TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, After my last letter yesterday we entered into conference touching the Suffolk cause, myself, and the commissioners, and the two chief justices. The fruit of this conference is, that we all conceive the proceedings against my lord himself to be not only just and honourable, but in some principal parts plausible in regard of the public; as, namely, those three points which touch upon the ordnance, the army of Ireland, and the money of the cautionary towns; and the two chief justices are firm in it. I did also in this cause, by the assent of my lords, remove a part; for Mr. Attorney had laid it upon Serjeant Davies† to open the information, which is that which gives much life or coldness to the cause. But I will have none but trained men in this cause; and I cannot forget that the allotting of the opening of the information in this cause of the Dutch (I mean the main cause) to a mean fellow, one Hughes, did hurt, and was never well recovered. By my next I will write of the king's estate: and I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend October 14, 1619 TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD Lord, I am doubly bounden to the king for his majesty's trust and acceptation; whereof the one I will never deceive; the other, though I cannot deserve, yet I will do my best, and perhaps as much as another man. This day the evidence went well; for the solicitor* did his part substantially: and, a little to warm the business, when the misemployment of treasure, which had relation to the army of Ireland, I spake a word, that he that did draw or milk treasure from Ireland was handled, did not emulgere, milk money, but blood. But this is but one of the little things that I wrote of before. The king, under pardon, must come hither with two resolutions; the one, to remit all importunity touching this cause to the lords in court of justice; the other, to pursue the designs first taken at Windsor, and then at Hampton Court, for his commission of treasury: wherein I do my part, and it is reasonably well; but better would it be if instruments were not impediments. I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. October 27, Wednesday. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, This morning the duket came to me, and told me the king's cause was yesterday left fair; and if ever there were a time of my Lord of Suffolk's submission, it was now; and that if my Lord of Suffolk should come into the Court and openly acknowledge his delinquency, he thought it was a thing considerable. My answer was, I would not meddle in it; and, if I did, it must be to dissuade any such course; for that all would be but a play upon the stage, if justice went not on in the right course. This I thought it my duty to let the king know by your lordship. I cannot express the care I have had of this cause in a number of circumstances and discretions, which, though they may seem but small matters, yet they do the business, and guide it right. God ever keep your lordship. Your lordship's most obliged friend Friday will not end the business; for tomorrow will but go through with the king's evidence. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.+ MY HONOURABle Lord, This bearer, a Frenchman, belonging to the ambassador, having put an Englishman in suit for some matters between them, is much hindered and molested, by often removing of the cause from one court to another. Your lordship knows, that the French are not acquainted with our manner of proceedings in the law, and must therefore be ignorant of the remedy in such a case. course was to his majesty; but I thought it more proper that your lordship would be pleased to hear and understand this case from himself, and then to advise and take order for his relief, as your lordship in your wisdom shall think fit. So, commending him to your honourable favour, I rest His Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Royston, 27th of October, 1619. Your lordship shall do well to be informed of every particular, because his majesty will have account of it at his coming. Sir Thomas Coventry, afterwards lord keeper of the + Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. Lodowick, Duke of Lenox: he was created Duke of Rich-great seal. mond, May 17, 1623, and died February 11, 1623-4. VOL. III.-16 L TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LORD, I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who commanded me to give your lordship thanks for your speed in advertising those things that pass, and for the great care he seeth you ever have of his service. I send your lordship back the bill of sheriffs for Sussex, wherein his majesty hath pricked the first, as your lordship wished. His majesty would not have you omit this opportunity of so gross an oversight in the judges, to admonish them of their negligence in suffering such a thing to come to his majesty, which needed his amending afterwards; and, withal, to let them know, that his majesty observeth that every year they grow more and more careless of presenting fit men unto him for that place; and that you advise them to be more wary hereafter, that they may give his majesty better satisfaction. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Royston, November 14, 1619. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, This day afternoon, upon our meeting in council, we have planed those rubs and knots, which were mentioned in my last, whereof I thought good presently to advertise his majesty. The days hold without all question, and all delays diverted and quieted. Sir Edward Coke was at Friday's hearing, but in his nightcap; and complained to me he was ambulent, and not current. I would be sorry he should fail us in this cause. Therefore, I desire his majesty to signify to him, by your lordship, (taking knowledge of some light indisposition of his,) how much he should think his service disadvantaged in this cause, if he should be at any day away; for then he cannot sentence. By my next, I will give his majesty some account of the tobacco and the currants. ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, November 20, at evening, 1619. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I I know well his majesty taketh to heart this business of the Dutch,* as he hath great reason, in respect both of honour and profit. And be • Merchants, accused in the Star Chamber for exporting gold and silver coin. cause my first letter was written in the epitasis, or trouble of the business; and my second in the beginning of the catastrophe, or calming thereof, (wherein, nevertheless, I was fain to bear up strongly into the weather, before the calm followed,) and since every day hath been better and better, I thought good to signify so much, that his majesty may be less in suspense. The great labour was to get entrance into the business; but now the portcullis is drawn up. And though, I must say, there were some blots in the tables, yet, by well playing, the game is good. Roland is passing well justified; for both his credit is by very constant and weighty testimony proved, and those vast quantities, which were thought incredible, or at least improbable, are now made manifest truth. Yet I find a little of the old leaven towards the first defendants, carried in this style and character: "I would this that appears now, had peared at first. But this cometh of haste and арprecipitation;" and the like. But yet, I hope, the corruption and practice upon the ore tenus, and the rectifying of Rowland's credit, will satisfy my lords upon the former proofs. For I would be very sorry that these new defendants (which, except one or two, are the smaller flies) which are the greater flies, should get through. should be in the net, and the old defendants, God preserve you. Your lordship's most obliged friend November 26, 1619. My Endorsed, Touching the Dutch business. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* with your letters, wherein he ever perceiveth According to your lordship's advice, his majesty hath written to the commissioners of the treasury, both touching the currants and the tobacco, the plantation whereof his majesty is fully resolved to restrain; and hath given them order forthwith to set out a proclamation to that effect; | retractation of his wicked opinions in writing. not intending in that point to stand upon any doubt of law, nor to expect the judges' interpretation; nor to allow any freehold in that case; but holding this the safest rule, Salus reipublicæ suprema lex esto. And so I rest The form was as good as may be. I declared to him, that this court was the judgment-seat; the mercy-seat was his majesty: but the court would commend him to his majesty and I humbly pray his majesty to signify his pleasure speedily, because of the misery of the man; and it is a rare thing for a sectary, that hath once suffered smart and shame, to turn so unfeignedly, as he seemed to do. God ever bless and keep you. Your most obliged friend and faithful servant, December 1, 1619. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, On Friday I left London, to hide myself at Kew; for two months and a half together to be strongbent is too much for my bow. And yet, that the king may perceive, that in my times of leisure I am not idle, I took down with me Sir Giles Mompesson, and with him I have quietly conferred Touching the submissions of Sir Thomas Lake of that proposition, which was given me in and his lady. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I acquainted this day, the bearer with his majesty's pleasure, touching Lake'st submission; which, whether it should be done in person or in writing, his majesty signified his will thus: that it should be spared in open court, if my Lady of Exeter should consent, and the board think fit. The board liked it well, and appointed my Lord Digby, and Secretary Calvert, to speak with my lady, who returned her answer in substance, that she would, in this and all things, be commanded by his majesty: but if his majesty left it to her liberty and election, she humbly prayed to be excused. And though it was told her, that this answer would be cause that it could not be performed this term; yet she seemed willing rather it should be delayed, than dispensed with. This day also Traske,‡ in open court, made a *Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. + Sir Thomas Lake's. John Traske, a minister, who was prosecuted in the Star chamber for maintaining, as we find mentioned in the Reports of the Lord Chief Justice Hobart, p. 236, that the Jewish Sabbath ought to be observed and not ours; and that we ought to abstain from all manner of swine's flesh, and those meats which the Jews were forbidden in Leviticus, according to Bishop Andrews, in his speech in the Star Chamber on that occasion, printed among his lordship's works. Mr. Traske being examined in that court, confessed, that he had divulged those opinions, and had laboured to bring as many to them as he could; and had also written a letter to the king, wherein he seemed to tax his majesty with hypocrisy, and expressly inveighed against the bishops high commis charge by his majesty, and after seconded by your lordship. Wherein I find some things I like very well, and some other, that I would set by. And one thing is much to my liking, that the proposition for bringing in his majesty's revenue with small charge is no invention, but