Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 16
RIght Trusty, &c. The dispatches which We have received from you by Endimion Porter, doe give Us sufficient assurance that there hath not wanted in you nor in Our ordinary Ambassadour Sir Walter Aston, that faithfull endeavour and diligence, to expedite those great businesses you have in charge, which We could expect or require at your hands, for which We are pleased to returne you both Our gracious acceptation and thanks. You will see by that which We have subscribed unto the Article… you sent VsUs, and by the Letters which We and Our Sonne have both written unto Our Brother the King of Spaine, how well We approve of what hitherto hath been done, and what you have promised and undertaken in your name; which being, as We hope the period of all their demands in that kind, We wish you to proceed unto the temporall Articles, and to conclude and consummate the whole businesse now, according to the Commissions you have, as soone as possibly you may, that there may be no further delay. Concerning that other unfortunate knotty affaire of the Palat…ate, to say the truth, as things stand, We cannot tell what you could have done more then you have already. And whereas you write that the King of Spaine and his principall Ministers there, did find Our last Propositions somewhat strange, you shall understand that the cause why We sent you such strict and peremptory Instructions was, for that the Chancelour of Our Exchequer found nothing but palpable and grosse delayes at Br… …llet, whilest in the meane time Heidelberg was besieged, and afterwards taken Manheim beleaguer…d▪ and all hostility used that might be. Besides, Gage comming from Rome about the same time, instead of bringing the newes which was expected of the Dispensation granted,NOTE▪ presents VsUs certaine exceptions taken against the Articles by the Pope, with an intention as it seemes, to ingage VsUs in a Treaty, or dispute with him about the said Articles, which was never the meaning, but that the King of Spain should have undertaken that businesse himselfe. This was the reason that moved VsUs at the earnest instance and perswasion of Our Councell to urge the matter, so as to bring it to a speedy point; not but that the very precisest of them, were alwaies of opinion, that if the March were once concluded, the other businesse would be accommodated to Our satisfaction. Neverthelesse these doubts and causes of jealousie, occurring, they did all una voce represent unto VsUs, how highly and importunately it concerned Our estate and service to be at some certainty, and to know what to trust to; neither is the usage and respect We yet find from the Infanta at Bruxelles and that Kings Ministers any thing at all amended, notwithstanding all the great demonstrations We have made of Our confidence and good correspondency with them, and the meanes We have alwayes sought to oblige them, as no doubt you have understood by sundry late dispatches from Our Secretary. And now lastly, when We out of Our especiall trust in the Infanta, had made an offer of late to …equester the Towne of Fran…endale into her hands, upon no other assurance then shee her selfe had offered VsUs before Manheim was lost, by Don Carlos Coloma, which was to restore it, and those other places againe which were at that time also required, either upon the conclusion of the peace with the Emperour, or upon a ruptur… in case that proceeded not; the same propositi… being now againe revived by VsUs, shee is fallen away from the conditions first propounded by Our Selfe, offering onelyonly to accept it upon trust if We will put it into her her hands, without obliging her selfe to restore it againe; which VVe take to be a great disrespect, if not a scorne. And therefore being resolved not to treat with her any more about it, it is Our pleasure that you shall presently deale with the King of Spaine to the same purpose, and to make him an offer of Frankendale from VsUs by way of sequestration, upon the condition aforesaid, of restitution in the State as it now stands, whether the peace with the Emperour succeed or not; and if he accept it, that he will signifie so much to VsUs under his hand, and give order for the present receiving it accordingly, for the case will not admit any long time of treaty.
In your last dispatch you advertise VsUs, that the King of Spaine hath written againe very effectually unto the Emperour about these affaires of the Palatinate. VVe doe much desire to know what the particulars of that Letter were, and to what effect, and what other endeavours that King intends to use for procuring VsUs satisfaction therein, whereof VVe require you to informe VsUs as particularly as you may, because you know it concernes VsUs much to have that businesse at a point. There are some other matters concerning Our service which VVe have commanded Our Secretary to impart unto you, and therefore will hold you no longer now, but wish you health and a good successe in your affaires.
White-hall, 7. Ian. 1622.