Reference: TNA, SP 84/50/60 f.59r-60v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0468/008
Date: 24 February 1595
Note:
Copies: 1240
addressleaf
fol.60vAddressed: To the right honorable Sir Robert Cecill knight, of her Highnes privy Councel.
Endorsed: 24 February 1594 Master Bodeleye to my L./.
Later Addition: 24 February 94/5
lettertext
fol.59r
May it please your H. to be advertised, that having perused Sir William Brookes specialties, and conferred with suche as are throughly acquainted with those affaires, I finde that at that time the Provinces of Holland and Zeland were not joined with the rest of the states, from whome his uncle receaved his commission and Ordinance. In which respect they will answear that the debt is not theirs, in whole, nor in part. and besides the registers and reckninge bookes for those maters, are still remaining in Brabant at Brussels, en la chambre des aides: without the which, although the debt were theirs, they could doe nothing. By reason of these and other like exceptions, I see there is no hope, to recover any thing at all, by vertue of those wri- tinges: unles the Provinceswere all united, and yet happely then very litle, and very hardly. The writinges I will ether send backe, or reserve till I returne, as Sir William liketh best. Sir Horace Pallavicines ma- ter is heere unpleasing altogether. For if once they should beginne to discharge the debtes of Brabant, their mar- chants, they say, should not trafficke in quiet, in any place of Europe: in regard of the arrestes of a multitude of creditors, to which their persons and goodes would ever be subject. Besides it is affirmed, that wheras at the making of the Contract, my L. Thresurer was desirous to have had that debt expresly inserted, their Deputies then in England opposed earnestly against it, declaring plainely that they would rather breake of all, then be tied to that condition. When I tell them of the favor which they shewed to Coronel Stuart, they say they could not then doe otherwise, being dealt withall extremely. For both the K. and the borowe townes of Scotland granted lettres of reprisal upon these contreis: and the like was done by the K. of Denmarke, whereby they were enforced, and not induced unto it. Howe I have proceeded in her Majesties affaires, I make account fol.59v
yow are informed, by that which I have written unto my L. Tresurer: and though the states startle at it, yet I hope in the end by struggling with them, to drawe them to doe somwhat. But where her Majestie doth re- quire to have them presently beginne to pay some portion in hand, it will steede me very muche, if after her Highnes hath bin moved, it may please my L. Tresurer or your H. to intimat unto me, upon what certaine summe I shall insist for present paiment, and howe soone it must be paied: which I would not signifie heere in her Majesties name, but in privat communication as proceeding from my self. The knowledge heereof in good time, will inable me greatly for the compassing of my buisness. For if the summe be not muche, nor the day over short, it serveth in lieu of a special persuasion. And when they are entred into paiment, I doe not doubt the con- tinuance: if their state growe no worse, then it is at this present. And so referring this point to your hono- rable consideration, and requesting your answear with the first opportunitie, I take my humble leave. From the Hage. February 24 1594. Yor H. at commaundement Tho. Bodley
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