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letters unto him, for perhaps such a man shall be able to do them more good than I that am a stranger to their former proceedings.

Endorsed:-" My L. Essex's answer to the Ministers of Scotland, sent by Wharton to be delivered by message, 8 Jan. '96." Draft. Undated. 1 p. (37. 57.)

SIR HORATIO PALAVICINO to SIR ROBERT CECIL, Secretary.

1596-7, Jan. 8.-A French friend recently offered to me to undertake the payment in France of the English soldiers, receiving his own payment here. I replied that our treasurer of war had means enough to pay them, but that if he would negotiate with the King for the payment to the Queen at the end of the six months, I would move the acceptance of his offer here. He answers me by letters from Rouen of the 9th inst., new style, that he will willingly undertake this, and asks for the means of learning particulars from our ambassador. Whether he has spoken to any of the Court I know not, but I know him to be a prudent and capable person, and, once introduced, could do good service. There is no fear of seeming to distrust the King, as he will speak as in his own interest. In France it often happens that for want of means and of good government "non si fanno le cose che da Francesi sono etiandio molto desiderate; percio e buono d' ajutare la loro incuria et negligenza." I do not move this for any private gain, and will do nothing without my lord your father's direction.-From my house,

8 Jan. 1596.

Italian. Holograph. 1 p. (173. 5.)

SIR HORATIO PALAVICINO to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 8.-My intention is that Edward shall serve, and not trouble you; and therefore he shall in the mean time study English law to fit him for the service which he aspires to. Had I known in time that you wished him to go to France I would have given him to the duke of Bouillon, where he could have done better service. In my own affair I have little hope, because I am left in the hands of him who placed me in my present difficulty, whose bitterness I try in vain to soften. When the commissioners from Holland come I will come to London, and meanwhile it would be a great comfort to have "quell' argenteria dell' Exceker che non fa nulla."

The Armada has still a good wind. I pray God that the assault may be better than the enemy's defence. Meanwhile we must prepare for whatever the event may be.-Baburham, 8 Jan. 1596.

P.S.-Teobast asks for 107. more, saying he spent it because of the length of the journey.

Italian. Holograph. 1 p. (173. 6.)

THOMAS ALABASTER to SIR ROBERT CECIL, Chief Secretary.

1596-7, Jan. 8.-Yesterday, was both at Cecil's house and at the Court but could not see him, and to-day is unable to attend him. "The party whom I presented unto your honour maketh not that haste away that I wish, which discontenteth me much. He wanted not calling upon and encouragement: he promiseth still from day to day, and this is it which, he saith, shall stand without fail, if it so do your honour shall be advertised.

"I send hereinclosed such as hath comen to my hands out of Spain, wherein amongst your most important and serious business you may

recreate yourself in seeing the folly of that too too proud and tyrannical nation."From my house, this Saturday.

Endorsed:-" 12 Jan. 1596."

Holograph. 1 p. (37. 68.)

EDMUND UVEDALE to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 9.-His governor, Sir Robert Sidney, by letters by this bearer, hath made known what he desires to do for him, and therefore he will not trouble his lordship with the circumstance, but only crave that he may enjoy those fifty men which Sir Robert desires to bestow on him. Although not yet so fortunate as at any time to follow Essex in the wars, his desire has been no less than theirs who have most attended his lordship, as his governor can witness, the doing of whom service in this place hath kept him from Essex. By this service to Sidney, assures himself he has rather gained his lordship's favour than otherwise.-Vlishing, the 9th of January 1596.

Holograph. Part of Seal. 1 p. 37. 40.)

FRANCIS CHERRY to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 9.-Emboldened by former favourable regard both in his own particular as also to the company of Merchants Adventurers trading to Russia, presumes to acquaint his lordship that, about three months past on the arrival of their ships, the officers of Her Majesty's Navy took for her service and use in her ships cordage to the value of 9,2541. 8s., according to the rate set thereof, although the same be better than our home made cordage, or that which is brought from Danske, by 6s. 8d. in every hundred. Also there resteth unpaid for cordage taken last year 6587. 11s. 8d. The directors of the trace beseech him to move the Queen for a privy seal to the Lord Treasurer for payment of these sums, for that most part belongs to young men and others that hardly can forbear the use of their stock so long, having already been constrained through want thereof to take up money.-London, 9th January 1596.

1 p. (37. 58.)

