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TO THE LORD KEEPER.

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

His majesty hath spent some time with Sir Lionel Cranfield, about his own business, wherewith he acquainted his majesty. He hath had some conference with your lordship, upon whose report to his majesty of your zeal and care of his service, which his majesty accepteth very well at your hands, he hath commanded Sir L. Cranfield to attend your lordship, to signify his farther pleasure for the furtherance of his service; unto whose relation I refer you. His majesty's farther pleasure is, you acquaint no creature living with it, he having resolved to rely upon your care and trust only.

Thus, wishing you all happiness, I rest
Your lordship's faithful friend
and servant,
G. BUCKINGHAM.

October 26, 1617.

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

SIR FRANCIS ENGLEFYLD* TO THE LORD KEEPER.
RIGHT HONOurable,

Give me leave, I beseech your lordship, for want of other means, by this paper to let your I have reformed the ordinance according to his lordship understand, that notwithstanding I rest majesty's corrections, which were very material. in no contempt, nor have to my knowledge broken And for the first of phrasis non placet, I underany order made by your lordship, concerning stand his majesty, nay, farther, I understand my- the trust, either for the payment of money, or self, the better for it. I send your lordship there-assignment of land; yet, by reason of my close fore six privy seals; for every court will look to imprisonment, and the unusual carriage of this have their several warrant. I send also, two bills cause against me, I can get no counsel who will, for letters patents, to the two reporters: and for in open court, deliver my case unto your lordship. the persons, I send also four names, with my must, therefore, humbly leave unto your lordcommendations of those two, for which I will ship's wisdom, how far your lordship will, upon answer upon my knowledge. The names must my adversary's fraudulent bill, exhibited by the be filled in the blanks; and so they are to be wife without her husband's privity, extend the most powerful arm of your authority against me, who desire nothing but the honest performance of a trust, which I know not how to leave if I would. So, nothing doubting but your lordship will do what appertaineth to justice, and the emi

returned.

For the business of the Court of Wards, your lordship's letter found me in the care of it. Therefore, according to his majesty's commandment, by you signified, I have sent a letter for his majesty's signature. And the directions themselves are also to be signed. These are not to be returned to me, lest the secret come out; but to be sent to my Lord of Wallingford, as the packets

use to be sent.

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*This gentleman was very unfortunate in his behaviour, with regard to those who had the great seal; for in Hilary Term, of the year 1623-4, he was fined three thousand

pounds by the Star Chamber, for casting an imputation of bribery on the Lord Keeper Williams, Bishop of Lincoln. MS. letter of Mr. Chamberlain, to Sir Dudley Carleton, dated at London, 1623-4. Sir Francis had been committed to the Fleet for a contempt of a decree in Chancery; upon which he was charged, by Sir John Bennet, with having said before sufficient witness, "that he could prove this holy bishop judge had been bribed by some that fared well in their causes." A few days after the sentence in the Star Chamber, the lord keeper sent for Sir Francis, and told him he would refute his foul aspersions, and prove upon him that he scorned the pelf of the world, or to exact, or make lucre, of any man; and that, for his own part, he forgave him every penny of his fine, and would crave the same mercy towards him from the king.-Bishop Hacket's Life of Archbishop Williams, Part I., p. 83, 84.

nent place of equity your lordship holdeth, I must, since I cannot understand from your lordship the cause of my late close restraint, rest, during your lordship's pleasure,

Your lordship's close prisoner in the Fleet,
FR. ENGLEFyld.

Oct. 28, 1617.

TO THE LORD KEEPER.

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

I have thought good to renew my motion to your lordship, in the behalf of my Lord of Huntingdon, my Lord Stanhope, and Sir Thomas Gerard; for that I am more particularly acquainted with their desires; they only seeking the true advancement of the charitable uses, unto which the land, given by their grandfather, was intended: which, as I am informed, was meant by way of a corporation, and by this means, that it might be settled upon the schoolmaster, usher, and poor, and the coheirs to be visitors. The tenants might be conscionably dealt withal; and so it will be out of the power of any feoffees to abuse the trust; which, it hath been lately proved, have been hitherto the hindrance of this good work. These coheirs desire only the honour of their ancestor's gift, and wish the money, misemployed and ordered to be paid into court by Sir John Harper, may rather be bestowed by your lordship's discretion for the augmentation of the foundation of their ancestors, than by the censure of any other. And so I rest

Your lordship's servant,
G. BUCKINGHAM.

