Reference: TNA, SP 84/36/266 f.262r-263v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0237/008
Date: 28 March 1590
Note: At the words 'the Councel' and 'signified unto them' on fol.262r, there are three tighly drawn vertical lines in the margin.
Copies: 1024
addressleaf
fol.263vAddressed: To the right honorable Sir Francis Walsingham Knight, Principall Secretary to her Majestie
Endorsed: 28 Martij 1590 Master Bodely to Master Secretary Walsingham
Newe Custome imposed by the states, uppon the English clothes.Endorsed: The Councell of state complayne of want of answer in writing from the LLs of the Councell here to their peticions./
Later Addition: 28 March 90
lettertext
fol.262r
It may please your H. to be advertised, that I receaved of late a letter from my LL. of the Councel, with charge to deale with the General States, about the relaxation of a certaine newe custome, imposed by the states of Hol- land upon Englishe clothes. Also to the same effect the Company of marchants ad- venturers have written unto me from Middle- bourgh. Howbeit it is but in general termes, without any specification what custome it is, wherewith they finde themeselves aggrieved: nether can I learne it otherwise, by any that are heere. Wherupon I am forced to attend a further information from the marchants: and having receaved it, I will doe my uttermost dili- gence, in folowing their cause. This day the Councel of State hath dispatched a letter to my LL. of her Majesties Councel, in answear to that which Master Wilkes delivered by worde of mouth to Master Ortel, concerning their late pe- titions: wherein they complaine that it pleased not my LL. in divers maters of speciall mo- ment to yeld an answear unto them in wai- ting. They have also written to Master Ortel, to whome they specifie those pointes of their former letter, whiche they would have to be solicited, till their LL. answear be ob- tened. For mine owne part I have signified unto them, that they can hardly complaine in any suche cause for want of an answear. For her Majestie hath of late, at sundrie times, both by her owne letters and otherwise required an answear from the fol.262v
Generall states to causes of as great or greater importance, wherto they have made no answear, nether by worde nor by writing. Moreover there was litle contened in their late letter, wherunto they had not already, both from me and otherwise, receaved satisfaction, as I par- ticularly declared. But partly by them- selves and partly otherwise I might perceave, that they had bin charged expressly by the General states, to require that answear in wri- ting, which Master Wilkes imparted by worde of mouth. I can not conjecture whereunto this curiositie of the states doth tend, unles it be to have somwhat, to alleage unto the Provinces thereby to serve their owne turnes, as if her Majestie had no care of observing the Contract: whiche may happely appeere, if it may please yoour H. uppon Master Ortels solicitation, to require his demaundes to be sett downe in writing. And so I take my humble leave. From the Hage. 28 March Anno 90. Your H. most humbly bounden Tho. Bodley
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