Romes Masterpiece, Letter 2 – Letter 4
The Archbishop of Canterburies Letter to the King concerning the Plot: with the Kings directions in the Margin, written with His own hand.I beseech Your Majesty read these Letters a… they are endorsed by figures, 1, 2, 3, &c.
May it please your Majesty,
AS great as the Secret is which comes herewith, yet I choose rather to send it in this silent covert way, Ye had reason so to doe.and I hope safe, then to come thither, and bring it my selfe. First, because I am no way able to make haste enough with it. Secondly, because should I come at this time, and antedate the meeting Septemb. 24. there would be more jealousie of the businesse, and more enquiry after it: especially, if I being once there, should returne againe before that day, as I must if this be followed, as is most fit.
The danger it seemes is imminent, and laid by God knowes whom, but to be executed by them which are very neere about you. (For the great honour which I have to be in danger with you, or for you, I passe not, so your sacred Person and the State may be safe.)It is an unanswerable Dilemma. Now, may it please your Majesty, This information is either true, or there is some mistake in it: If it be true, the persons which make the discovery will deserve thankes and reward; If there should be any mistake in it, your Majesty can lose nothing but a little silence.
The businesse (if it be) is exteam foul.I c…ncur totally with you in opinion, assuring you that no body doth, or shall know of this businesse, and to shew my care to conceale it, I received this but this afternoon, and now I make this dispatch before I sleepe. Herewith I send his warrant, as you advise, which indeed I judge to bee the better way. The discovery thus by Gods providence offered, seems fair. I doe hereby humbly beg it upon my knees of your Majestie, that you will conceale this businesse from every creature, and his name that sends this to me. And I send his Letters to me to your Majestie, that you may see his sence both of the businesse and the secrecy. And such Instructions as you thinke fit to give him, I beseech you let them be in your own hand for his warrant, without imparting them to any. And if your Majestie leave it to his discretion to follow it there in the best way he can, that in your own hand will be instruction and warrant enough for him. And if you please to return it herewith presently to me, I will send an expresse away with it presently.
In the mean time I have by this expresse returned him this answer,I like your answer extreame well, and doe promise not to deceive your confidence, nor make you break your word. That I think he shall doe well to hold on the Treatie with these men with all care and secrecie, and drive on to the discovery so soon as the businesse is ripe for it, that he may assure himselfe and them, they shall not want reward, if they do the service. That for my part he shall be sure of secrecy, and that I am most confident that your Majesty will not impart it to any. That he have a speciall eye to the eighth and ninth Proposition.
Sir, for Gods sake, and your own safety,I have sent all back. I thinke these Apostyles will bee warrant enough for you to proceed, especially when I expressly command you to doe so. secrecie in this businesse: And I beseech you send me back this Letter, and all that comes with it, speedily and secretly, and trust not your own pockets with them. I shall not eat nor sleep in quiet till I receive them. And so soon as I have them again, and your Majesties warrant to proceed, no diligence shall be wanting in me to help on the discoverie.
This is the greatest businesse that ever was put to me.In this I am as far from condemning your judgement as suspecting your fidelitie. C. R. And if I have herein proposed or done any thing amisse, I most humbly crave your Majesties pardon. But I am willing to hope I have not herein erred in judgement, and in fidelity I never will.
These letters came to me on Thursday, Septemb. 10. at night, and I sent these away according to the date hereof, being extreamly wearied with writing this Letter, copying out these other which come with this, and dispaching my Letters back to him that sent these, all in my own hand. Once again secrecy for Gods sake, and your own. To his most blessed protection I commend your Majestie and all your Affairs: and am
*The Kings hand and date.Yorke 13. Lambeth Septemb. 11. 1640. Your Majesties most humble faithfull servant, W. Cant.
*The Archbishops PostscriptAs I had ended these, whether with the labour or indignation, or both, I fell into an extream faint sweat; I pray God keep me from a Fever, of which three are down in my Family at Croyden.
These Letters came late to me, the expresse being beaten back by the winde.
The Archbishops indorcement with his own hand. Received from the King Sept. 16. 1640, For your sacred Majestie. Yours Apostyled. The Kings Answer to the Plot against him, &c.
Sir William Boswels second Letter to the Archbishop.
May it please your Grace,
THis evening late I have received your Graces dispatch, with the enclosed from his Majestie, by my Secretary Oueart, and shall give due account with all possible speed of the same, according to his Majesties and your Graces commands, praying heartily that my endeavours, which shall be most faithfull, may also prove effectuall, to his Majesties and your Graces content, with which I do most humbly take leave, being alwayes
Hagh. 24. Sept. 1640. S. Angel•. Your Graces most dutifull and humblest servant, William Boswell.
The Archbishops indorcement. Received Sept. 30. 1640▪ Sir William Boswell his acknowledgement that he hath received the Kings directions and my Letters.
Sir William Boswels third Letter to the Archbishop, sent with the larger discovery of the Plot.
May it please your Grace,
VPonUpon receipt of his Majesties Commands, with your Graces Letters of 9. and 18. Sept▪ last. I dealt with the party to make good his offers formerly put in my hand, and transmitted to your Grace: This he hopes to have done, by the inclosed, so far as will be needfull for his Majesties satisfaction; yet if any more particular explanation or discovery shall be required by his Majestie or your Grace, He hath promised to adde thereunto, whatsoever he can remember and knowes of truth. And for better assurance and verification of his integrity, he professeth himselfe ready (if required) to make *A very good Argument of truth and reality.oath of what he hath already declared, or shall hereafter declare in the businesse.
His name he conjures me still to conceale: though he thinks his Majestie and your Grace, by the Character he gives of himselfe, will easily imagine who he is, having been known so *Therefore a man of note and imployment.generally through Court and City, as he was for three or foure yeers, in the quality and imployment he acknowledgeth (by his Declaration inclosed) himselfe to have held.
Hereupon he doth also redouble his most humble and earnest suit unto his Majestie and your Grace, to be most secret and circumspect in the businesse, that he may not be suspected to have discovered, or had a hand in the same.
I shall here humbly beseech your Grace to let me know what I may further doe for his Majesties service, or for your Graces particular behoof; that I may accordingly endeavour to approve my selfe, as I am
Hagh. 15. Octob. 1460. Your Graces most dutifull and obliged servant, William Boswell.
The Archbishops indorcement. Received Octob. 14. 1640. Sir William Boswell in prosecution of the great businesse. If any thing come to him in Cyphers, to send it to him.