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.

SIR,

YOur last letters brought hither to my hands came by Mr. Hud∣dleston, whom surely I think you shall finde an honest servitor; I have no matter presently to write of, but to take occasion to send away this bearer your servant, and I wish to hear from you of some good success at Pcictiers; I do lye in wait for the Italian, of whom you late∣ly made mention in your letters, that is sent hither to attempt his devil∣lish conclusions.

Out of Ireland, since my last, I have heard nothing of any moment, but I trust all shall be in quiet there; and so is the state of this Realm also, howsoever any other shall report, having a disposition of malici∣ous prophesying.

In Suffolk, a lewd Varlet, not disposed to get his living by labor, mo∣ved a number of light persons to have made a rout in manner of Re∣bellion, to have spoiled the richer sort; but the matter was discovered, and the offenders taken before they did attempt any thing more then had passed by words; so as thereby they are punishable, but as con∣spirers by words, and not as actual Rebels.

The convention of St. Johns-Town in Scotland was dissolved about the second of this moneth; and one Wednesday last came hither one Alexander Hume from the Regent, with letters, declaring that he had an universal obedience in Scotland, and that the States there would not consent to any thing concerning the Queen of Scots restitution by any manner of Degree; wherewith her Majesty is not well pleased, be∣cause she hath a disposition to have her out of the Realm, with some tollerable conditions to avoid perill, which is a matter very hard, at the least to me, to compass; I think you shall hear someways of an intention of 〈☐〉〈☐〉 and 〈☐〉〈☐〉.

Certainly, if the Queens Majesty may or shall be thereto perswa∣ded, I think it likely to succeed; it hath so many weighty circumstances in it, as I wish my self as free from the consideration thereof, as I have been from the intelligence of the devising hereof; I thought not good to have you ignorant; I know ʒ hath not allowed of it.

Sir, I thank you for the French story which you lately sent me by Hud∣dleston; the next that shall come to you, I think, will be Mr. William Norris.

Yours assuredly, W. Cecil.

Fernham, 13. August, 1569.

Postscript.

Immediately after your last servant departed with letters to you, making mention of our accord with the French Ambassador, came the two Merchants, Patrick and Offly, to London, with an accord propound∣ed by the Marshall de Cross, but not accepted, for that thereby was re∣quired a general restitution of all things, which on our part indeed can∣not be; and now the French Ambassador will not be here on Wednes∣day, to eater into a new communication. I send you a late Proclama∣tion, which you may impart there as you list.