addressleaf

Addressed: To the right honorable my very singular good Lord the L. Burghley Lord highe Treasurer of England.

Endorsed: 10 August 1591. Master Bodeleie to my L. Towchinge the dissolving of the States Armie./

Later Addition: 10 August 91

lettertext

fol.274r
May it please your good L. Upon certaine intelligence of the Enemies continuance in the places whiche I signified about three daies agoe, it is generally thought, that his intention is still to stay in those quarters: partly to assure his levie out of Ger- many, and partly to attend our comming to Nieu- meghen. For considering howe his nombers are increased every day, it is feared very muche, that if our army were past the Wael, he might force us to retire with dommage and dishonor. Wherupon, so smalle apparance being offered of the Enemies re- movall, and our forces leesing time for all other ex- ploites, it is resolved heere to day in a generall meeting aswell of the Councel, as of the martial com- maunders, that for the better commoditie of refreshing the army, and for attending what the Enemie will en- terprise upon it, all the souldiers for a time shall be placed in garrison. but so conveniently distri- buted, as they may come against together in two or three daies, to be soddainly imploied, before the Enemie can have knowledge of any enterprise towardes. Moreover it hath bin earnestly requested by the states of Zeland, that some attempt should be given for surprising of Hulst in the land of Waes: which is a place of good importance to those of that Province, and may force a great contrey to come in contribution. The motion hath bin made, and is very well liked, but no resolution is taken upon it. Nevertheles it hath bin some occasion of this present repartition of the troupes into garrison: for that they thinke it will availe for the better execution of their pur- pose on the soddaine. I have by a former acquainted your L. with the offer of the states to Monsieur de Reibous, in case the army of Germany could be drawen to come this way, to witte, of 1000li sterling in present pay, and of bridges and boates, with other like necessaries, to passe their army fol.274v
over rivers. There is nowe an answear sent unto them from the vicount of Turenne and from Monsieur de Reibous, which they addresse unto us Count Maurice. That your L. might be informed, what cause is preten- ded, that they have not accepted that offer of the states, I have sent yow the transcript of their letters to the Count. Monsieur de Turenne will not seeme in his answear to speake so plainely as the other, who reporteth to Count Maurice the vicounts opinion of his inclination to the having of those forces, which he thought was over faint and cold, for a mater of that weight. And so it was undoubtedly, when he writte his letter to the vicount. For the offer from the states was made at suche time, as the Enemies army was lodged in the Betuwe, and all the contrey in suche perplexitie, as they dou- bted very muche, unles they could procure to be presently relieved with some forraine assistance, a great part of these quarters might be easely spoiled, and the general state in daunger. But three daies after that [writing] offer, they obtened a victorie upon the Enemies horse, which caused them soddainly, to forsake the Betuwe, and quenched that desire which the states had before, to calle in the Germaines. Then it was that Count Maurice writte his letter to the Vicount, not refusing to accomplishe what- soever had bin offered, but somwhat quailing in his earnestnes in respect of intreaty, and leaving it wholy to the choise of the vicount himself. For al- aies before both the Count and the states had this persuasion, that unles they should be driven to some extremitie by the Enemie, a short aboade of that army, could bring but litle benefit, and that it could not be so short, but that the contrey thereby would be dammified greatly. Of this conceat of the Count I certified Sir Horace Pallavicine at his being with the vicount, and as farre [.] as I remember fol.275r
I writte the same unto your L. Because it may appeere by the letter of Monsieur de Reibous, that he reporteth so plainely what the vicount had con- ceaved, upon speciall affection that he beareth to the Count, it might peradventure be offensively taken, if it should be understoode that the letter is imparted, whiche I leave unto your L. to consider as yow please, and so I take my humble leave. From Arnham. August 10 1591. Your L. most humbly bounden Tho. Bodley