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fol.142vEndorsed: 1594
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fol.142r
Later Addition: Belgia bis 1594 xj June to the L. Tresurer
Maye it please your good L: we have lyved in good hope that Groeninghen ere this would have yealded to Co: Maurice which hath caused me to staye from wryting of the parley, which began the second of this monneth, and continued till the sixte. They have been contented to receave Co: Maurice lettres, at 2 severall tymes to imparte them to the commons and Bourghers of the towne; to intreate the messen- ger courteouslie, and to make a verye friendlie though a di- latorie aunswer. But the 6th of this monneth, as the Count was informed by the meanes of a prisonner, they were requyred by Verdugo to attend but 9 dayes longer, promsing by that tyme to come to theyr rescue. Three dayes after that message they desyred of Co: Maurice, to have 6 dayes respite to deliberate which was neither accorded nor rejected: soe as our armie doth proceede in the advauncing of theyr workes, having brought theyr approches above 6 dayes since, within the length of a pyke of the ditche of the towne, and are in hope therwithall to gette possession of a ravelin, soe as it is thought, that sith Verdugo is not able to send them any succour, for that the passages are stopped, the towne wilbe ours by fayre meanes or by force within the space of xx dayes; which is a matter more importing the good estate of these Contries, then as many townes and places, as they have taken these 3 yeares. For it will not be only an assurance for Friseland, and for the Provinces adjoyning, but a generall commoditie for theyr commerce with Germanie: and the union of these Provinces wilbe strenghtened therby by an other entier Province which is Groeninghen and the Omlandes (for soe they doe terme all the territorie about it) besydes that the consequence will drawe many thinges with it, which can not but re- dound to the singular benefitte of this people. Since I parted from home, I have had no lettre from your L: which forceth me to staye, as I signifyed I would in my first to your L: and in another lettre since, which I sent Sir Robert cecill, by which I craved to understande, yf her Majestie rest satisfied with the aunsweare of the states, or what her pleasure is further to injoyne me about it. And soe for this present I take my humble leave From the Hage June 11 1594. Your L: most humble at Commandemt [Tho: Bodley]