TO THE LADY CLIFFORD. MY VERY GOOD LADY AND COUSIN, I shall not be wanting in any thing, that may express my good affection and wishes towards your ladyship, being so near unto me, and the daughter of a father, to whom I was in the passages of my fortune much obliged. So, with my loving commendations, in the midst of business, I rest Your affectionate kinsman and assured friend, FR. VERULAM, Canc. York House, this 25th of January, 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* MY HONOURABLE LORD, Lest my often writing may make your lordship conceive that this letter hath been drawn from you by importunity, I have thought fit, for preventing of any such conceit, to let your lordship know, that Sir John Wentworth, whose business I now recommend, is a gentleman whom I esteem in more than an ordinary degree. And therefore I desire your lordship to show him what favour you can, for my sake, in his suit, which his majesty hath referred to your lordship: which I will acknowledge as a courtesy unto me, and rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Newmarket, January 26, 1618. gone into England. He tells me, that Galileo had answered your discourse concerning the flux and reflux of the sea, and was sending it unto me; but that Mr. White hindered him, because his answer was grounded upon a false supposition, namely, that there was in the ocean a full sea but once in twenty-four hours. But now I will call upon Galileo again. This Mr. White is a discreet and understanding gentleman, though he seem a little soft, if not slow; and he hath in his hands all the works, as I take it, of Galileo, some printed, and some unprinted. He hath his discourse of the flux and reflux of the sea, which was never printed; as also a discourse of the mixture of metals. Those which are printed, in his hand, are these: the Nuncius sidereus; Macchie solari, and a third Delle Cose, che stanno su l'acqua, by occasion of a disputation, that was amongst learned men in Florence, about that which Archimedes wrote, de insidentibus humido. I have conceived that your lordship would not be sorry to see these discourses, of that man; and therefore I have thought it belonging to my service to your lordship, to give him a letter of this date, though it will not be there so soon as this. The gentleman hath no pretence or business before your lordship, but is willing to do your lordship all humble service; and, therefore, both for this reason, as also upon my humble request, I beseech your lordship to bestow a countenance of grace upon him. I am beholden to this gentleman; and, if your lord ship shall vouchsafe to ask him of me, I shall receive honour by it. And I most humbly do your lordship's reverence. Your lordship's most obliged servant, Brussels, from my bed, the 14th of April, 1619. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR, MY HONOURABLE LORD, His majesty hath commanded me to signify unto your lordship, that it is his pleasure you put off the hearing of the cause between Sir Arthur Manwaring and Gabriel Dennis, till toward the end of the term; because his majesty is graciously pleased to be at the hearing thereof himself. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Royston, April 13, 1619. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR, AND SIR LIONEL TANFIELD, LORD CHIEF BARON OF THE EXCHEQUER.* MY LORDS, His majesty having been moved by the Duke of Savoy's ambassador, in the * Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. * Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. behalf of Philip Bernardi, whom he is to send about some special employment over the seas, MY VERY Good Lord, I am much bounden to his majesty, and like. wise to your lordship. I see, by the late accesses I have had with his majesty, and now by his royal and real favour,* that he loveth me, and acknowledgeth me for the servant that I am, or desire to be. This, in me, must turn to a great of Chancery, where it is depending, and where alacrity to honour and serve him with a mind less the party assureth himself of a speedy end. And so I rest your lordship's very assured friend at command, G. BUCKINGHAM. Royston, the 19th of April, 1619. troubled and divided. And, for your lordship, my affection may and doth daily receive addition, but cannot, nor never could, receive alteration. I pray present my humble thanks to his majesty; and I am very glad his health confirmeth; and I hope to see him this summer at Gorhambury; there is sweet air as any is. God preserve and prosper you both. I ever rest TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I think fit to let your lordship understand what passed yesterday in the Star Chamber, touching Suffolk's business. There came to me the clerk of the court in the inner chamber, and told me that my Lord of Suffolk desired to be heard by his council, at the * sitting of the court, because it was pen *** him. I marvelled I heard not of it by Mr. Attorney, who should have let me know as much, that I might not be taken on the sudden in a cause of that weight. I called, presently, Mr. Attorney to me, and asked him whether he knew of the motion, and what it was, and how he was provided to answer it. He signified to me, that my lord would desire to have the commission for examinations in Ireland, to be returnable in Michaelmas term. I said it might not be, and presently drew the council, then present, to me, and made Mr. Attorney repeat to them the passages past, and settled it, that the commission should be returnable the first day of the next term, and then, republication granted, that it might, if accidents of wind and weather permit, come to hearing in the term. And, upon motion in open court, it was ordered accordingly. God ever preserve and prosper you. I pray God this great easterly wind agree well with his majesty. May 6, 1619. Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. Endorsed, Sent by Sir Gilbert Houghton. May 9, 1619. Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.+ MY HONOURABLE LORD, His majesty was pleased, at the suit of some who have near relation to me, to grant a license for transportation of butter out of Wales, unto one Lewis and Williams, who, in consideration that the patent should be passed in their names, entered into articles for the performance of certain conditions agreed upon between them, which, now that the patent is under the great seal, they utterly refuse to perform. My desire, therefore, to your lordship is, that you would call the said Lewis and Williams before you, with the other parties, or some of them, who shall be ready at all times to attend your lordship; and, out of your consideration of the matter, according to equity, to take such course therein, that either the said agreement may be performed, or that they which refuse it may receive no benefit of the patent; which, upon reason thereof, was passed in their names. And herein I desire your lordship to make what expedition you can; because, now is the season to make provision of the butter that, for this year, is to be transported, whereof they take advantage to stand out. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Greenwich, May 14, 1619. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, 'Though it be nothing, and all is but duty, yet, • Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, who had been made I pray, show his majesty the paper enclosed, that lord treasurer in 1614. He was accused of several misdemeanors in that office, together with his lady, and Sir John Bingley, her ladyship's agent; and an information preferred against them all in the Star Chamber. * Probably the grant made to him, about this time, of twelve hundred pounds a year. + Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. his majesty may see how careful his poor servant | And, therefore, since his coming to Windsor is s, upon every emergent occasion, to do him what prolonged, I thought to keep day by letter, prayhonour he can. The motion made in court by the ing your lordship to commend my most humble king's sergeant, Crew, * that the declaration might be made parcel of the record, and that I hear otherwise of the great satisfaction abroad, encourageth me to let his majesty know what passed. God ever preserve and prosper you both. Your lordship's obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. Endorsed, June 29, 1619. My lord to my lord marquis, enclosing the form of a declaration used in point of acknowledgment in the Lady Exeter'st cause. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. I PURPOSED to have seen you to-day, and receive your commandments before the progress; but I came not to London till it was late, and found you were gone before I came. Nevertheless, I would not fail to let your lordship understand, that, as I find every day more and more occasions whereby you bind me to you; so, this morning, the king of himself did tell me some testimony, that your lordship gave of me to his majesty even now, when you went from him, of so great affection and commendation, (for I must ascribe your commendation to affection, being above my merit,) as I must do contrary to that that painters do; for they desire to make the picture to the life, and I must endeavour to make the life to the picture, it hath pleased you to make so honourable a description of me. I can be but yours, and desire to better myself, that I may be of more worth to such an owner. I hope to give the king a good account of my time this vacation. If your lordship pass back by London, I desire to wait on you, and discourse a little with you: if not, my prayers shall go progress with you, and my letters attend you, as occasion serveth. God ever preserve and prosper you. July 1, 1619. Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, This day, according to the first appointment, I thought to have waited upon his majesty, and to have given him an account of my cares and preparations for his service, which is my progress. * Sir Randolph Crew, made Chief Justice of the King's Bench, January 26, 1624. + Countess of Exeter, accused of incest and other crimes by the Lady Lake, wife of Secretary Lake, and their daughter the Lady Roos. service to his majesty, and to let him know, that since I see his majesty doth me the honour as to rely upon my care and service, I lose no time in that which may pertain thereunto. I see the straits, and I see the way out; and what lieth in one man, whom he hath made great, and trained, shall not be wanting. And, I hope, if God give me life for a year or two, to give his majesty cause to think of me seven years after I am dead. I am glad the time approacheth, when I shall have the happiness to kiss his majesty's hands, and to embrace your lordship, ever resting Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, York House, Aug. 28, 1619. FR. VERULAM, Canc. