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SIR HORATIO PALAVICINO to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 5.-Desires that, according to the first order, Mr. Wedel may arrest Waring; which will move Master Bicher to pay the writer and will also move Mr. Scarley who is reported to owe 20,000l. to Bicher. Cecil wrote that he was sending a letter and requested the writer to prepare a sum of money, but no letter came with the other. Spiring need not be paid more than before, that is 4. Francesco Rizzo shall carry the account to Cecil's steward. Prays God to inspire the best resolution whether for the defensive or the offensive.-From my house, 5 Jan., 1596.

Italian. Holograph. 1 p. (173. 3.)

CAPT. JOHN LEGATT to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

:

1596-7, Jan. 6.—I departed from Portsmouth the Wednesday before Christmas Day, and I arrived at the Groyne on Christmas Day in the morning, where I lay becalmed all that day. The next day being Sunday, I took a small barque laden with pipe staves and hoops, which was not sufficient to come home, the which made me upon their news to use this mighty great diligence, both with man of war and shollop, to get a sufficient barque to come home in which I praise God, I did accomplish before day; hard by Sizarke, I took a small gallego of the Moors in Galicia; whom I found in the same tale that I found the first company in that I took which made me with all expedition give over my ship and embark myself in the same gallego. In which I have been so extremely weather-beaten that I did never think to have seen England again. But yet, I thank God, I arrived in Plymouth the 4th of this present. So I was, from the day I set sail from Portsmouth, to the Groyne and home again in fourteen days, but I protest so extremely weather-beaten and ill that I could not possibly come up to your honour, which grieveth me extremely. I have brought two Spaniards which I have delivered unto Sir Ferdinando Gorge, Mr. Haris and Mr. Stallenge, who have taken their examinations in particular, and detain them till they hear your pleasure whether they shall be sent up or no. I doubt not that your honour will remember my great charge in this journey besides my extreme pains taken, which I protest I would not abide the like contiuual torment if I might be sure to get a India's ship with great wealth.

There was cast away between Lisbon and Faroll, near about the Cape, twenty-four sail of the Adelantado his fleet, and in them about 3,000 men, besides 2,000 that had died of sickness in the rest of his fleet. There is now at Faroll the Adelantado and Captain Suriago with 130 sail of shipping, the most part of them Flemings which are taken to serve perforce.

The soldiers are lodged abroad in the country in three parts. The one in the Sturias, one other in Castilla Lavieia and the other part of Galizia. The sickness among them at Farroll is very great.

The general report goeth that this fleet, if they had not been so spoiled, should have gone for the Isle of Wight.-vith of Januarie, 1596.

1 p. (37. 44.)

The COMMISSIONERS AT PLYMOUTH to the LORDS OF THE
COUNCIL.

1596-7, Jan. 6.-Information as in the preceding letter.

Before Captain Legatt's going forth they gave him 107. towards his charges, with their Lordships' instructions, but as he has left his own

barque and hazarded himself to return with these advertisements, his hope is, by their Lordships' favours, to obtain of her Majesty some better reward. Plymouth, 6 January 1596.

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Signed:-Humphrey Founes, maior; Fard: Gorges; Chr: Harris ; Wm. Stallenge.

p. (37. 46.)

SPANISH NEWS.

[1596-7, Jan. 6.]-Deposition of Pedro Ramus, of the town of Moores in Galizia, being one of the company of the bark Good Jhesus.

That ten days past, he and his company on their way from Moores to Bilbao with " conger dowes and pilchard," were taken by Captain Legatt, 3 leagues from Sezark. Ten weeks past, the Delantado left Lisborne with 100 ships to join Suriago's fleet at Vigo and thence come for England, intending to land in the Isle of Wight; but, through extreme foul weather, he was constrained to put in to Farroll, having lost off Cape Finisterre 24 ships with 3,000 men, besides 2,000 that died of sickness. Captain Suriago arrived 3 months ago at Vigo with 40 ships and pinnaces from Biskey, and 20 days since departed for Farroll, having lost many men at Vigo by sickness. Of the 15,000 men in the two fleets 6,000 had died before they had come to Farroll, and many, it is thought, since, "by reason of the sickness that is amongst them." The soldiers are lodged around Farroll, having 6d. a day each, and the mariners remain at Farroll. Captain Suriago was going to Biskey to bring eight galleons from the Passage.

To

Deposition of Pedro Ramus, a kinsman of the preceding. similar effect. The galleon Santiago was among those lost. The Delantado is at Pontadema near Farroll.

Endorsed :-" Examination of two Spanish mariners taken and brought into Plymouth by Captain Legatt."

1 p. (48. 51.)

