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Addressed: To my loving friend Master Bodeley her [Ma]jesties Agent with the States of the united Provinces

Endorsed: From my L. Tresurer the 7 July 1594.

Later Addition: July 7 1594 Holland

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Sir. I have acquainted her Majestie with a[[ll suche lettres as]] I have receaved from yow, who dothe allowe very w[[ell the course]] of your proceedinges since your departure; and althoughe [[the occasion]] of this lettre hath his dependancie uppon your former [[Instructions to]] Negotiat with the estates for some supporte towardes the [[action of]] Brittanye wherin her Majestie was ingaged before your departu[[re yet]] forasmuch as some thing hath passed since that tyme which is fytt [[for]] yow to knowe, I have thought good both to acquaint yow with the [[same]] and what her Majestieses pleasure is yow should doe in regarde thereof. Hir Majestie being advertised of the strength of the Kinge of Spaines Forces in Brittany, (besides the conjunction of the Leaguers of that provynce) of his great preparacionnn of Shipping, only intended for to possesse Bresthaven where he hath on the one syde of the haven already buylt a Fort, wherin he spareth no charg to proceede, and finding that without a great Force, this deseigne cannot be altered, and that force is to be used both by Sea and land. Wheruppon her Mayestie sent expressely Sir Roger Williams to the French king (after his returne lately made from Brest) to acquaint him with the state of that place, and to let him knowe, that her mayestie perceaving the immynent danger by the losse of that Haven and forseing howe litle advantage any other place in Brittany wilbe if that be lost, did make to the king this proposicion; that if he would resolve to send downe such an Armye by land of Horse, and Foote, as being increased with such Forces as shee could Conveniently spare, might be able to master the Enemy in the Feild, and lykelie to recover that Forte without the which smalle frute wyll arise of the action taken in hand, that then shee would send a convenient proporcion of shipping to impeache the Fleet of the K. of Spaine, and would increase her numbers there already on land in convenient proporcion. To this the king hath made answere that he will send the Duke Montpensier with two thousand Foote, and one thousande horse out of Normandy with the addition of those Forces which be allready in Bryttanye which arise in his account to [iiee] or [iiijee] thousand foote more, and withall some vjC horse /with/ which nombers althoughe her mayestie sees no reasone to believe that any [[great]] thing can be done, yet is shee resolved to enter into so[[me Course]] howe to obvyatt this vyloent purpose. And nowe re[[sorting to the]] remembrance of many offers made by the States long [since to second] fol.11v
Mayestie for the service in Brytane in a very large proporcion even as by many lettres of their owne it hath appeared with one halfe of whatsoever her Mayestie should imploye; her mayestie hath particulerly dealt with Monsieur Caron their Agent even by her owne mouth, speedylie, and seriously to move the States to put their helping hand, with asmuche Force as they may by Sea, and with other helpes of munycion to serve to recover the sayd Fort. Which motion her pleasure is yow should recommend as a matter newly nowe againe revyved to yow, and that yow do also acquaint the States that the Queenes mayestie doth expect present aunsweare to those demaundes, which by their Agent she hath also directed to be by him communycated to them: and so I bydd yow farewell. From the Court at Grenewiche the viijth of Julye 1594. Your loving friende William Burghley

Postscript: I have moved the Queene ernestlie for your returne but her mayestie considering, that uppon finishing of the matter of Groninghen, one way or other, there wyll fall out some Negociacion betwene her and the states; her mayestie is pleased that yow do first procure some aunswere, to these her majesties proposicions, and after signifie your proceding in all thinges without returning untill her majesties pleasure be further knowen.

Postscript: yow ar to deale with the states, that with what nombres of shippyng and men, and with what quantitie of munition they will asist this service of brytann, the same may without delay be put in execution. for hir Majesty hath allredy sent Sir John Norryce with all his power allredy by land to brest, and hath also sent certen hir shippes of warr, to discover the stat of brest haven. and therfor if the states shall serioosly mynd the good of this service, by their ayd, the same will do no good if it shuld be delayed William Burghley