasury, signifying his majesty's pleasure directly in both points, to have them done, and leaving to us the

directly; which being done in this form, it will be afterwards in your majesty's choice and pleasure to use mercy, and to suspend any farther proceedings against your attorney.

That it is of necessity, as well for the putting in of this information, as for your majesty's other urgent and public services in that and other courts, to have a sequestration presently of your attorney, and a provisional commission to some other, during your majesty's pleasure, to execute that charge: for both which instruments legai shall be provided as soon as your majesty's plea sure is known. To which we humbly and dutifully submit our advice and opinion, beseeching God to bless your majesty's sacred person with continuance and increase of much health and happiness. Wherewith, humbly kissing your royal hands, we rest

Your majesty's most humble and

faithful subjects and servants,

consideration de modo. God ever prosper you. At your majesty's palace at I rest your lordship's most obliged friend

Whitehall, June 16, 1620.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.
ROBERT NAUNTON,

JUL. CÆSAR,

T. ARUNDEL,
GEO. CALVERT,

EDW. COKE.

November 22, 1619.

and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

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write to your lordship, touching my approbation or added, though it may be ourselves shall have more plainly. It is true that I conceive it to be second thoughts, this being but the result of our a good business, and will be for the service of the first meeting. court and ease of the subject; I will look it shall be accompanied with good cautions.

We ruffle over business here in council apace, and I think to reasonable good purpose. By my next I will write of some fit particulars. I ever rest Your most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

21 June, 1620.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Yesterday I called unto us the two chief justices and Serjeant Crew about the Parliament business. To call more judges I thought not good, it would be little to assistance, much to secrecy the distribution of the business we made was into four parts.

First, The perusing of the former grievance, and of things of like nature which have come in since.

Secondly, The consideration of a proclamation with the clauses thereof, especially touching elections, which clauses, nevertheless, we are of opinion, should be rather monitory than exclusive.

The state of his majesty's treasure still maketh me sad; and I am sorry I was not at Theobald's to report it, or that it was not done by my fellow: it is most necessarily we do it faithfully and freely. For to flatter in this were to betray his majesty with a kiss. I humbly pray his majesty to think of my former counsel, and this I will promise, that whomsoever his majesty shall make treasurer, if his majesty shall direct him to have relation to my advice, I will continue the same care and advice I do now, and much more cheerfully when I shall perceive that my propositions shall not be literæ scriptæ in glacie.

Meanwhile, to keep the commission in doing of somewhat worth the doing, it may please his majesty to take knowledge that, upon our report, we had agreed to make remonstrance to him, that we thought Ireland might (if his majesty leave it to our care) be brought by divers good expedients to bear their own charge; and, therefore, his majesty may be pleased, by his commandment, to set us in hand with it out of hand. God ever prosper you. Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

October 7, 1620.

TO SIR HENRY WOTTON.

MY VERY GOOD COUSIN,

sation for any former omission; and I shall be very glad to entertain a correspondence with you in both kinds which you write of: for the latter, I am now ready for you, having sent you some ore of that mine. I thank you for your favours to Mr. Meautys, and I pray continue the same. So, wishing you out of your honourable exile, and placed in a better orb, I rest

Thirdly, The inclusive: that is to say, what persons were fit to be of the House, tending to make a sufficient and well composed House of the ablest men of the kingdom, fit to be advised with circa ardua regni, as the style of the writs goeth, according to the pure and true institution of a The letter which I received from your lordship Parliament; and of the means to place such per-upon your going to sea was more than a compensons without novelty or much observation. For this purpose we made some lists of names of the prime counsellors, and principal statesmen or courtiers, of the gravest or wisest lawyers, of the most respected and best tempered knights and gentlemen of the county. And here obiter we did not forget to consider who were the boutefcus of the last session, how many of them are dead, how many reduced, and how many remain, and what was fit to be done concerning them. Fourthly, The having ready of some common-York House, October 20, 1620. wealth bills that may add respect and acknowledgment of the king's care; not wooing bills to make the king and his graces cheap, but good matter to set them on work, that an empty stomach do not feed upon humour.

Of these four points, that which concerneth persons is not so fit to be communicated with the council table, but to be kept within fewer hands. The other three may when they are ripe.

Meanwhile I thought good to give his majesty an account what is done, and in doing, humbly craving his direction if any thing be to be altered

Your lordship's affectionate kinsman and assured friend,

FR. VERULAM, Сanc.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I send his majesty a form of a proclamation* for the Parliament, which I thought fit to offer

*Draught of a Proclamation for a Parliament :

As in our princely judgment, we hold nothing more worthy

of a Christian monarch than the conservation of peace at other calamities of war are avoided; trade is kept open; laws home and abroad; whereby effusion of Christian blood and and justice retain their due vigour and play; arts and sciences

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