terity, upon the church and commonwealth, may | Christopher Villiers, whose benefit I have reason to never fail. I pray you do me the favour to present wish and advance by any just courses. it to his highness, with my best and humble service. I rest And so And as I HAVE heretofore recommended unto your lordship the determination of the cause between Sir Rowland Egerton and Edward Egerton, † who, I understand, did both agree, being before your lordship, upon the values of the whole lands. your lordship hath already made so good an entrance into the business, I doubt not but you will be as noble in farthering the full agreement between the parties whereunto, I am informed, Sir Rowland Egerton is very forward, offering on his part that, which to me seemeth very reasonable, either to divide the lands, and his adverse party to choose, or the other to divide, and he to choose. Whereupon my desire to your lordship is, that you would accordingly make a final end between them, in making a division, and setting forth the lands, according to the values agreed upon by the parties themselves. Wherein, besides the charitable work your lordship shall do in making an end of a controversy between those, whom name and blood should tie together, and keep in unity, I will acknowledge your favour as unto myself, and will ever rest Your lordship's faithful servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Theobald's, January 9, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.¶ MY HONOURABLE LORD, SIR JOHN COTTON** having acquainted me with a petition he intended to exhibit to his Majesty, that without any apparent fault committed by him, he was put from his office of Custos Rotulorum; I have persuaded him to forbear the presenting of his petition, until I had written to your lordship, and received your answer. I have therefore thought fit to signify unto your lordship, that he is a gentleman, of whom his Majesty maketh good esteem, and hath often occasion to use his service and therefore, besides that he is a man of good years, and hath served long in the place, I know his Majesty, out of these respects, will be loth he should receive any disgrace. I desire therefore to understand from your lordship the reasons of his remove, that, if I cannot give satisfaction to the gentleman himself, I may at least make answer to his Majesty for that act of your lordship's, which is alleged to be very unusual, unless upon some precedent misdemeanor of the party. Thus, having in this point discharged my part in taking the best course I could, that no complaint should come against you to the king, I rest Your lordship's faithful friend, Newmarket, Jan. 16, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LORD, His Majesty having given order to Mr. Solicitor§ to acquaint your lordship with a business touching ale-houses, that upon consideration thereof you might certify your opinion unto his Majesty, whether it be fit to be granted or not; I have thought fit to desire your lordship to give it what favour and fartherance you may, if you find it reasonable and not prejudicial to his Majesty's service, because it concerneth Mr. Patrick Maule, and my brother, Sir Francis Bacon had that title given him January 4. This was one of the causes mentioned in the charge of the House of Commons against the lord Bacon; in his answer to which, he acknowledged, that some days after perfecting his award, which was done with the advice and consent of the lord chief justice Hobart, and publishing it to the parties, he received 300%. of Mr. Edward Egerton, by whom, soon after his coming to the seal, he had likewise been presented with 4007. in a purse. Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. Sir Thomas Coventry. The lord chancellor, in his letter to the marquis of Buckingham, dated January 25, 1617, printed in his works, has the following passage: "For the suit of the ale-houses, which concerneth your brother, Mr. Christopher Villiers, and Mr. TO SIR HENRY YELVERTON, ATTORNEYGENERAL. MR. ATTORNEY, WHEREAS there dependeth before me in chancery a great cause of tithes concerning the benefices of London, though in a particular, yet, by consequence leading to a general; his Majesty, out of a great religious care of the state, both of church and city, is graciously pleased, that before any judicial senPatrick Maule, I have conferred with my lord chief justice and Mr. Solicitor thereupon, and there is a scruple in it, that it should be one of the grievances put down in parliament; which if it be, I may not, in my duty and love to you, advise you to deal in it; if it be not, I will mould in the best manner, and help it forward." A patent for licensing ale-houses being afterwards granted to Sir Giles Mompesson and Sir Francis Mitchel, and greatly abused by them, they were punished for those abuses by the parliament, which met January 30, 1620-1. ¶ Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. ** Of Lanwade, in Cambridgeshire, knight. He served many years as knight