Theobalds, November 12.

Endorsed,-1617.

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TO THE LORD KEEPER.† MY HONOUrable Lord,

I have acquainted his majesty with your lordship's letter, who liketh well of the judges' opinion you sent unto him, and hath pricked the sheriff of Buckinghamshire in the roll you sent, which I returned signed unto your lordship.

His majesty takes very well the pains you have taken in sending to Sir Lionel Cranfield; and desireth you to send to him again, and to quicken him in the business.

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

his household, wherewith he would have your His majesty liketh well the course taken about lordship, and the rest of his council, to go forward. Newmarket, the 17th November, 1617.

Endorsed,

My Lord of Buckingham showing his majesty s approbation of the courses held touching the household.

TO THE LORD KEEPER.†

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

Though I had resolved to give your lordship no more trouble in matters of controversy depending before you, with what importance soever my letters had been, yet the respect I bear unto this gentleman hath so far forced my resolution, as to recommend unto your lordship the suit, which, I am informed by him, is to receive a hearing before you on Monday next, between Barneby Leigh and Sir Edward Dyer, plaintiffs, and Sir Thomas Thynne, defendant; wherein I desire your lordship's favour on the plaintiffs so far only as the justice of their cause shall require. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

Newmarket, the 15th of November.
Endorsed, 1617.

* Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. + Ibid. Eldest son of Sir John Thynne, knight, who died, November 21, 1604. This Sir Thomas's younger son by his first wife, Mary, daughter of George, Lord Audley, was father of Thomas Thynne, Esq.; assassinated by the followers of Count Conigsmark, February 12, 1682–3,

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.‡ MY VERY GOOD LORD,

The last letter of my lord's, whereof the conciusion, indeed, is a little blunt, as the king calleth it, was concluded in my absence, which hath been but once since I came to this town; and brought me by the clerk of the council, as I sat in Chancery. Whereupon I retired to a little closet I have there, and signed it, not thinking fit to sever.

For my opinion, I despatched it the morrow following. And till Sir Lionel Cranfield§ be

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In answer to his lordship's letter from Newmarket, No vember 19, 1617, printed in Lord Bacon's Works.

He was originally a merchant in the city of London, in troduced to the king's knowledge by the Earl of Northampton, and into his service by the Earl of Buckingham, being the great projector for reforming the king's household, advancing the customs, and other services; for which he was made lord treasurer, Baron Cranfield, and Earl of Middlesex; but being accused by the House of Commons for misdemeanors in his office, he had a severe sentence passed upon him by the lords in 1624.

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Newmarket, the 2d of December, 1617.

TO THE LORD KEEPER.†

First, therefore, I send the names by his advice, and with mine own good allowance of those, which we wish his majesty should select.; wherein I have had respect somewhat to form, more to the avoiding of opposition, but most to the service.

Two most important effects his majesty's letter hath wrought already: the one, that we perceive his majesty will go through stitch, which goeth

His majesty liketh very well of the draught to the root of our disease. The other, that it your lordship sent of the letter for the sub-com-awaketh the particular officers, and will make mission, and hath signed it as it was, without their own endeavours and propositions less perany alteration, and sent it to the lords. Which functory, and more solid and true for the future. is all I have to write at this time, but that I ever Somewhat is to be done presently, and somewhat rest your lordship's faithful friend and servant, by seasonable degrees. For the present my adG. BUCKINGHAM. vice is, his majesty would be pleased to write back to the table, that he doth well approve that we did not put back or retard the good ways we were in of ourselves; and that we understood his majesty's right: that his late direction was to give help, and not hindrance to the former courses ; and that he doth expect the propositions we have His majesty hath been pleased to refer a peti- in hand, when they are finished: and that for the tion of one Sir Thomas Blackstones to your lord-sub-commissions, he hath sent us the names he ship, who being brother-in-law to a gentleman hath chosen out of those by us sent and prowhom I much respect, Sir Henry Constable, I pounded; and that he leaveth the particular have, at his request, yielded to recommend his directions from time to time, in the use of the subbusiness so far to your lordship's favour, as you commissioners, wholly to the table. shall find his case to deserve compassion, and may stand with the rules of equity. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

Newmarket, the 4th of December.