SIR ROBERT SYDNEY to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 9.-By Boord I have received your letter and in it the warning to expect an employment from her Majesty. I had knowledge of it before from Mr. Gilpin, to whom it was written from the Court, but could not believe it because at the same very time I received a letter from Mr. Secretary touching my return, with no one word of the other matter: after, I understood from Ro. Whyte that your lordship had given him to know as much. Whereupon I wrote to your lordship at large from the Haghe of what I thought fit to advertise you therein. I hope you have already received my letters, neither can I now say any more than then I did, but still to sing the sate song, that the time and manner of this employment brings small encouragement with it. But I cannot change my creation. I am a servant, and therefore I must not fly from the commandments which are laid upon me. God send there be no more looked for at my hands than is in me to do and then I doubt not of a safe conscience that I will have proceeded without turning to the right hand or to the left. But many times endeavours are construed by the events and business as easily imagined to be brought to effect as they are projected. I cannot sail against wind and tide, neither

hath the Queen truer here to command. I will do as the barque that when it is guided makes way according to the sufficiency of her building. For other than I am I will not make myself, nor promise to make a better viage than they which have run the course before me. Though if for mine own respect nothing might prevail, her Majesty's own service should move somewhat which will rather be hindered at this time than advanced, the States being neither assembled nor yet resolved of the necessary estate of their own causes. Neither indeed can I work so boldly upon the ground of a piece of paper only as if I were where I might know from her Majesty the centre (as it were) and the circumference of her will; how far I mought proceed and within what bounds hold myself which out of mine instructions I cannot learn which hear neither answers nor replies. And if I have instructions cast in the same mould I and other men have been used to receive, I know I shall find corners which will hardly without help be made smooth; and on the other side I do look fer nothing but wringing of my proceedings to any hard construction and disavowing of my actions according as either myself or the matter shall give cause of advantage, wherein I must expect to be protected by you, not only out of favour unto me but as a councillor and a just man. For my confidence is very small in some other men. For already I had experience of them upon the return of my first employment into France. But, my Lord, I hold you too long. I will expect her Majesty's pleasure: only I beseech you that you will have care of my allowance. For I cannot follow her Majesty's business if I have it not. The title of ambassador, as Mr. Bodeley had, I do not affect, neither indeed shall I do her Majesty so good service if I be so notified as if I only deal as Governor of Flushing, and extraordinarily authorised by her for this action at this time. One matter more I have wherein I beseech your lordship to hear Rd. Whyte and to let me have your favour and furtherance fully. The matter is not great, yet since I see I am married to these counties I do exceedingly desire it. It is about the reinforcing of my company of horse, which may be done without charging of her Majesty. I have given instructions to Ro. Whyte. I beseech your Lordship to give him audience as your leisure will serve, and to hold him in your favour who will ever be your most affectionate servant, R. Sydney.-Flushing, the 9 of January 1596.

Holograph. 3 pp. (37. 59.)

SIR ROBERT SYDNEY to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 9.-In the gift of the company which was Sir Coniers Clifford's my lieutenant Governor, Sir Edmond Uvedale, challengeth of me that I should have respect of him, and that, the 150 going to Sir John Skelton, the other 50 might be given unto him. Truly he hath great reason to require it of me, for having served the Queen so long and in so good places as he hath done, if there be any difference of companies, he may challenge it, especially in the garrison where himself is lieutenant governor, and where it is in his hands to bestow under whom he hath served so long. I would not make question of it but in respect of my promise unto you, and I would think Sir John Skelton might think himself satisfied from me with such a company as other captains have, and Sir Ed. Uvedale having an extraordinary place to have an extraordinary company. I shall think your lordship doth me a favour if I may in this sort dispose of this company.-Flushing, 9 of January 1596.

Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (37. 61.)

WILLIAM STALLENGE to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 9.-This last day arrived Captain Croftes in a ship of about 250 tons which he with others took eight days past near the Isles of Bayon. The ship, as most of the company affirm, belonged to St. John Deluse, her lading to men of St. Sebastians, and is (as by report of some of the company) about 20 tons iron in bars, iron bars and some chests of nails, and so many pipe staves as will serve for seven or eight hundred pipes and butts, about 40 kintalls of black rozen and 20 dozen of small oars for boats. The ship departed from the Passage thirteen days past, where, as some of the company report, there were twelve new galleons launched and masted; which may be ready to set sail about three months hence for Ferrall to join the rest of the King's fleet. Of other preparation of shipping and men for the King's service they say there is none in the ports of Biskeie, only there was a general report that the King intended to levy a great army at Feroll and Lisbon, to what intent they knew not, but, as some suppose, part of them to keep his own coast and the rest to guard his West India's fleet being to the number of 80 sail, now in the river of Seville and bay of Cales, and will be ready to depart towards the New Spain next May. And that fleet being gone, they mean to send another for the "firme land" about September next.

