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CCXXVIII. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Stephens's

My very good Lord,

I SEND the submission of Sir Thomas Lake, drawn in such form as upon a meeting with me of the chief justices and the learned counsel, was conceived agreeable to his majesty's meaning and directions; yet lest we should err, we thought good to send it to his majesty. It is to be returned with speed, or else there will be no day in court to make it. God bless and prosper you. I rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,

28 Nov. 1619.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

CCXXIX. To the Lord Chancellor.

My honourable Lord,

I HAVE acquainted his majesty with your lordship's letter, and with the submission you sent drawn for Sir Thomas Lake, which his majesty liketh well; and, because he served him in so honourable a place, is graciously pleased that he maketh submission in writing, so that my lady of Exeter be contented and the lords, whom his majesty would have you acquaint therewith. And so I rest

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

Newmarket, 29 Nov. 1619.

second collection,

P. 105.

Ibid. p.

106.

CCXXX. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Ibid.

My very good Lord,

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 privy verdict, or to deter

Stephens's
second col-
lection,
p. 107.

mine 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 mought 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 gole, 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 Dec. 1619.

and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

The marquis of Buckingham writes that he had acquainted his majesty with this letter, who commanded him to give the lord chancellor thanks for his speed in advertising those things that pass, and for the great care he ever seeth his lordship has in his service.

CCXXXI. To the Lord Chancellor.
My Lord,

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, etc.

Yours, etc.

Newmarket, 10 Dec. 1619.

G. BUCKINGHAM.

Indorsed,

In the Dutch Cause.

CCXXXII. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Stephens's

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 preserve and prosper you.

24 Jan. 1619.

Your lordship's ever,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

second col. lection,

P. 108.

CCXXXIII. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Ibid.

My very good Lord,

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 starchamber, 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
and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

10 Feb. 1619.

Ibid. p. 109.

CCXXXIV. To the KING.

May it please your most excellent Majesty, ACCORDING to your commandment we met together yesterday at Whitehall, and there consulted what course were fittest to be taken now in this business, of your majesty's attorney-general, both 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 propose unto yourself.

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, etc. as interested, and against the recorder also, mixtly 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.

That any submission or surrender of the patents by the city should be also of record in their answer; and no other can be received with your majesty's honour, but by answer in court: the same to come merely of themselves, without any motion on your majesty's behalf directly or indirectly; 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 legal shall be provided as soon as your majesty's pleasure 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,

FR. VERULAM, Canc. GEO. CALVERT,

T. ARUNDEL,

ROBERT NAUNTON,

At your majesty's Palace of
Whitehall, June 16, 1620.

JUL. CÆSAR,

EDW. COKE.

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CCXXXV. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Stephens's

My very good Lord,

I HAVE lately certified his majesty on the behalf of Sir George Chaworth, by secretary Calvert, touching the place of a remembrancer in chancery for setting down of causes. And because the gentleman telleth me, the king thought my certificate a little doubtful; he desired me to write to your lordship, touching my approbation more plainly. It is true, that I conceive it to be a good business, and will be for the service of the 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.

June 21, 1620.

second collection,

P. 110.

CCXXXVI. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. Ibid.p.111. My very good Lord,

THE tobacco business is well settled in all points. For the coals, they that brought the offer to secretary Calvert, so 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 presumption.

His majesty doth very wisely, not shewing much care or regard to it, yet really to suppress their 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

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