Scrinia Ceciliana, mysteries of state & government in letters of the late famous Lord Burghley, and other grand ministers of state, in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth, and King James, being a further additional supplement of the Cabala.

AFter my very hearty commendations, I send you herewith a Let∣ter from the Queens Majesty, by which you shall understand what her pleasure is for you to deal with the French King; whereunto you may add, as you see occasion, That you are informed, very credibly, that Monlues Company, now at their return, are suffered to make Port sale of all that they have brought home from the Isles of Medera. And therefore, if it might please his Majesty to give direct order and charge, for due restitution of that which was spoiled from the Queens Subjects; It is likely the parties shall be able enough to make recompence, my meaning herein is, that the French King and his Council may perceive that it is well known, how these Pirates are suffered to do what they will, notwithstanding contrary Proclamations; and yet you shall so utter this matter, as not that you finde fault with this manner of suffe∣rance, for that ought properly to be to the Spanish or Portugal Ambassa∣dor, with whom you may sometime deal, to understand how they do know what is done, and how they do interpret it.

You shall shortly hear of some special person, that shall be sent thither in Ambassage, to joyn with you for the demanding of Callis, which is due, by the Treaty of Cambray, to be restored to the Queens Majesty the second day of April next; but who it is that shall come, as yet I cannot advertise.

The manner of the death of the King of Scots is not yet discovered to us, for the knowledge of the Author thereof; but there hath been Proclamation made, that whosoever would reveal the offendors shall have two thousand pound Scotish; and if he were a party, should have his pardon and five hundred pounds; the day after a Bill was set up in Edenburgh, in this sort, I, according to the Proclamation, have made inqui∣sition for the slaughter of the King, and do finde the Earle Bothwell, Mr. James Bafour, Parson of Flisk, Mr. David Chamber, and Black Mr. John Spence, the principal devisers thereof; and if this be not true, spir at Gil∣bert Bafour. There were also words added, which I am loth to re∣port, that touched the Queen of Scots, which I hold best to be sup∣prest: Further, such persons anointed are not to be thought ill of with∣out manifest proof.

The next day following, a second Proclamation was made, repeating the former Bill, willing the party to subscribe his name, and he should be pardoned, and have the money according to the first Proclama∣tion. The next day, being the nineteenth of February, a second Bill was set up in the former place, offering to compear and avow the matter; so as the money might be put into indifferent hands; and that

Sir Francis Bastine, Joseph and Moses Mishe be taken; and then he the exhibitor of the Bill would avow the whole matter, and declare e∣very mans act. Thus far things passed till that day, and since that, I hear that much unquietness is like to grow about that matter; and the common speech toucheth the Earles, Bothwell and Huntly, who remain with the Queen; but how true the accusations are, I will not take upon me to affirm the one or the other; neither would I have you to utter any of these things, to make condemnation of any of them, but as reports, not doubting but shortly God will cause the truth to be revealed. There do adhere together with the Earl of Lenox, the Earles of Argile, Mor∣ton, Athell, Morrey, Catness, and Glencarne, who mean to be at Eden∣burgh very shortly, as they pretend, to search out the malefactors.

Of late you wrote unto me of one King an Euglishman, who doth misuse himself very much, of whom if you would write unto me some∣what more particularly, for the proof his Traiterous speeches, whereby there might be some good ground made, how to have him demanded, you shall hear more thereof, and so shall (percase) by the next, though I do not hear from you; and so fare you heartily well.

Yours assuredly W. Cecil.

Westm. 5. March, 1566.

Postscript.

Because I have not presently leisure to write to Mr. Man, Ambassador in Spain, I pray you to let him understand of such advertisments as I send you, and such other things as you shall think meet; And to convey the letters by the Spanish Ambassadors means, Resident there in that Court.

To the Right honorable, Sir Henry Norris Knight, the Queens Majesties Ambassador, Resident in France.