Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 61 – Letter 83
TOM. I writ to you this afternoon already, immediately upon my arrivall here and gave you account of my passage into these parts, and this was by the Master of the boat that brought me hither; since, understanding that the Pacquet-boat is to part away from hence to morrow, I thought fit to take that occasion to communicate some thoughts of mine concerning my unfortunate businesse in Parliament.
It is not unlikely but that the House of Commons will, notwithstanding mine absence (or the rather for it, as taking my retreat for a confession of the charge) proceed to present me to the Upper House for a Delinquent of so high a nature, as never came so much as into my thoughts to be guilty of: In this case you shall doe well to consider whether it will not be fit for you, most humbly to move his Majesty in favour of me, to deale with some of the Lords best inclined to me, namely, the Lord Duke of Lenox, the Lord Marquesse Hamilton, the Earle Marshall, Lord Goring, Lord Cottington, and others, not leaving out the Lord Chamberlaine, that my charge may be set downe in writing, and that I may be permitted to make my answer to it; if this may be granted, the next particular that will fall into consideration will be, how farre his Majesty will please to advow me in the two great parts of the charge, namely, the enlarging of Priests, and the procuring of bils of grace from his Majesty for stay of the conviction of Recusants, and likewise for such letters as my selfe have written upon his Majesties commandement, for stay of such indi…ements: For the first of these there are 27. or 28. Bonds taken of such Priests as I have set at liberty, which Bonds you shall doe well to shew his Majesty, being all taken by his speciall direction, and I doe not remember that any have been delivered out of prison but such as are so bound, unlesse perhaps some may have been taken out of the hands of those two Hell-hounds Gray and Newton, that were disabled by the Lords from prosecuting Recusants, and this at the instance of the Queen to his Majesty:NOTE. For the second namely, the stay of convictions by Bils of grace and otherwise, they were all entirely moved and procured by the Queens Majesty and some of her servants, and likewise of those neere his Majesty, who had no small benefit by them, and I had nothing at all to doe with them, but in the dispatch of some of those Bils which belonged to me as Secretary, and his Majesty may please to remember, that before those Bils passed my hands, some of them were made during life, which upon my motion to his Majesty and the representation I made of that inconveniency, was altered, and they were granted but during pleasure, & so became revokable wh…soever his Majesty should command: His Majesty may likewise further please to remember, that of late I did humbly represent to him the prejudice to his revenue by these bils of grace, and besought him there might be a stop of them, and I doe not remember that any have been granted these two or three yeers; howsoever, I doe religiously professe I never moved in them,NOTE. nor any other businesse of Recusants, originally, nor without his Majesties speciall commandement, and therefore if I should not be advowed in all, my condition must be very hard: Neverthelesse rather that his Majesty or his affaires shall suffer, I desire the whole burden may be laid upon me, and though I have his Majesties hand for most of them and commandement for all, yet I will rather perish then produce either to his prejudice without his permission; if his Majesty shall please to appeare to the Lords above… mentioned in my behalfe, you are not to leave them unsolicited, and you must specially wait upon my brother Secretary, and present my humble service to him. Since my arrivall here, I have presented my selfe to the Governour … who hath offered me great civilities, inviting me to sup with him, and desiring me to make use of his Coach to Paris, but I have thought sit to excuse my selfe as handsomely as I could of both; you shall doe well to present my most humble thankes and services to the Queen for these honours,NOTE. which I have reason to acknow…edge are done me in contemplation of her Majesties favour to me, so as though in mine owne Country it be accounted a crime to me to be her Majesties servant, yet here I shall have reputation and receive much honour by it.
At my first dis-embarquing here, in my red surred cap. I was taken for my Lords Grace of Canterbury, and the noyse was generally spread through the Towne that it was he: by which it apppeares this people can judge well of colours, unlesse they had thought him a Cardinall.
Comfort your poore afflicted Mother in mine absence▪ who if shee should fall into any distemper of sicknesse for this disaster upon me and my Family, there could be nothing added to my misery in this world.
God blesse you, and make you more happy in your owne person then you are in that of
Your most distressed, but affectionate Father Francis VVindebanke. …, …6. December 1640.