of the shire for that county, and died in 1620, at the age of seventy-seven. His eldest son, Sir John Cotton, was created a baronet, July, 14, 1641. tence be pronounced in chancery, there be a commission directed unto me, the lord chancellor, lord treasurer, the lord privy-seal, and the lord chamberlain; and likewise to the lord archbishop, the lord bishop of Winchester* and the bishop of Ely,† and also to the master of the rolls, the two lord chief justices, justice Dodderidge, and justice Hutton, who formerly assisted me in the cause, to treat of some concord in a reasonable moderation between the ministers and the mayor and the commonalty of London in behalf of the citizens; and to make some pact and transaction between them by consent, if it may be ; or otherwise to hear and certify their opinions touching the cause, that thereupon his Majesty may take such farther order, by directing of a proceeding in chancery, or by some other cause, as to his wisdom shall seem fit. George Tipping, in giving liberty unto him to make his appearance before you after the holy-days, at my request; who, as I understand by some friends of mine, who moved me to recommend him to your lordship's favour, is willing to conform himself in performance of the decree made in the chancery by your lordship's predecessor, but that he is persuaded, that presently, upon the performance thereof, his son will make away the land that shall be conveyed unto him: which being come to Sir George from his ancestors, he desireth to preserve to his poste❘rity. I desire your lordship's farther favour therefore unto him, that you will find out some course, how he may be exempted from that fear of the sale of his lands, whereof he is ready to acknowledge a fine to his son, and to his heirs by Anne Pigot; and, they failing, to his son's heirs males, and, for want thereof, to any of his son's or brethren's heirs males, and so to the heirs general of his father and himself, by lineal descent, and the remainder to the crown. This offer, which seemeth very reasonable, and for his Majesty's advantage, I desire your lordship to take into your consideration, and to show FR. BACON, CANC. him what favour you may for my sake; which I will readily acknowledge, and ever rest Your lordship's faithful servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. You will have care to draw the commission with some preface of honour to his Majesty, and likewise to insert in the beginning of the commission, that it was de advisamento cancellarii, (as it was indeed,) lest it should seem to be taken from the court. I commit you to God's, &c. January 19th, 1617. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, So I Do not easily fail towards gentlemen of quality to disgrace them. For I take myself to have some interest in the good wills of the gentlemen of England, which I keep and cherish for his Majesty's special service. And for this gentleman of whom you write, Sir John Cotton, I know no cause in the world why I should have displaced him, but that it was certified unto me, that it was his own desire to resign: wherein if I was abused, I will restore him. But if he did consent, and, now it is done, changeth his mind, then I would be loth to disgrace the other, that is come in. Therefore I pray your lordship, that I may know and be informed from himself what passed touching his consent; and I will do him reason. Thus, with my thanks to your lordship, I will Newmarket, Jan. 23, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.¶ MY HONOURable lord, SINCE I received your lordship's letter, Sir Lionel Cranfield being here, hath informed his Majesty of the whole proceeding in his business of the household; which his Majesty liketh very well, and is glad it is approved by your lordship, of whose care and pains therein he receiveth very good satisfaction. In the business touching Sir John Cotton, your lordship dealeth as nobly as can be desired; and so, if it should come in question before his Majesty, I would answer in your behalf. I leave Sir John Cotton to inform your lordship by his letter of the business, and ever rest Your lordship's faithful servant, I UNDERSTAND that his Majesty hath been pleased to refer a suit unto him by two of his servants, Robert Maxwell and John Hunt, for the making of sheriffs and escheators patents, to your lordship's consideration. My desire unto your lordship on their behalf is, that you would show them thus much favour for my sake, and with as much expedition as may be, and your lordship's other occasions may permit, to certify your opinion thereof unto his Majesty; which I will be ready to acknowledge, and ever rest Your lordship's faithful servant, Newmarket, Feb. 4, 1617. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOod lord, I HAVE sent enclosed a letter to his Majesty about the public charge I am to give the last star-chamber day, which is this day sevennight, to the judges and justices before the circuit. I pray deliver it to his Majesty with speed. I send also some papers appertaining to that business, which I pray your lordship to have in readiness, if his Majesty call for them. I ever rest Your lordship's true friend and devoted February 6, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.