Letter ID: 1175
Reference: BL, MS Cotton Galba D IX f.274r-275v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/1175/000
Date: 19 August 1592
Note:
Copy of: 0411

addressleaf

Endorsed: To my L. Tresurer by the post the 19 & 20 of August 1592.


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fol.274r

Later Addition: Belgia 1592 20 August To my L. Treasurer by [[.]] Post

May it please your good L. Her Majesties lettre to the states of the 23 of the last, with an other from your L. of the 24 of the same, came no sooner unto me then two dayes agoe. They were brought unto me hither, by the old Englishe post, which was lately with your L. who receaved them, he sayeth, about 4 dayes before, of one George Halle Sir Francis Veres servaunt, to whome they were delivered, as the post had understoode by a man of Sir Thomas Shirley. There were two thinges noted by your L. in that lettre which I writte the 15 of July, That I dispatched it before I had the answear of the States, whome first it had bin fitte, I should have earnestly urged, to take some present resolution: and that in the lettres which her Highnes written unto the States, I conceaved a further scruple, then the lettre gave occasion. I beseeche your L. for the first to give me so muche credit, that I did my duty thoroughly, in requiring their answear: as I doe allwayes the like, in affaires of any moment, though I happen to omitte to signify such pointes. For I presented her Highnes lettre the 14 of the forsaid moneth, and I sent yow their answear within two dayes after: which I doe seldome gette so soone, but with great importunitie. For they say they are a multitude, and in matters of importance they can not so resolve, as her Majestie may alone. And as for writing before, that I receaved their answear, when I could not have it presently, nor so certainty otherwise, when they would exhibit it, I thought I should doe best for contenting your L. to advertise with the soonest howe I had proceeded, and what I thought of their purpose, and yet still to goe forward in soliciting their answear, which I sent the next day after. I hope your L. is parsuaded, that for mine owne understanding I was not troubled with any scruple in her Majesties lettres. For I knewe directly what was meant, by those that I receaved, and so I signified sufficiently in my publicke dealing with the States. But being heere where I sawe how muche it went against their mindes, and finding that the lettre was not altogether paremptory, but indited in suche wordes, as seemed in the reading to include a kinde of liberty, I hope your L. will conceave, that the maner of my suspition, in respect of their construction, was not founded upon nothing. True it is that her Majestie writte enough, both at the time and before, wherby the they might parceave, that her meaning was no other, but to send for the companies: yet it was not in the lettre in that resolut maner, as if she would not be refused, or as her Highnes fol.274v
heeretofore in suche other her demaundes hath signified expressely. And although it was sufficient that I declared it unto them, because they were referred to the pointes of my instructions, yet knowing they were inclyned to stand upon deniall, I could not but imagine, that they would helpe themselves in every sort, with any wordes of apparance of advantage unto them. And so it proved by theyr answear. I did yesterday deliver her Majesties lettres, which they thought very strange to come so slowly to their handes, for that there have bin many passages sins the lettre was written, and divers lettres heere receaved about 18 dayes before, that were dated in London about the self same time. I doe assure your L. the slacknes of suche messengers, which happeneth very often, doth make me leese the opportunities, of effecting suche thinges as her Majestie requireth. For here they gaine by suche meanes a great deale of time, and devise how to crosse her Majesties intent, which might passe parhaps at first with lesse opposition. What answear they will make, I cane not learne, nor conjecture. For although I have bin instant in requiring it of them, they say they must have time to deliberat with themselves: and I finde them allwayes one in their unwilling disposition. Your L. last unto me was written the 28 of July, and I receaved it heere the 11 of this present, returning an answear the very same day. The occurrences of Coevoerden doe better every day, and the place, there is no doubt, will be owrs very shortly, unles the Enemy make a [.] which the bruite is, he doth purpose. For the speeche is given out, [that] there are in readines to passe the Rhine 22 Enseignes of Spania[rds] 16 Dutche, and 6 of Wallons, with 400 horse, which are thought w[ill] amount, with the troupes of Verdugo, to 5000 men: whereof we lo[ok] every houre to be better informed. Count Philip of [.] is returned out of France, with all his Captaines and compani[es] They are judged to be at the lest 1300 men. Mons[ieur] Buzenval hath bin this morning with the States, with lettres from [.] to pray to loane of so muche mony, as may suffice for 4 mor[e .] to intertene 3000 foote: and withall to spare him three of th[e] greater shippes of warre, and two pinaces to lie in the Sen[e] the space of 3 monethes. He had no other answear fol.275r
that the Provinces must be moved: Howbeit I am parsuaded, they will take some present order for sending the shippes: and will procure with good speede a competent summe of mony. And thus for this present I take my humble leave. 19 August 1592.