Endorsed, 1617.

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

Your lordship may marvel, that together with the letter from the board, which you see passed so well, there came no particular letter from myself; wherein, though it be true, that now this very evening I have made even with the causes of Chancery, and comparing with the causes heard by my lord,‡ that dead is, of Michaelmas term was twelvemonth, I find them to be double so many and one more; besides that the causes that I despatch do seldom tuin upon me again, as his ny times did; yet, nevertheless, I do as

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This I conceive to be the fairest way; first to seal the sub-commission without opening the nature of their employments, and without seeming that they should have any immediate dependence upon his majesty, but merely upon the table.

As for that which is to be kept in breast, and to come forth by parts, the degrees are these:

First, to employ the sub-commissioners in the reconsidering of those branches, which the several officers shall propound.

Next, in taking consideration of other branches of retrenchment, besides those which shall be propounded.

The third, to take into consideration the great and huge arrears and debts in every office; whether there be cause to abate them upon deceit or abuse; and at least how to settle them best, both for the king's honour, and avoiding of clamour, and for the taking away, as much as may be, that same ill influence and effect, whereby the arrear past destroys the good husbandry and reformation to come.

The fourth is to proceed from the consideration of the retrenchments and arrears to the improve

ments.

K

All these four, at least the last three, I wish not | discovery upon the discourse you had with me to be stirred in till his majesty's coming.

God ever preserve and prosper you.

Your lordship's true friend

and devoted servant,

FR. BACON.

this day.* For I do freely confess, that your offer of submission unto me, and in writing, if so I would have it, battered so the unkindness that I had conceived in my heart for your behaviour towards me in my absence, as, out of the sparks of my old affection towards you, I went to sound

Your lordship will be pleased to have a little his majesty's intention towards you, specially in care of the bestowing of this letter.

York House, this 6th of December, 1617.

TO THE LORD KEEPER.

MY LORD,I have received so many letters lately from your lordship, that I cannot answer them severally but the ground of them all being only this, that your lordship feareth I am so incensed against you that I will hearken to every information that is made unto me; this one letter may well make answer unto them all. As his majesty is not apt to give ear to any idle report against men of your place; so for myself, I will answer that it is far from my disposition to take any advantage in that kind. And for your lordship's unkind dealing with me in this matter of my brother's, time will try all. His majesty hath given me commandment to make this answer in his name to your letter to him, that he needeth not to make any other answer to you, than that which in that letter you make to yourself, that you know his majesty to be so judicious, that whatsoever he heareth, he will keep one ear open to you; which being indeed his own princely disposition, you may be assured of his gracious favour in that kind.

I will not trouble your lordship with any longer discourse at this time, being to meet you so shortly, where will be better trial of all that hath passed, than can be made by letters. So I rest Your lordship's at command,

Warwick, Sept. 5, 1617.

G. BUCKINGHAM.

THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM TO THE LORD KEEPER, SIR FRANCIS BACON.

MY LORD,-I have made his majesty acquainted with your note concerning that wicked fellow's speeches, which his majesty contemneth, as is usual to his great spirit in these cases. But notwithstanding his majesty is pleased that it shall be exactly tried whether this foul-mouthed fellow was taken either with drunkenness or madness, when he spake it. And as for your lordship's advice for setting up again the commissioners for suits, his majesty saith, there will be time enough for thinking upon that, at his coming to Hampton Court.

But his majesty's direction, in answer of your letter, hath given me occasion to join hereunto a This seems to be the letter to which the lord keeper returned an answer, September 22, 1617, printed in his works.