+ MY HONOURABLE LORD, THOUGH I had resolved not to write to your lordship in any matter between party and party; yet at the earnest request of my noble friend, the lord Norris, to whom I account myself much beholden, I could not but recommend unto your lordship's favour a special friend of his, Sir Thomas Monk, who hath a suit before your lordship in the chancery ‡ with Sir Robert Basset; which, upon the report made unto me thereof, seemeth so reasonable, that I doubt not but the cause itself will move your lordship to favour him, if upon the hearing thereof it shall appear the same unto your lordship, as at the first sight it doth unto me. I therefore desire your lordship to show in this particular what favour you lawfully may, for my sake, who will account it as done unto myself; and will ever rest Your lordship's faithful servant, of it at his return to London. In the mean time he would have your lordship give direction to the master of the rolls* and Mr. Attorney † to stay the examination. And so I rest Your lordship's most assured to do you service, Hampton-Court, March 18, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.¶ MY HONOURable lord, UNDERSTANDING that there is a suit depending before your lordship, between Sir Rowland Cotton,** plaintiff, and Sir John Gawen, defendant, which is shortly to come to a hearing; and having been likewise informed, that Sir Rowland Cotton hath undertaken it in the behalf of certain poor people; which charitable endeavour of his, I assure myself, will TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND. find so good acceptation with your lordship, that MY LORD CHANCELLOR, I THANK you for your letter, and assure you, that you are not deceived, neither in the care I have of the public in that state, nor in my good wishes, and the effects thereof, when it shall lie in my power towards yourself. I am glad to receive your testimony of my lord deputy, both because I esteem your judgment, and because it concurreth with my own. The materials of that kingdom, which is trade and wealth, grow on apace. I hope the form, which giveth the best living of religion and justice, will not be behind, the rather by you, as a good instrument. I rest Your lordship's assured friend, York-house, ** of April, 1618. Sir Oliver St. John, afterwards viscount Grandison. He died at Battersea in Surrey, December 29, 1630, aged seventy. Sir William Jones, to whom upon his being called to that post, the lord keeper made a speech, printed in his works. Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. ** A gentleman eminent for his learning, especially in the Hebrew language, in which he had been instructed by the famous Hugh Broughton, who died in 1612. He was son of Mr. William Cotton, citizen and draper of London, and had an estate at Bellaport in Shropshire, where he resided, till he there shall be no other use of recommendation: yet, at the earnest request of some friends of mine, I have thought fit to write to your lordship in his behalf, desiring you to show him what favour you lawfully may, and the cause may bear, in the speedy despatch of his business; which I shall be ever ready to acknowledge, and rest Your lordship's most devoted to serve you, Whitehall, April 20, 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.†† I WILL not go about to excuse mine own fault, by making you believe his Majesty was backward in your business; but upon the first motion, he gave me directions for it; which it was my negligence, as I freely confess, that I have no sooner performed, having not been slack in moving his Majesty, but in despatching your man. All is done, which your lordship desired, and I will give order, according to his Majesty's directions, so that your lordship shall not need to trouble yourself any farther, but only to expect the speedy performance of his Majesty's gracious pleasure. I will take the first opportunity to acquaint his Majesty with the other business, and will ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Theobald's, May 8, [1618]. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.