Reference: TNA, SP 84/51/255 f.252r-255v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0494/008
Date: 26 November 1595
Note:
Copies: 1268 0778 0736
addressleaf
fol.255vAddressed: To the right honorable Sir Robert Cecill knight of her Highnes privy Councel.
Endorsed: 26 November 1595 Master Bodley to my Master From the Haghe./ A Pacquett intercepted in the Mediterrane seas. Rec. at London the viijth of the same Decembre.
Later Addition: 26 November 95.
lettertext
fol.252r
May it please your H. to advertise her Majestie that the 18 of this moneth, I receaved her gratious lettre of the 4 with an other to the states, which according to my charge, I presented unto them, in their publicke meeting, and accomplished as muche, as I was otherwise enjoined, by a verbal declaration. But Master Caron sent them worde, above ten daies before, that having had, as he rela- ted, communication with my LL. in case they would be ready with some succor of shipping, against the Spanishe pre- paration, her Majestie would be pleased, to lette fall for a eason, her poursuite of remboursement. Wherat thei joied then exceedingly, and reputed it expedient, to impart the tidinges out of hand, to the Provinces abroad. Which was done with expedition, to meete with many dangers, which it seemed, they feared might growe upon the soddaine, unles the people by some meanes, were put in better hart. But nowe I am instructed, by the lettre of your H. that in this there was an error, of too muche hast in Master Caron, before he had receaved /her Highnes/ resolution. Having had among themselves some time of consultation, upon the lettre and de- mandes, they delivered me an answear, with speeches full of thankes, and dutifull acknowledgemt, of the grace that they receaved, which could never have come, as thei declared, in a meeter season for their welfare. And tou- ching that which was required, of the aide they were to yelde, of 30 shippes of a certaine burden, they made no further question, but that when it had bin moved to the states in particular, thei would immediatly take order, that her Majestie should be served, to her best contentation. But for the point of defraieng the auxiliarie forces, they tooke it altogether in the self same nature, as her former demande: which could by no meanes be effected, but by the Generalitie to whome thei founde it all the danger, to notifie that her Majestie fol.252v
will end her Treatie with the contrey. I have urged upon it with divers replies, that the people might be wonne by their good endeovors, that it was not a thing to be stoode on, that the summe would be but smalle, yet esteemed to be great, in regard of their willingnesse, and the manifold occasions, that pressed her Highnes, and the speeches that would goe of this ne- gotiation, with divers other reasons, to which they gave no other answear, then they have done heertofore, but that they meant to resume the mater againe, and to examine it throughly, and doe all that thei could, to satisfie her Majestie. But as for me I am persuaded, that they will never yelde to any thing, to howe litle soever the summe be abridged, if it come to be demanded, as a debt already dewe, by expiration of the Treatie. For that is the place, where they thinke them- selves wrunge, and the people, they imagine, will by no meanes endure it. For which I rest out of hope of any better satisfaction: and to say what I thinke, under humble cor- rection, I hold it wholy requisit, to attend yet a while a fitter opportunitie, which the state of thinges heere, and time must present, or heereafter to project some suche forme of procee- ding, as may come neerer to their liking, and yet conclude the full effect, of that which is required. They have secretly discoursed, about the sending of some persons, to give her Majestie more content, then hath bin done by their answear delivered to me: and if it chance to be resolved, it is like they will declare it, by some lettre to her Majestie. Wherof in like sort, to interpose my opinion, without note of presumption, I should thinke that suche a message would make very muche for the service of her Highnes for that in this case, where they can not be persuaded, to assent to her demande, both the sending of their Deputies, will seeme more respective, in the judgement of the world, then a bare kinde of writing; and it may be at their coming, they will make some fruitfull motion, or be fol.253r
wonne by good remonstrance, to recommend heere at home, some special purpose of her Majestie or if neither of bothe should happen, yet me thinkes in these sturres, and turbulent ti- mes, where the cause is so common between the two contreis, her Highnes can not but be holpen, by the conference, and counsaile, and presence of suche persons, as I presume thei will Depute.
