Page images
PDF
EPUB

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 opinions, 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

VOL. V.

2 M

I

and were opened, would be found at my heart, as queen Mary said of Calais; we find additionals still, but the consumption goeth on. 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

23 July, 1620.

and faithful servant,

FR. VERULAM, Canc. I have stayed the thousand pounds set upon Englefield for his majesty, and given order for levying it.

Stephens's CCXXXVII. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM.

second collection, p. 112.

My very good Lord,

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
But still it must be remem-
effect more than they can.
bered, 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
At London, and so at Theobald's
year do affect me.
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
and faithful servant,

Gorhambury, this 30th

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

of Aug. 1620.

CCXXXVIII. To the Marquis of BUCK- Stephens's

INGHAM.

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

second collection,

p. 113.

and faithful servant,

2 Octob. 1620.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

CCXXXIX. 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 Randal 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

Ibid. p.114.

Stephens's second collection, p.115.

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 mcum; 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. I ever rest

Your majesty's most bounden

2 Oct. 1620.

and most devoted servant,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Your majesty needeth not to doubt but that I shall carry the business with that secrecy which appertaineth.

CCXL. To the Marquis of BUCKINGHAM.

My very good Lord,

YESTERDAY I called unto us the two chief justices, and serjeant Crewe, about the parliament business. To call more judges, I thought not good. It would be little to assistance, much to secrecy. The distribution of the business we made was into four parts.

I. The perusing the former grievance, and of things of like nature which have come since.

II. The consideration of a proclamation, with the clauses thereof, especially touching elections; which clauses, nevertheless, we are of opinion, should be rather monitory than exclusive.

III. The inclusive: that is to say, what persons were fit to be of the house, tending to make a sufficient and well-composed house of the ablest men of the kingdom, fit to be advised with circa ardua regni, as the stile of the writs goeth, according to the pure and true institution of a parliament; and of the means to

place such persons without novelty or much observation. For this purpose we made some lists of names of the prime counsellors, and principal statesmen or courtiers; of the gravest or wisest lawyers; of the most respected and best tempered knights and gentlemen of the county. And here obiter we did not forget to consider who were the boutefeus of the last session, how many of them are dead, how many reduced, and how many remain, and what were fit to be done concerning them.

IV. The having ready of some commonwealth bills, that may add respect and acknowledgment of the king's care; not wooing bills, to make the king and his graces cheap; but good matter to set them on work, that an empty stomach do not feed upon humour.

Of these four points, that which concerneth persons is not so fit to be communicated with the council-table, but to be kept within fewer hands. The other three may, when they are ripe.

Meanwhile I thought good to give his majesty an account what is done, and in doing, humbly craving his direction if any thing be to be altered or added; though it may be ourselves shall have second thoughts, this being but the result of our first meeting.

The state of his majesty's treasure still maketh me sad, and I am sorry I was not at Theobald's to report it, or that it was not done by my fellows: it is most necessary we do it faithfully and freely for to flatter in this, were to betray his majesty with a kiss. I humbly pray his majesty to think of my former counsel; and this I will promise, that whomsoever his majesty shall make treasurer, if his majesty shall direct him to have relation to my advice, I will continue the same care and advice I do now, and much more cheerfully when I shall perceive that my propositions shall not be litera scripta in glacie.

Meanwhile, to keep the commission in doing of somewhat worth the doing, it may please his majesty to take knowledge, that upon our report we had agreed to make remonstrance to him, that we thought Ireland might, if his majesty leave it to our care, be brought by

« PreviousContinue »