any public meeting; where I found, on the one part, his majesty so little satisfied with your late answer unto him, which he counted (for I protest I use his own terms) confused and childish, and his rigorous resolution on the other part so fixed, that he would put some public exemplary mark upon you; as I protest the sight of his deep conceived indignation quenched my passion, making me upon the instant change from the person of a party into a peacemaker; so as I was forced upon my knees to beg of his majesty, that he would put no public act of disgrace upon you. And as I dare say, no other person would have been patiently heard in this suit by his majesty but myself; so did I (though not without difficulty) obtain thus much, that he would not so far disable you from the merit of your future service, as to put any particular mark of disgrace upon your person. Only thus far his majesty protesteth, that upon the conscience of his office he cannot omit (though laying aside all passion) to give a kindly reprimand at his first sitting in council, to so many of his counsellors, as were then here behind, and were actors in this business, for their ill behaviour in it. Some of the particular errors committed in this business he will name, but without accusing any particular persons by name. Thus your lordship seeth the fruits of my natural inclination. I protest, all this time past it was no small grief unto me to hear the mouth of so many upon this occasion open to load you with innumerable malicious and detracting speeches, as if no music were more pleasing to my ear, than to rail of you which made me rather regret the ill-nature of mankind, that, like dogs, love to set upon them that they see snatched at.

And to conclude, my lord, you have hereby a fair occasion so to make good hereafter your reputation, by your sincere service to his majesty, as also by your firm and constant kindness to your friends, as I may (your lordship's old friend) participate of the comfort and honour that will thereby come to you. Thus I rest at last Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,

G. B.

The force of your old kindness hath made me set down this in writing unto you, which some, that have deserved ill of me in this action, would be glad to obtain by word of mouth, though they

* At Windsor, according to Sir Anthony Weldon, who may perhaps be believed in such a circumstance as this See Court and Character of King James I., p. 122.

be far enough from it for aught I yet see. But I beseech your lordship to reserve this secretly to yourself only, till our meeting at Hampton Court, lest his majesty should be highly offended for a cause that I know.

Endorsed,

A letter of reconciliation from Lord Buckingham, after his majesty's return from Scotland.

year's gift, a plain cap of essay, in token that if your lordship in any thing shall make me your sayman, I will be hurt before your lordship shall be hurt. I present therefore to you my best service, which shall be my all-year's gift.

TO THE LORD KEEPER.*

MY HONOURABLE Lord,

Lest Mr. Secretary† should be come away before the delivery of this packet, I have thought fit to direct it to your lordship, with this letter to your lordship about the Court of Wards, and another to the lords from his majesty. Which is all I have now to write, but that I ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

Newmarket, the 7th of December, 1617.

TO THE LORD KEEPER.‡

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

I have acquainted his majesty with your lordship's letter, who hath followed your directions therein, and written to the lords accordingly; which is all I have now to write to your lordship, but that I shall ever rest

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

Newmarket, the 9th of December, 1617.
Endorsed,

My Lord of Buckingham to your lordship, showing
the king's liking of your opinion and choice of
names for sub-commission.

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Sir George Chaworth and I am agreed, so that now I shall retain the grace of my place, and yet he rewarded. The king hath no ill bargain; for, he hath four times as much as he was offered by Sir George, of increase; and yet I take upon me to content my servants, and to content him. Nevertheless, I shall think myself pleasured by his majesty, and do acknowledge, that your lordship hath dealt very honourably and nobly with me.

I send enclosed a letter, whereby your lordship signifieth his majesty's pleasure to me; and I shall make the warrant to Mr. Attorney. I desire it may be carried in privateness. I ever rest Your lordship's true friend and devoted servant, FR. BACON.

This New Year's eve, 1617.

TO SIR JAMES FULLERTON.*

I PRESUME to send his highness this pair of small candlesticks, that his light, and the light of his posterity upon the church and commonwealth, may never fail. I pray you do me the favour to present it to his highness, with my best and humblest service.

Your most affectionate
and assured friend,
FR. BACON, C. S.

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* Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

Sir Thomas Lake; his colleague, Secretary Winwood, died October 27, 1617; and Sir Robert Naunton succeeded to the post of secretary, January 8, 1617-8, from that of Surveyor of the Court of Wards.

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The lord chancellor, in his letter to the Marquis of Buckingham, dated January 25, 1617, printed in his works, has the following passage: "For the suit of the alehouses, which concerneth your brother, Mr. Christopher Villiers, and Mr. Patrick Maule, I have conferred with my lord chief justice and Mr. Solicitor thereupon, and there is a scruple in it, that it should be one of the grievances put down in Parliament · For the title of Marquis of Buckingham to himself and the which, if it be, I may not, in my duty and love to you, advise riale heirs of his body. you to deal in it; if it be not, I will mould in the best manner,

Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

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