Letter ID: 0730
Reference: Hatfield, MS 31/41
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0730/008
Date: 24 March 1596
Note:
Copies: 1294 

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fol.42v

Later Addition: XVII. [.]

Endorsed: Copie of my lettre to my L. Tresurer March 24 96

Later Addition: Master Bodley March 24


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May it please your good L. Upon the writing of my last of the 21 and the 22 heereof to your L. and to Sir Robert Cecyll, I was presently informed, that the States had a meaning, to intreat me to repaire with their offer to her Majestie, to the end they might be told where- unto they must trust. For although that I had written, to understand her Highnes pleasure, about the point of their intention not to tye them selves, by this treatie, to her Highnes heires and successors, yet they thought it very requisit, to deale effe- ctually, and cleerely in every other point, by delivering unto me their Articles in writing, to be wholly and particularly imparted unto her, that when their Deputies shalbe in England, there may be no exception against any one Article, wherby they should be forced to returne, as they came: wherof they apprehend, that soe great inconvenience may presently ensue, as they will not give the adven- ture, with out some certaintie before. If her Majestie presuppose, that their Deputies shall come, with suche sufficient commission, as it will be left to their dis- cretions, to treat of any thing there, as occasion is ministred, or in any other sort, then is precisely prescribed, before they depart, it is told me very flatly, that it will not be permitted, and no man heere will be willing, to goe with suche Commission. He that made me thus privie to the purpose of the States, is the partie knowen to your L. from whome the project came at first, who when he had found me nothing willing, to depart from the Hage, till I had heard out of England, for that her Majestie might happilie, upon that which I had written, enjoine me to doe somewhat, that would aske my presence heere, he told me very earnestly, it was needefull I should doe it, to drawe the States by that meanes, to exhibit unto me, their Agreement in writing. Which other- wise he was sure they would keepe unto themselves, fol.41v
till I were ready to depart, and might be mooved then the while, to make some further alterations, Finding his advice, to concurre in this point, with the opinion of others, and having proved by expe- rience, that some one newe devise, of some one ticklish Deputie, might suffise to marre as muche, as had bin hitherto determined, and that also other accidents might engender among them some backward discourses, I fell to take this resolution, that I would take my leave heere, and goe presently for Zeland, and there attend the returne of the messenger I sent, and if any newe charge were imposed uppon me, by or- der from her Majestie that were [important] and should requyre my presence heere, I would returne upon it out of hand, but if it might be perfourmed by Master Gilpin alone, I would re- paire unto her Majestie with all convenient expe- dition. I shall heereupon receave their offer in writing, with some letter of petition, that her Majestie would accept it, which when they have delivered, I will from hens into Zeland, knowing no better way to negotiat heerein, and finding it behoofull, for sundrie weightie considerations before the Deputies goe from hens, to informe her Majestie very throughly of suche [.] and pointes, in which there may be some use of my knowledge and report. And so I take my humble leave. From the Hage. March 24. 96

Postscript: Your L. will be pleased to remember her Majestie, as I have formerly advertised, that there hath nothing bin delivered by me to the State, in all my Treaties with them, as if her Highnes were acquainted with the fol.42r
course of my dealing. Nor I give /no/ approbation to any parte of their offer, in her behalf, but will onely take it as exhibited, to be presented first by me, and after by their Deputies, if she will accept it, And in that respect I thought it fitte, whether her Highnes lyke it, or dislyke it, to have it in my custody, to present suche further change, as might happilie come between. By communication heere with some, I doe finde, that thei could wishe that the garrison of Flushing, were not left over weake, by drawing away so many men, not for any feare that they have of the Enemie, but to take away occasion from the inhabitants of the towne, of seeking further libertie, which if it should happen wherof they say notwithstanding, thei have no maner of suspition) it might per- haps be unpossible for the State to recover the place for her Majestie againe. And so for the Brille they say the same.


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