To the Marquis of Buckingham. We sentence to-morrow, but I write to-day, because I would not leave the King in suspense. I shall write not so good news as I would, but better than I expected. We met amongst ourselves to-day, which I find was necessary more than convenient. I gave aim that the meeting was not to give a privie verdict, or to determine what was a good proof or not a good proof, nor who was guilty or not guilty, but only to think of some fit proportion of the fines, that there might be less distraction in the sentence, in a cause so scattered; some would have entered into the matter itself, but I made it good and kept them from it. I perceive the old defendants will be censured as well as the new (which was the goal), and I am persuaded the King will have a great deal of honour of the cause. Their fines will be moderate, but far from contemptible. The attorney did very well to-day; I perceive he is a better pleader than a director, and more eloquent than considerate. Little thinks the King what ado I have here, but I am sure I acquit my trust. To-morrow I will write particularly. God ever preserve you. Your Lordship's most obliged Friend Tuesday Afternoon, this 7th December, 1619. My Lord, FR. VERULAM, Canc. To the Lord Chancellor. His majesty having seen in this great business your exceeding care and diligence in his service by the effect which hath followed thereupon, hath commanded me to give you many thanks in his name, and to tell you that he seeth you play the part of all in all, &c. Newmarket, the 10th December, 1619. Yours, &c. G. BUCKINGHAM. Endorsed-In the Dutch Cause. To the Marquis of Buckingham. My very good Lord, To keep form, I have written immediately to his majesty of Justice Croke's death, and send your lordship the letter open, wishing time were not lost. God per you. January 24th, 1619. and pros preserve and To the Marquis of Buckingham. I doubt not but Sir Giles Montpesson advertiseth your lordship how our revenue business proceeds. I would his majesty had rested upon the first names; for the additionals, specially the exchequer man, doth not only weaken the matter, but weakeneth my forces in it, he being thought to have been brought in across. But I go on and hope good service will be done. For the commissions to be published in the Star-Chamber, for which it pleaseth his majesty to give me special thanks, I will have special care of them in time. God ever prosper you. Your Lordship's most obliged Friend February 10th, 1619. To the Marquis of Buckingham. One gave me a very good precept for the stone; that I should think of it most when I feel it least. This I apply to the King's business, which surely I revolve most when I am least in action, whereof, at my attendance, I will give his majesty such account as can proceed from my poor and mean abilities, which as his majesty, out of grace, may think to be more than they are, so I, out of desire, may think sometime they can effect more than they can. But still it must be remembered, that the stringing of the harp, nor the tuning of it will not serve, except it be well played on from time to time. If his majesty's business or commandments require it, I will attend him at Windsor, though I would be glad to be spared, because quick airs at this time of the year do affect me. At London, and so at Theobalds and Hampton Court, I will not fail, God willing, to wait upon his majesty. Meanwhile I am exceeding glad to hear his majesty hath been lusty and well this progress. Thus, much desiring to see your lordship, cujus amor tantum mihi crescit in horas (as the poet saith), I ever remain Your Lordship's most obliged Friend Gorhambury, this 30th August, 1620. and faithful Servant, To the Marquis of Buckingham. My very good Lord, The tobacco business is well settled in all points. For the coals, they that brought the offer to Secretary Calvert do very basely shrink from their words; but we are casting about to piece it and perfect it. The two goose quills, Maxwell and Alured, have been pulled, and they have made submissions in that kind which the board thought fit: for we would not do them the honour to require a recantation of their opinion, but an acknowledgment of their presump tion. His majesty doth very wisely (not showing much care or dreard to it) yet really to suppress this licentious course of talking and writing. My old Lord Burghley was wont to say, that the Frenchman when he hath talked he hath done; but the Englishman when he hath talked, he begins. It evaporateth malice and discontent in the one, and kindleth it in the other. And therefore upon some fit occasion I wish a more public example. The King's state, if I should now die and were opened, would be found at my heart, as Queen Mary said of Calais; we find additionals still, but the consumption goeth on. I pray God give his majesty resolution, passing by at once all impediments and less