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Endorsed: My letter to my L. Treasuror. March 18. 88
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Later Addition: Belgia 1589 stilo Rom 18 March to my L Treasurer
Ryght Honourable my veary good Lord, I writte in my laste of the 9 of this moneth, of the States besieging of Gertrudenberge, a resolution secretly taken with Counte Maurice, not with the privitie of the Counsell of State, nor yeat of their owne assemblie, but by th'advise of some certayne, of which in my former to your L. I named the principall: whose proceedinges ar all so violente, and so headdy, as far myne owne parte I can forsee no better consequent then a daungerous alteration in the state of this gouvernment. This theare are many of the cheifest hear that see, and confesse, & yeat suffer to go forward, every man respecting his owne quiettnes and ease. I have signified amonge them as occasion hath bin offered, the dislike which I thinke her Majestie will conceave of this forceable course, consideringe they have not, as becommed them in dutie, accquaynted her with it. They alleadge that they have often heartofore complayned to her Majestie, but still received both from her, and from her ministers, fair promisses, and no effectes: but wear rather by that meanes prevented in their purposes. Howbeit uppon th'examination of it with them, it doth appeare that they have /not/ dealte with her Highnes in such effectuall manner, & so often, as in such a cause, and in goode correspondence it was requisite, before they had resolved to use this extremitye. This the greater parte hear will acckno- leadge, & rather wishe that any other meanes had bin practi- sed, then this of open hostilitie. Notwithstandinge if it had come to the question of the meanes, consideringe the unrulie disposition of those in Gertrudenberge, I can not tell what to saye els, but Non perinde dii aduarii posse, quid optimum factu sit, quam pessimum fuisse, quod factum est. For the assemblinge of thease forces agaynst the Towne, hath veary much weakened the garrisons of Zelande, & Overisell: whearby it is thoughte that th'ennemy er be longe fol.117v