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Addressed: February 20. 88. To the right honorable my very good Lorde, e Lorde high Treasurour of England
Endorsed: February 20. 88 to My L. Treasurour
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Later Addition: Belgia 1589. sti: Rom. 20 Feb. To Master Secretary.
Right honorable, and my very good Lord, I presume that Master Killegrew hath so acquainted your L. with the present state of this government, as I neede not be troblesome in that behalf, but only signifie, that it was confuse, when he departed from hens, /and/ so it doth continew, geving very litle hope of a better state towardes. For all is heere directed by Holland, and Holland is caried away by Barnevelt, whose resolucions are so full of self will, and so opposit to her Majesties proceedinges, as there are of the wisest a- mong themselves, that feare by his dealing, some great alteration. For the hindraunce wherof, I can not readely propose any one better meanes, then if that course whiche is held betweene him and Ortell, might be stopped in England. For maters heere are so handled at this present, as in whatsoever cause the states general, or they of Holland and Zeland have to deale with her Majestie, they nether propose it before to the Councell of state, nor impart it with her Majesties Lieutenant or Counsaillor, but by Barnevelts di- rection solicit all by Ortell, and so receave their dispatche: wherby the reputation of every action, doth redound unto him, and her Majesties Lieutenant and ministers are litle regarded. Howbeit when any suche requestes, or propositions of theirs, shalbe offered at home, if it might stand with her Majesties pleasure in maters that require no hast, and are belonging to the government heere, to putte them of, and refuse to answear, untill she be advertised from hens, howe thinges are understoode, no dout it would be a great meanes to make them use her Majesties servants with a greater respect, and to thinke themselves lesse stee- ded by Barnevelt: as also it would maintene cor- respondence, betweene our actions heere and at home, and minister meanes to many thinges of easier dispatche. This being an honest, and a direct way, and benefi- ciall for her Majesties service, I am bold to referre it to your L. consideration. What hath passed fol.55vPostscript: There are other letters come newly from Arnham, whiche confirme the mariage of the Elector, and signifie further that the Bishop of Liege is deceased: and that those of Collen of the religion use publicke preaching. It is also written from Andwerp, that the Spaniardes have besett the house of the Jesuites: but I can not yet learne, in what maner, nor what the cause is: unles it be for that, which I have seene testified by divers letters, that the Jesuites preache in many places, that the D of Parma his toleration of the Protestants in that contrey was the chief cause, for which God would not prosper the Spanishe fleete. Moreover this day the K of Navarra sent hither a letter of thankes to the states, for the two hundred thousand florins which they promised by Du Fay his Embassador, to lend him, for the Levieng of forces in Germany. He requesteth the continuance of that promise, that way, and to procure the like from some others, desiring that their mony may be ready, when the time shall require.