TO THE KING. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

Being yesterday assembled in council to proceed in the course we had begun, for retrenchment of your majesty's expenses; we received your princely letters, whereby we are directed to send to your majesty the names of the officers of the exchequer, custom-house, and auditors, out of which you purpose to make choice of some to be sub-committed to handle the mechanic and laborious part of that which your majesty had appointed to our care; we have, according to our duty, sent unto your majesty the names of the several officers of your majesty in those places, to be ordered as your wisdom shall think best to direct. But withal, we thought it appurtenant to our duties to inform your majesty how far we have proceeded in the several heads of retrenchments by your majesty at your departure committed unto us, that when you know in what estate our labours are, your judgment may the better direct any further course, as shall be

meet.

The matter of the household was by us, some days since, committed peremptorily to the officers of the house, as matter of commandment from your majesty, and of duty in them, to reduce the expense of your house to a limited charge of fifty thousand pounds by the year, besides the benefit of the compositions; and they have ever since painfully, as we are informed, travailed in it, and will be ready on Sunday next, which was the day given them, to present some models of retrenchments of divers kinds, all aiming at your majesty's service.

In the point of pensions we have made a begin. ning, by suspending some wholly for a time, and of others of a third part; in which course we are still going on, until we make it fit to be presented to your majesty; in like manner the Lord Chamberlain, and the Lord Hay, did yesterday report unto us, what their travail had ordered in the wardrobe; and, although some doubt did arise unto us, whether your majesty's letters intended a stay of our labours, until you had made choice of the sub-committee intended by you, yet, presuming that such a course by sub-committee was purposed rather for a furtherance than let to that work, we did resolve to go on still, till your majesty's further directions shall come unto us; and then, according to our duty, we will proceed as we shall be by your majesty commanded; in the mean time, we thought it our duty to inform your majesty of what we have done, that neither your majesty may conceive that we have been negligent in those things which were committed unto us, nor your directions by your late letters hinder or cast back that which is already so far pro

ceeded in.

And so, humbly kissing your royal hands,

I see the continuance of your love and respect to I have received your lordship's letters, wherein me, in any thing I write to you of, for which I give your lordship many thanks, desiring nothing for any man but what you shall find just and that there is so good hope of Sir Gilbert Houghconvenient to pass. I am very glad to understand ton's business, which I must needs ascribe to your which I will ever acknowledge. If his majesty lordship's great favour toward him for my sake, at any time speak of the Lord Clifton's business, I will answer according to that your lordship hath written, &c.

Your lordship's faithful servant,
G. BUCKINGHAM.

Newmarket, the last of January, 1617.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

MY HONOURable Lord,

I have acquainted his majesty with your letter to me, and delivered likewise to him the letter and other things directed to his majesty, who hath commanded me to return this answer to them all.

First, for your memorial of your charge to the judges, he liketh it so well, that he findeth nothing either to be added or diminished; and was so well satisfied therewith, that he accounteth it needless to read the other papers, but sealed them up again, and sendeth them back to your lordship without reading them. Only in the point of recusants his majesty is of the quite contrary opinion to you; for though he would not by any means have a more severe course held than his laws appoint in that case, yet since the many reasons why, there should be no mitigation above that which his laws have enacted, and his own conscience telleth him to be fit. As, first, the Papists in his kingdom have taken such heart upon the commission given to Sir John Digby, touching the match with Spain, that they have sent copies thereof privately up and down, and

are so lifted up in their hopes of what they desire, that his majesty cannot but take a more severe course, as far as by his laws he may, than hitherto he hath done. Besides, when they shall see a harder hand carried toward them than hath been accustomed, his majesty assureth himself they will employ all their means to further the match, in hope of mitigating of that severity when it shall be accomplished. And though these reasons were not, his majesty would account it a baseness in a prince to show such a desire of the match, as to slack any thing in his course of government, much more in propagation of the religion he professeth, for fear of giving hindrance to the match thereby. And so, with many thanks for your favours to my brother in his business, I rest Your lordship's faithful servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

Newmarket, Feb. 8, 1617.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

We have sat once upon the commission of treasure to no ill purpose, as may appear by the account enclosed; wherein his majesty will find no preposterous issue of treasure. Mr. Chancellor imagines well; Coke seeks, and beats over, as well where it is not, as where it is; Secretary Naunton forgets nothing. I will look to bow things to the true ends. God bless and prosper his majesty and yourself.

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

July 25, 1618.

well spent in that kind. We have put those particulars whereof his majesty gave us charge into a way.

