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