TO LORD BURGHLEY.* IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP. without some demonstration of affection from the Your lordship's very humble and much bounden, FR. BACON. TO MR. MICHAEL HICKES.+ SIR,-The queen hath done somewhat for me, though not in the proportion I hoped; but the order is given, only the moneys will not in any part come to my hand this fortnight; the later by reason of Mr. Attorney's absence, busied to the queen, and I am like to borrow the mean while. Thus hoping to take hold of your invitation some day this borrowing, I rest Your assured friend, FR. BACON. TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY. not but allow; for as I was ever sorry that your lordship should fly with waxen wings, doubting Icarus's fortune, so, for the growing up of your own feathers, specially ostrich's, or any other, save of a bird of prey, no man shall be more glad; and this is the axletree whereupon I have turned, and shall turn, which to signify to you, though I think you are of yourself persuaded as much, is the cause of my writing; and so commend I your lordship to God's goodness. Your lordship's most humbly, From Gray's Inn, this 20th of July, 1600. FR. BACON. TO MR. MICHAEL HICKES.* MR. HICKES, I thank you for your letter, testifying your kind care of my fortune, which when it mendeth, your thanks will likewise amend. In particular you write you would be in town as on Monday, which is passed, and that you would make proof of Mr. Billett, or some other friend for my supply, whereof I see you are the more sensible, because you concur in approving my purpose and resolution, of first freeing my credit from suits and speech, and so my estate by degrees, which in very truth was the cause which made me sub impudens in moving you for new help, when I should have helped you with your former money. I am desirous to know what success you have had since your coming to town, in your kind care. I have thought of two sureties for one hundred pounds a piece: the one Mr. Fra. Anger, of Gray's Inn, he that was the old Count of Lincoln's executor, a man very honest and very able, with whom I have spoken, and he hath promised; the other Sir Thomas Hobby, whom I have not spoken with, but do presume of, though I never used him in that kind. So leaving it to your good will, I rest 1600. Your assured loving friend, TO MR. M. HICKES.+ FR. BACON. MY LORD,-No man can better expound my doings than your lordship, which maketh me need to say the less; only I humbly pray you to believe that I aspire to conscience and commendation, first of bonus civis, which with us is a good and true servant to the queen, and next of bonus vir, that is, an honest man. I desire your lordship also to think that though I confess I love some things much better than I love your lordship, as the queen's service, her quiet and contentment, this term, but I have now a further request, which, MR. HICKES,-Your remain shall be with you her honour, her favour, the good of my country, if you perform, I shall think you one of the best and the like, yet, I love few persons better than friends I have, and yet, the matter is not much to yourself, both for gratitude's sake, and for your own trueness, which cannot hurt but by accident you, but the timing of it is much to me; for I am or abuse, of which my good affection, I was ever which are any ways in suit or urged, following a now about this term to free myself from all debts, and am ready to yield testimony by any good faster pace to free my credit than my means can offers, but with such reservations as yourself can follow to free my state, which yet cannot stay long after; I having resolved to spare no means *Lansd. MS. cvii. art. 8, Orig f Lansd. MS. cvii. art. 9, Orig. * Lansd. MS. lxxxvii. art. 86, Orig. I have in hand (taking other possibilities for advantage) to clear myself from the discontent, speech, or danger of others. And some of my debts of most clamour and importunity I have this term, and some few days before, ordered, and in fact paid. I pray you to your former favours, which I do still remember, and may hereafter requite, help me out with two hundred pounds more for six months; I will put you in good sureties, and you shall do me a great deal of honesty and reputation; I have written to you the very truth and secret of my course, which to few others I would have done, thinking it may move you. And so, with my loving commendations, I rest TO SIR ROBERT COTTON. SIR,-Finding, during Parliament, a willingness in you to confer with me in this great service concerning the union, I do now take hold thereof to excuse my boldness to desire that now which you offered then, for both the time as to leisure is more liberal, and as to the service itself is more urgent. Whether it will like you to come to me to Gray's Inn, or to appoint me where to meet with you, I am indifferent, and leave it to your choice, and accordingly desire to hear from you; so I remain your very loving friend, Gray's Inn, this 8th of Sept., 1604. TO SIR M. HICKES.* FR. BACON. SIR,-For your travel with all disadvantages, I will put it upon my account to travel twice so far, upon any occasion of yours; but your wits seemed not travelled, but fresh, by your letter, which is to me an infallible argument of heartsease, which doth so well with you, as I must entreat you to help me to some of the same. And, therefore, I will adjourn our conference to your return to the Strand, on Monday, where I will find you, if it chance right. And this day would I have come to your Friary, but that I am commanded to attend the indictments at Westminster. And so I leave, to perceive your good disposition. TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.+ SIR, There is a commission, touching the king's service, to be executed at your house, on Tuesday next; the commissioners are Mr. Recorder of London, Sir John Bennet, Sir Thomas Bodley, and myself. There are blanks left for other names, such as you in your wisdom shall think fit to fill. Mr. Horden is wished, for the better countenance of the service, and Sir Thomas Lowe is spoken of, but these and others are wholly left unto you. It will take up a whole afternoon, and, therefore, no remedy but we must dine with you; but for that you are not so little in grace with Mr. Chancellor but you may have allowance, the Exchequer being first full; hereof I thought most necessary to give you notice. So I remain Your assured guest and friend, FR. BACON. This Sunday at afternoon, August 6, 1609. TO SIR ROBERT COTTON.