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Maie it please your good L. Amonge diverse lettres sent from Brussells, & intercepted heere of late, I sent you 2 with my last of the 2 of the 26th of February: and herewith a third which was allso written by the same Critton to James Tyrius the scottish Jesuit at Rome, & did not seeme to be regarded by those that kept the lettres but I finde it worthe the reading for many respects because it /doth/ manifest that there are many brabbles and discontentments among those of that nation in Bru- ssells & elce where: & that they are in dispaire of good sucesse in the enemies actions both heere & in Fraunce It is also easie to parceave by parusing the wordes interla/c/sed with the figures, that there is matter there signified of speciall importance; which if it can not be deciphered by any at home, I am of opinion that the copie of the lettre being sent to some man that is of capacitie & emploied by your L. in Brussels or Andwerp, if he be but acquainted with the scottes that are there, & the factious among them, it wilbe presentlie discovered. These that are here of the scottish Nation for want of knowledge, who they are that are there, & how they stand for affection one to an other can give me no light. As touching my negoti- ation, the returne of the deputies of Guilders & Overissell, are daily now expected, & the the States I am certaine, will deliver me their answere without putting me of to a further delay. Wee have assured intelligence from diverse places of the enemies contries, that the vulgar people every where crie openly out against their mise- ries, shewing manifest token that they desire to be joyned to the rest of this union. And as farre as I can judge of the states inclincation, if the motion proceede from the other side to them, thereafter as it is they are fully bent to entertaine it to the best advantage of their cause. But whether it were expedient that wee should strike at this yron, while it is hotte, & be the first that should send to the enemies Provinces that doth rest in deliberacion albeit I doe parceave that most men are of minde wee should fol.173v
we should not sturre in this case but as occasions are presented from to [us]. For this is alleaged for it that they before they send to the enemie, in a matter of that importance, they must first of force hereat some have recourse to every Province, to purchace authoritie, whereby it will be imparted to every towne & so come abroad, amonge the people, who as every man doubtes, may prove so over- headlong in suche a plausible motion, as parhaps when they see itt is once sett a foote they will violentlie thorowe, without regard to their owne securitie. The [feare] of this humor in the multitude doth staie them from proceeding as they are otherwise willing. It is commonly reported that the enemie prepareth for the siege of Huy, which he will finde a very hott & a costlie exploite. For Haranguieres is the commaunder is a valiant expert souldior, and will undoubtedlie parforme as much as can be required. And thus I take my humble leave. March 4 1594.