And where her Majestie maketh mention of Mr Bar- nevelts Ouverture, wherein there was good hope, both of this, and greater maters, I have moved him about it, and de- bated it at length: but he putteth me in minde, that the time is farre other, and their state more afflicted, and that they have bin at the charge /sins he and I talked of/ of 2000li disboursed to the Frenche kinges use: and at great expenses in the fielde, where they had not then their armie, at the time of that Ouverture, nor yet in 3 monethes after: and had perhaps, as he sup- poseth, if that plotte had bin accepted, remained still in garri- son. Withall he doth maintaine (as I have formerly decla- red, to be the opinion both of him, and of divers heere besides) That there is no possibilitie, to induce the common sort, to con- descend to resitution, by vertu of the Contract: for that they will not understand it but as a mater of right, and a just stipulation, and that it ought to be continued: for which of force they must be wonne, by presenting unto them some other forme of Treatie, with some suche covenants, and conditions, as neede not charge her Majestie and yet tie the contrey to suche paiments, as her Highnes may require, in regarde of her deboursments. And heere I can not by the way, but advertise your H. that sins my last coming hither, I have found Master Barnevelt farre out of temper, partly through the speeches of some of his collegues, which dislike of his dealing, as if his ouverture to me had bin a motive to her Majestie when she sawe that of themselves, they would yelde to fol.253v
some good portion, to cast upon them the burden of a greater demande, wherewith they crushe /him/ as he saith, very often in their meetinges: partly also he is grieved with somwhat written out of England, of the opinion of some men, that all his dealing heere with me, was but dalliance and cunning, to winne time of her Majestie which is also a touche to me in particular, in respect of my credulitie, or some other imperfection, in that I could not see the practise. But for my self, I could wishe that the mater then proposed, had come aswel in some forme which her Majestie could have liked, as it was cleere, and out of question, that there was no dissimulation. For as for any abuse that Barnevelt could offer, by meanes of the ouverture, it was so hard for him to doe it, and so many must con- curre, and it had steeded him so litle, as if the circumstance of thinges, in the nature of that cause, and in the forme of this gouvernment, and in the maner of his conferring and procee- ding heere with me, be dewly weighed with all his pointes, I doe not thinke to finde any, that will stand in that opinion.
It is advertised hither, from very good place, that the Administrator of Saxonie, the Elector of Mayence, the Arche- bishop of Saltzbourgh, and the rest that are elected, to worke the feat of Pacifaction, have concluded among themselves to goe in hand with that attempt, about February next: which yet, we thinke, will be differed, till the coming of the Cardinal, who many men thinke will be longer in coming: because they say, he hath in Province many irons in the fire, and is in hand with Casot the Consul of Marseilles, to deliver that towne to the towne to the K. of Spaine. But for the mater of Pacification, this people is inabled, by an ex- cellent late token, of Gods goodnesse unto them, to choake the Enemie very soundly, and to dashe that practise altogether, For there hath bin very happely intercepted of late, in the fol.254r
Mediterrane sea, a special packet of lettres, which were written by the Marquis of Havre, and John Baptista Taxis, to the K. of Spaine, and sent hither to the states, by Monsieur d'Esdi- guieres. By that of Taxis is discouvered a double fals- hood in their meaning, both towardes the Emperor, and the states: and also otherwise his lettre, is full of fraudulent courses. They were written bothe in cipher, and deciphred in suche sort, as I have sent yow the transcript, by Monsieur de Ste Aldegonde: and were by the states delivered to me, with an earnest request, that they might not be divulged but to her Majestie and my LL. to the end, in time convenient they may serve to be produced, to the advantage of their purpose. Heere is secret notice given, and, it is thought, over true, that the Co. of Hohenlo, who is nowe in Germany, doth imploy all his meanes to the advancement of a peace: and is wholy busied among the Princes, in ma- ters prejudicial to the state of this union: all proceeding of dislike between him and Co. Maurice. Moreover it is reported, that he will meete the P. of Orenge, whose sister he hath maried, in his way to these contreis, and what his dealing may be further, it is feared of divers.
It is undoubtedly heere beleeved that there will be a truce between Spaine and France: at the lest for a yere. We have also heere intelligence, that the Gouvernor of Boullen by Calais, hath suche doinges of late with the D. d'Espernon, as many men see cause, to doubt of his Loialtie. As they doe in like maner of the holding out of Calais, which is not so provided, as the place doth require: and sith we heare that de Fuentes maketh great preparation, it is suspected heere of many, that he designe is to besiege it. The F. King hath written to the states, to knowe what kinde of warre, they will make the next yere, whether Offensive or Defensive, fol.254v
to the end he may thereafter direct his owne affaires. And their answear thereunto he desireth to receave, by his Ambassador Monsieur Buzenval, to whome he hath written to returne with the same, and to give him information of their state in many maters. But I can not yet perceave, that the states can well determine, what answear to returne, as- touching their warre. Some of those in these quarters, that have best intelligence out of Spaine, give it out for certaine, that the bruited preparations are nothing so great, as heere they did imagine. To come to that last, which toucheth my self, I am to sue unto your H. very humbly and earnestly, that her Majestie may be moved to grant me licence to returne, wherein, before I went from home, my L. Tresurer promised, to favor my petition, and I hope my L. of Essex will put his helping hand to it. For I protest unto your H. if I might have but the leasure, to sette some order in my state, which is charged with expenses, more them most men doe imagine, and is many waies wracked to my very great detriment, by reason of my absence, it would to me be all a mater, to live at home, or abroade, ether heere, or wheresoever, as her Majestie may be pleased, to thinke me fitte to serve her turne. And so I take my humble leave. From the Hage 26 November 95 Your H. very humble at commandement Tho. Bodley
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