Bingley's information will be to good purpose, and we find another of like nature revealed to Mr. Secretary and myself. God ever prosper

you. Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

October 9, 1618.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

MY LORD, I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who giveth you thanks for your advice to communicate the business of the Dutchmen to the commissioners of the treasury, which his majesty was before purposed to refer to them, as it concerns his treasure, for the carriage of it; and to your lordship and the rest named in your letter, for the relation it hath to the law. For the proposers of the suit, his majesty intendeth only to reward their pains as may stand with his service and his princely disposition, but to preserve the main benefit himself: all that his majesty would have your lordship to do for the present, is to take order about the writ of ne exeant regnum, to advise with his learned counsel what course is to be taken, and if by a warrant from his majesty, that your lordship send him a warrant to be signed, which shall be returned with all speed. Of other things his majesty thinketh it will be time enough to speak at his return to London. In the mean time I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

Hinchinbroke, Oct. 21, 1618.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

What passed in your lordship's presence your lordship can tell, touching the navy. The morrow following we concluded in approbation of the books, save in one point, touching the number convenient for manning the ships, wherein the number allowed by the commissioners had, in my judgment, a little of the merchant; for to measure by so many as were above dead pays, is no good argument. For the abuse of dead pays is to be amended, and not the necessary number abated. In this his majesty may fall upon a middle proportion between that of the commissioners and that of the officers.

It were good, now the three books which we have appointed to be engrossed into one ledger book are affirmed, there were a short book of his majesty's royal directions, and orders thereupon, extracted.

For the commission of the treasury, I persuade myself, they are of the first hours that re been

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I have this morning received the petty roll for the sheriffs. I received also the papers exhibited by Sir Miles Fleetwood, which I will use to his majesty's best service, and thereupon give account to his majesty when time serveth.

My care, which is not dormant, touching his majesty's service, specially that of treasure, (which is now summa summarum,) maketh me propound to his majesty a matter, which, God is my witness, I do without contemplation of friend or end, but animo recto.

If Sir Edward Coke continue sick, or keep in, I fear his majesty's service will languish too, in those things which touch upon law; as the calling in debts, recusants, alienations, defalcations, etc. And this is most certain, that in these new diligences, if the first beginning cool, all will go

I send now to know how his majesty doth after his remove, and to give you account, that yester day was a day of motions in the Chancery. This day was a day of motions in the Star Chamber, and it was my hap to clear the bar, that no man was left to move any thing, which my lords were pleased to note they never saw before. Tomorrow is a sealing day; Thursday is the funeral day; so that I pray your lordship to direct me whether I shall attend his majesty Friday or Saturday. Friday hath some relics of business,

TO THE KING.*

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, According to your majesty's pleasure, signified to us by the Lord Marquis Buckingham, we have considered of the fitness and conveniency of the gold and silver thread business, as also the profit that may accrue unto your majesty.

We are all of opinion that it is convenient that the same should be settled, having been brought hither at the great charge of your majesty's now agents, and being a means to set many of your poor subjects on work; and to this purpose there was a former certificate to your majesty from

some of us with others.

And for the profit that will arise, we see no cause to doubt; but do conceive apparent likelihood, that it will redound much to your majesty's profit, which we esteem may be at the least ten thousand pounds by the year; and, therefore, in a business of such benefit to your majesty, it were good it were settled with all convenient speed, by all lawful means that may be thought of; which, notwithstanding, we most humbly leave to your majesty's highest wisdom. Your majesty's most humble

and faithful servants,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.
H. MONTAGU,
HENRY YELVERTON.

to meet; but to see his majesty is to me above all.

I have set down, de bene esse, Suffolk's cause, the third sitting next term; if the wind suffer the commission of Ireland to be sped. I ever more and more rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

This 11th May, 1619.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLe Lord,

Your lordship hath sent so good news to his majesty that I could have wished you had been the reporter of it yourself; but seeing you came not, I cannot but give you thanks for employing me in the delivering of that which pleased his ship in mind when he seeth you. I am glad we majesty so well, whereof he will put your lordare come so near together, and hoping to see you at Windsor, I rest

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

August 29th, 1619.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

As I was reading your lordship's letter, his majesty came, and took it out of my hands, when he knew from whom it came, before I could read the paper enclosed, and told me that you had done like a wise counsellor; first setting down the state of the question, and then propounding the difficulties, the rest being to be done in its own time.

I am glad of this occasion of writing to your lordship, that I may now let your lordship understand his majesty's good conceit and acceptation of your service, upon your discourse with him at Windsor; which, though I heard not myself, yet I heard his majesty much commend it, both for the method and the affection you showed therein to his affairs, in such earnest manner, as if you

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

Wanstead, September 9th, 1619.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

I have received your letters by both your servants, and have acquainted his majesty with them, who is exceedingly pleased with the course you have held in the Earl of Suffolk's business, and holdeth himself so much the more beholden to you, because you sent the letter of your own motion, without order or consent of the lords, whereby his majesty is not tied to an answer. His majesty hath understood by many how worthily your lordship hath carried yourself both in this and the Dutch business; for which he hath commanded me to give you thanks in his name; and seeth your care to be so great in all things that concern his service, that he cannot but much rejoice in the trust of such a servant, which is no less comfort to

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

Royston, October 23d, 1619.

