ship shall see him grounded upon equity and reason; | request yielded to recommend his business so far to which is no more than, I assure myself, your lord- your lordship's favour, as you shall find his case to ship will grant readily, as it is desired by deserve compassion, and may stand with the rules of equity. And so I rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Indorsed, November 17, 1617. Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Newmarket, the 4th of December. Indorsed, 1617. TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.* MY VERY GOod lord, THE last letter of my lord's, whereof the conclusion indeed is a little blunt, as the king calleth it, was concluded in my absence, which hath been but once since I came to this town; and brought me by the clerk of the council, as I sat in chancery. | Whereupon I retired to a little closet I have there, and signed it, not thinking fit to sever. For my opinion, I despatched it the morrow following. And till Sir Lionel Cranfield + be able to execute his part in the sub-commission, it will, in my opinion, not be so fit to direct it. He crept to me yesternight, but he is not well. I did his Majesty's message to him touching the tobacco; and he said he would give his Majesty very real and solid satisfaction touching the same. This is all for the present I shall trouble your lordship withal, resting ever Your lordship's true friend and devoted servant, November 20, 1617. FR. BACON. TO THE LORD KEEPER. MY HONOURable lord, His Majesty liketh very well of the draught your lordship sent of the letter for the sub-commission, and hath signed it, as it was, without any alteration, and sent it to the lords. Which is all I have to write at this time, but that I ever rest Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Newmarket, the 2d of Decemb. 1617. TO THE LORD KEEPER.§ His Majesty hath been pleased to refer a petition of one Sir Thomas Blackstones to your lordship, who being brother-in-law to a gentleman whom I much respect, Sir Henry Constable, I have at his In answer to his lordship's letter from Newmarket, November 19, 1617, printed in lord Bacon's works. He was originally a merchant in the city of London, introduced to the king's knowledge by the earl of Northampton, and into his service by the earl of Buckingham, being the great projector for reforming the king's household, advancing the customs, and other services; for which he was made lord TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, YOUR lordship may marvel, that together with the letter from the board, which you see passed so well, there came no particular letter from myself; wherein, though it be true, that now this very evening I have made even with the causes of chancery, and comparing with the causes heard by my lord,|| that dead is, of Michaelmas term was twelve-month, I find them to be double so many and one more; besides that the causes that I despatch do seldom turn upon me again, as his many times did; yet nevertheless I do assure your lordship, that should have been no excuse to me, who shall ever assign both to the causes of the subject, yea, and to my health, but the leavings of times after his Majesty's business done. But the truth is, I could not speak with Sir Lionel Cranfield, with whom of necessity I was to confer about the names, till this afternoon. First, therefore, I send the names, by his advice, and with mine own good allowance of those, which we wish his Majesty should select; wherein I have had respect somewhat to form, more to the avoiding of opposition, but most to the service. Two most important effects his Majesty's letter hath wrought already: the one, that we perceive his Majesty will go through stitch; which goeth to the root of our disease. The other, that it awaketh the particular officers, and will make their own endeavours and propositions less perfunctory, and more solid and true for the future. Somewhat is to be done presently, and somewhat by seasonable degrees. For the present, my advice is, his Majesty would be pleased to write back to the table, that he doth well approve, that we did not put back or retard the good ways we were in of ourselves; and that we understood his Majesty's right: that his late direction was to give help, and not hinderance, to the former courses; and that he doth expect the propositions we have in hand, when they are finished : and that for the sub-commissions, he hath sent us the names he hath chosen out of those by us sent and propounded; and that he leaveth the particular directions from time to time, in the use of sub-commissioners, wholly to the table. treasurer, baron Cranfield, and earl of Middlesex ; but being accused by the house of commons for misdemeanors in his office, he had a severe sentence passed upon him by the lords, in 1624. Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. Ibid. Chancellor Ellesmere. This I conceive to be the fairest way; first to | is all I have now to write to your lordship, but that seal the sub-commission without opening the nature I shall ever rest of their employments, and without seeming that they should have any immediate dependence upon his Majesty, but merely upon the table. As for that which is to be kept in breast, and to come forth by parts, the degrees are these: First, to employ the sub-commissioners in the reconsidering of those branches, which the several officers shall propound. Next, in taking consideration of other branches of retrenchment, besides those which shall be propounded. The third, to take into consideration the great and huge arrears and debts in every office; whether there be cause to abate them upon deceit or abuse; and at least how to settle them best, both for the king's honour, and avoiding of clamour, and for the taking away, as much as may be, that same ill influence and effect, whereby the arrear past destroys the good husbandry and reformation to come. The fourth is to proceed from the consideration of the retrenchments and arrears to the improvements. All these four, at least the last three, I wish not to be stirred in till his Majesty's coming. God ever preserve and prosper you. Your lordship's true friend and devoted servant, Your lordship will be pleased to have a little care of the bestowing of this letter. York-house, this 6th of December, 1617. Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, Newmarket, the 9th day of December, 1617. My lord of Buckingham to your lordship, showing TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD Lord, YOUR lordship's letters patents § are ready. I would be glad to be one of the witnesses at the de livery; and therefore, if the king and your lordship will give me leave, I will bring it to-morrow at any hour shall be appointed. New-Year's eve, 1617. Your lordship's ever, FR. BACON I was bold to send your lordship, for your new year's gift, a plain cap of essay, in token, that i your lordship in any thing shall make me your say man, I will be hurt before your lordship shall b hurt. I present therefore to you my best servic which shall be my All-Years' gift. TO THE LORD KEEPER.* MY HONOURable lord, Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD, SIR George Chaworth and I am agreed, so t now I shall retain the grace of my place, and yet rewarded. The king hath no ill bargain; for hath four times as much as he was offered by George of increase; and yet I take upon me to c tent my servants, and to content him. Neverthel I shall think myself pleasured by his Majesty, do acknowledge, that your lordship hath dealt honourably and nobly with me. I send enclosed a letter, whereby your lords signifieth his Majesty's pleasure to me; and Is make the warrant to Mr. Attorney. I desire it be carried in privateness. I ever rest Your lordship's true friend and devoted ser FR. BAC This New-Year's eve, 1617. TO THE LORD KEEPER.‡ MY HONOURable lord, I HAVE acquainted his Majesty with your lordship's letter, who hath followed your directions therein, and written to the lords accordingly. Which Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. Sir Thomas Lake. His colleague, secretary Winwood, died October 27, 1617; and Sir Robert Naunton succeeded to the post of secretary, January 8, 1617-18, from that of surveyor of the court of wards. Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. TO SIR JAMES FULLERTON.|| I PRESUME to send his highness this pair of candlesticks, that his light, and the light of hi § For the title of Marquis of Buckingham to himse the male heirs of his body. He had been surveyor of the lands to prince C when duke of York, and was groom of the stole to him king. He died in January, 1630-1. terity, upon the church and commonwealth, may | Christopher Villiers, whose benefit I have reason to never fail. I pray you do me the favour to present wish and advance by any just courses. And so it to his highness, with my best and humble service. I rest And as I HAVE heretofore recommended unto your lordship the determination of the cause between Sir Rowland Egerton and Edward Egerton, † who, I understand, did both agree, being before your lordship, upon the values of the whole lands. your lordship hath already made so good an entrance into the business, I doubt not but you will be as noble in farthering the full agreement between the parties: whereunto, I am informed, Sir Rowland Egerton is very forward, offering on his part that, which to me seemeth very reasonable, either to divide the lands, and his adverse party to choose, or the other to divide, and he to choose. Whereupon my desire to your lordship is, that you would accordingly make a final end between them, in making a division, and setting forth the lands, according to the values agreed upon by the parties themselves. Wherein, besides the charitable work your lordship shall do in making an end of a controversy between those, whom name and blood should tie together, and keep in unity, I will acknowledge your favour as unto myself, and will ever rest Your lordship's faithful servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Theobald's, January 9, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.