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* MY HONOURABLE LORD, His majesty, upon a petition delivered by Mr. Thomas Digby, wherein he complaineth of great wrongs done unto him, hath been pleased, for his more speedy relief and redress, if it prove as he allegeth, to refer the consideration thereof unto your lordship. And, because he is a gentleman, whom I have long known and loved, I could not but add my desire to your lordship, that if you find he hath been wronged, you would do him so much favour, as to give him such remedy as the equity of his case may require. For which I will ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Royston, Oct. 8, 1619. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LORD, I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who hath given order to Mr. Secretary Calvert to signify his pleasure for the proceeding in that business, whereof you write, without any farther delay, as your lordship will more fully understand by Mr. Secretary, who for that purpose is to return to London against the day of hearing. I have no answer to make to your former letter, and will add no more to this, but that his majesty hath a great confidence in your care of his service. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Royston, Oct. 10, 1619. Endorsed, Showing his majesty's acceptation of your lordship's care, in particular in the business against of Suffolk. the Earl * Harl. MSS. vol. 7000. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, After my last letter yesterday we entered into conference touching the Suffolk cause, myself, and the commissioners, and the two chief justices. The fruit of this conference is, that we all conceive the proceedings against my lord himself to be not only just and honourable, but in some principal parts plausible in regard of the public; as, namely, those three points which touch upon the ordnance, the army of Ireland, and the money of the cautionary towns; and the two chief justices are firm in it. I did also in this cause, by the assent of my lords, remove a part; for Mr. Attorney had laid it upon Serjeant Daviest to open the information, which is that which gives much life or coldness to the cause. But I will have none but trained men in this cause; and I cannot forget that the allotting of the opening of the information in this cause of the Dutch (I mean the main cause) to a mean fellow, one Hughes, did hurt, and was never well recovered. By my next I will write of the king's estate: and I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend October 14, 1619 and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, This morning the duket came to me, and told me the king's cause was yesterday left fair; and if ever there were a time of my Lord of Suffolk's submission, it was now; and that if my Lord of Suffolk should come into the Court and openly acknowledge his delinquency, he thought it was a thing considerable. My answer was, I would not meddle in it; and, if I did, it must be to dissuade any such course; for that all would be but a play upon the stage, if justice went not on in the right course. This I thought it my duty to let the king know by your lordship. I cannot express the care I have had of this cause in a number of circumstances and discretions, which, though they may seem but small matters, yet they do the business, and guide it right. God ever keep your lordship. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I am doubly bounden to the king for his majesty's trust and acceptation; whereof the one I will never deceive; the other, though I cannot deserve, yet I will do my best, and perhaps as much as another man. This day the evidence went well; for the solicitor did his part substantially: and, a little to warm the business, when the misemployment of treasure, which had relation to the army of Ireland, I spake a word, that he that did draw or milk treasure from Ireland was handled, did not emulgere, milk money, but blood. But this is but one of the little things that I wrote of before. The king, under pardon, must come hither with two resolutions; the one, to remit all importunity touching this cause to the lords in court of justice; the other, to pursue the designs first taken at Windsor, and then at Hampton Court, for his commission of treasury: wherein I do my part, and it is reasonably well; but better would it be if instruments were not impediments. I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend October 27, Wednesday. and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. Friday will not end the business; for tomorrow will but go through with the king's evidence. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LORD, This bearer, a Frenchman, belonging to the ambassador, having put an Englishman in suit for some matters between them, is much hindered and molested, by often removing of the cause from one court to another. Yourlordship knows, that the French are not acquainted with our manner of proceedings in the law, and must therefore be ignorant of the remedy in such a case. His course was to his majesty; but I thought it more proper that your lordship would be pleased to hear and understand this case from himself, and then to advise and take order for his relief, as your lordship in your wisdom shall think fit. So, commending him to your honourable favour, I rest Your lerdehip's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Royston, 27th of October 1619. Your lordship shall do well to be informed of every particular, because his majesty will have account of it at his coming. * Sir Thomas Coventry, afterwards lord keeper of the great seal. † Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. L TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LORD, I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who commanded me to give your lordship thanks for your speed in advertising those things that pass, and for the great care he seeth you ever have of his service. I send your lordship back the bill of sheriffs for Sussex, wherein his majesty hath pricked the first, as your lordship wished. His majesty would not have you omit this opportunity of so gross an oversight in the judges, to admonish them of their negligence in suffering such a thing to come to his majesty, which needed his amending afterwards; and, withal, to let them know, that his majesty observeth that every year they grow more and more careless of presenting fit men unto him for that place; and that you advise them to be more wary hereafter, that they may give his majesty better satisfaction. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Royston, November 14, 1619. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, This day afternoon, upon our meeting in council, we have planed those rubs and knots, which were mentioned in my last, whereof I thought good presently to advertise his majesty. The days hold without all question, and all delays diverted and quieted. Sir Edward Coke was at Friday's hearing, but in his nightcap; and complained to me he was ambulent, and not current. I would be sorry he should fail us in this cause. Therefore, I desire his majesty to signify to him, by your lordship, (taking knowledge of some light indisposition of his,) how much he should think his service disadvantaged in this cause, if he should be at any day away; for then he cannot sentence. By my next, I will give his majesty some account of the tobacco and the currants. ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend November 20, at evening, 1619. FR. VERULAM, Canc. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I I know well his majesty taketh to heart this business of the Dutch, as he hath great reason, in respect both of honour and profit. And be • Merchants, accused in the Star Chamber for exporting gold and silver coin. cause my first letter was written in the epitasis, or trouble of the business; and my second in the beginning of the catastrophe, or calming thereof, (wherein, nevertheless, I was fain to bear up strongly into the weather, before the calm followed,) and since every day hath been better and better, I thought good to signify so much, that his majesty may be less in suspense. The great labour was to get entrance into the business; but now the portcullis is drawn up. And though, I must say, there were some blots in the tables, yet, by well playing, the game is good. Roland is passing well justified; for both his credit is by very constant and weighty testimony proved, and those vast quantities, which were thought incredible, or at least improbable, are now made manifest truth. Yet I find a little of the old leaven towards the first defendants, carried in this style and character: "I would this that appears now, had appeared at first. But this cometh of haste and precipitation;" and the like. But yet, I hope, the corruption and practice upon the ore tenus, and the rectifying of Rowland's credit, will satisfy my lords upon the former proofs. For I would be very sorry that these new defendants (which, except one or two, are the smaller flies) should be in the net, and the old defendants, which are the greater flies, should get through. God preserve you. Your lordship's most obliged friend November 26, 1619. and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc. Endorsed, Touching the Dutch business. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LORD, I do, from time to time, acquaint his majesty with your letters, wherein he ever perceiveth your vigilant care in any thing that concerneth his service; and hath commanded me to give you thanks in his name, who is sure your endeavours will never be wanting, when any thing is to be done for the advancement of his affairs. According to your lordship's advice, his majesty hath written to the commissioners of the treasury, both touching the currants and the tobac. co, the plantation whereof his majesty is fully resolved to restrain; and hath given them order |