take it, and from me only the advice to perform a subject and as he that took once the oath of it. If you part not speedily with it, you may counsellor, to make known to your lordship an deter the good, which is approaching near you, advertisement which came to me this morning. and disappointing other aims, (which must either A gentleman, a dear friend of mine, whom your shortly receive content, or rever.) perhaps anew lordship cannot but imagine, though I name him yield matter of discontent, though you may be not, told me thus much, that some English priests indeed as innocent as before. Make the treasurer that negotiated at Rome to facilitate the dispensabelieve, that since the marquis will by no means tion, did their own business, (that was his phrase ;) accept of it, and that you must part with it, you for they negotiated with the pope to erect some are more willing to pleasure him than anybody titulary bishops for England, that might ordain, else, because you are given to understand ny and have other spiritual faculties; saying withal lord marquis so inclines; which inclination, if the most honestly, that he thought himself bound to treasurer shortly send unto you about it, desire impart this to some counsellor, both as a loyal may be more clearly manifested, than as yet it subject, and as a Catholic; for that he doubted it hath been; since, as I remember, none hitherto might be a cause to cross the graces and mercies hath told you in terminis terminantibus, that the which the Catholics now enjoy, if it be not premarquis desires you should gratify the treasurer. vented: and he asked my advice, whether he I know that way the hare runs; and that my lord should make it known to your lordship, or to my marquis longs until Cranfield hath it; and so I lord keeper,* when he came back to London. I wish too, for your good, yet would not it were commended his loyalty and discretion, and wished absolutely passed, until my lord marquis did send, him to address himself to your lordship, who or write, unto you, to let him have it; for then, might communicate it with my lord keeper, if you his so disposing of it were but the next degree saw cause, and that he repaired to your lordship removed from the immediate acceptance of it, and presently, which he resolved to do. Nevertheless, your lordship freed from doing it otherwise than I did not think mine own particular duty acquitted, to please him, and to comply with his own will except I certified it also myself, borrowing so and way. much of private friendship in a cause of state, as not to tell him I would do so much. I have no more to say, but that I am, will be and ever Your lordship's most affectionate friend Endorsed, Received the 11th of May, 1622. Endorsed, My letter to my lord marquis, touching the business of estate advertised by Mr. Matthew.† TO THE LORd keeper, DR. WILLIAMS, BISHOP OF MY VERY GOOD LORD, TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN. MY MOST HONOURED Lord, I come in these to your lordship with the voice of thanksgiving for the continuance of your accustomed noble care of me and my good, which I understand there is an extent prayed against overtakes me, I find, whithersoever I go. But me, and a surety of mine, by the executors of one for the present itself, (whereof your lordship Harrys, a goldsmith. The statute is twelve writes,) whether or no it be better than that I was years old, and falleth to an executor, or an execuwont to bring your lordship, the end only can tor of an executor, I know not whether. And it prove. For I have yet no more to show for it than was sure a statute collected out of a shop-debt, good words, of which many times I brought your But because modicefideans and much of it paid. I humbly pray your lord- lordship good store. ship, according to justice and equity, to stay the were not made to thrive in court, I mean to lose no time from assailing my lord marquis, for which extent, being likewise upon a double penalty, till I may better inform myself touching a mat-purpose I am now hovering about New-hall,‡ ter so long past; and, if it be requisite, put in where his lordship is expected (but not the king) a bill, that the truth of the account appearing, this day, or to-morrow: which place, as your such satisfaction may be made as shall be fit. So I rest Your lordship's affectionate May 30, 1622. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I thought it appertained to my duty, both as Dr. Williams, Bishop of Lincoln. The date of this letter may be pretty nearly determined by one of the lord keeper to the Marquis of Buckingham, dated August 23, 1622, and printed in the Cabala. The post. script to that letter is as follows: "The Spanish ambassador took the alarm very speedily of the titulary Roman bishop and before my departure from his house at Islington, whither I went privately to him, did write both to Rome and Spam to prevent it. But I am afraid that Tobie will prove but an apocryphal, and no canonical, intelligencer, acquainting the state with this project for the Jesuits' rather than for Jesus' sake." In Essex. N lordship adviseth, may not be ill chosen for my business. For, if his lordship be not very thick of hearing, sure New-hall will be heard to speak for me. And now, my good lord, if any thing make me diffident, or indeed almost indifferent how it succeeds, it is this; that my sole ambition having ever been, and still is, to grow up only under your lordship, it is become preposterous, even