‡ SIR,-You may think the occasion was great and present, that made me defer a thing I took much to heart so long; I have in the blank leaf supplied some clauses, which, warranted by your kind respect and liberty, I wish were inserted for my father's honour, as a son, I confess; but yet, no farther than I have the two great champions, both truth and opinion, of my side. They be but three places, and that you may readily find them, I have turned down leaves; desiring you to reform the Latin or the sense by your better style and conceit, which done, if it please you (being but three pages) to have them written again, and so incorporate them into the copy you carry to the king, you shall content me much, who I think am no unfit man to give you some contribution or retribution to your worthy intention. So, in haste, Your assured friend, I remain company here at my mother's funeral, which I purpose on Thursday next, in the forenoon. I dare promise you a good sermon, to be made by Mr. Fenton, the preacher of Gray's Inn; for he never maketh other feast; I make none: but if I might have your company for two or three days at my house, I should pass over this mournful occasion with more comfort. If your son had continued at St. Julian's, it might have been an adamant to have drawn you; but now, if you come, I must say it is only for my sake. I commend myself to my lady, and commend my wife to you both. And rest Yours ever assured, FR. BACON. TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.* SIR MICHAEL, I do use, as you know, to pay my debts with time; but, indeed, if you will have a good and perfect colour in a carnation stocking, it must be long in the dyeing: I have some scruple of conscience whether it was my lady's stockings or her daughter's, and I would have the restitution to be to the right person, else I shall not have absolution. Therefore, I have sent to them both, desiring them to wear them for my sake, as I did wear theirs for mine own sake. So, wishing you all a good new year, I rest Yours assured, Gray's Inn, this 8th of Jan., 1611. FR. BACON. The special love and favour which your honour, and gracious charters, are (under a pretence of dignity and honour to this university) either intended to be shaken, or wholly overthrown. We doubt not but your honour hath heard of a late petition preferred to his majesty by the mayor and others of Cambridge, (as they pretend,) to dignify the university in making the town a city; which, upon so fair a gloss, his majesty, out of his gracious favour to this university, hath referred to the order of Lord Chancellor of England, their high steward; the lord treasurer, our honourable and our most loving chancellor, and your honour. By this project, (though dignity and honour to us be the first colour they cast upon their suit, yet, by the cunning carriage of the business, and secret workings of friends,) we cannot but fear this shadow will be overcast with matter of such substance for them and their purpose, that it will either draw our former grants into question, or us to great inconvenience. Neither is this suspicion without a cause; first, for that, about six years past, the like petition was preferred and followed by them; at what time, by a secret view of their book, we perceived our best charters nearly touched: secondly, upon our earnest request to have a copy of such matters as they desire, they slight us, saying, “That were but to part the lion's skin :" thirdly, by experience we find the danger of trusting their kindness, for, upon our late sufferance of their last charter to pass, (without good advice of our council,) they both encroach upon our ancient grants, and enforce that charter not only against our privileges and customs, but the special proviso and reservation therein made for our former liberties. These peremptory answers and dealings of theirs, upon so kind and friendly usage and requests of ours, make us fear the sequel; for, that as yet we could never find, by any record, act, or wish of theirs, that this university ever received honour, dignity, or favour; in regard whereof, we earnestly entreat your honour to stand with our worthy chancellor and us in staying this suit, until we be truly informed how the town may receive grace and the university no dishonour. So, with our hearty thanks to your honour, for all your former favours showed us and this university, and with our daily prayers to the Almighty for your long life and happiness, we take our leave. Your honour's in all duty. This 9th of December, 1616. by word and writing, hath ever professed to learn- TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE VICE-CHAN ing and this university, makes us fly to your protection in a present danger, where we fear the chief nerves and foundation of all our jurisdiction, Lansd. MS. xei. art 81, Orig. + Harl. MSS. 6986, art. 114. Sloan MS. 3562, art. 40. CELLOR AND OTHERS, THE MASTERS, AND THE HEADS OF THE HOUSES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.* AFTER my very hearty commendations, I have received your letter of the 9th of this present *Sloan MS. No. 3562, art. 25. ING MOMPESSON'S BUSINESS OF INNS.* MY VERY GOOD LORD, We are left a little naked in the business of December, and have taken care of you rather ac- | A LETTER TO MY LORD OF BUCKINGHAM, TOUCHcording to your request than at your request; forasmuch as I had done it before your letter came. This you may perceive by the joint letter which you shall receive from my lord chancellor, my lord treasurer, and myself. And, for me, you may rest assured that nothing can concern you little, or more nearly, or afar off, but you shall have all care out of my affection, and all strength and help out of my means and power to conserve and advance your good estate and contentment. And so I remain Your very affectionate December 28, 1616. and assured friend, Inns, by the death of Justice Nicholls; and my October 18, 1616. FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.