appointed to be with the troops at Flushing, attending there your further directions. Sir Francis Vere hath thought it good to divide the number into companies of 150 apiece, and for mine own to deliver me 200; at which rate I must be an humble suitor, as well for my own particular as in behalf of the rest of the captains, that they may be continued upon the list; and most part of them having quitted their old companies of long continuance, which were now to have been reduced to 200 apiece, only out of their desires to attend your lordship. If it please you, moreover, if the shortness of the time may permit it, to send over to the treasurer that shall be appointed to meet us at Flushing that some little sum of money be disbursed to the accommodating of the ships for lodging the soldiers at more convenience, I think it will much ease them in their journey, and you shall find them in better ability for service at their landing; for which if there come not special order, I will presume in mine own discretion to get it done. What kind of men you shall be served withal from hence I cannot yet tell, but I fear they will require time to be trained little less than the others which are but new levied. In the meantime my endeavours shall not fail in anything to the making of them serviceable, being the height of my ambition to do you faithful and acceptable service. From the Hague, this 12th of January, 1598.

Holograph. Seal. 14 pp. (176. 47.)

THOMAS PERCY to the EARL of ESSEX, Earl Marshal of England. 1598-9, Jan. 12.-I am emboldened by your lordship's command of my best endeavours in this matter to be troublesome to your more weighty affairs with my simple proceeding in this business, which you may best perceive by these letters.

I do not importune the man with haste in this matter lest he should grow suspicious: but seeing his settled inclination to effect this purpose, I do by my letter encourage him with assurance that nothing shall be wanting which on my part may or can be performed. He hath brought to pass divers small matters on the Border with such ease as he holds no doubt of prevention in any his attempts; and therefore nothing can stay his determination but a plain discovery of the plot; which I hope your wisdom will prevent, and safe keep it from all them which may give notice of it into this country. I have reasons to urge this which I may not commit to writing, but will make known to your lordship when it shall please you to hear me speak.—Alnwick, January 12.

Endorsed by Essex's Secretary :-"Mr. Thos. Percy, at Alnwick. 12 Jan. '98."

Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (176. 48.)

SIR EDWARD CONWAY to the EARL of ESSEX.

1598-9, Jan. 12.-By my humble letters I made offer of my service to you, seeing more light to good fortune through that window than all other ways could shew me. To come to you

Underlined in the original.

mab last molested

against

27 man lest

presented by Mr.

I have law and equity denied, onsidering that by

the recovery of which

Belts and support my family.

58. 113.

for the erchants of a

od reciting the

1 the acts of Hoy VI. w i Eland VI. against scard setting fath that in contravention

go gezino Marmadi. Dorrill, a porceyor to the nacy, eda 15mize at Pinmouth 90 bags (1 rice worth £542, and ta fue order of Sir Francis Drak, distribute them about the Foot, then bang at that post to arait the Spanish navy, without making a price or any payment, whereof the petitioner could never get redress, it being an extraordinary victual not glowed for the nary, whereby and by other similar mesures, be all amcanting to £1,300, the petitioner has been utterly ruined and is not alle quietly to walk in the *tertz of London. He prays leave to proceed against the pourreyor for the seizure of the rice; and that enquiry may I made into the other seizures.

WILLIAM BEECHER to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1598-9, Jan. 13.-I have yet received no knowledge that my petition to the Table has been read or answered, and fear it is want of soliciting; wherefore I pray you pardon my reminding you of it.-13 January, 1598.

Holograph. Seal. p. (58. 114.)

SIR THOMAS EGERTON to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1598-9, Jan. 13.-I wrote you a letter yesterday, which I hope you have received, speaking of the idle life I lead here. It seems to me the way to heaven is in the country, where there be no rubbish of Court nor State affairs to stop. I know not when I shall be thought sufficiently aired, and therefore, since others must judge of it, I choose rather to stay long enough than to make sail with ill speed. And if I mistake not much, I have a special privilege to go when I will and come when I am called for. Yet I prepare myself for term business, and challenge as due unto me the blessing Jacob gave Issachar to be fortissimus. On Tuesday or Wednesday I mean to be at York House and there during the pleasure of those that command me. I return Mr. Edmunds' despatch. That of Ireland, which you mentioned, was not in your letter. It is almost a wonder to find this continuance of your favour to me. I take great comfort in it, but I am dull and heavy when I see no means to requite it.-Pirford, 13 Jan., 1598.

Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (58. 116.)

SIR THOMAS EGERTON to Mr. REYNOLDS.

1598-9, Jan. 13.-I thank you for this letter out of Ireland; my lord [Essex] mentioned it in his letter to me, but not finding it, I did for mine excuse write to his lordship that it was not inclosed in his letter as he wrote. I do now return it to you here inclosed.-At Pirford, 13 Jan., 1598. Holograph. Seal. } P. (176. 50.)

CAPTAIN ED. MOYLLE to the EARL of ESSEX.

