Letter ID: 1244
Reference: BL, MS Cotton Galba D XI f.44r-45v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/1244/008
Date: 14 March 1595
Note: On fol.44r there is the signature 'L', written once in pencil and once in ink.
Copy of: 0472

lettertext

fol.44r

Later Addition: [Stilo] Romano [To the L.] Treasurer

May it please your good L. sins my last of the 14 the States have pressed Coronel Stuart, to specifie what aide the K. doth requyre, alleadging for themselves, that they cannot well determine, what will serve his necessitie, because they are not well acquainted with the State of that Contrey, and sundrie needfull particularities. And heerupon the Coronel hath framed his petition, for a 1000 foote and 500 horse, for sixe monethes: whereof I doubt not in lyke sorte, but he hath notified under hande, to some principal persons, that if 3 monethes of it be advaun- ced it will satisfie the Kinge. I might be drawen to conjecture by this forme of proceeding, that before it be longe, they will graunt his demaunde, it seeming a summe of soe small account, as the K. hath greater cause to disdaine to crave it, by way of an Ambassade, then they to refuse to parte with the money. Nevertheles by that which I can gather, by privat communication with some of the chiefest, or can otherwyse learne by secret meanes, which I doe use in that behalf, they are bent at this present to send him emptie home. Howsoever they shall seale, this good will come of it in respect of her Majestie that considering what caveats I have cast among them, if they should not thereupon resolve to gratifie the K: till they heare how her Highnes will brooke of his motion, it were a great assurance unto her, that their interior affections are sownde and sincere. But otherwise if their haste be soe great to condiscend to his request, that they will make no kinde of request reckning of her lyking or dislyking, then there might be just occasion both to speake unto them in other termes, about the mater of remboursement, and to doubt there is some drifte prejudicial to her Majestie, fol.44v
in this new confirmation of their auncient alliance. Harangieres who comaunded in the Castle of Huy, [contrarie] to all mens expectations of his vertu and valor [hath] surrendred the place. The Enemie began [his batte-] rie the 9 of this moneth, and a breach beyng ma[de the] next day after, upon offer of composition to [depart with] bagge and baggage, he presently yelded, which trou[bles the] States out of measure, because he bare them in [hand] in all his lettres, and namely by one which they recea[ved the] same day, that the place was given up, that he [would] holde it for two yeres at the lest (for he had so l[ong provi-] sion) though the Enemie should assault him with [fiftie] thowsand men. Count Philip with his forces d[oth rest in] garrison in the land of Luxemborgh in those three [little] townes which were taken by the D. of Bouillon. But [where we] made account that they were towardes 3000 whe[n they] marched from hens, it is reported by one that i[s newly] come thens that they are not now a 1000. [The] mutined Italians who lie at Tienen or Tille[mont in] Brabant, have sent their Deputies hither to [treat of] somwhat with Co. Maurice, but wherunto it [tendeth I] can not yet signifie. For they have taken [for a time] an imprest of the Enemie, who feedes them stil[l with pro-] mises, to give them their asking. There [are among] them notwithstanding which say they will come [and serve] the States, which in many men opinions were [better lost] then founde: for that fewe of those troupes will [doe any good] service, ether heere or with the Enemie. [Heere is no] resolution taken for any service to be done [this sommer] nowe comming: aswell for the want of those pe[oples] consent to this contribution which is not yet past, [as] because they lacke their forces, which they sent to the D. of Bouillon; and the troupes heere at home are both fol.45r
fewe and weake in number. So that all as I thincke that will be attempted shall be done in the Twent and Drent for the taking in of Grolle. Oldenzeel, Otmaertsen, and some other lyke fortes, which are helde by the Enemie. The taking in of Huy was a mater concluded without the privitie of the Provinces, by some fewe among themselves, and therefore now as I heare, sith the event proves no happier, the common people grudge at it, and at the sending of their forces to the D. of Bouillon, esteeming it fitter to imploy them at home, and not to embrace so many actions, in places so remote, where they have no readie meanes to seconde their Companies, or to send any rescue.
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