A POST…SRIPT▪
Co…m…nd my dearest louelove to your Mother, and let your brother and sisters know I send them my blessing.
You shall doe well to acquaint the Queens Majesty with the particulars of my travels,NOTE. and most humbly to unplore the continuance of her favour to me and my poore …uined Family, and withall …orget not to represent to her Majesty the singular favour shee vouch…a…ed me in the company of Monseiur …, who hath been a most … and t…nder friend to me.
…NOTE.NOTE.
… NOTE.of those that have the charge of the letters, and that they are all sent.
For mine owne most unfortunate businesse in Parliament, I long to heare what effect my comming from England hath produced, though I expect little good, but to be kept from extremities.
Concerning mine owne domestique affaires, the chiefest that I shall recommend to you is the care of your poore mother, upon whose living and comfort depends mine; next I wish you to procure me a bill of credit, to which purpose Robin hath writ to master Burlamachi, for I find my charge here will be very high, and if his Majesty shall not relieve me I shall not be able by mine owne revenue to subsist: This I have represented to the Lord Treasurer and Lord Cottington, and desired them to give order for payment of such monies as are due to me in the Exchequer, which are at Michael was last 800. l. you shall doe well likewise to solicit these Lords for the payment of the monies, for which I stand engaged to master Richaut for the King, and not to forget my boord▪ wages nor the monies in the hands of the Earle of New-castle.
The l…tters that goe herewith, you will deliver with the remembrance of my humble services to these Lords, to whom I have written, to assist you as occasion shall be presented. That to my Lord Chamberlaine is more large and particular then the rest, and I have left it open purposely,NOTE. to the end, you may shew it to his Majesty, and if his Majesty like it, to deliver it, otherwise not.
I shall want linnen and apparell at Paris, and A…bert tels me, I may have a Trunk conveyed by the pacquet-boat hither, and from hence to Paris, with a small charge; and therefore I wish there were two suits put up, one of plaine Velvet and I never yet wore, and another of the little wrought V…lvet diamond worke, and linn…n of all sorts but …ands, with three or foure paire of warme wollen stockings, and two pa…re of blacke silke ones.
The Ship in which we should have passed and was bound for Roven, was within 24. houres after we left it, pillaged by the Dunkerks, but rescued from them after by the French, and brought in hither as lawfull prize, where shee now is, so that it was happy we forsooke her and passed in a Shallop, and though our passages were full of hazard, yet we avoyded a greater danger by it.
God blesse you, and put a happy end to all our sufferings, which I wish might all fall upon my selfe, so your mother and you who are most innocent, were free; in all conditions I shall be
Your most affecti…oate Father FRAN. VVINDEBANKE. Calis 13. December 1640.
TOM▪ NOTE.Your letter of the 17. of December came fitly to welcome me hither to Paris, and gave me infinite comfort in the expressions you make of their Majesties favour… to me and mine in our present distressed condition, the like I understand by master Treasurer, and you are herewith to receive letters to them all, in acknowledgement of their goodnesse: You writ nothing concerning the … Bonds, which I desired you to shew to his Majesty. I desire you to let me know by your next what you have done therein.
Your most affectionate Father FRAN. WINDEBANKE. Paris 4. January 1641.
Master Read, his Secretary, by a letter of the same date to master Thomas Windebank (then a Gentleman of the privy Chamber to his Majesty in Ordinary) write… thus.
Sir,
I Am of opinion with you, that our businesse in Parliament will not sleep, yet I like it never the worse that it goes on no faster, for in all probability, if they may have their will of the great ones,NOTE. as I beleeve they will, we may escape the better, especially since they cannot chuse but know that the King continues his favour to master Secretary, which I hope will somewhat take off from their siercenesse against him.
Your most affectionate cozen and humble servant RO. READ▪ Paris 4. Jan. 1641.
TOm. I writ to yo…r mother and your selfe the last weeke by the ordinary; but this extraordinary occasion of Sir Iohn Fortes…ues returne into England presenting it selfe, I could not but make use of it, that you may understand the state of my health as often as may be, which continuing good, I am confident will be some comfort to you all in the midst of your afflictions.
