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fol.237vEndorsed: Coppy of a lettre to the LL. of the counsell. the 28 May 89.
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Later Addition: [Belgia] 1589 28 May To the L. of the Councell
It may please your LL. to be advertised, that being at Berghen Up Zoome, your LL. lettre written the 13 came to my handes the 22 of this moneth: wherunto by reason of my absence from the place of residence of the Ge- nerall States, I have no meanes at this present to make suche answear as is requisit. But I goe from hens to the Hage within these two daies, where I will not faile accor- ding to your LL. direction, to presse them to deliver in wri- ting the particular proofes of those generall accusations, whiche they have published in their Placcart against my L. Willughby. I doe assure my self that their Deputies in England have had expresse charge to deale in those matters: and I knowe they were carefull before their departure, to gather all the informacions that might make for their purpose. Howbeit uppon this occasion presen- ted to deliver my opinion under humble correction, and without any prejudice to your LL. censures, All their allegations, whiche I have heard them hitherto pro- duce, are so slenderly prooved, as /have for mine owne part/ I thinke, both her Majestie and my L. hath bin dishonorablely dealt withall by them. For all this Contrey doth knowe, and it hath bin openly and usually spoken in all places, that the only losse of Gertrudenbergh was the wilfulnes and passion of some fewe, who to coller afterwardes their unadvised enter- prise, and to prevent that the common people might not calle them /to/ account, published that Placcart, wherof your LL. make mention; and whiche I doe not dout but in con- ference with the Deputies, or by that whiche their generall assembly shall deliver unto me, your LL. will easely discover to be but a sinister practise and full of un- just imputacions, in respect of any /disloial/ Act wherwith my L. may be charged: the consideration wherof I leave to your LL. wisdoms, and take my humble leave. From Berghen, May 28 1589 Your LL. most humble to commaund, Tho. Bodley