The COMMISSIONERS AT PLYMOUTH to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 6.-Understand by his letters that Philip Cursin has complained of them concerning wheat landed at Plymouth out of the Dutch ship, wherein he hath abused Cecil and done them wrong, forsomuch as the wheat was neither received or measured by any of them, but by Mr. Bagg his servant, as was appointed, he being Cursin's factor. Neither have they set him any price; he may sell the wheat to whom and how he list for his most advantage so it be not carried out of the realm.

By Cecil's first letters they were appointed to unlade one or two hundred quarters of the said wheat (Winchester measure) and for so much they gave orders unto Mr. Bagg his servant, as by letters herewith he certifies Cursin, as also that they have had no further to do therewith.-Plymouth, 6 January 1596.

Signed as in the letter from the same above.

Seal. p. (37. 45.)

SIR FERDINANDO GORGES and JAMES BAGG to SIR ROBERT

CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 6.-On the same subject as the preceding letter.From the Fort, Plymouth, the 6th of January.

Signed. Seal. 1 p. (37. 47.)

SIR GRIFFIN MARKHAM to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

[1596-7], Jan. 6.-Apologising if he has too impudently presumed Knows his credit or too unmannerly pressed Cecil more than others. sufficient to procure this favour and desires to bind himself only to him to whom for forepassed favours and alliance he has already vowed his best endeavours. Finds also, besides the necessities of his estate, that an aguish indisposition begins to trouble him which in his last imprison. ment left him not until the extremity of danger: these made him fear and fear enforced his earnestness.-From the Fleet this 6 of January. Endorsed:-"1596."

Holograph. Seals. p. (37. 48.)

JOHN DANYELL to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 6.-Mr. Wade's words used towards me immediately after my coming from your honour, in asking me what I had to do at your chamber door and willing me to go down, was no small grief unto me. Since your honour told me you would wish to have one or two Irishmen for the Groyne I was careful thereof, and finding that young man, whose father and mother I have known, and understanding that he served Mr. Comerforde, her Majesty's Attorney at law in Connaught, and perceiving that he could write Latin and English and that one coming out of Ireland presently might live with less suspicion among the Spaniards than any of continuance here, I thought him fit for the service; for being directed (although he hath not the language) he mought, among the priests and the English, Scotch and Irish soldiers, learn of all the secrets current there, and so advertise as long as you were pleased he should remain among them, his brother having dwelt in Vienna these fourteen or fifteen years and being a hard merchant, howbeit he would not furnish him with any store of money, yet he would by his word or letter prefer him to some good service and credit among them; which gave me farther cause to hold him the fitter for that service, wherein I hope I have not offended. As I have lived here these four years and a half, ready to do her Majesty any service I could like a dutiful subject, so I will henceforth continue. Yet notwithstanding all this, if your honour will not have me come toward your chamber door I will observe your commandment, praying your honour to continue your favour, and that I may receive your pleasure by Mr. Wylles for the quieting of my mind. -6 January 1596.

Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (37. 49.)

SIR FRANCIS VERE to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 7.-In my last I gave some taste that the enterprise of Calais was not desired in all parts with like affection, whereof having been more ascertained since, I can do no less than to confirm your honour in the belief thereof. They allege the hardness of the exploit by reason of the strong garrison, the necessity of dividing the army of the besiegers, and consequently the advantage the Cardinal shall have thereby in assailing us to succour the place. On the other side, if he bend his forces to work a diversion on the frontiers of Picardy, the harm he may do in that quarter is to be feared. To this effect letters intercepted (said to be of the Cardinal's) are sent abroad, and the talk of peace between the King and them is not concealed. But why the King should not condescend that her Majesty in taking should enjoy Calais, they can allege nothing but that the great ones of France do oppose