I have not been able to put my selfe in order, to goe out of my lodging untill this day, but now my first appearing abroad hath been to present my selfe to my Lord of Le…cester, who hath received me with great respects and professions; which honour his Lordship having vouchsafed me for her Majesties sake,NOTE. and in vertue of her gracious letters of recommendation in favour of me: you are with all humility to acknowledge it to her Majesty in my name, and to present unto her my most humble thanks.
In my letters of the last weeke to his Majesty, I presumed to represent the necessity (as I conceived) of my attending the ministers here; first, Monseiur de Chavig…y, and then the Cardinall, as well in acknowledgement of the honour they did to you, when you were imployed here,NOTE. as for the order they gave to the Governour of Calis to treat me with all respect, as soone as they had notice of my arrivall there.
Your very loving Father Francis Windebanke. Paris 7. January 1641.
TOm. If you understand any thing of the disposall of the Secretaries place, I wish some considerable summe might be thought upon to be given to me by him that shall succeed, which would be of more advantage, and give me better satisfaction then any pension that his Majesty shall conferre upon me, and will be of lesse charge to his Majesty;NOTE. you shall doe well to be attentive upon this, and immediately after the first notice of, to make earnest meanes to the Queen to procure this for me.
My Lord Ambassadour h…th done me the nonour to give me a visit at my lodging.
Your very loving Father Francis Windebanke. Paris 11. January 1641.
TOm. your letters of the 31. of December that came this week, were brought too late, and so long after the delivery of all others, that I was in great paine and apprehension I should not have been made happy with the knowledge of the estate of my poore Family this weeke, which would have added much to my sad thoughts: I have now, I thanke God, received full satisfaction in that which I so much longed for, and hope▪ whatsoever my other afflictions may be that I shall receive no other newes of your healths during my absence from you:
There is little in your letters that requires answer; that onelyonly concerning my charge when it shall be made, is of consideration, which will require little answer, if his Majesty shall please to avow me in the businesse of Recusants, as I doubt not but in honour and justice he will; what else can be objected to me of moment, I doe no… apprehend; neverthelesse,NOTE. if his Majesty think fit that you shall petition the Lords for permission to me to make my answer, you may doe it, though I could be contented you should first see the particulars of the charge, whether there be any thing in it besides that of the Re…sants; and howsoever you must acquaint his Majesty with your petition before you exhibite it.
I was upon Sunday last at Service and Sermon at my Lord Ambassadours house, where my Lord did me very much honour, otherwise I have kept my lodging.
Your most affectionate Father Francis Windebanke. Paris 18. January 1641.
TOM. I shall be glad that the Trunk of secret papers may fall into so good a hand as that of my Lord Cottington. I am very sorry to heare that his Majesties intentions of an an…ity or yeerly allowance to me begins already to coole; considering the charge I must lye at while I am in these parts, or any other, and the uncertainties of the benefit of the Post-Office, and of the boord-wages for the Secretaries dyet, which you shall doe well to take some time to represent at large to the Queene,NOTE. and to implore her favour for the continuance of that his Majesties gracious purpose to me, without which I and mine are in danger to be exposed to want and misery.
Your very loving Father, Francis Windebanke. Paris 25. Ian. 1641.
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Your, &c. Fran: Windebanke. Paris 7 Feb. 1641.
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Your &c. Fran: Windebank. Paris 7 Feb. 1641.
TOM, &c. I have thought fit to let you know the particulars, that you way represent them to their M. M. (Majesties) for whose service meerly I am thus persecuted, NOTE.and to whose wisdome, next after my … in God, I most intirely submit my selfe, my fortune, and whatsoever else is …; all which is now in extreame perill, for my faithfulnesse and obedience to their Commandements. (The rest of this letter being three folio Pages is writ in Caracters, and containes some mysteries locked up in these unknowne Cyphers, not yet discovered,
Your, &c. Fran: Windebank. Paris, 1 March 1640.