¶ MY HONOURABLE LORD, SIR JOHN COTTON** having acquainted me with a petition he intended to exhibit to his Majesty, that without any apparent fault committed by him, he was put from his office of Custos Rotulorum; I have persuaded him to forbear the presenting of his petition, until I had written to your lordship, and received your answer. I have therefore thought fit to signify unto your lordship, that he is a gentleman, of whom his Majesty maketh good esteem, and hath often occasion to use his service: and therefore, besides that he is a man of good years, and hath served long in the place, I know his Majesty, out of these respects, will be loth he should receive any disgrace. I desire therefore to understand from your lordship the reasons of his remove, that, if I cannot give satisfaction to the gentleman himself, I may at least make answer to his Majesty for that act of your lordship's, which is alleged to be very unusual, unless upon some precedent misdemeanor of the party. Thus, having in this point discharged my part in taking the best course I could, that no complaint should come against you to the king, I rest Your lordship's faithful friend, Newmarket, Jan. 16, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. MY HONOURABLE LORD, His Majesty having given order to Mr. Solicitor § to acquaint your lordship with a business touching ale-houses, that upon consideration thereof you might certify your opinion unto his Majesty, whether it be fit to be granted or not; I have thought fit to desire your lordship to give it what favour and fartherance you may, if you find it reasonable and not prejudicial to his Majesty's service, because it concerneth Mr. Patrick Maule, and my brother, Sir Francis Bacon had that title given him January 4. This was one of the causes mentioned in the charge of the House of Commons against the lord Bacon; in his answer to which, he acknowledged, that some days after perfecting his award, which was done with the advice and consent of the lord chief justice Hobart, and publishing it to the parties, he rece.ved 300%. of Mr. Edward Egerton, by whom, soon after his coming to the seal, he had likewise been presented with 4007. in a purse. 1 Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. Sir Thomas Coventry. The lord chancellor, in his letter to the marquis of Buckingham, dated January 25, 1617, printed in his works, has the following passage: "For the suit of the ale-houses, which concerneth your brother, Mr. Christopher Villiers, and Mr. TO SIR HENRY YELVERTON, ATTORNEYGENERAL. MR. ATTORNEY, WHEREAS there dependeth before me in chancery a great cause of tithes concerning the benefices of London, though in a particular, yet, by consequence leading to a general; his Majesty, out of a great religious care of the state, both of church and city, is graciously pleased, that before any judicial senPatrick Maule, I have conferred with my lord chief justice and Mr. Solicitor thereupon, and there is a scruple in it, that it should be one of the grievances put down in parliament; which if it be, I may not, in my duty and love to you, advise you to deal in it; if it be not, I will mould in the best manner, and help it forward." A patent for licensing ale-houses being afterwards granted to Sir Giles Mompesson and Sir Francis Mitchel, and greatly abused by them, they were punished for those abuses by the parliament, which met January 30, 1620-1. Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. ** Of Lanwade, in Cambridgeshire, knight. He served many years as knight of the shire for that county, and died in 1620, at the age of seventy-seven. His eldest son, Sir John Cotton, was created a baronet, July, 14, 1641. George Tipping, in giving liberty unto him to make his appearance before you after the holy-days, at my request; who, as I understand by some friends of mine, who moved me to recommend him to your lordship's favour, is willing to conform himself in performance of the decree made in the chancery by your lordship's predecessor, but that he is persuaded, that presently, upon the performance thereof, his son will make away the land that shall be conveyed unto him: which being come to Sir George from his ancestors, he desireth to preserve to his poste tence be pronounced in chancery, there be a commission directed unto me, the lord chancellor, lord treasurer, the lord privy-seal, and the lord chamberlain; and likewise to the lord archbishop, the lord bishop of Winchester* and the bishop of Ely,† and also to the master of the rolls, the two lord chief justices, justice Dodderidge, and justice Hutton, who formerly assisted me in the cause, to treat of some concord in a reasonable moderation between the ministers and the mayor and the commonalty of London in behalf of the citizens; and to make some pact and transaction between them by consent, if it❘rity. I desire your lordship's farther favour theremay be ; or otherwise to hear and certify their opinions touching the cause, that thereupon his Majesty may take such farther order, by directing of a proceeding in chancery, or by