Reference: TNA, SP 84/46/1 f.1r-4v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0427/008
Date: 03 January 1593
Note:
Copies: 0002
addressleaf
fol.1bvAddressed: To the right honorable my very singular good Lord, the L. Burghley Lord highe Treasurer of England.
Endorsed: 3 January 1593 Master Bodeleie to my L./. His proceedinge uppon your L. directions to deale with the States to attempt sumthinge uppon the Enemye nowe after the D. of Parmas deathe./
Later Addition: 3 January 92 Parma's Death
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fol.1r
May it please your good L. Wheras her Majestie is informed, as your letter doth signifie of the 9 of December which I receaved three daies past, that some dealing hath bin used by the states of these contreis, to persuade with the Pro- vinces of Brabant and Flanders, upon this opportunitie of the death of the D. of Parma, to free their estate from the Spanishe servitude, and to procure unto themselves the Pacification made at Gaunt, I doe assure your L. that by order of the states, there hath not any thing bin done to any suche purpose. Onely this I under- stand, that some private persons of themselves, but yet with the privitie of the principal heere, have written to their frindes that remaine in those quarters, to that effect that is required. But those endevors are so slender, as by every mans conjecture nothing will come of it. And where I am willed by her Highnes if so be that the states have done nothing therein, to propose it unto them as from her, and to shewe them her good liking, it may please yow to understand as I have formerly signified, that the Deputies of the states are gone into their Provinces, and are not like to meete againe, till the end of this mo- neth. But in the meane season I have moved the mater to Master Barnevelt, and likewise to some others of the chiefest heere in place, who are all in a maner of one kinde of judgement, that before they goe in hand with any suche practise, fol.1v
they must see some better ouverture. For although they have intelligence, that the Enemies comaunders are at strife among themselves, yet unles it were more then is yet understoode, they have found by experience of former times and like attemptes, that their letters and messages have rather reconciled those that were at discord, then caused them to hear- ken to that which was proposed. Nevertheles if they see any hope to effect any good, whether it be for that the Enemie is in greater disorder, or for other occasions, they seeme to me to be as ready as can be desired. Wherupon I am resolved, assoone as the states assemble againe, and accor- ding to the occurrences that come from the Enemie, to deliver the opinion of her Majestie unto them: which yet I thinke I shall be forced to communi- cat unto some, and not unto them all, in their general meeting. For they are many in number, and of divers places, humors, and religions, so as hardly such a mater will be secretly ca- ried: which will make many men unwilling to be imploied in an action so full of danger to themselves, and also to their frindes, with whome they must negotiat in the Enemies contrey. But for the maner of my proposing and course of pro- ceeding, when the time is for it heere, I will use the best advise that this place will affourde And yet to signifie what I thinke for my privat conceat, I am fully persuaded that for Brabant and Flanders, or any other Province, that is under the Enemie, unles they seeke of themselves to shake of the yoke of the Spanishe government, they shall fol.2r
not greatly be provoked by the states of these con- treis. I should but trouble your L. to signifie all my reasons: but that which moveth me most, is the want that they have of a person of autoritie, by whom suche motions might be made, and directions given for good execution. For though it seeme that Count Maurice hath some prerogative in that respect, as gouvernor general of all these Provinces, ex- cepting Friseland, yet his chiefest commaund is in militarie maters, and also that way so restrai- ned, as of himself he can do litle, but in affaires of the state, no more then other magistrates: in which he dealeth very seeldome, and as it seemeth very unwillingly. For it is commonly thought that of his natural inclination he deliteth not muche in the maneging of suche causes, nor he hath no man about him of special experience, by whose advise he may be steeded. And as for the rest of the statesmen heere, though some be more able, and carefull, and forwarder then others to preferre a good motion, and to folowe it effectually, yet they are but very fewe, and of equal autoritie with a great many more, whereby they are forced in most occasions to keepe that pase that others doe, and not to drawe them by proposals into newe kinde of actions. I could hold your L. with rehersal of other imperfections, which are so many and so great in all the course of this gou- vernment, as they leese very often very singular opportunities of bettering their condition. But this already is more then needed to your L. fol.2v
Later Addition: 3 January 92/3
in special, who hath seene so many proofes of their weakenes in all thinges: which yet I thought in this sort to touche in a worde; to the end yow might per- ceave, that there is no alteration in the forme of their proceeding, and that the apparance is but smalle, that they will satisfie her Majestie in that which I am char- ged, to participat unto them. And so I humbly take my leave. From the Hage. January 3 1592 Your L. most humbly bounden Tho. Bodleyhref="http://www.livesandletters.ac.uk/cell/Bodley/transcript.php?fname=xml//1593//DCB_0427.xml"