* RIGHT HONOURABLE, The confidence which the townsmen have, in obtaining their charter and petition, makes us bold and importunate suitors to your honour, by whose favour with his majesty and protection, we again humbly entreat, the university and ourselves may be freed from that danger which by them is intended to us. By their own reports, it is a matter of honour and advantage for which they sue: when they were at their lowest, and in their meanest fortunes, they ever showed themselves unkind neighbours to us; and their suits with us, TO MY LORD OF BUCKINGHAM, TOUCHING MOM- I am much troubled in mind, for that I hear you are not perfectly well, without whose health I cannot joy, and without whose life, I desire not to be. I hear nothing from Mr. Mompesson, save that some tell me is knighted, which I am glad of, because he may the better fight with the bull and the bear, and the Saracen's head, and such fearful creatures. For Sir Robert Killigrewe's suit of enrolment within these few years, have caused us to spend of apprentices, I doubt we must part it; but yet I our common treasury, and trouble our best friends, and, therefore, we cannot expect peace amongst them, when their thoughts and wills shall be winged and strengthened by that power and au thority which the very bare title of a city will give unto them. Since our late letter to the right honourable lord chancellor, your honour, and his majesty's attorney-general, we (being better informed of the course they take, and of their con suppose it may be left valuable. Your office is despatched, and your books in effect. I have given his majesty an account of those things wherein I have received his pleasure from your lordship by this letter which I send open. Good, my lord, once again have care of your health; and learn what Cardanus saith, that more men die of cold after exercise, than are slain in the wars. God ever keep you. fidence to prevail at the end of the next term) to be commanded. February, 1616. Sloan MS. 3562, art. 41. Your lordship's true and much devoted servant. LETTER FROM HIS MAJESTY TO YOUR LORD- Right trusty and right beloved counsellor, we greet you well. BEFORE your letters came to us, we had been informed of the pains and diligence you had showed in our service, which we take very graciously at your hands, and thank you for it, desiring you still to continue in the course whereinto + Ibid. * Addit. MS. Mus. Brit. No. 5503, fol. 98. you have made so good an entrance, and have taken the right way of examining the business. And, whereas, you give your opinion of the mint, we have thought fit to remember unto you the usual form which we have ever used in matters of consequence, that when you have taken the laborious part upon you in examination of the business, we first here report of the whole proceeding, before we give our resolution thereupon. And, therefore, until we hear the report of it in particular, we cannot conclude with you. As for steward: forasmuch as I have but even newly FR. ST. ALBAN. LORD PRESIDENT OF YORK, IN FAVOUR OF MR. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, the point of the stay of commerce, we agree with A LETTER FROM MR. FRANCIS BACON TO THE you in opinion thus far, that you call three or four of the aldermen whom you shall think fittest, and assure them, in our name, that we see no likelihood or reason of raising our coin, for aught we have yet heard, but rather of the contrary; and that the raising of the value of the coin will be the last course we shall take, when we see no other means left; for which we yet see no cause, and, therefore, the stop of money is needless. As for the committee, we think it fit that they should continue to meet, until we have brought the business to such ripeness, that by the report thereof, at our return, we may perfectly understand every particular. Given at our court at Newmarket, this 4th of December, 1618. A LETTER TO MY LORD BUCKINGHAM.* MY VERY GOOD Lord, Your lordship's former letter was honourable, but this your latter letter was both honourable and comfortable; for which I yield your lordship humble thanks. And for my liberty, as your lordship hath, in your letter, vouchsafed to show a great deal of tenderness concerning the same, so you will be nobly pleased to take some opportune time to move it; the rather, for that the season cometh on now fit for physic, which at this time of the year I have ever used; and my health never so much required. I ever humbly rest Your lordship's most obliged friend 5th March, 1621. I have been moved to recommend a person and suit to your lordship, which I assure myself, if it may take place with you, I shall not lose credit with you by; for both I know perfectly the honesty and sufficiency of the man, and that which is the ful affection to your lordship, as I dare undertake next point, I am so well acquainted with his dutino servant of yours shall be more observantly and faithfully at your commandinent. It is conceived in court, that Mr. Secretary Herbert shall have conferred upon him the place of secretary there, whose good will, by that which we do already find, Mr. Edward Jones hath reason to hope well of for a deputation. There rest two points, the one her majesty's good allowance, and the other yours. The former whereof I hope he shall have good means to procure, and the second is that which I am to sue to your lordship for. Wherein to move you, besides the fitness of the man hardly to be matched in any other particular, I will undertake for his thankfulness in as good a manner as any other can be whatsoever; and all the poor credit myself have with you, which I have not been unmindful to cherish, I desire may appear in this suit rather than in any motion for myself. And so, with my humble signification of duty, I commend your lordship to God's goodness. At your lordship's honourable commandment, FR. BACON. |