some other cause, as to his wisdom shall seem fit. fore unto him, that you will find out some course, how he may be exempted from that fear of the sale of his lands, whereof he is ready to acknowledge a fine to his son, and to his heirs by Anne Pigot; and, they failing, to his son's heirs males, and, for want thereof, to any of his son's or brethren's heirs males, and so to the heirs general of his father and himself, by lineal descent, and the remainder to the crown. This offer, which seemeth very reasonable, So and for his Majesty's advantage, I desire your lordship to take into your consideration, and to show FR. BACON, CANC. him what favour you may for my sake; which I will readily acknowledge, and ever rest Your lordship's faithful servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. You will have care to draw the commission with some preface of honour to his Majesty, and likewise to insert in the beginning of the commission, that it was de advisamento cancellarii, (as it was indeed,) lest it should seem to be taken from the court. I commit you to God's, &c. January 19th, 1617. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD Lord, I Do not easily fail towards gentlemen of quality to disgrace them. For I take myself to have some interest in the good wills of the gentlemen of England, which I keep and cherish for his Majesty's special service. And for this gentleman of whom you write, Sir John Cotton, I know no cause in the world why I should have displaced him, but that it was certified unto me, that it was his own desire to resign: wherein if I was abused, I will restore him. But if he did consent, and, now it is done, changeth his mind, then I would be loth to disgrace the other, that is come in. Therefore I pray your lordship, that I may know and be informed from himself what passed touching his consent; and I will do him reason. Thus, with my thanks to your lordship, I will ever rest Your lordship's true friend and most devoted servant, Jan. 20, 1617. Newmarket, Jan. 23, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.¶ SINCE I received your lordship's letter, Sir Lionel Cranfield being here, hath informed his Majesty of the whole proceeding in his business of the household; which his Majesty liketh very well, and is glad it is approved by your lordship, of whose care and pains therein he receiveth very good satisfaction. In the business touching Sir John Cotton, your lordship dealeth as nobly as can be desired; and so, if it should come in question before his Majesty, I would answer in your behalf. I have Sir John Cotton to inform your lordship by his letter of the business, and ever rest Your lordship's faith fu servant, FR. BACON, CANC. to be heard before your lordship, in the chancery, on Saturday next. My desire unto your lordship is, that you would show the said John Huddy what favour you lawfully may, and as his cause will bear, when it cometh before you, for my sake. Which I will not fail to acknowledge, ever resting Your lordship's faithful servant, G. BUCKINGHAM. Newmarket, Jan. 28, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* MY HONOURABLE LORD, I UNDERSTAND that his Majesty hath been pleased to refer a suit unto him by two of his servants, Robert Maxwell and John Hunt, for the making of sheriffs and escheators patents, to your lordship's consideration. My desire unto your lordship on their behalf is, that you would show them thus much favour for my sake, and with as much expedition as may be, and your lordship's other occasions may permit, to certify your opinion thereof unto his Majesty; which I will be ready to acknowledge, and ever rest Your lordship's faithful servant, Newmarket, Feb. 4, 1617. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.+ MY HONOURABLE LORD, THOUGH I had resolved not to write to your lordship in any matter between party and party; yet at the earnest request of my noble friend, the lord Norris, to whom I account myself much beholden, I could not but recommend unto your lordship's favour a special friend of his, Sir Thomas Monk, who hath a suit before your lordship in the chancery with Sir Robert Basset; which, upon the report made unto me thereof, seemeth so reasonable, that I doubt not but the cause itself will move your lordship to favour him, if upon the hearing thereof it shall appear the same unto your lordship, as at the first sight it doth unto me. I therefore desire your lordship to show in this particular what favour you lawfully may, for my sake, who will account it as done unto myself; and will ever rest Your lordship's faithful servant, TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.¶ MY HONOURABLE LORD, I UNDERSTAND by this bearer, Edward Hawkins, how great pains your lordship hath taken, in the business which I recommended to you concerning him, and how favourably your lordship hath used him for my sake. For which I give your lordship many thanks, and will be ever ready to acknowledge your favour toward him by all the testimonies of Your lordship's faithful friend, G. BUCKINGHAM. Theobald's, Feb. 12, 1617. |
