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 津 Your lordship's most assured to do you service, G. BUCKINGHAM. 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 WILL not have you account the days of my not answering your letter. It is a thing imposed upon the multitude of my business to lodge many things faithfully, though I make no present return. Your conjunction and good understanding with the deputy § I approve and commend; for I ever loved entire and good compositions, which was the old physic, better than fine separations. Your friendly attributes I take as effects of affection; which must be causes of any good offices, wherewith I can requite you. We conceive that kingdom is in growth. God send soundness to the increase; wherein I doubt not but your lordship will do your part. God keep you. Your lordship's very loving friend, FR. BACON, CANC. York-house, April 15, 1618. TO THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF IRELAND.|| MY LORD Chief Justice, 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 Julius Cæsar. † Sir Henry Yelverton. Dr. Thomas Jones, archbishop of Dublin, who died April 10, 1619. 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. recommended to your lordship's favour, your lordship thought good, upon a hearing thereof, to decree some part for the young gentleman, and to refer to some masters of the chancery, for your farther satisfaction, 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. him for my cause. It now rests only in your lord- Your lordship's most devoted to serve you, June 19, 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LOPD, 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, G. BUCKINGHAM. From Bewly, the 20th day of Aug. 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. HEREWITHAL I presume to send a note enclosed, both of my business in chancery, and with my lord Roos, which it pleased your lordship to demand of + Ibid. Ibid. me, that so you might better do me good in utroque | and my desire to give you any fartherance in your genere. It may please your lordship, after having fortunes and occasions, whereof you may take perused it, to commend it over to the care of Mr. knowledge and liberty to use me for your good. Meautys for better custody. Fare you well. At my parting last from your lordship, the grief I had to leave your lordship's presence, though but for a little time, was such, as that being accompanied with some small corporal indisposition, that I was in, made me forgetful to say that, which now for his Majesty's service I thought myself bound not to silence. I was credibly informed and assured, when the Spanish ambassador went away, that howsoever Ralegh and the prentices should fall out to be proceeded withal, no more instances would be made hereafter on the part of Spain for justice to be done ever in these particulars; but that if slackness were used here, they would be laid up in the deck, and would serve for materials (this was the very word) of future and final discontentments. Now as the humour and design of some may carry them towards troubling of the waters; so I know your lordship's both nature and great place require an appeasing them at your hands. And I have not presumed to say this little out of any mind at all that I may have to meddle with matters so far above me, but out of a thought I had, that I was tied in duty to lay thus much under your lordship's eye; because I know and consider of whom I heard that speech, and with how great circumstances it was delivered. I beseech Jesus to give continuance and increase to your lordship's happiness; and that, if it may stand with his will, myself may one day have the honour of casting some small mite into that rich treasury. So I humbly do your lordship reverence, and continue The most obliged of your lordship's many faithful servants, TOBIE MATTHEW. Nottingham, August 21, 1618. TO MR. (AFTERWARDS SIR) ISAAC WAKE, HIS MAJESTY'S AGENT AT THE COURT OF SAVOY. MR. WAKE, I HAVE received some letters from you; and hearing from my lord Cavendish + how well he affects you, and taking notice also of your good abilities and services in his Majesty's affairs, and not forgetting the knowledge I had, when young, of your good father, I thought myself in some measure tied not to keep from you my good opinion of you, *Who on the 12th of July, 1618, had insulted Gondomar, the Spanish ambassador, on account of a boy's being hurt by him as he was riding. [Camdeni Annales Regis Jacobi 1. p. 33.] They were proceeded against by commissioners at Guildhall on Wednesday the 12th of August following; seven being found guilty, and adjudged to six months' imprisonment, and to pay 500l. a piece. Two others were acquitted. MS. letter of Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, London, August 15, 1618. William Cavendish, son and heir of William, created Your very loving friend, FR. VERULAM,§ CANC. York-house, this 1st of Sept. 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.|| His Majesty is desirous to be satisfied of the fitness and conveniency of the gold and silver thread business; as also of the profit, that shall any way accrue unto him thereby. Wherefore his pleasure is, that you shall, with all convenient speed, call unto you the lord chief justice of the king's bench,¶ the attorney-general,** and the solicitor,++ and consider with them of every of the said particulars, and return them to his Majesty, that thereupon he may resolve what present course to take for the advancement of the execution thereof. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful servant, Theobald's, the 4th October, 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.!! I HAVE been desired, by some friends of mine, in the behalf of Sir Francis Englefyld, to recommend his cause so far unto your lordship, that a peremptory day being given by your lordship's order for the perfecting of his account, and for the assignment of the trust, your lordship would take such course therein, that the gentleman's estate may be redeemed from farther trouble, and secured from all danger, by engaging those, to whom the trust is now transferred by your lordship's order, to the performance of that, whereunto he was tied. And so not doubting but your lordship will do him what lawful favour you may herein, I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, TO THE KING, CONCERNING THE FORM AND MANNER OF PROCEEDING AGAINST SIR WALTER RALEGH.* MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, ACCORDING to your commandment given unto us, we have upon divers meetings and conferences, considered what form and manner of proceeding against Sir Walter Ralegh might best stand with your Majesty's justice and honour, if you shall be pleased, that the law shall pass upon him. And, first, we are of opinion, that Sir Walter Ralegh being attainted of high-treason, which is the highest and last work of law, he cannot be drawn in question judicially for any crime or offence since committed. And therefore we humbly present two forms of proceeding to your Majesty the one, that together with the warrant to the lieutenant of the Tower, if your Majesty shall so please, for his execution, to publish a narrative in print of his late crimes and offences: which, albeit your Majesty is not bound to give an account of your actions in these to any but only to God alone, we humbly offer to your Majesty's consideration, as well in respect of the great effluxion of time since his attainder, and of his employment by your Majesty's commission, as for that his late crimes and offences are not yet publicly known. The other form, whereunto, if your Majesty so please, we rather incline, is, that where your Majesty is so renowned for your justice, it may have such a proceeding, as is nearest to legal proceeding; which is, that he be called before the whole body of your council of state, and your principal judges, in your council-chamber; and that some of the nobility and gentlemen of quality be admitted to be present to hear the whole proceeding, as in like cases hath been used. And after the assembly of all these, that some of your Majesty's counsellors of state, that are best acquainted with the case, should openly declare, that this form of proceeding against Sir Walter is holden, for that he is civilly dead. After this your Majesty's council learned to charge his acts of hostility, depredation, abuse as well of your Majesty's commission, as of your subjects under his charge, impostures, attempt of escape, and other his misdemeanors. But for that which concerns the French, wherein he was rather passive than active, and without which the charge is complete, we humbly refer to your Majesty's consideration, how far that shall be touched. After which charge so given, the examinations read, and Sir Walter heard, and some to be confronted against him, if need be, then he is to be withdrawn and sent back; for that no sentence is, or can be, given against him. And after he is gone, then the lords of the council and judges to give their advice to your Majesty, whether in respect of these subse He was beheaded October 29, 1618, the day of the inauguration of the lord mayor of London. Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. Walter, earl of Ormonde, grandfather of James the first duke of Ormonde. This earl, upon the death of Thomas, earl of Ormonde and Ossory, succeeding to those honours, should have inherited likewise the greatest part of the estate: but his quent offences upon the whole matter, your Majesty, if you so please, may not with justice and honour give warrant for his execution upon his attainder. And of this whole proceeding we are of opinion, that a solemn act of council should be made, with a memorial of the whole presence. But before this be done, that your Majesty may be pleased to signify your gracious direction herein to your council of state; and that your council learned, before the calling of Sir Walter, should deliver the heads of the matter, together with the principal examinations touching the same, wherewith Sir Walter is to be charged, unto them, that they may be perfectly informed of the true state of the case, and give their advice accordingly. All which nevertheless we, in all humbleness, present and submit to your princely wisdom and judgment, and shall follow whatsoever it shall please your Majesty to direct us herein, with all dutiful readiness. Your Majesty's most humble and faithful servants, &c. York-house, this 18th of October, 1618. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.† MY HONOURABLE LORD, WHEREAS there is a cause depending in the court of chancery between one Mr. Francis Foliambe and Francis Hornsby, the which already hath received a decree, and is now to have another hearing before yourself; I have thought fit to desire you to show so much favour therein, seeing it concerns the gentleman's whole estate, as to make a full arbitration and final end, either by taking the pains in ending it yourself, or preferring it to some other whom your lordship shall think fit: which I shall acknowledge as a courtesy from your lordship; and ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Hinchinbroke, the 22d of October, 1618. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I SEND the commission for making Lincoln's InnFields into walks for his Majesty's signature. It is without charge to his Majesty. We have had my lord of Ormondet before us. We could not yet get him to answer directly, whether he would obey the king's award or no. After we had endured his importunity and impertinences, and yet let him down to this, that his Majesty's award right was contested by Sir Richard Preston lord Dingwell, supported by the favour of king James I who made an award, which Walter, earl of Ormonde, conceiving to be unjust, refused to submit to, and was, by the king's order, committed to the Fleet, where he remained eight years before the death of that king; but in 1625 recovered his liberty. was not only just and within his submission, but in his favour; we concluded in few words, that the award must be obeyed, and if he did refuse or impugn the execution of it in Ireland, he was to be punished by the justice of Ireland; if he did murmur or scandalize it here, or trouble his Majesty | any more, he was to be punished in England. Then he asked, whether he might be gone. For that, we told him, his Majesty's pleasure was to be known. Sir Robert Mansell hath promised to bring his summer account this day seven-night. God preserve and prosper you. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. I SEND your lordship the bill of the sheriff of Hereford and Leicester, pricked and signed by his Majesty, who hath likewise commanded me to send unto your lordship these additions of instructions, sent unto him by the surveyor and receiver of the court of wards; wherein, because he knoweth not what to prescribe without understanding what objections can be made, his pleasure is, that your lord Your lordship's most obliged friend, and faith-ship advise and consider of them, and send him your ful servant, November 12, 1618. FR. VERULAM, CANC. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* MY HONOURABLE LORD, I SEND your lordship the commission signed by his Majesty, which he was very willing to despatch as a business very commendable and worthy to be taken in hand. For the earl of Ormonde, his Majesty made no other answer, but that he hopeth that he is not so unmannerly, as to go away without taking leave of his Majesty. For Sir Robert Mansell's account, his Majesty saith he is very slow, especially being but a summary account, and that he promised to bring it in before and therefore would have him tied to the day he hath now set, without any farther delay. : This last his Majesty commanded me to put in after I had written and signed my letter. Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.† MY HONOURABLE LORD, HAVING formerly moved your lordship in the business of this bearer, Mr. Wyche, of whom, as I understand, your lordship hath had a special care to do him favour, according to the equity of his cause; now seeing that the cause is shortly to be heard, I have thought fit to continue my recommendation of the business unto you, desiring your lordship to show what favour you lawfully may unto Mr. Wyche, according as the justness of the cause shall require which I will acknowledge as a courtesy from your lordship, and ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Newmarket, the 18th of November, 1618. * Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. † Ibid. Ibid. 'Declaration of the Demeanor and Carriage of Sir Walter opinion of them, that he may then take such course therein, as shall be fit. His Majesty commanded me to give you thanks for your care of his service: and so I rest Your lordship's faithful servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Newmarket, 22d of November. Indorsed, 1618. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. WE have put the Declaration § touching Ralegh to the press with his Majesty's additions, which were very material, and fit to proceed from his Majesty. For the prisoners, we have taken an account, given a charge, and put some particulars in examination for punishment and example. For the pursuivants, we staid a good while for Sir Edward Coke's health; but he being not yet come abroad, we have entered into it; and we find faults, and mean to select cases for example: but in this swarm of priests and recusants we are careful not to discourage in general. But the punishment of some, that are notoriously corrupt, concern no the good, and will keep in awe those that are but indifferent. The balance of the king's estate is in hand whereof I have great care, but no great help. The sub-committees for the several branches of treasure are well chosen and charged. This matter of the king's estate for means is like a quarry, which digs and works hard; but then when I consider it buildeth, I think no pains to much; and after term it shall be my chief care. For the mint, by my next I will give account, for our day is Wednesday. God ever preserve and prosper you. November 22, 1618. FR. VERULAM, CANC Indorsed, Of council-business. Ralegh, Knight, as well in his Voyage, as in and since his return," &c. printed at London 1618, in quarto. |