1598-9, Jan. 14.-I have since my arrival from this last Irish service given my attendance as by your lordship I was commanded ; since which time you have been remembered by myself, my cousin Carew and Sir Thomas Gerrard, at which time you did assure them of my employment. And for that I see you mightily troubled, so that I cannot as I would deliver in speech the full of my desire, I have presumed to commit the same by letter, whereby you shall perceive the willingness I have to follow you in this service, and to make known such service as I have been at since I was able to carry arms. I served the Prince of Orange 2 years together; I came into Holland with Count Marke and was with him at the winning of the Brill and Maasland Sluse; I was at the siege of Harlem, the siege of Alkamer, the siege of Amsterdam,

the siege of Leyden, the siege of Sconehoven, the siege of Middleburgh, and the siege of Tregoose with Sir Humphrey Gilbert, at which time I had command of foot; also with your Honour at the winning of Cales and your voyage to the islands. Since the death of Colonel Chester, I have lived most in Ireland, and there have twice had command of horse, which Sir Nicholas Parker knows, in Sir William Drewry his time in Munster; so that I thank God I can as well serve by land as by sea, and for knowledge of the country and people I think few in this kingdom can say more. The enemy of late hath pulled down both my castles, one of which I built myself: they have taken all my cattle and corn and left me nothing. My request is, for that you have already appointed the shipping for Ireland so that I can have no place fit for a man of my time, that you will give me employment of horse or foot, and that I be not left as a man of no desert. Now to become a suitor to her Majesty in this busy time it is contrary [to] my nature; my desire is only employment, which without your good means cannot be had. This 14th of January, 1598.

Holograph. 1 p. (176. 51.)

SIR THOMAS EGERTON to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1598-9, Jan. 15.-Your last by this messenger I received this afternoon at three o'clock. There is no letters or message I receive from you but I take comfort in it, as coming from one in whose love and favour I so much rely. But of all others this brought me double joy, in recalling a prisoner to liberty and an exile from banishment. I mean to be in London to-morrow or Wednesday, and so soon as I come will send to you. After, I am to be disposed of as the Queen shall command. I have now for nine weeks past endured three afflictions, sickness, imprisonment and exile, accompanied by other anxieties and griefs, fruits of long absence from so gracious a sovereign. But of all these your letter brings me repairs.-Pirford, 15 January, 1598. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (58. 117.)

ANTHONY WARDMAN to the EARL of ESSEX.

1598-9, Jan. 15.-I wrote to your lordship the 10th of this month, which were not despatched away with that speed I desired by reason of Mr. Stanhope's absence out of the town. Since which time there is letters come to Mr. Mansfield both from Mr. Percy and the other party, which show that the enterprise goeth forward although it be not with that expedition your lordship expecteth, yet I hope it will be effected in good time. If it fail, secrecy will be the cause. Howsoever it happen, I hope there · shall be no fault in me, for Mr. Percy and Mr. Mansfield I make no doubt of, because it concerns them very much. All that we can imagine to be the stay is the stormy weather which hath been in these parts.-York, 15 January, '98.

Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (176. 52.)

SIR THOMAS EGERTON to the EARL of ESSEX.

1598-9, Jan. 15.-Within half a quarter of an hour after I received your letter with this inclosed, by my servant Jones, a messenger followed him with a letter from Mr. Secretary signifying that her Majesty's pleasure is I should come to the Court on Wednesday, which is one of the limited Council days (so he writeth). But I mean to bear a little longer and yet to be in London before Sunday. So soon as I come I will present myself to your lordship, although not in person as I wish, yet by letter or messenger. At Pirford, 15 January, 1598. Holograph. Seal. p. (176. 53.)

SIR EDWARD NORREYS to the EARL of ESSEX.

1598-9, Jan. 15.-I received her Majesty's letter and your lordship's the 8th of this present, and was sorry that the companies were parted hence before, for I should not have failed to have sent you as gallant a troop of good soldiers as for the number could have been seen together.

Presently I despatched one of purpose to Mr. Gilpin with her Majesty's letter, that accordingly order might be taken that your lordship were not disappointed of the number, and will not fail to make choice of such as shall be fittest for the service and send them to Flushing. And for myself, since I do not wait on you in this action, I wish you all happy and honourable success, and be ready to do you any service you shall command me.

Sir Gerard Hervy, who of all the companies is only remaining with me, is very desirous to attend your lordship in this voyage. But considering that I have nobody with whom to converse, or with whom I can confer of any matter, either concerning the service or myself, but with him, and besides having occasion of business that will shortly draw me into England, I would be glad to leave the charge in his hands during my absence rather than in a stranger's. These reasons have made me bold to stay him, and hope that you will allow of it.

I most humbly thank you for your promise of your favour to my brothers. I dare assure you of their faithful service. This bearer, bred up with me of a boy and trained in the services, was ancient in your last voyage and now desireth again to be recommended to your lordship. He is young but a tall soldier, and his friends are in the Court. Our news is small, only a general speech that this next summer all the Spaniards shall be drawn out of the garrisons into the field, divers speeches of the Archduke's return since the burning of the castle of Milan, and some opinion doth now begin to grow that the King of Spain will prove a very peaceable prince.

I pray God send your lordship a very honourable return out of this so great expedition.-From Ostend, this 15 January, 1598. Holograph. 4 pp. (176. 54.)