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Endorsed: To [[.]] July 15 159[[2]]

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May it please your good L. The 10 of this moneth being com[[e]] as farre as Swolle, in going towardes the Campe, and there attending the arrivall of the Councel of Estate, I receaved thos[[e]] letters and schedules, which her Majestie and my LL. and your L. sent unto me, bearing date the 1 and 2 of this present. When the Councell was come thither, which was the next day after, having commoned first with Sir Francis Vere , I procured an as- semblie not onely of the Councel, but of the Deputies of the Provinc[[es]] and I offered them to open her Majesties letters to the states in caus[[e]] case they founde themselves thereto to be sufficiently autori zed. Which I did for good respect, for that it had bin a question in their dealinges before, whether they in that place, or those at the Hage, having both like commission from the generalitie of the Countrey, were to exercise the power of the generall States. But in this matter of her Majestie they disclamed that autoritie, and putt me over to the Hage for deliverie of my letters. Howbeit I omitted not to signifie the effect of those letters, and in all that I was able to amplifie the reasons, and to pray them not to hinder the execution of my charge. For her Highnes promise was so past, that it could not be revoked, and I had order thereafter, to cause the troupes that were desired, to put them selves in present readines. They were muche amazed at the matter, and used great intreatie, that no separation might be made of the Englishe from the rest, till the Campe were come to Coevoerden: upon hope that the Enemie, upon the viewe of their nombers, would come to present composition. But conferring upon it with Sir Francis Vere, and parceaving plainely by discourse, that it was but a motion to gaine a litel time; for that the Enemie is hardie and the place well provided: and finding therewithall that their marching first to Coevoerden, and then afterwardes to Flushing, might both weaken them in strength, and putte them farre out of order, when her Highnes would be served, I parsisted precisely upon the pointes of my charge; and requested them earnestly, to graunt a patent to every company to repaire to his garrison, and that there they might remaine, fol.245v
untill such time as they were sent for. This I urged continually, as having no kinde of libertie, to dispose in other sorte of her Majesties desseigne: which was also so confirmed by Sir Francis unto them: who cotinueth there in place, and hath resolved not to alter, but to prosecut the matter, as I have begonne it. In the meane time, because they did refuse to determine there upon it, referring me hither to this assemblie of the States I departed from thence the next day following, and came hither to the Hage with all possible speede. I left the Campe at that time within a mile of Swolle from whence I thinke they will not sturre, till they heare what is said by the States of this place. Yesterday morning I presented my letters in their publike meeting which when I had heard, being openly read (for I had no copy) sent unto me) I noted a certaine clause, which I am very muche afraide will put me to some trouble. For it goeth with condition, that if the armie of the States may be commodiously dissolved, and the forces of her Majestie which have served in the armie conveniently returned, that then the French King shall have the use of those succours that are promised unto him. But, as if I had not understoode it, I urged very earnestly the Kinges necessitie and the importance of the matter in respec[t] of these countreis, and proposed all the pointes of the instru[ctions] sent unto me, without leaving to their choise, to denie he[r Majestie] her demaunde. They said but little as then to any p[arte] of my speeche; but, as their custome is commonely in causes of [con-] sequence, they required some time to signify their answear[.] They had notice of the mater before my comming to the Hag[e] and had receaved out of England a copie of the Contract be[tween] her Highnes and the King: which I parceave by some frindes, they doe [highlie] dislike to have bin done without their privitie, in regard of that [Contract] which is made with them already. But if they seeme in that respect [to] complaine in publike place, I have mater enough for a[nsweare] I am onely nowe to seeke, which way I shall be able, to rec[oncile the] forsaid clause, with that which I proposed. For, as I learne under[hand from] fol.246r
a frinde among the States, they doe minde to take holde of those wordes of the letter, and will seeme to take no knowledge, that her Majestie meant otherewise, but to make her suite conditional. I will excuse it as I may upon the Writers oversight, and keepe the course that is begonne in preparing the Companies, and in declaring plainely to them, that both the Contract with the King, and her Majesties letter to my self, doth apparantly signifie that there must be no denial. Nevertheles if they chance to be so willfull, as to stand in contestation, and to oppose against me, as they may, it will be greatly behoofull, that I be strengthned from her Highnes with some plainer knowledge of her meaning. And because it is a mater of so great a consideration, I thought with all speede to advertise yow of it, and humbly to beseeche yow, to write about it with the soonest. I have certaine intelligence from the Campe, at this very instant, that Sir Francis Vere hath obtened patents for his troupes, to be placed in townes adjoining to Swoll, and that the rest of the campe is marched towardes Coevoerden I am also told assuredly, that the answear of the states is ready to be sent, and is framed upon the advantage of the point afore- mentioned. Count Philip with his troupes that have served in France, is expected every houre: and as soone as they re- turne, Master Buzenval hath in charge, to request the loane of so much mony, as may suffice for certaine monethes, to intertene 2000 men, to be levied in suche sorte, as the King shall appointe. And for mine owne part I beleeve, he shall speede of his purpose. For if they in this contrey, shall be forced to surcease from an offensive warre, as me thinkes there is apparance, when the Englishe are departed, there will be so muche remaining of this sommers contribution, as the King may be pleasured, and an overplus reserved. And thus I take my humble leave. From the Hage. July 15 1592.

Postscript:

Later Addition: 1592 16 July To my L. Treasurer

Endorsed: A postscript to my L. Tresurer 16 July 1592