TOm, &c. I have beene this afternoone with the Cardmall, by the introduction of …, and received very great … and professions from him; he brought me out of his chamber into the next, giving … the upper hand, and holding me by the hands, (There follow three lines of …aracters.)
Your, &c. Fran: Windebanke. Paris March 12. 1640.
Master Read, Secretary to Windebanke, march 29. 1611. writ a letter (for the most part in Characters to master Thomas Windebanke, wherein there are these passages at large:
SIR▪
Yours of the fourth and eleventh currant have brought me double comfort this weeke, which was no more then I needed after such a va…ation; I perceive my feares of the miscarriage of the first were not altogether vaine, since they were so neere a danger; their redemption from which, I assure you, was a great worke, and shewes a great deale of goodnesse in those friends which you …; and I am willing to take it for a signe that the Parliament owes us not so…ll … as was feared. The Answer of their Majesties is very gracious, NOTE.and I thanke God has much revived Master Secretary, &c.
I cannot but wonder that the House should be scandalized at the stile you gave my … I am sure it is not in the power of any to take th… Title from … but the King, and … Majesty having … yet done it, I know not but why he should enjoy it till his Majestie shall please otherwise to dispose of the place.
Master … and Master Withering have sufficiently shewed their malicious …, God reward them for it, &c.
Your, &c. Robert Reade. Paris, Goodfriday 29 march, 1641.
After this followed these ensuing letters from … and his Secretary Read to his Sonne Thomas …, all writ from Paris.
…
My Lord Ambassadour continues still his favoures to me and hath been this weeke with me at my lodging, which is a very great honour to me.
Your, &c. … Paris 19 Aprill 1641
…
… NOTE.the heavier for some expressions delivered him from their Majesties by Master Mountague,NOTE. who arrived here on Saturday last: He comforts himselfe that he shall have all the favour his Ma…esty and the Queen are able to doe him, &c.
Sir, your most affectionate Couzin and obliged Servant, Ro. Read. Paris 16. Aprill 1641.
SIR, &c.
IT is likely now my Lord of Strafford is dispatched that businesses will goe faster on then formerly, and that amongst them, my Vnckles will have its turne: What course will be taken in it I cannot judge; but I doubt not, if they make a charge, such things wil be contained in it, as cannot be foreseen, and I fear if sombody be not there present to make a defence or disprove them, they may be taken por confesso, which may be a ruine to us all; I know no body is able to answer but my …nckle and my …selfe: For …, NOTE.there is no thought of his going thither; for my selfe, I know no reason why I should not be there, if his Majesty please to avow my …nckle, I thinke there will be no need of other answer, but if he shall please to say, he will first see the charge, there will be …n…cessity of somebodies being there, to bring to his Majesties remembrance the grounds and reasons upon which divers things were done, which must be needs slipt cut of his Majesties memory; and besides, there are divers papers and warran…s to be searcht out for my Unckles justification; if his Majesty please to cause the charge to be sent hither, then there will be no need of me till the answer goe backe, which will be the best way of all. I beseech you consider seriously of it, and as soone as the businesse shall be spoken of, it would not be amisse to know his Majesties pleasure in all these particulars; and in the meane time be pleased to let me know your own… opinion of them, &c.
Sir, Your, &c. R. Read. Paris 31. May 1641.
TOm. &c. my letters were sent from hence under my Lord Ambassadours cover, directed to master Secretary Vane, which I have hitherto sound the surest way, &c. I remember well I then sent you a letter for the Queen, in acknowledgement of the graci…us remembrance her Majesty vouchsafed me by Master Mountague, NOTE.&c. The last weeke I sent by the same way a letter to his Majesty, with a Duplicate of it to you, concer…ing the businesse wherein you had signified his Majesties pleasure to me. I hope if that have fallen into other lands, they will not dare to keep backe that which was directed to his Majesty whatsoever became of the rest, and I rather wish you to make your addresse to my Lady of Arundell, and humbly desire her Ladiship to mediate for me to my Lord.
Your, &c. Francis Windebanke. Paris 3. May 1641.