‡‡ MY HONOURABLE GOOD LORD, WHEREAS in Mr. Hansbye's cause, §§ which formerly, by my means, both his Majesty and myself came to live at London at the request of Sir Allen Cotton, his father's younger brother, who was lord mayor of that city in 1625. Sír Rowland was the first patron of the learned Dr. Lightfoot, and encouraged him in the prosecution of his studies of the Hebrew language and antiquities. + Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. ‡‡ Ibid. This seems to be one of the causes, on account of which lord Bacon was afterwards accused by the house of commons; in answer to whose charge he admits, that in the cause of Sir Ralph Hansbye there being two degrees, one for the inheritance, and the other for goods and chattels; some time after the first decree, and before the second, there was 5007. delivered to him by Mr. Tobie Matthew; nor could his lordship deny, that this was upon the matter pendente lite. not give any against him. And I do the rather move your lordship to respect him in it, because it concerns him in his reputation, which I know he tenders, and not the money which might be imposed upon him; which can be but a trifle. Thus presuming of your lordship's favour herein, which I shall be ready ever to account to your lordship for, I rest recommended to your lordship's favour, your lord- | him for my cause. It now rests only in your lordship thought good, upon a hearing thereof, to decree ship's power for the assessing of costs; which, besome part for the young gentleman, and to refer to cause, I am certainly informed, Sir Rowland Cotton some masters of the chancery, for your farther satis-had just cause of complaint, I hope your lordship will faction, the examination of witnesses to this point; which seemed to your lordship to be the main thing your lordship doubted of, whether or no the leases, conveyed by old Hansbye to young Hansbye by deed, were to be liable to the legacies, which he gave by will; and that now I am credibly informed, that it will appear upon their report, and by the depositions of witnesses, without all exception, that the said leases are no way liable to those legacies; these shall be earnestly to entreat your lordship, that upon consideration of the report of the masters, and depositions of the witnesses, you will, for my sake, show as much favour and expedition to young Mr. Hansbye in this cause, as the justness thereof will permit. And I shall receive it at your lordship's hands as a particular favour. So I take my leave of your lordship, and rest Greenwich, June 12, 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* MY HONOURAble lord, UNDERSTANDING, that the cause depending in the chancery between the lady Vernon and the officers of his Majesty's household is now ready for a decree; though I doubt not, but, as is Majesty hath been satisfied of the equity of the cause on his officers' behalf, who have undergone the business, by his Majesty's command, your lordship will also find their cause worthy of your favour; yet I have thought fit once again to recommend it to your lordship, desiring you to give them a speedy end of it, that both his Majesty may be freed from farther importunity, and they from the charge and trouble of following it: which I will be ever ready to acknowledge as a favour done unto myself, and always rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Greenwich, June 15, 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR + MY HONOURable lord, I WROTE unto your lordship lately in the behalf of Sir Rowland Cotton, that then had a suit in dependence before your lordship and the rest of my lords in the star-chamber. The cause, I understand, hath gone contrary to his expectation; yet he acknowledges himself much bound to your lordship for the noble and patient hearing he did then receive; and he rests satisfied, and I much beholden to your lordship, for any favour it pleased your lordship to afford Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. Your lordship's most devoted to serve you, June 19, 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LORD, WHEREAS it hath pleased his Majesty to recommend unto your consideration a petition exhibited by Mr. Fowle, together with the grievances and request for the rectifying of the work of gold and silver thread; and now understandeth, that your lordship hath called unto you the other commissioners in that case, and spent some time to hear what the opposers could object, and perceiveth by a relation of a good entrance you have made into the business; and is now informed, that there remaineth great store of gold and silver thread in the merchants' hands brought from foreign parts, besides that which is brought in daily by stealth, and wrought here by underhand workers; so that the agents want vent, with which inconveniences, it seemeth the ordinary course of law cannot so well meet: and yet they are inforced, for freeing of clamour, to set great numbers of people on work; so that the commodity lying dead in their hands, will in a very short time grow to a very great sum of money: To the end therefore, that the undertakers may not be disheartened by these wrongs and losses, his Majesty hath commanded me to write unto your lordship, to the end you might bestow more time this vacation in prosecuting the course you have so worthily begun, that all differences being reconciled, the defects of the commission may be also amended, for prevention of farther abuses therein; so as the agents may receive encouragement to go on quietly in the work without disturbance. And I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. HEREWITHAL I presume to send a note enclosed, |