respects, to do that which may help it, before it be irremediable. God ever preserve and prosper your lordship. Your Lordship's most obliged Friend July 23d, 1620. and faithful Servant, I have staid the thousand pounds set upon Englefield for his majesty, and given order for levying it. To the Marquis of Buckingham. My very good Lord, I write now only a letter of thanks to his majesty, for that I hear, in my absence, he was pleased to express towards me (though unworthy) a great deal of grace and good opinion before his lords; which is much to my comfort, whereunto I must ever impute your lordship as accessary. I have also written to him what signification I received from Secretary Naunton of his majesty's will and pleasure, lest in so great a business there should be any mistaking. The pain of my foot is gone, but the weakness doth a little remain, so as I hope, within a day or two, to have full use of it. I ever remain Your Lordship's most obliged Friend October 2d, 1620. and faithful Servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. To the King. It may please your Majesty, I thought myself an unfortunate man that I could not attend you at Theobald's. But I hear that your majesty hath done, as God Almighty useth to do, which is to turn evil into good, in that your majesty hath been pleased upon that occasion to express, before your lords, your gracious opinion and favour towards me, which I most humbly thank your majesty for, and will aspire to deserve. Secretary Naunton this day brought me your pleasure in certain notes: that I should advise with the two chief justices (old parliament men) and Sir Edward Coke (who is also their senior in that school) and Sir Randall Crewe, the last speaker, and such other judges as we should think fit, touching that which might in true policy, without packing or degenerate arts, prepare to a parliament, in case your majesty should resolve of one to be held, and withal he signified to me some particular points, which your majesty very wisely had deduced. All your majesty's business is super cor meum, for I lay it to heart, but this is a business secundum cor meum; and yet, as I will do your majesty all possible good services in it, so I am far from seeking to impropriate to myself the thanks, but shall become omnibus omnia (as St. Paul saith) to attain your majesty's ends. As soon as I have occasion, I will write to your majesty touching the same, and will have special care to communicate with my lords in some principal points, though all things are not at first fit for the whole table. rest Your Majesty's most bounden October 2d, 1620. I ever and most devoted Servant, Your majesty needeth not to doubt but I shall carry the business with that secrecy which appertaineth. My Lord, To the Lord Chancellor. I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, and labour in his service, for which he commandeth me to give you thanks, and to let your lordship know, that he liketh exceeding well your method held by the judges, which could not be amended, and concurreth with you in your opinions. First, touching the proclamation, that it should be monitory and persuasive rather than compulsive: and, secondly, that the point concerning the persons, who should be admitted and who avoided, is fit to be kept from the knowledge of the council table, and to be carried with all secrecy. For the business of Ireland, his majesty had heard of it before, and gave commandment to the master of the wards, that it should be hastened and set in hand with all speed, which his majesty doubteth not but is done by this time. Touching your advice for a treasurer, his majesty is very mindful of it, and will let you know as much at his return, when he will speak further with your lordship of it: and so I rest Royston, Oct. 9th, 1620. Yours, &c. G. BUCKINGHAM. To the Lord Chancellor. My honourable Lord, I have showed your letter and the proclamation to his majesty, who expecting only, according as his meaning was, directions therein for the well ordering of the elections of the burgesses, findeth a great deal more, containing matter of state, and the reasons of calling the parliament; whereof neither the people are capable, nor is it fit for his majesty to open unto them, but to reserve to the time of their assembling, according to the course of his predecessors, which his majesty intendeth to follow. The declaring whereof, in the proclamation, would cut off the ground of his majesty's and your lordship's speech at the proper time; his majesty hath, therefore, extracted somewhat of the latter part of the draught you have sent, purposing to take a few days' space to set down himself what he thinketh fit, and to make it ready against his return hither, or to Theobalds at the furthest, and then to communicate it to your lordship, and the rest of the lords. And so I rest Yours, &c. Royston, Oct. 19th, 1620. G. BUCKINGHAM. |