Meanwhile here is a young man of his country whom he kept at his charges these twelve days, who has been in the most places of service in Spain, France and the enemy's Low Countries and can speak Spanish, some French, and can write and read English. If Cecil has any occasion to employ him will bring him, and will undertake he will perform his directions; he must be contented with reasonable allowance, and as he shall deserve so to receive his reward.—3 February, 1596. Holograph. 1 p. (38. 19.)

SIR ROBERT SYDNEY to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Feb. 3. -This bearer was in the [Spanish] fleet when it was cast away, wherefore I thought good to address him to you, because he knows many particulars of it. He was also upon the galleys when you fought with them at Cales. Of the remnant of the fleet a friend of mine, a merchant, had letters of the 15 of Jan., stilo novo, that all the hulks were set free and that the galleons were this next March to go into the Indies to convoy the treasure. From Lisbon there is writing also that confirms the discharge of the said hulks. How true this is I know not, but if I had better I would write it.—At Flushing, 3 February, 1596. Holograph. Seal. p. (38, 20.)

LORD BURGH to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

[1596-7] Feb. 3.-What by the comfort of true friends sufficeth not to counterpoise your greatest loss, or what in your private estate and fortune is unsuitable to your former contentment, is yet supplied in some measure from the High Disposer of all things, who hath constituted you a member for your country, raised you to public use, made you an instrument of His providence in matters of State, and enabled you to these cases which to you must be chariora uxore et liberis. Deject not then your own mind ordained to a worthier scope than to be mated with the private disasters of a family. The sense of a natural man (whereof none I must say could have a greater attainte) must give place to the reason of a judicial distinguisher between those things which be irrecoverable and those which, by more thinking of them, we may anyways alter. This is the case, to the due consideration whereof I summon you in your wisdom.

You have made me happy in the grave and worthy writing of my lord, your father, directed to me. It is a special argument of his favour, which I hold so precious as I will in no industry be wanting to preserve it. As for many commodities which your love hath given me I can but now protest, so for my faith to God, he believing and your commandments shall never be deceived.-February 2, your true friend to do you service, T. Burgh.

Endorsed:-" 1596."

Holograph. Seal broken. p. (173. 37.)

MONS. DESDIGUIERES to the EARL OF ESSEX,

1596-7, Feb. -Thanks Essex for writing to him, of which honour he was unworthy; is entirely at his service. Prays to be allowed to continue to communicate their affairs to him, as Essex has promised on his part to do; has given the means and the address to Edmondes to be communicated to Essex. "I leave this Court to return to the Alps; it is reported that our enemies make a shew of wishing to stir,

but I think they have as little desire as I find in many of our pilots little willingness to make in that direction a diversion such as would be both honourable and necessary, if we are to learn experience from past injuries, to avoid those that we shall suffer in the present or future if we do not foresee them."-Paris, 14 February, new style, 1597. Signed. French. 1 p. (38. 32.)

SIR EDWARD NORREYS to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Feb. 4.-I cannot now advertise your Lordship of any great preparations as I was wont to do, nor of any brags or boasts of the enemy. It seems that the state of things are altered, for now I hear nothing but complaints of want of men and money and all other means to make wars; for misery lighting on a discontented person is made greater and all hope turned to prognostications of worse, so now these people cry out against the Cardinal. They say he will move away and abandon them-that the French will overcome them, and the States of Holland and Zeland become their masters, for they have no army left, and those few soldiers which have escaped the sword and the plague die for hunger; their garrisons instead of pay light at discretion upon the burghers, so that the general distress is likely to breed some great alteration. Time hath not yet wrought any particularities, for everything must have his ripeness, but I am persuaded that, as soon as they shall be driven to make head either against the French or the States and so forced, for lack of old soldiers, to draw out the garrisons, then will the effects of those discontents break out; which, as soon as I shall have any inkling of, I will not fail to advertise your Lordship.-Ostend this 4th Feb. 1596.

Holograph. Seal. 2 pp. (173. 38.)

SIR HORATIO PALAVICINO to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Feb. 5.—Mr. Wedal should be warned that Waring is not imprisoned by the magistrate of Middleburg, as he presupposes, but has a safe conduct from his creditors, and the magistrate has no interest in the matter; so that he should not carry out the orders of Cecil and his father upon untrue grounds. Van Nispen, whom Mr. Wedal mentions as one of the four deputies, is my friend and presented your letter, which he would not have done had the matter been as Mr. Wedal presupposes. The true way to help me "is Mr. Scerley, who has great accounts with M. Bicher which can no longer be hid." Mr. Cecester too could help me, as he has a little ground near Baburham which he will sell me, taking the debt in payment, but the price he asks is too high. From my house, 5 Feb. 1596.

