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

Endorsed: 27 March 1591 Master Bodley. Emperors ambassador Cont Moryce Hohenlo Monsieur Bouzenvall

Later Addition: 27 March 91 it: books like [.]

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May it please your good L. The Emperors Am- bassador hath had his Audience of the states, who are nowe come together in competent number. His demaunde was no other, then I have signified heere- tofore, That his felowe Commissioners might have a Pasport of the states, to come safely to the Hage. Howbeit his speeches were quicke in taxing the assem- blie, for suffering those of Brussels, and himself in this place, to attend so long without an answear. There was nothing in writing delivered by him, nor yet any thing required. For they are doubtfull what to doe, in regard of the vulgar people, among whome it is thought, that the copies spredde abroade of suche Propositions, will produce no good effectes. Nevertheles there are some men sette a worke about framing an answear: which will be negative all- together, and yet contrived in suche sort, as both it may contene the reasons of their refusall, to hearcken to those Ambassadors and likewise their desire, to come to a Pacification. Moreover, as I suppose, they will resolve to send their answear, not onely to the Emperor but to divers Princes of the Empire, and also publishe it in print.

They are wholy buisied heere, about making pro- vision to goe into the feelde: and I thinke they will be ready within a moneth at the farthest. Howbeit it is not yet notified, what the Provinces will contribut. If her Majestie holde her purpose, to persaude with the states, to imploie their forces this sommer in the warres of France, and to reserve no more at home, then for defence of their townes, fol.272v
it will be needefull, in my opinion to attempt it out of hand, and that the Kinge doe concurre and, that very earnestly, in the self same petition. I have imparted it at large unto Master Buzenval, who embraced it presently, with a very good liking but perceaving after, as I doe conjecture, that it would not be pleasing to Count Maurice, to whome he would not but be pleasing, I doe finde him a litle shrinking, and alleaging against it, That the King may receave as great /a/ benefit, by the exploites of these contreis, as by the use of those men, that they may spare him. But his arguments are so feeble, as they rather seeme to be sought of sette purpose, then presented unto him, upon good discourse of reason. I should thinke it very requisit, in respect of his backwardnes, that some letter of charge from the Kinge, or of advise from Monsieur de Nocle, were sent unto him.

It is commonly spoken heere, that the mariage be- tween Count Hohenloo and the Countesse of Buren Count Maurices sister, shal be shortly solemnised. And many men imagine, it will occasion great dissention between the two Countes. For the Coun- tesse complaineth, that her brother doth oppresse her in sundrie great causes, whiche Count Ho- henloo will not tolerat, if he were maried to the Countesse, as he openly professeth. Moreo- ver for these three or fower yeres, the counte- nance and cariage of Count Maurice towardes him, hath rather bin unloving, and disdainfull, and framed to depresse him, then respective to his qualitie, to his merites towardes his father, and fol.273r
his former good services. Wherat Count Hohenloo hath greatly grieved for a long time together: and nowe, as it seemeth, by report of those speeches, which he uttereth to divers, he will take more know- ledge of suche usage. It is surmised that he hath secret frindes in this state, that are in good credit, and encourage him to this course. I can not yet conceave, that this division between them, will growe to that degree, as to disturbe the proceedinges of the affaires of the state: but I am thorowly persuaded, it may turne her Majestie in time to spe- ciall good service, in many of her causes.

I have bin earnest this day with the Assemblie of the states, about some order to be taken, for the amen- ding of their Placcart of Commerce with Spaine, to the effect of those notes, which I receaved from her Majestie and proposed unto them in October last: whereto by reason of their recesse, and no meeting till nowe, they could make me no answear. I have also exhibited her Majesties lettre in the favor of my L. Willughby: and an other lately sent hither, for the Marchantsof Middlebourgh: bothe which causes I have solicited, with all convenient instance. Assoone as I have their answear (for they require to thinke upon it) I will send it your L.

It is greatly feared by many men heere, that the Spaniarde will watche the returne of their shippes out of Italy, which are thought to be there to the nomber of 300 and imploye them in his service intended this sommer. Thus I take my humble. From the Hage. Marche 27 1592 Your L. most humbly bounden Tho. Bodley

Postscript: We have an ad- vertisment heere, which we take to be assured, that the D. of Parma is nowe at St Omar, and is to goe very shortly to the Spawe.