themselves, and yet they do not seem to dislike that her Majesty should put a royal army into the field under the conduct of her own lieutenants, which, notwithstanding, I should judge is that which most troubleth them. Howbeit to men of sound understanding no one thing ought more to be desired. In the mean time they propound a meeting at Dieppe to confer of matters, when we have it here about the streets that the project is already layed to make an army to enter by Artoys and Hainault into the enemy's country. This savoureth so much of the particular ends of some great one that hath much laboured in knitting affections together, that I am eased from searching into any further drift, being out of doubt for the common good that course cannot but prove harmful unless a mastering army could be maintained for new enemies. In this disposition of humours I have gone as far as I thonght fit in a matter wherein I knew so much of her Majesty's inclination as she was pleased to impart unto me when I kissed her hands, dealing very roundly with Monsieur de Buzenvall and Monsieur de Barnevelt, and alleging the best arguments I could think of to shew both the weightiness of the enterprise for the general good of us all, and the inconveniences likely to ensue by the crossing of her Majesty's good purpose. Herein to be short, they both gave me their words to set matters in the best way they could. Monsieur de Barnevelt dealt likewise with Buzenvall, who is now departed for France to let the King know that it was greatly desired of the States. For these countries he gave hope of forces and commo. dities to the furthering of the service to the uttermost of their power, and said moreover to me, "what needeth her Majesty ask the King's hand when she hath his word and forces to go through the enterprise." Thus I trouble your honour with many lines of a matter which I doubt will take no effect on a sudden, being afeared that her Majesty will have so much to do in Ireland, whither it is held for certain the Spanish fleet is bound, that this shall be laid aside. Howbeit some are of opinion it were now the fittest time, and hold the taking of that place would break the violent course of their proceedings, and therefore judge that with the more expedition the attempt should be given. From them I should not swerve much, considering the present weakness and unreadiness of the Cardinal, whose troops are greatly decayed so that he is not much to be feared till his new levies arrive, as also that the siege of this place may make the Spaniard stagger in his intended exploit with his fleet. But better it were not attempted at all than not in such sort as may procure a good event. With less than 20,000 men it may not be undertaken. Out of France none can be expected worth the reckoning but her Majesty's alone, unless some horsemen here, not above 4,000 at the most. The rest, which seem many to our State, wili, I hope, in good part be supplied by the willingness of the people, who are hereunto exceedingly affected, and gentlemen volunteers. If her Majesty resolve it I beseech you to hasten the execution with all possible speed as the only sure way to make you prevail. I shall attend what shall be agreed on with devotion, and will as devotedly do you service if it go forward, and with the like willingness desire to wait upon you wheresoever you are employed. But I most humbly entreat, upon any other occasion let me not be removed, for I have no mind to follow any but yourself, and I doubt if by your good means I be not maintained here my great enemies will loosen me hence as from my surest retreat. I most humbly beseech your honour therefore to care for me as one that wholly dependeth on your favour and that you may wholly dispose of.-Haghe, this 7 January 1596.

P.S. The 12 of this month Count Maurice mindeth to seek the enemy at Tornhowlt in Brabant where there lyeth 3,000 of them. If

they be not well on their guard and retire in time, which is all the fear we have, I hope to send your Lordship word of the defeating them. Holograph. 3 pp. (37. 54.)

SIR HORATIO PALAVICINO to LORD BUrghley.

1596-7, Jan. 7.—I have thought it would be to the Queen's service if I could place (intromettere) an agent (negotiatore) in the Court of France who, by contract with the King, should undertake the payment to the Queen of what she shall have disbursed for the pay of the 2,000 foot sent into France since the conclusion of the league; but without first knowing your pleasure I dare not write to a friend who I hope will undertake it. If you approve it, you should write a letter to Mr. Milmay for my friend to deliver.-From my house, 7 Jan. 1596. Italian. Holograph. 1 p. (173. 4.)

[Sir THOMAS CHALONER] to the EARL OF ESSEX.

[1596-7,] Jan. 8.-Complimentary phrases.

An Englishman named Williamson, one of the exiles among those who boast that they have preferred the freedom of an unsullied conscience to the delights of parents and country, being about to start for Rome, he conceived a suspicion that he had letters concealed about his person. Such proved to be the case, the six letters sent herewith having been taken from him, while Williamsom himself tore up or burned three others which were stitched in his doublet, doubtless as being of more importance.

Those who have charge of the sea coast of England must be either negligent or slothful. Every week fugitives from that country arrive in vast numbers, so as it is no longer true, as Lucan says, Penitus divisos orbe Britannos; while such a rabble of English roam now in Italy that it would seem as though the English laws did not forbid the voyage.Pisa, Jan. 8.

Signed:-"Tho: Bentivolus."

Endorsed:--“ 1596. Sir Thos. Challoner."

Latin. Seal. 2 pp. (37. 56.)

The EARL OF ESSEX to the MINISTERS OF SCOTLAND.

1596-7, Jan. 8.-You shall deliver for answer unto the letters you brought thus much. That first, I knowing how carefully mine enemies lie in wait to carp at all my actions, and how many things are therefore censured to be ill done because they are done by me, I durst not, I say, without warrant from her Majesty, resolve anything or do anything in the matter moved unto me. Secondly, That having acquainted her Majesty with it and used the best motives I could to draw on her princely and christian compassion, I received this answer, that I should by no means yield to the motion, but wish the parties for a time to retire into some other country till the storm were blown over, for their receiving into England would not only offend the King to the prejudice of the amity between their Majesties, but would breed great suspicion that her Majesty's direction and her Majesty's Ministers had stirred up these troubles in Scotland. Lastly, you may as from me assure the gentlemen that as I am grieved that I cannot stand them in more stead, so I would advise them, if they know any Councillor in this place that hath been more used in the causes that concern them, or hath given them cause to presume of favour, that then they would address their

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