Endorsed: To Sir Ro. Sidney February 9. 90
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Later Addition: Belgia 1591 stilo Romano 9 February To Sir Robert Sidney
Later Addition: Belgia: 1591: February
The more that that I have to impart to your L. the lesse is my leysure to imparte it as I would. For my often meeting with the States, and Councell, & my necessary dispatches into England do so occupy all my time, as I am forced to bee short or silent with my friendes. Sir John Norreis hath sent his lettres & messengers, to cause the Companies to marche & in case they can not for the countrey, that then every Captaine shall casse his owne Company. The States to withstand his proceeding, have sent theyr letters of charge to all theyr townes & officers, where the English ar in garrison, not to [.] any meanes, wherbye they may passe. They have also framed a force of Protest, which they have sent to Sir John Norreis, with an authenticall insinuation of the same to Sir Francis Vere, Sir Thomas Morgan Sir Edward Norreis & my self. And to tell you very truely, I never see them in any thing so parplexed as in this, wherof I know not what successe Sir John Norreis doth expect. But for my self I am against his cassing of companies, /it tending to no other but to the ruine of the Companies/ to the losse of those Townes, where the English onely are in garrison, And to the generall detriment of the state of these Provinces. Becaus in this matter I am put in some trust, & must answeare for my trust, if I do no counsaile for the best; I am fully resolved, whatsoever other course shalbee taken by others, to direct mine actions to the indemnity of the countrey. I am not undmindefull of your L. request, about your cornet of horse, but I take yt to bee a fitter opportunity to move yt, when this matter of Sir John Norreis is somewhat more overblowen: And so for this present I bidd your L. most hartely farewell. Hage. February 9 Anno 1590.