to my nature and habit, to think of prospering, or receiving any growth, either without or besides your lordship. And, therefore, let me claim of your lordship to do me this right, as to believe that which my heart says, or rather swears to me, namely, that what addition soever, by God's good providence, comes at any time to my life or fortune, it is, in my account, but to enable me the more to serve your lordship in both; at whose feet I shall ever humbly lay down all that I have, or am, never to rise thence other than Your lordship's in all duty : memorial to my lord treasurer: that your lordship Your lordship's most bounden 4th of November, 1622. TO THE COUNTESS OF BUCKINGHAM, MOTHER Johnson, that my lord treasurer is not twice in TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY HONOURABLE GOOD LADY, Your ladyship's late favour and noble usage towards me were such, as I think your absence a great part of my misfortunes. And the more I find my most noble lord, your son, to increase in favour towards me, the more out of my love to him, I wish he had often by him so loving and wise a mother. For if my lord were never so wise, as wise as Solomon; yet, I find, that Solomon himself, in the end of his Proverbs, sets down a whole chapter of advices that his mother taught him. Madam, I can but receive your remembrance with affection, and use your name with honour, and intend you my best service, if I be able, ever resting Your ladyship's humble Bedford House, this 29th of October, 1622. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I have many things to thank your lordship for, since I had the happiness to see you; that your lordship, before your going out of town, sent my Mary, daughter of Anthony Beaumont, a younger son of William Beaumont of Cole-Orton, in Leicestershire. She was thrice married: 1, to Sir George Villiers, father of the Duke of Buckingham; 2, to Sir William Rayner; and, 3, to Sir Thomas Compton, Knight of the Bath, a younger brother William, Earl of Northampton. She was created Countess of Buckingham, July 1, 1618; and died April 19, 1632. one mind, or Sir Arthur Ingram not twice in one tale. For, Sir Arthur, contrary to his speech but yesterday with me, puts himself now, as it seems, in new hopes to prevail with my lord treasurer for your lordship's good and advantage, by a proposi tion sent by Mr. Johnson, for the altering of your patent to a new mould, more safe than the other, which he seemed to dissuade, as I wrote to your lordship. I like my lord treasurer's heart to your lordship, so much every day worse than other, especially for his coarse usage of your lordship's name in his last speech, as that I cannot imagine he means you any good. And, therefore, good my lord, what directions you shall give herein to Sir Arthur Ingram, let them be as safe ones as you can think upon; and that your lordship surrender not your old patent, till you have the new under seal, lest my lord keeper should take toy, and stop it there. And I know your lordship cannot forget they have such a savage word among them as fleecing. God in heaven bless your lordship from such hands and tongues; and then things will mend of themselves. Your lordship's, in all humbleness, This Sunday morning. Endorsed-25th of November, 1622. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I find my lord treasurer, after so many days and appointments, and such certain messages and prɔ. mises, doth but mean to coax me, (it is his own word of old,) and to saw me asunder, and to do just nothing upon his majesty's gracious reference, nobly procured by your lordship for this poor remuant. My lord, let it be your own deed; and to use the prayers of the litany, good Lord, deliver me from this servile dependence; for I had rather beg and starve, than be fed at that door. God ever prosper your lordship. Your lordship's most bounden Bedford House, this and faithful servant, Endorsed, To Buckingham, about Lord Treasurer Cranfield's rich return in honour, abroad and at home, ana using of him. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. EXCELLENT LORD, chiefly in the inestimable treasure of the love and trust of that thrice-excellent prince; I confess I am so glad of it, as I could not abstain from your lordship's trouble in seeing it expressed by these few and hasty lines. Your lordship's most obliged I beseech your lordship, of your nobleness I perceive this day by Mr. Comptroller, that vouchsafe to present my most humble duty to his I live continually in your lordship's remembrance highness, who, I hope, ere long will make me and noble purposes concerning my fortunes, as leave King Henry the Eighth, and set me on well for the comfort of my estate, as for counte-work in relation of his highness's adventures. nancing me otherwise by his majesty's employ- I very humbly kiss your lordship's hands, ments and graces; for which I most humbly kiss resting ever your hands, leaving the times to your good lordship; which, considering my age and wants, I assure myself your lordship will the sooner take into your care. And for my house at Gorhambury, I do infinitely desire your lordship should have it; and howsoever I may treat, I will conclude with none, till I know your lordship's farther pleasure, ever resting *Henry Cary, Viscount Falkland. February 21, 1622. friend and servant. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM Excellent Lord, Upon the repair of my Lord of Rochford uni your lordship, whom I have ever known so fast and true a friend and servant unto you; and who knows likewise so much of my mind and affection towards your lordship, I could not but kiss your lordship's hands, by the duty of these few lines. My lord, I hope in God, that this your noble adventure will make you a rich return, especially in the inestimable treasure of the love and trust of that twice-excellent prince. And although, to a man that loves your lordship so dearly as I do, and knows somewhat of the world, it cannot be, but that in my thoughts there should arise many fears, or shadows of fears, concerning so rare an accident; yet, nevertheless, I believe well, that this your lordship's absence will rather be a glass unto you, to show you many things, whereof you may make use hereafter, than otherwise any hurt or hazard to your fortunes; which God grant. For myself, I am but a man desolate till your return, and have taken a course accordingly. Vouchsafe. of your nobleness, to remember my most humble Two days before, the Marquis of Buckingham set out duty to his highness. And so God, and his hely privately with the prince, for Spain. angels guard you, both going and coming. t Duke of Lenox. Probably the surety of Lord Bacon for the debt to Harrys the goldsmith, mentioned in his lordship's letter of May 30, 1624 Endorsed-March 10, 1622. In Spain TO SIR FRANCIS COTTINGTON, SECRETARY TO GOOD MR. SECRETARY, Though I wrote so lately unto you, by my Lord Rochford; yet, upon the going of my Lord Vaughan,* the prince's worthy and trusty servant, and my approved friend, and your so near ally, I could not but put this letter into his hand, commending myself and my fortunes unto you. You know the difference of obliging men in prosperity and adversity, as much as the sowing upon a pavement and upon a furrow new made. Myself for quiet, and the better to hold out, am retired to Gray's Inn: for when my chief friends were gone so far off, it was time for me to go to a cell. God send us a good return of you all. I ever rest, &c. My humble service to my lord marquis, to whom I have written twice. I would not cloy him. My service also to the Count Gondomar, and Lord of Bristol. Endorsed, TO MR. SECRETARY CONWAY. When you did me the honour and favour ta To Mr. Secretary, Sir Francis Cottington, March likest to put on his affection. I rest 22, 1622. TO THE KING. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, Now that my friend is absent, (for so I may call him still, since your majesty, when I waited on you, told me, that fortune made no difference,) your majesty remaineth to me king, and master, and friend, and all. Your beadsman therefore addresseth himself to your majesty for a cell to retire into. The particular I have expressed to my very friend, Mr. Secretary Conway. This help, which costs your majesty nothing, may reserve me to do your majesty service, without being chargeable unto you; for I will never deny but my desire to serve your majesty is of the nature of the heart, that will be ultimum moriens with me. God preserve your majesty, and send you a good return of the treasure abroad, which passeth all Indian fleets. Your majesty's most humble To the king, touching the Provostship of Eton. He was son and heir of Walter Vaughan, of Golden Grove, in Caermarthenshire, Esq.; and was created Lord Vaughan, in the year 1620. The Lord St. Alban, after he was delivered from his confinement in the Tower, was permitted to stay at Sir John Vaughan's house, at Parson's Green, near Fulham. + In a MS. letter of Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, dated at London, March 8, 1622-3, is the following pasJage: "The Lord of St. Alban is in his old remitter, and came to lie in his old lodgings in Gray's Inn; which is the fulfilling of a prophecy of one Locke, a familiar of his, of the same house, that knew him intus et in cute: who, seeing him go thence in pomp, with the great seal before him, said to divers of his friends, we shall live to have him here again." Mr. Thomas Murray, the provost of that college, having Sean cut the stone, died April 1, 1623. I have Your honour's very affectionate friend, Gray's Inn, the 25th of March, 1623. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM, IN SPAIN. EXCELLENT LORD, Finding so trusty a messenger as Sir John lines into his hands. Epsley, I thought it my duty to put these few shadows, which either mine own melancholy, or I thank God, that those my extreme love to your lordship, did put into my mind concerning this voyage of the prince and otherwise. The gross fear is past of the passage your lordship, rather vanish and diminish than of France. I think you had the ring which they write of, that, when the seal was turned to the Neither do I hear of any novelty here worth the palm of the hand, made men go invisible. esteeming. There is a general opinion here that your lordship is like enough to return, and go again, before the prince come: which opinion, whether the business lead you to do so, or no, doth no hurt for it keeps men in awe. I find, I thank God, some glimmering of the To this letter Secretary Conway wrote an answer, ac quainting the Lord Viscount St. Alban, that the king could not value his lordship so little, or conceive that he limited his desires so low; in which, however, he should have been gratified, had not the king been engaged, by the Marquis of Buckingham, for Sir William Becher, his agent in France.See Account of the Life of Lord Bacon, p. 26, prefixed to the edition