was on foot heretofore in King Philip's and Queen Mary's time, and had a grave and mighty opinion for it. The rest I leave to his relation, and mine own attendance. I hope his majesty will look to it, that the fines now to come in may do him most good. Both causes produce fines of one hundred and fourscore thousand pounds, whereof one hundred thousand may clear the anticipations; and then the assignations may pass under the great seal, to be enrollable; so as we shall need to think of nothing but the arrears in a manner, of which I wish the twenty thousand pounds to the strangers (with the interest) be presently satisfied. The remain sioners, as bloody and cruel in their proceedings against him, and a papal clergy. He was sentenced to fine and imprison ment, not for holding those opinions, (for those were examin able in the Ecclesiastical Court, and not there,) but for making of conventicles and commotions, and for scandalizing the king, the bishops, and clergy. Dr. Fuller, in his Church History of Eritain, book x. p. 77, 64, mentions his having heard Mr. Traske preach, and remarks, that his voice had more strength than any thing else he delivered; and that after his recantation he relapsed, not into the same, but other opinions, rather humorous than hurtful, and died obscurely at Lambeth, in the reign of King Charles I. Who, in the parliament, which began, January 30, 1620-1, was sentenced to be degraded, and rendered incapable of bearing any office, for practising several abuses, setting up new inns and alehouses, and exacting great sums of money of the people, by pretence of letters patents granted him for that purpose. But he fled into foreign parts, finding himself abandoned by the Marquis of Buckingham, on whom he had depended for protection. may serve for the king's present and urgent occa- | chequer hath promised his majesty that he will sions. And if the king intend any gifts, let them be no more sick, whereby you shall have this stay for the second course, (for all is not yet done,) comfort, that the burden will not lie upon your but nothing out of these, except the king should lordship alone. give me the twenty thousand pounds I owe Peter Vanbore out of his fine, which is the chief debt I owe. But this I speak merrily. I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, Kew, December 12, 1619. FR. VERULAM, Canc. After I had written this letter, I received from your lordship, by my servant, his majesty's acceptation of my poor services; for which I pray your lordship to present to his majesty my most humble thanks. I have now other things in my mind for his majesty's service, that no time be lost. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* MY HONOURABLE Lord, His majesty hath been pleased, out of his gracious care of Sir Robert Killigrew, to refer a suit of his, for certain concealed lands, to your lordship and the rest of the commissioners for the treasury; the like whereof hath been heretofore granted to many others. My desire to your lordship is, that, he being a gentleman whom I love and wish very well unto, your lordship would show him, for my sake, all the favour you can, in furthering his suit. Wherein your lordship shall do me a courtesy, for which I will ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Royston, December 15, 1619. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* MY HONOURABble Lord, I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who for that business, whereof Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer brought the message to his majesty to Theobalds, returned the answer by him. As for that, whereof Sir Giles Mompesson spake to your lordship, his majesty liketh very well, and so do all others with whom his majesty hath spoken of it; and, therefore, he recommend eth it to your care, not doubting but your lordship will give all your furtherance to it, being your own work, and so much concerning his majesty's honour and profit; and will speak farther with your lordship of it at his return to London. The little leisure I had at Theobalds made me bring your man down hither for this answer, which I hope your lordship will excuse; and ever hold me for Your lordship's faithful friend Royston, 19th of Jan. Endorsed, 1619. G. BUCKINGHAM. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, In the midst of business, as in the midst of a way, one should not stay long, especially when I crave no direction, but only advertise. This day we met about the commission, the commonwealth's commission, for the poor and vagabonds, &c. We have put it into an exceeding good way, and have appointed meetings once in fourteen days, because it shall not be aslack. I was glad to hear from the two chief justices, that whatsoever appears in the country to come from primum mobile, (that is, the king's care,) works better than if it came from the law. Therefore we have ordered that this commission shall be published in the several circuits in the charges of the judges. For the rest hereafter. For the proposition of Sir Giles Mompesson we have met once. Exchequer-men will be exchequer-men still; but we shall do good. For the account, or rather imparting, of the commissioners of treasury to the council, I think it will but end in a compliment. But the real care (and I hope good purpose) I will not give over, the better, because I am not alone. For the Star Chamber business, I shall, as you write, keep the clock on going, which is hard to do, when sometimes the wheels are too many, and sometimes too few. But we shall do well, especially if those whom the king bath hitherto made bondmen, (I mean, which have given bonds for their fines,) he do not hereafter make freemen. For Suffolk's business, it is a little strange, that the attorney made it a question to the commissioners of treasury, whether Suffolk should not be admitted to the lease of the extent of his own land, which is the way to encourage him not to pay his fine. But when it was told him, that the contrary course was held with the Earl of Northumberland, and that thereby he was brought For those other businesses of the Star Chamber, to agree for his fine; then he turned, as his manwhich his majesty hath recommended to your lordship, he hopeth you will keep the clock still ner is. going, his profit being so much interested there- *Sir Fulke Greville, who surrendered that office in Sepin, especially seeing Mr. Chancellor of the Ex-tember, 1621, being succeeded in it by Sir Richard Weston. Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. He had been created Lord Brooke of Beauchamp's Court, For the errors, we have yet so much use of the service of Sir Henry Britten in bringing in the fines, (indeed more than of the attorney,) as we cannot, without prejudice to his majesty's service, enter yet into them; and, besides, Sir Edward Coke comes not abroad. Mr. Kirkham hath communicated with me, as matter of profit to his majesty, upon the coals referred by his majesty to us of the treasury; wherein I hope we shall do good, the rather, because I am not alone. The proclamation for light gold Mr. Secretary Calvert, I know, hath sent to his majesty; and therefore of that I say no more. For the raising of silver by ordinance, and not by proclamation, and that for the time to come, we have given order to finish it. I hear a whispering, that thereupon the commissioners of the navy, the officers of the household, the wardrobe, may take occasion to break the book and the undertakings, because the prices may rise, which I thought good to signify to his majesty. And, to speak plainly, I fear more the pretence than the natural effect. God evermore preserve your lordship. I rest January 20, 1619. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* MY HONOURABLE LORD, I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who is very well pleased therewith, finding in you a continual care of his service. In that point of the Star Chamber business, his majesty saith there is a mistaking: for he meant not the Dutchmen's business, but that motion which your lordship made unto him, of sitting in the Star Chamber about the commissions, which you had not leisure to read till he came down to | Royston, and hath reason to give you thanks for it, desiring you to prepare it, and study the point, (of which he will speak more with you at his return to London,) being a matter worthy your thinking on, and his majesty's practice. For the last point of your letter, his majesty saith it cannot but proceed of malice, that there should be any such plot, which he will not endure, but he will account those that whisper of it in that sort, enemies of his service; and will put them out of their places that practise it. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Newmarket, Jan. 22, 1619. * Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. TO MR. SECRETARY CALVERT. MR. SECRETARY, I have received your letter of the 3d of this present, signifying his majesty's pleasure touching Peacock's* examinations, of which I will have special care. My Lord Coke is come to town, and hath sent me word, he will be with me on Monday, though he be somewhat lame. Howsoever, the service shall be done. I was made acquainted, by your letter to Secretary Naunton, with his majesty's dislike of the sending to him of the jolly letter from Zealand. I will now speak for myself, that when it was received, I turned to the master of the wards,† and said, "Well, I think you and I shall ever advise the king to do more for a Burlamachi, when he seeketh to his majesty by supplication and supplying the king at the first word, than for all the rest upon any bravados from the Burgomasters of Holland and Zealand:" who answered very honestly, that it was in the king's power to make them alter their style when he would. But when another of us said, we could not but in our own discharge send the king the letter, scilicet negandum non fuit; though indeed my way is otherwise. I have at last recovered from these companions, Harrison and Dale, a copy of my Lord of Bangor's book, the great one, and will presently set in hand the examinations. God keep you. Your assured friend, February 5, 1619. FR. VERULAM, Canc. TO THE KING. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, Sir Edward Coke is now afoot, and, according to your command, signified by Mr. Secretary Calvert, we proceed in Peacock's examinations. For, although there have been very good diligence used, yet certainly we are not at the bottom; and he that would not use the utmost of his line to sound such a business as this, should not have due regard neither to your majesty's honour nor safety. * He was a minister of the University of Cambridge. He was committed to the Tower for pretending that he had, by sorcery, infatuated the king's judgment, in the cause of Sir Thomas Lake.-Camd. Annal. Regis Jacobi I., p. 54. + Sir Lionel Cranfield. On Dr. Lewis Bayly, born at Caermarthen in Wales, and educated in Exeter College, Oxford. He had been minister of Evesham in Worcestershire, and chaplain to Prince Henry, and rector of St. Matthew's, Friday street, in London. He was promoted to the bishopric of Bangor in 1616. the 15th of July, 1621, he was committed to the Fleet, but on what account is not related by Camden, Annales Regis Jacobi I., p. 72, who mentions the circumstance of the bishop's imprisonment, but that he was soon after set at liberty. He was the author of the well known book, The Practice of Piety. |