good truly and honestly to communicate my mind unto you concerning your late answer, which I protest is no wise done for building up ground of miscontentment thereby, but only lest you should deceive yourself in thinking me (if I had remained silent) satisfied with your answer, for as a prince it becomes me not to feign and as your friend I were faulty if I should dissemble. My request then is only that you would patiently and gravely consider upon the premises and let me by your direct answer be resolved if, in your judgement, you think my petitions reasonable, and since the ground of my request is only that you would help, not to clear me of this false and filthy calumny, but only to declare me to be the thing I am indeed, vouchsafe then by some honourable means to give me only that which of myself I fully do possess, persuading so the world to believe that which in your own conscience and knowledge you are surely persuaded of. Consider it is craved by him who hath ever been your most constant friend, who never at any time did so much as once conceal anything that might import the harm of your person or state, and that your granting of my request will tend as well to the honour of the granter as the craver. And thus craving pardon for my faschous longsomeness and rude plainness as proceeding from an honest and friendly heart, I commit you, madame and dearest sister, to the tuition of the Almighty.

Holograph. Seal. 3 pp. (133. 139.) [Printed by the Camden Society, Ed. Bruce, p. 128.]

SIR HENRY DOCWRA to EDWARD REYNOLDS.

1598-9, Jan. 1.-I am waiting for an answer to my last two letters to hear the full resolution of my Lord to Ireland. This is only to introduce to you this young gentleman, Mr. Guilpin's son, and to beg of you to show him what kindness you may, and in particular to introduce him to my Lord at some fit time.— The Hague, 1 January, 1598.

Signed. 1 p. (58. 73.)

SIR FRANCIS VERE and GEORGE GILPIN to the EARL of ESSEX.

1598-9, Jan. 1.—Since our last letter we have with much ado obtained from the States the ratification and obligation in such terms and form as was required, both of which we send by this bearer. We find the chief men disposed to perform the full contents of the last treaty and to take care that the money be ready against the time of payment, in hope that the like will be observed on the Queen's side. The difficulties moved by some of the Provinces (who pleaded impossibility to pay their parts in their present estate) are now laid aside; and all are now resolved to maintain their own, both by defending and offending the enemy; whose slackness in not taking the opportunity at his first coming over the Rhine has encouraged the quarters that were most subject to danger, and they now hope that if the Admirante do not more than hitherto before the Spring, the States will be strong enough to annoy him; to which

The Earl of Essex so ble ennein. Four GREVILLE.

(1598-9, Jan. 18-If you wonder that now in this time of general offerings you hear not from me, you most wonder also that in the eve of the last year the Queen having destined me to the hardest task that ever any gentleman was sent about, she hath yet thought ? to ease her rebels in Ireland of some labour by breaking my Leart with her hariness?. When my soul shall be freed from this prison of my body, (the) will then see her wrong to me and her would given to herself, and the faults of those whom now she will revenge all my unkindnesses. But this I protest doth more afflict me than the hardness or the unworthiness of mine own destiny. For if I might with my death either quench the great fire of rebellion in Ireland, or divert those dangers which from foreign enemies are threatened, I should joy to be such a sacrifice. But how much soever her Majesty despiseth me she shall know she hath lost him who for her wake would have thought danger a sport and death a feast; yea, I know I leave behind me such a company as were fitter to watch by a sick body than to recover a sick State. And all the world shall witness that it is not the breath of me, which is but wind, or the love of the multitude, which burns as tinder, that I hunt after, but either to be valued by her above them that are of no value or to forget the world and to be forgotten by it. I had sent sooner to you if I had been well this morning.

Endorsed: "My master to Mr. Fulk Greville." Holograph by Reynolds. Much injured by damp. p. (176. 31.)

THOMAS EDMONDES to [SIR ROBERT CECIL].

1598 9, Jan. 2. I sent you before a memorial of divers mensures proposed to be put in force here after the peace, confaiming a proposal to restrain the import of foreign manufactures to raise better their own. This was then only meant to exclude will as being rather an expense than a necessity. But since nome have suggested that all manufactures should be excluded, to not their people at work and keep their money in the country;

