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Stephens's second col

lection, p. 96.

CCXX. To the Lord Chancellor.

My honourable Lord,

As I was reading your lordship's letter, his majesty came, and took it of my hands, when he knew from whom it came, before I could read the paper inclosed and told me that you had done like a wise counsellor: first setting down the state of the question, and then propounding the difficulties, the rest being to be done in its own time.

I am glad of this occasion of writing to your lordship, that I may now let your lordship understand his majesty's good conceit and acceptation of your service, upon your discourse with him at Windsor, which though I heard not myself, yet I heard his majesty much commend it both for the method and the affection you shewed therein to his affairs, in such earnest manner, as if you made it your only study and care to advance his majesty's service. And so I rest

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

Wanstead, 9 Sept. 1619.

Ibid. p.97. CCXXI. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM.

My very good Lord,

I THINK it my duty to let his majesty know what I find in this cause of the ore tenus. For as his majesty hath good experience, that when his business comes upon the stage, I carry it with strength and resolution; so in the proceedings I love to be wary and considerate.

I wrote to your lordship by my last, that I hoped by the care I had taken, the business would go well, but without that care I was sure it would not go well. This I meant because I had had conference with the two chief justices, Sir Edward Coke being present, and handled the matter so that not without much ado I left both the chief justices firm to the cause and satisfied.

But calling to mind that in the main business, notwithstanding I and the chief justices went one way, yet the day was not good, and I should be loth to see more of such days, I am not without some apprehension. For though we have Sir Edward Coke earnest and forward, insomuch as he advised the ore tenus, before I knew it at Wanstead, and now bound the Dutchmen over to the star-chamber, before I was made privy; unto both which proceedings I did nevertheless give approbation: yet if there should be either the major part of the votes the other way, or any main distraction, though we bear it through, I should think it a matter full of inconvenience. But that which gives me most to think, is the carriage of Mr. Attorney, which sorteth neither with the business, nor with himself: for, as I hear from divers, and partly perceive, he is fallen from earnest, to be cool and faint: which weakness, if it should make the like alteration at the bar, it might overthrow the cause. All the remedy which is in my power, is by the advice of the judges to draw some other of the learned counsel to his help; which he, I know, is unwilling with, but that is all one.

This I thought it necessary to write, lest the king should think me asleep, and because I know that his majesty's judgment is far better than mine. But I, for my part, mean to go on roundly; and so I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Octob. 9, 1619.

If the king in his great wisdom should any ways incline to have the ore tenus put off, then the way were, to command that the matter of the ore tenus should be given in evidence, by way of aggravation in the main cause. And it is true, that if this precursory matter goeth well, it giveth great entrance into the main cause; if ill, contrariwise, it will do hurt and disadvantage to the main.

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

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the lords speaking to that point, I thought fit to inter-
rupt 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.

as and

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.
serve and prosper you. I ever rest

God pre

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

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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,
Royston, 23 Oct. 1619.

Indorsed thus,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

On my lord of Bucks inclosing a letter of submission from my lord of Suffolk.

CCXXV. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM. mde 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 20007. and committed to the Fleet. Sir Edward Coke did his part, I have not heard him do better, and began with a fine of 100,000l. 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 proper for a sentence. 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 conceive the first man, which is newly set down, is the fittest. God ever preserve and prosper you.

Your lordship's most obliged friend

and faithful servant,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Nov. 13, 1619.

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