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Endorsed: Copie of a letter to my L. Treasurer May 25. 89
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Later Addition: Belgia 1589 15 May To my L Treasurer
It may please your L. yesterday I Rxd hir Majesties letter of the 2 of this moneth, & in the same pacquete 2 from your L one of the 1 and another of the 5 of the same. wherunto for aunswear yt may please your L. to advertise hir Highnes, that whereas by yours it appeareth, that former lettres have bin sent unto me about my dealing with the states for the Towne of Ostend, there have no such lettres come to my handes, onely 3 weeks synce I was written unto from Sir John Conwaie, & thereuppon sollicited the states very ernestly, so as they tooke present order aswell for fortefyeng the towne, as for fournishing of yt otherwise with munition & victuals: wherof I would have sent present word to your L but that I was suddenlye cast downe with an extreame dissentry, which made me unable for the time to shew any diligence in my service. And now consydering the states had already don that, which her Majesty desyred I stood in some doubt of acquainting them with her writing. Nevertheles for the better assurance of my owne discharge, & for that I know theyr [rechelesnes] in the execution of theyr owne resolutions, I thought best to frame a proposition unto them in such order as I send your L in the copy heerinclosed. Wherto I cannot say for theyr answear, because I am deputed with others to depart this present daie for Berghen up Zoome. For such causes as I signified 4 dayes past to Master Secretary, but I will send yt after with the fyrst opportunitye. In my Jorney toward Berghen I purpose to take Dordrecht in my way & to deale with the magistrates about the release of Sir John Wingfieldes childe. Wherin I would have don my best before now, but that I was never otherwyse informed of the case /but/ by a common brute, without message or letter from any that had charge of the childe. Likewyse at my coming to Berghen I will advise with the Countesse & her friendes by what meanes I may work Sir John Wingfield deliverance, which I cannot now imagine how I may compas. besydes that it will stand me uppon to walke very warely about yt, in respect of the tender humor of the states. For I am now but in a competent credyt among them, & yf yt should come to theyr knowledge that I do practise his deliverance, your L. will hardly beleave, how much they would stomack me & what conceates they will multiply uppon yt. which I do partly attribut to a malitious apprehensyon which is among thm for this present against our nation in generall: but in truthe I fynde yt by experience, & everydaye more, that a principall cause of theyr straunge consultations & courses ys the very Defect & imperfection of moste of theyr judgementes. I know, theyr continuall excercyse in fol.227v