of his Letters, Memoirs, &c., by Robert Stephens, Esq. The Duke of Buckingham himself, likewise, after his return from Spain, in a letter to the Lord Viscount St. Alban, dated at Hinchinbrook, October 27, 1623, expresses his concern that he could do his lordship no service in that affair, "having engaged myself," says he, "to Sir William Becher, before my going into Spain; so that I cannot free myself, unless there were means to give him satisfaction." king's favour, whic. your lordship's noble work! of my access, no doubt, did chiefly cherish. I I am much bound to Mr. Secretary Conway. It is wholly for your lordship's sake, for I had no acquaintance with him in the world. By that I see of him, he is a man fit to serve a great king, and fit to be a friend and servant to your lordship. Good my lord, write two or three words to him, both of thanks, and a general recommendation of me unto him. Vouchsafe, of your nobleness, to present my most humble duty to his highness. We hear he is fresh in his person, and becomes this brave journey in all things. God provide all things for the best. I ever rest, &c. Endorsed-March 30, 1623. TO MR. SECRETARY CONWAY. GOOD MR. SECRETARY, I was looking of some short papers of mine touching usury,* to grind the teeth of it, and yet make it grind to his majesty's miil in good sort, without discontentment or perturbation. If you think good, I will send it to his majesty, as the fruit of my leisure. But yet, I would not have it come from me, not for any tenderness in the thing, but because I know, in courts of princes, it is usual, non res, sed displicet auctor. God keep your honour, &c. Endorsed, To Mr. Secretary Conway, touching the provostship of Elon, March 31, 1623. TO THE EARL OF BRISTOL, AMBASSADOR IN MY VERY GOOD Lord, Though I have written to your lordship lately, yet I could not omit to put a letter into so good a hand as Mr. Matthew's, being one that hath often I am much comforted by your last letter, made known unto me how much I am beholden wherein I find that his majesty, of his mere grace estimation I have ever had your lordship, not acto your lordship; and knoweth, likewise, in what and goodness, vouchsafeth to have a care of me, a man out of sight, out of use; but yet his, as the cording to your fortunes, but according to your Scripture saith, God knows those that are his. inward value. Therefore, not to hold your lordIn particular, I am very much bound to his ma- ship in this time of so great business, and where jesty (and I pray you, sir, thank his majesty most I have so good a mean as Mr. Matthew, who, if humbly for it) that, notwithstanding the former there be any thing that concerns my fortune, designment of Sir William Becher,* his majesty can better express it than myself, I humbly com(as you write) is not out of hope, in due time, to mend myself, and my service to your lordship, accommodate me of this cell, and to satisfy him resting, &c. otherwise. Many conditions, no doubt, may be as contenting to that gentleman, and his years may expect them. But there will hardly fall, especially in the spent hourglass of my life, any thing so fit for me, being a retreat to a place of study so near London, and where (if I sell my house at Gorhambury, as I purpose to do, to put myself in some convenient plenty) I may be accommodated of a dwelling for summer time. And, therefore, good Mr. Secretary, further this his majesty's good intention, by all means, if the place fall. For yourself, you have obliged me much. I will endeavour to deserve it: at least your nobleness is never lost; and my noble friend, the marquis, I know, will thank you for it. Sir William had not, however, that post, but, in lieu of it, the promise of two thousand five hundred pounds, upon the fall of the first of the six clerks' places, and was permitted to keep his clerkship of the council.-MS. Letter of Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, dated at London, July 24, 1624. The provostship was given to Sir Henry having purchased it by a surrender of a grant of the reversion of the mastership of the rolls, and of another office, which Wotton, who was instituted into it the 26th of that month, was fit to be turned into present money, which he then, and afterwards, much wanted: [Life ofhim by Mr. Isaac Walton:] for, when he went to the election at Eton, soon after his being made provost, he was so ill provided, that the fellows of the college were obliged to furnish his bare walls, and whatever else was wanting.-MS. Letter of Mr. Chamberlain, Aug. 7, 1624. TO SIR FRANCIS COTTINGTON, SECRETARY TO GOOD MR. SECRETARY, Though I think I have cloyed you with letters, yet, had I written a thousand before, I must add one more by the hands of Mr. Matthew, being as true a friend as any you or I have; and one that made me so happy, as to have the assurance of our friendship; which, if there be any stirring for my good, I pray practise in so good a conjunction as his. I ever rest, &c. TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW. Because Mr. Clarke is the first that hath been sent since your departure, who gave me also the comfortable news, that he met you well, I could not but visit you with my letters, who have so often visited me with your kind conferences. My health, I thank God, is better than when you left me; and, to my thinking, better than be In his works is published, A Draught of an Act against an usurious Shift of Gain in delivering of Commodities instead of Money. פא |