Reference: BL, MS Cotton Galba D VIII f.168r-v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/1055/008
Date: 22 June 1591
Note: On fol.168r there is the signature 'BB'.
Copy of: 0313
lettertext
fol.168r
Later Addition: Belgia 1591 22 June To my L. Treasurer
Later Addition: Belgia 1591 June
May yt please your good L. the 13 of this moneth I advertised your L. of my being at Dockum wth the Councell of State, from whence wee tooke our Journey towardes the army. But before wee came thether wee had woord from the Count that the Ennemy at Groeningen had opened certain sluces, wherby of 6 partes about the towne, there were 5 over flowed, & the army on the soddain forced to disloge. The possibility to let in the water was neither knowen to Count William, nor to the Deputies of Friseland, on whom the army depended for good direction in the siege. For they were al parswaded that the water of those sluces could not hinder our approches; nor the planting of the Artillery. But since yt fell out otherwise yt was thought convenient that our forces should presently marche towardes Delfzile which ys a strong fort upon the Ems distant from Groningnen Northe east, 3 long Dutche miles. The taking of this fort, because yt serveth as a haven to Groningen, was generally thought of singular importance. There was order also taken that the artillery which was not yet disbarked but onely kept in a redynes in the ships before Groningen, should be brought to Delfzele by water. Upon this resolution the Councel of State finding no security for them selves to goe to Delfzile by land, when the troupes were departed, went thither by shipp. Presently upon our coming the approches were made, & as yesternight the artillery made ready to be planted wherupon the Enemey within, albeyt for the space of 3 daies hee had shott uppon us very hotly, uppon the first summoning condescended to a parle & surrendred presently upon like composition as those of Deventer & Zutphen. Theyr want within was both of men & powder, & no kinde of hope to be relieved by the Spaniard. Groningen excepted, there are onely now remayning in the territory of Groningen the fortes of Opslack & emmentile which are fortes of some strength, lyeng southwest from Groningen within 2 or 4 leagues, but unable to withstand any forceable battery. For which it is resolved, that they shall be summond owt of hand. And as for those of Groningen, yt ys first intreated, for that now yt ys thought, they will hearken to reason that they shalbee moved by fayre offers, to unite them selves to fol.168vLater Addition: Belgia: 1591: June
the other Provinces: which if they chaunce to reject, as moste men think they will, reposing no confidence in any promise of the States, then they do determine as I am told underhand (for as yet of them selves they do not signify so much unto mee) to use her Majesties Countenance by my meanes, to the effect of that commission, which was graunted unto mee about 12 monethes agoe/ For mine owne parte, because yt is a matter that doth towch themselves, & becaus I know yt is theyr humor not to use her Majesty but as a refuge in extremity, I doe not deale by parswasyon either on way or other. For yf they cannot speed of them selves, they will come very willingly to crave her Highnes assistance, & otherwise for mee to move them therunto, consydering how slightly they regarded yt before, I knowe not how yt would stand with the [humor] of her Majestye. Howbeyt I do see aswell by this as by many other theyr proceedinges, that whoseover will not beare with theyr diffidence & Jalousie & other natural imparfections, but exact more precisely an honorable cariage in theyr dealinges then the advauncement of an action, shall but hinder that in the end, which might be otherwise effected, & do her Majesty in this contrey very litel good service. We have certain information both by lettres intercepted & other very good intelligence that the D. of Parma is loged in a cloyster called Marienboome adjoyning to the fort of Rees very much distressed, for lack of vittailes & carriage, so as now we are parswaded, that his journey ys wholy stayed, for troubling these quarters Besides his nombers to the uttermost, are not thowght to exceed 6000 foote & 150 horse, which are also in dissention, & in very great misery for very many great wantes, In effect for my self I did never yet parceave, that either the Ennemy in these contreys was ever so parplexed, or so likely in all places to be dishonored in his actions, as he ys at this present. & thus &c. At the campe before Delfzile, where [we] make our entry this morning, June 22 1591.href="http://www.livesandletters.ac.uk/cell/Bodley/transcript.php?fname=xml//1591//DCB_1055.xml"