Reference: TNA, SP 84/43/217 f.217r-218v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0359/008
Date: 20 November 1591
Note: This may be a presentation copy, as it is extraordinarily neat.
Copy of: 0358
addressleaf
fol.218vEndorsed: Copie of my lettre to your L. the 20 November 1591.
Later Addition: 20 November 91
lettertext
fol.217r
May it please your L. to advertise her Majestie that after the receat of her Highnes letter of the 9 of this moneth, which was delivered unto me the 19 day in the afternoone, after conference had with Sir Francis Vere, about the meanes to accomplishe her Majesties pleasure, for the furtherance wherof he hath done his uttermost endevor, the next day in the morning I presented her letters to suche of Holland as are deputed in the absence of the States, to receave all addresses. For the assembly it self of the General States is dissolved for a time, which they terme a Recesse, till the 10 of December, and every Deputy departed to his special Province, leaving the charge of receaving and opening of suche letters as are directed to the States to some certaine of Holland, whose autoritie doth not stretche to determine any matter, but onely to advertise and to make report unto the Provinces. Neverthelesse in this recesse of the States being earnestly urged to shewe her Majesties letters to the Councel of State, and to joine in consultation about some order to be taken for contenting of her Highnes they assembled yesternight in the college of the Councel, where the letter being read, and so muche added by me, as I thought expedient to be spoken, it was the opinion of them all, that without the assent of their superiors, to witte of the Provinces, it was not in their power to accord her Majesties demaund. Howbeit after long debating too and fro, it was resolved in the ende, but with very muche a doe, that albeit they might not by any meanes licence those troupes which her Highnes required to be drawen from hens, for that it onely belonged to the generallitie of the contrey, yet they would be contented to let them passe by way of connivation, and sufferance, as if it were onely done by us that are heere. fol.217v
for her Majestie. But this condition was annexed, that I should solemnely undertake, that the troupes should be sent backe againe within the space of 3 monethes. This condition, I signified, was beyonde any charge that I had receaved. Onely this I was willed to promise unto them, and in her Majesties behalf I would assure, that assoone as the service of Rouen and Newehaven is ended, which in all probablitie will be done in lesse time, then they had prescribed, ether the self same companies, or others in their places, shall be presently returned. As also I supposed, that those other Englishe forces, which were already come to Rouen, would all be revoked about a time, wereby they should receave there companies againe with a rounde renforcement, and happely also some supplie for all the rest that are heere in her Majesties pay. Wherupon they condescended to her Majesties request. And this I thought meete with all possible speede to advertise her Highnes purposing presently to joine with Sir Francis Vere for giving suche direction to the Commissary Sparhawke as there may not any time be lost, for dispatche of the souldiers. In this whole negotiation although her Majestie had willed me, in case they should refuse to assent to her demaund, that all endevor should be used to effect it without them, yet because I was not forced to signifie so muche, finding them ready to doe all that they could, I abstened from delivering that point of my charge. Moreover I made no motion unto them for sending any bandes of their owne forces, for that of them selfes I knowe they will not, and if they would, they can not, without the licence of their Principals. Howbeyt for shipping for the river of Sene, the Mareschall of Biron hath written very often fol.218r
and earnestly unto them, and they have already alotted 6 good shippes for that purpose, which I thinke are prepared to sett forward to day. If her Mjestie be desirouse to have those companies complete that goe from hens, it will be requisit that some 100 or more, be sent out of England to Diepe. For heere I see no likelihoode, howe it can be perfourmed. And thus I take my humble leave. From the Hage. November 20 1591. Your L. most humbly bounden Tho. Bodley
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