Italian. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (173. 41.)

THE EARL OF ESSEX to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Feb. 6.-Upon Sir Conyers Clifford's nomination to the government of Connaught he moved her Majesty and Sir Robert Sydney for the preferring of Sir John Shelton to his company; which being agreed to by her Majesty and Sir Robert (who had the gift of the company by his patent) he acquainted Sir John Shelton with it. Hears since that Sir Edm. Udall laboureth to draw 50 of the company from him. Prays Cecil take knowledge how far his poor credit is interested in this

cause; neither in standing nor merit in the wars is there that difference betwixt Sir Edm. Udall and Sir John Shelton that anything should be taken from the one to be added to the other.-6 February.

Endorsed:-1596.

Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (38. 21.)

SIR FERDINANDO GORGES to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Feb. 6.-According to command the reporter of the news departed towards London ten days since, to make suit for his entertainment for his voyage into the Indies with Sir Francis Drake, in the which action he was taken, as Mr. Middleton will be best able to satisfy him. By his last Cecil gave him notice of leave granted him to repair unto the Court, but to this present he has not seen it." From the foarte " [Plymouth], 6 February 1596.

Signed. Seal. p. (39. 22.)

ROGIER BELLEGARDE to the EARL OF ESSEX.

[1596-7], February-His Majesty writing to the Queen in favour of the captain Isaac Portou, dwelling in Haurcquartville, brother of the bearer, he takes this opportunity of commending him to Essex, and signifying his own desire to serve him.-Paris, 16 February. Endorsed:-" M. le Grand."

Holograph. French. p. (49. 47.)

SIR FERDINANDO GORGES to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Feb. 7.-Of late there is arrived in Portsmouth a fly-boat taken by three men-of-war on the coast of Spain bound for Lisbon, laden with wheat, copper, and cables; and one of these three was the bark of Capt. Legat, sent out by us with order from you for matter of intelligence at the charge of the owner himself, Capt. Sanders, Mr. Stallenge and myself. We pray your favour towards the bringer hereof, Capt. Legat, whom we have appointed to solicit the whole (sic) for an indifferent course to be held so as we may have that which belongeth unto us. It is reason, if you think well, that Capt. Legat should be permitted to have some privilege before the rest, since he was sent forth in her Majesty's service, and performed it according to direction.— From the Fort, 7 February, 1596.

Signed. Seal. p. (38. 24.)

P. LORD DUNSANY to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Feb. 8.-It is more than a fortnight since I acquainted you. with the apprehension of a servant of mine for papistry and of the taking of a trunk with 1007. of mine from him; whereto I besought your favour to be restored. And albeit I troubled you then, through constraint, at an unseasonable time, yet it pleased you to answer that if I would resort to Mr. Wade I should be dealt with as were fit. But notwithstanding that. I was accordingly with Mr. Wade, who used me courteously and promised me friendly, there is nothing done to this hour as I expected. The cause alleged is an information that the said money was a collection for the relief of the seminaries and such cattle; which I suppose (not without cause) to be a mere surmise to "entange my goods thereby, for I take God to witness that neither myself nor any that I know did ever suspect my said servant of such dealing,

who by education was a bad cook, and is in condition very plain and simple, and being now forty years old could never write nor read, until of late he learned to scrape a few letters to keep his accounts. Censure me rightly according [to] the wont of my lord your good father, and believe that I would not expose my poor credit only to the danger of so foul a blemish as to be convinced of so shameful an untruth; much less would I endanger my life that fashion, accounting it no better than treason to take upon me to own the goods of priests and such traitors. Therefore I desire you to give direction that I may have my money, which I do with the greater earnestness to avoid the obloquy whereunto I may fall by their longer detaining thereof; for the vulgar is apt to speak the worst, specially of any of my country, which I shali hardly avoid except I be shielded by your judgment.--This 8 February.

Holograph. 1 p. (38. 25.)