TOM. &c. You must not faile to attend my Lord of Leices…er as soone as you may, and to acknowledge his great honours and favours to me; you shall doe well likewise, to be an humble suter to the Queen in my name, NOTE.that she will be pleased to take notice to my Lord, of the faire and noble treatment I have received from his Lordship for her Majesties sake, and upon her recommendation, and this you may doe at some time when my Lord may be present, and that you may be sure it may not be forgotten, &c.
Your, &c. FRAN. WINDEBANKE. Paris 6, May 1642.
TOM, &c. You are now to receive a letter from Robert Read, concerning a businesse which hath been lately examined in Parliament, you shall doe well to acquaint his Ma…esty with it, and most humbly to crave his direction, in case it shall come to a stricter inquisition, as I have reason to conceive it will; considering what I have formerly written to you upon this subject, to be represented to his Majesty, and under what malice and danger I lye for that businesse. None understands mine innocency herein better th… his Majesty, nor can better cleere me, to whose Princely wisdome I … it, and shall governe my selfe both in this and any thing else concerning his service wholly according to his pleasure.
You…s, &c. FRAN. WINDEBANKE. … 1641.
… upon the particular place you writ of, you may easily procure upon these grounds, or at least know by either of these, to whom you are addressed, how farre her Majesty stande engaged,
Sir, Yours, &c. Robert Read. Paris 28, Iune 1641.
About this time Secretary Windebankes Lady and Family resolved to goe over to him into France, whereupon he writ this letter to his Sonne.
TOM. &c. You must procure a Passe from his Majesty for them all, and if I may know the time of her comming, I will meet her at D…epe: If his Majesty shall make difficulty at the Passe, NOTE.you must beseech the Queens interposition to let them know, that the little appearance of the end of my businesse hath … both upon this resolution; you will be her guide, and I beseech God to blesse you, and let and bring us happily together.
Your, &c. Francis Windebanke. Paris. 5. Iuly 1641.
To August following, Secretary Windebanke had a mind to Petition the House, whose royall advice and assistance he craved & had in it, these ensuing letters manifest.
TOm, &c. With them I sent you a Petition to the House of Commons in my name, but referred the proceeding in it to his Majesties pleasure,NOTE. and to such advice as you might take from some trusty friend. I wish some care be taken, that the Secretariet place being disposed of, (which if his Majesty be not good to me, must be mine utter raine) I may not be excluded from the generall pardon, which it is likely will be granted at the end of this Session: I hope you will put both their Majesties in mind hereof,NOTE. with some earnestnesse.
Your, &c. Francis Wind…banke. Paris 16. Aug. 1641.
TOm, &c. I now send you a Petition which I have framed to be presented to the lower House in my name, if his Majesty shall thinke fit, to whose wisdome I doe most humbly submit it, NOTE.either to be suppressed, altered or disposed of as his Majesty shall please. That which hath moved me to fall upon this way, is the apprehension that the House will adjourne without comming to any resolution concerning me, which would be a greater punishment then otherwise in reason I can expect, considering my sufferings already: Howsoever, by this I may perhaps make a discovery of the inclinations of the House, and what ply my businesse is likely to take: I wish you could communicate this to some discreet trusty & secret friend before his Majesty be acqua…hnted with it, and take deliberate advice upon it: In Cas…his Majesty approve this course, you shall then beseech him to deliver the Petition to master Treasurer, & Master Comptroller, & to give them order to recommend it to the House from him; with further intimation, that his Majesty will take it will if the House shall grant it: You are likewise to beseech the Queen to second his Majesty herein, and to recommend it to Master Treasurer and Master Comptroller,NOTE. and any other in the House in whom her Majesty hath interest. I doe not conceive that such a Petition can doe harme, and perhaps the House doth expect some such submission, and will be mollified or quickned by it; neverthelesse, I submit it to better judgement, and the life and death of it are indifferent to me, and therefore I leave it entirely to your ordering.
I feare my arrears in the Exchequer, and the houshold will be slowly paid, having heard that the House of Commons have ordered, that his Majesty shalbe moved for the stopping of pensions due to Master Jerma…e, Sir John Sucklin, or my selfe, but Gods will be done.
Your, &c. Francis Windebanke. Paris 2. Aug. 1641.