Endorsed,

On my Lord of Bucks, enclosing a letter of submission from my Lord of Suffolk.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

The news of this victory hath so well pleased his majesty, that he giveth thanks to all; and I, among the rest, who had no other part but the delivering of your letter, had my part of his good acceptation, which he would have rewarded after the Roman fashion with every man a garland, if it had been now in use; but after the fashion of his gracious goodness, he giveth your lordship thanks; and would have you deliver the like, in his majesty's name, to Sir Edward Coke and the judges. Your news, which came the first, gave his majesty a very good breakfast, and I hope his health will be the better after it.

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

October 14th, 1619.

Endorsed,

conceived agreeable to his majesty's meaning and directions; yet, lest we should err, we thought good to send it to his majesty. It is to be returned with speed, or else there will be no day in court to make it. God bless and prosper you. I

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

We sentence to-morrow, but I write to-day, because I would not leave the king in suspense.

I shall write not so good news as I would, but better than I expected.

We met amongst ourselves to-day, which I find was necessary more than convenient. I gave aim that the meeting was not to give a privie verdict, or to determine what was a good proof or not a good proof, nor who was guilty or not guilty, but only to think of some fit proportion of the fines, that there might be less distraction in the sentence, in a cause so scattered; some would have entered into the matter itself, but I made it good and kept them from it.

I perceive the old defendants will be censured as well as the new, (which was the goal,) and I am persuaded the king will have a great deal of honour of the cause. Their fines will be moderate, but far from contemptible. The attorney did very well to-day; I perceive he is a better pleader than a director, and more eloquent than

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I send the submission of Sir Thomas Laque, drawn in such form as, upon a meeting with me

Little thinks the king what ado I have here, but I am sure I acquit my trust. To-morrow I will write particularly. God ever preserve you. Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Tuesday Afternoon, this 7th Dec., 1619.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

upon

I doubt not but Sir Giles Montpesson advertiseth your lordship how our revenue business proceeds. I would his majesty had rested the first names; for the additionals, specially the doth not only weaken the matter, exchequer man, but weakeneth my forces in it, he being thought to have been brought in across. But I go on, and hope good service will be done. For the commissions to be published in the Star Chamber, for which it pleaseth his majesty to give me special thanks, I will have special care of them in time. God ever prosper you. Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant,

February 10, 1619.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

One gave me a very good precept for the stone;

that I should think of it most when I feel it least. This I apply to the king's business, which surely I revolve most when I am least in action, whereof, at my attendance, I will give his majesty such account as can proceed from my poor and mean abilities, which as his majesty, out of grace, may think to be more than they are, so I, out of desire, may think sometime they can

But still it must be

effect more than they can. remembered, that the stringing of the harp, no: the tuning of it will not serve, except it be well played on from time to time.

If his majesty's business or commandments require it, I will attend him at Windsor, though I would be glad to be spared, because quick airs at this time of the year do affect me. At London, and so at Theobalds and Hampton Court, I will not fail, God willing, to wait upon his majesty. Meanwhile I am exceeding glad to hear his majesty hath been lusty and well this progress. Thus, much desiring to see your lordship, cujus amor tantum mihi crescit in horas, (as the poet saith,) I ever remain

Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant,

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

Gorhambury, this 30th August, 1620.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

The tobacco business is well settled in all points. For the coals, they that brought the offer to Secretary Calvert, do very basely shrink from their words; but we are casting about to piece it and perfect it. The two goose quills, Maxwell and Alured, have been pulled, and they have made submissions in that kind which the board thought fit for we would not do them the honour to require a recantation of their opinion, but an acknowledgment of their presumption.

His majesty doth very wisely, (not showing much care or dread to it,) yet really to suppress this licentious course of talking and writing. My old Lord Burghley was wont to say, that the Frenchman, when he hath talked, he hath done; but the Englishman, when he hath talked, he begins. It evaporateth malice and discontent in the one, and kindleth it in the other. And therefore, upon some fit occasion, I wish a more public example. The king's states, if I should now die and were opened, would be found at my heart, as Queen Mary said of Calais; we find additionals still, but the consumption goeth on. pray God give his majesty resolution, passing by at once all impediments and less respects, to do that which may help it, before it be irremediable. God ever preserve and prosper your lordship.

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,

July 23d, 1620.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

I have stayed the thousand pounds set upon Englefield, for his majesty, and given order for levying it.