Stephens's second collection, p. 99.

Ibid.

* Of Le

nox.

CCXXII. To the Lord Chancellor.

My honourable Lord,

THE news of this victory hath so well pleased his majesty, that he giveth thanks to all; and I among the rest, who had no other part but the delivering of your letter, had my part of his good acceptation, which he would have rewarded after the Roman fashion with every man a garland, if it had been now in use; but after the fashion of his gracious goodness, he giveth your lordship thanks: and would have you deliver the like in his majesty's name to Sir Edward Coke, and the judges. Your news which came the first, gave his majesty a very good breakfast, and I hope his health will be the better after it.

Your Lordship's faithful friend and servant,
G. BUCKINGHAM.

14 Oct. 1619.

This letter was indorsed,
Thanks on the success of the ore tenus against the Dutch.

CCXXIII. 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 dispatch things er 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 inclosed, 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 we proceeded, 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 sometime
holp it, as far as was fit for a judge, and at the rising
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 re-
gard 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 dis-
patch it before the king come, if we can.
God pre-
serve and prosper you. I ever rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

This 22 October, Friday at

4 of the clock, 1619.

CCXXIV. To the Lord Chancellor.

My honourable Lord,

I HAVE received your letters by both your servants, and have acquainted his majesty with them, who is exceedingly pleased with the course you have held in the earl of Suffolk's business, and holdeth himself so much the more beholden to you, because you sent the letter of your own motion, without order or consent of the lords, whereby his majesty is not tied to an answer. His majesty hath understood by many, how worthily your lordship hath carried yourself both in

Stephens's second collection, p. 101.

Stephens's second collection, p. 102.

this and the Dutch business: for which he hath com-
manded me to give you thanks in his name, and seeth
your care to be so great in all things that concern his
service, that he cannot but much rejoice in the trust
of such a servant, which is no less comfort to

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,
G. BUCKINGHAM.

Royston, 23 Oct. 1619.

Indorsed thus,

On my
lord of Bucks inclosing a letter of submis-
sion from my lord of Suffolk.

CCXXV. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM.
My very good Lord,

My lord of Suffolk's cause is this day sentenced.
My lord and his lady fined together at 30,000l. with
imprisonment in the Tower at their own charge.
Bingley at 2000l. and committed to the Fleet. Sir
Edward Coke did his part, I have not heard him do
better, and began with a fine of 100,000/. but the
judges first, and most of the rest, reduced it as before.
I do not dislike that things passed moderately; and,
all things considered, it is not amiss, and might easily
have been worse,

There was much speaking of interceding for the
king's mercy which, in my opinion, was not so pro-
per for a sentence. I said in conclusion, that mercy
was to come ex mero motu, and so left it: I took
some other occasion pertinent to do the king honour,
by shewing how happy he was in all other parts of his
government, save only in the manage of his treasure
by his officers.

I have sent the king a new bill for Sussex; for my
lord of Nottingham's certificate was true, and I told
the judges of it before; but they neglected it. I con-
ceive the first man, which is newly set down, is the
fittest. God ever preserve and prosper you.
Your lordship's most obliged friend

Nov. 13, 1619.

and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

CCXXVI. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Stephens's

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 shewed they were but supplemental, and that at the last hearing there were some things extrajudicial alledged ad infirmandum 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 both by the court, and the defendants own counsel; but it was alledged 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 Brittain that followed it, which I wish had been otherwise : yet it went fair out of the court.

But after dinner my lords were troubled about it, and after much dispute we have agreed to confer silently and sinestrepitu to-morrow, and set all straight, calling the judges, and the learned counsel, with whom I have spoken this evening, I think, to good purpose. For in good faith, I am fain to be omnibus omnia, as St. Paul saith, to set forward his majesty's service.

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

second collection, p. 103.

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, Nov. 19, 1619.

Stephens's CCXXVII. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. My very good Lord,

second col

lection, p. 104.

I HAVE Conferred with Sir Lionel Cranfield, according to his majesty's special commandment, touching two points of value, for the advancement, the one present, the other speedy, of his majesty's revenue.

The first is of the currants, to restore the imposition of five shillings six pence, laid in the late queen's time, and drawn down unduly, to serve private turns, to three shillings four pence; which will amount to above three thousand pounds yearly increase.

The other is of the tobacco, for which there is offered 2000l. increase yearly, to begin at Michaelmas next, as it now is, and 3000/. 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 currants do by instrument under their seals 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 consideration de modo. God ever prosper you. I rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,

Nov. 22, 1619.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.