and that a revenue might be had from tolerations granted to particular persons. An edict was prepared for this, whereupon I addressed myself to the King and particularly to Mons. de Villeroy, Mons. de Bellievre, Mons. de Rhosny, Mons. de Maisse, and Mons. d'Incarville, whom the King doth specially use in these affairs, and prayed them to consider that the matter tended to the great offence of their neighbours and allies, and was directly against the ancient treaties of confederacy between the two crowns; that at this time the Queen's subjects rather deserved to receive immunities than to be prejudiced, especially in view of the burthen of the war with Spain; and that the Queen could not but be sensible of such proceeding. It was answered that in view of the afflicted state of the French people it was needful to restore their manufactures, by the same measures used by other countries and ourselves; but that if anything in the project was repugnant to former treaties, I was to deliver a request for the consideration of those points by the council to M. de Villeroy. Finding them so stiff, and hearing from our merchants at Rouen that the order would be their ruin, I made my declaration the sharper; but when I delivered it to M. de Villeroy he suggested me to reform it, as it might breed offence, but that in my speech I might enlarge upon it. I enclose a copy of the declaration and a note of the alteration. I dealt with them also about the toleration given to transport corn into Spain, which themselves did not permit to their allies before they had made their peace, albeit they now deny it. They lay the burthen of all their faults upon their necessity, and refuse to give up that traffick, complain that their Embassador does not receive satisfaction in England, and that they might as well begin a war with us as be continually spoilt by the Queen's subjects. I replied that the Queen had appointed special persons to join with their Embassador to examine the complaints and give speedy redress; whereas for the grievances of the Queen's subjects there is no other redress but to refer them to the tedious and corrupt justice of their Parliaments. I understand that the leave to transport corn into Spain was much debated in the Council, and it was alledged that no prohibition could hinder the same but only increase the profit to the governors, who underhand would give licences for money, and therefore it was concluded to give public permission, paying the King three crowns for every ton shipped. I understand that M. Lainett and others that load great quantity of corn are warranted that all Englishmen's goods shall be seized if their ships are stayed by the Queen's subjects. After six or seven days M. de Villeroy has declared to me that the King will take further time to consider of the matter and that in the meantime we have nothing to complain of. But other counsellors have told me that regard will be had to their treaties with the Queen. And their drift appears to be to keep us in awe of the execution of this law, until a better order be established for a quiet intercourse of traffic, being so incensed by the continual new complaints made to them that they will proceed to the staying of our merchants' goods. You will see that it is necessary that the Queen should send hither a minister of greater authority.

Unsigned. For the signed S.P. France, under date, in the Public Record Of

58.76.)

THOMAS EDMONDES to the EARL of ESSEX.

1598-9, Jan. 2.-A servant of the Duke of Wittemberg has desired me to convey this enclosed letter to you from his master. You shall also receive herewith a letter from the Duke of Bouillon. There is little news, but from the enclosed you may see how kind these men are that would use uttermost rigorous dealing against us. Paris, 2 January, 1598.

Holograph. Endorsed :-"Mr. Edmondes, Sir Alex. Ratleff, Lord Conway, Sir John Challoner, D. Flecher, Mr. Willouby, Tho. Woodhous." p. (58. 78.)

CAPTAIN RALPH BOSSEVILE to the EARL of ESSEX.

1598 9, Jan. 2. Prays not to be forgotten but to be employed under Ensey's eye. The country to which Essex's journey is intended is the place where first in the wars for many years he And his beginning, and where he will merit his favour or have an ending. The 2 of January, 1598.

Holograph. 1 p. (176. 33.)

The ARCHBISHOP and COUNCIL of YORK to SIR ROBERT CECIL. 1598-9, Jan. 2.-The Scottish pledges in the Castle of York do call often upon us to know if we have received any answer of our letters written to you and the rest of the lords concerning the permitting of some of them to go into their country to provide money for their maintenance, being already so far indebted for their victuals as they cannot be trusted any further. Upon which their importunity we are now bold to put you in mind thereof; as likewise to know your pleasures for the contribution of the city of York towards the ships of Hull, for that the men of that port have since our last writing solicited us to move again for contribution which they would have of the country, wherein we signified unto their lordships that the country in the same service did bear their particular charge in watching and attending the sea coast, and in having their men in a readiness to make resistance there if occasion should be offered. But, thanks be to God! we hear not of any ships now stirring upon these coasts, neither that those two ships of Hull do anything but lie in the road, for that they affirm they cannot well brook the seas during these winter storms.-At York, this second of January, 1598.

Signed. Seal. p. (176. 31.)

FRANCIS FOX to [EDWARD] REYNOLDS.

1598-9, Jan. 3.—I have been told by Mr. Germayne, one of my Lord's followers, that Udall hath been a chief procurer of Mr. Piers his services over at this time, so as I doubt much he will not fully acquaint you with the ill dealing of Udall towards myself and my friends. If my Lord have a purpose to come with the expedition that is spoken of here, he ought to send some officers in advance, to make things ready for him. I have written to him by Mr. Solicitor's man. I pray you see that he gets it.-Dublin, 3 January, 1598.

Holograph. 1 p. (58. 79.)

SIR GEORGE CARY to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1598-9, Jan. 3. Of late arrived at Dartmouth a hulk of 400 tons burthen, laden with salt from Lisbon, and brought in her 90 English prisoners lately discharged from prison there. Captain Donnyngton advertised me that one Benedict Jacobson, born in Cologne (Cullen), who came over in her, had served the King of Spain six years as a gunner and was a dangerous fellow, and that he had with him £1,500 or £1,600 to buy a ship with, and letters to some in Plymouth. I therefore had him stayed, examined and searched, and find no such matter; but he confesses that he is come over at the request of Jasper Dauzindo touching a ship of salt at Plymouth sent thither by the said Jasper, and to take up 'blackmoores' for him, who intends to be in England soon with other English prisoners. I send you the letters he brought; money he has none. Until I hear from you he shall be kept in safe custody.-Cockington, 3 January, 1598.

Signed. "George Cary." Endorsed:-"Sir George Carew of Cockington to my Master." Seal. 1p. (58. 80.)