THE LORD ADMIRAL (HOWARD) to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Feb. 10.-Upon receipt of your letter I have presently sent that the Vanguard and the hoys which kept at Queensborough shall go to Sir Henry Palmer; the Tremontane is with him already. I have also written earnestly to Sir H. Palmer that if they be not already passed there he shall stay them or lay some of them in the sea; but if they be passed, as the Earl reported unto her Majesty, it was before Sir H. Palmer received order, for he said that they passed the Narrow Seas yester sennight, and Sir H. Palmer's letter went but on Saturday last from hence. But I marvel that Sir Ro. Sydney would suffer them to pass by Flushing and the Ramkyns, for I know not to what end they shall serve the Queen if they be not able to command the shipping that sball go in and come out. But I think, as you do, that they be not yet passed. But this is the fruit of their friendship, in such a time to betray her Majesty and themselves with serving the enemy's turns. I would all were as it was when we began with them, for I see what will come of this; for either we must suffer them to strengthen our enemy or fall out with them. For the States themselves be traders and will not forbear their gain, and so to colour all and to serve their own turns will little care what becometh of us. But, Sir, this should be my counsel, that if they be passed, whensoever they return they should pay dearly for it, and it will be easily discerned if they come from Spain or Rochelle by their lading. I will be at the Court to-morrow early. Endorsed :-"10 February, 1596."

Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (38. 26.)

RICHARD CARMARDEN to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Feb. 10.-I perceive by yours how much it disquieteth you to see the folly committed by Le Forte, which he would lay upon you and Sir Walter Ralegh. But he is a man that knoweth where to load and unload merchandise without danger of law, and [I] am heartily sorry you have to do with such cunning persons. For he that had the goods in his own house and might by your authorities or in your names have shipped it at an appointed place, what needed he to have sent it from his own house to ship it at Durham House, a place well known to him prohibited, as all above the bridge are? My men under me appointed, I confess, took it as goods forfeited, and I think have informed

of it. If not, if order may be taken for the discharge of them and me from the Exchequer, you shall command me and them in all things.Mark Lane, 10 February, 1596.

Holograph. Seal. p. (38. 28.)

GEORGE GILPIN to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Feb. 12.-Since the despatch of my last, bearing date the 27 January, here is arrived from the King of France a porte-manteau, who brought the ratification under the great seal of the agreements and treaty here made by the Duke of Buillon at his last being in these parts, whereat the States do the more rejoice because the King by his letter assureth them he will keep promise, and in no wise agree with the Spaniard, although divers labour it, but will be ready and do all endeavour to be first in field; encouraging them unto the like while the occasions are offered so fair, which his ambassador, Buzenvall, should open further to them: and he being now in France will stay his return or abide the time until the King send hither some other, or by pen do manifest the same further. In the mean while this message and dealing of the King's doth revive their declining hope with an encouragement to take matters in hand the more roundly so to bring the two Kings to blows and fasten their enmity with a resolution of revengement, heartily wishing that it might please her Majesty to join forces, and with joint advices to resolve the taking in hand of some great and especial enterprize. Monsieur Caron they have expected, and look for still, with devotion to understand by him what her Majesty's desire is, fearing much lest the troops should be drawn away again with Sir Fr. Vere towards summer, when they shall here most need them, and so to be unprovided: which they could wish to know in time to make their account accordingly, having therefore, of late, moved and asked Sir Fr. whether he knew not what they might trust unto, and if they might be sure of him and his regiment. To which he said, to be a subject and servant of Her Majesty's and consequently in duty to obey all her commandments: that whilst he had lived in these countries he had endeavoured himself to do them good service and continued still no less affected, so long as he should be here, yet with that dutiful respect to her Majesty and his own country that became him. And so the matter rested without reply, all staying (as I think) until Caron his arrival, to hear what he bringeth and can say of her Majesty's pleasure. The worst is that in the mean [time] (I doubt) they will not appoint any certain repartition of payment on the provinces, but will pay the regiment as hitherto out of the extraordinary, and that is uncertain and some hindrance to the soldiers and trouble to the captains to have a new soliciting monthly. There are also some amongst these men which in private communication have told me that, if they could make sure account of Sir Francis' stay, there would ere this have been some special charge committed to him, knowing his worth every ways whereof the country hath had trial, which I thought good to certify your Lordship of, because I know you favour the gentleman and hold a singular opinion of him, wishing his good and advancement.

They have resolved and appointed that he shall forthwith go into the Zutphen quarters to command over those garrisons and, seeing any time or means to attempt somewhat on the enemy, to draw out and employ the men thereto : to which end a great number shall be sent into those parts, and within a while, when the meeting of the States of Gelderland