It was reported that the Adelantado had lost near the Cape Fenister thirteen sail of his fleet, with 4,000 men, and is now at Farroll with the rest. It may be supposed the King's intent at first was to have some service done either upon England or Ireland and so his ships to have returned for guarding of his India's Fleet; which now the time being so far spent and his army in such unreadiness as it is can hardly be done; and considering (as is generally reported) his army doth rather diminish than increase, for many of his men die by sickness, other some are licensed to depart, and a number of the mariners which were taken up in Biskei are gone without leave, it may be they are not minded to attempt anything in these parts this year, but will with some reasonable strength defend their own coasts and guard their fleets as well for the East as the West Indias, which may in a short time be better understood, for if they mean so to do, it is very likely they will dismiss the Flemings and their ships which they have taken up perforce. As far as I can understand they are more afraid of us there than [we of] them here, and I would to God they might have more cause to fear us than as yet they have. It is thought their shipping doth not lie in such strength, but that some service might be done upon them, being undertaken in time. Their provision of victuals, coming as it doth from St. Lukers and Cales, might be easily intercepted, besides many other good services might be done, if it would please Her Majesty to keep a reasonable number of shipping upon his coast. And so should our mariners be employed abroad, and not rob and steal, as many of them do at this present at home for want of maintenance.

Captain Croftes, as it appeareth by writing, had in company with him at the taking of the ship a barque of Hampton and another of this town, which are to have their parts proportionally of that he hath brought home; and as he saith it pleased your Honours himself should enjoy all that he did take in the voyage. Notwithstanding, my determination is (which I doubt not but the rest of the Commissioners will like well of) to cause the goods to be landed and an inventory taken thereof with the privity of those that pretend interest therein, and the ship with her furniture to be in safe keeping until your pleasure be further known, which I humbly crave with all convenient speed, as well for this as for

anything else that shall be brought in hereafter by Captain Croftes his barque or Captain Harper.

Before and since their going forth I have disbursed towards their charges about 807. and have given my word to satisfy most part of the rest due for their victuals, the customer being unprovided of money and the rest of the Commissioners unwilling to disburse anything at all. Wherefore I beseech your Honour to move my Lords that out of these goods I may have what I have laid out of my own purse and what I have given my word for.

men.

The abovesaid being written, here arrived a small barque from Captain Harper, which he took thwart of the town of Moores, laden with walnuts, hasel nuts and a small quantity of walnut tree boards, with the which he was bound from Xixon in Galizia to Lisborne. The company of the barque report that of the Adelantado's fleet were cast away twenty-five sail of great ships with 8,000 men; and that there remained in Farroll of both the fleets not above sixty sail, many of them unrigged. That the Flemish ships and such others as were taken up to serve are released. That a great number of the mariners taken up to serve in the King's ships are run away. That the soldiers are lodged abroad in the country in divers places, some of them about sixty leagues from Farroll along the sea coast towards Biskie, being in all about 7,000 One of them doth also report that the Adelantado, being sent for by the King in some displeasure, took such an inward grief therewith that he died at Farroll about fifteen or twenty days past. Some letters were taken in this barque but none that do report anything concerning the army. There is one letter in Dutch which Sir Ferdinando Gorges hath thought meet should be sent, for that there is something written concerning Callis. It will be very requisite that present order be given what shall be done with the ship brought home by Captain Croftes, for that the mariners will be very ready to make spoil of her; and, as one of the Biskens telleth me, the owner of the ship hath a kinsman now in London, named Martin Saris de Sarrio, which no doubt will be suitor unto your Honour for her. There are men appointed to look unto her as well by Sir Ferdinando Gorges and the mayor of this town as by Captain Croftes and the rest that pretend interest in her. Captain Croftes himself intendeth to depart from hence unto the Court on Monday next.-Plymouth, the 9th of January 1596.

Holograph. 2 pp. (173. 7.)

SIR RALPH BOSSEVILE to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan 10.-Praying he may have a longer stay in England for despatch of his business.

As he wrote from Rouen, his coming over was for seeing his wife and children, but it hath pleased God to visit him with much sickness since his return, and he has not been able to carry out his purpose. Writes by the good servant of the house where he lies, who has already been sent to Cecil upon causes of importance. Has been used with much care at the house, coming by chance thither in distress; if Cecil, on return of letters to Mr. Richers, gave a little thanks too on his account, it might exceedingly grace him.-From Rotham in Kent, the tenth of January

1596.

Endorsed :--" Captain Bosvylle to my Master."
Holograph. Seal broken. 1 p.

(37. 62.)

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