Reliquiae Wottonianae, or, A collection of lives, letters, poems with characters of sundry personages : and other incomparable pieces of language and art : also additional letters to several persons, not before printed / by the curious pencil of the ever memorable Sir Henry Wottan ...

The Ambassadors Answer from Prague, Octob. 18. 1620.

Right Honourable,

SIr Francis Nethersole communicated unto us your Lordships of the 7^th of September St. vet. the 9^th present, the impediments of journeying, with the

delaies we met with at Dresden, having made our arrival so late here, that he had not only given overture to the business, but gained such an An∣swer, as the present constitution of the state of affairs, and affections of parties would admit: for which we refer you to his Relation to whose en∣deavors the honour is due. You will easily believe, that we would give all the force we could to se∣cond this great good work, so piously intended by our gracious Master, so requisite for Christendom, and so needful to draw our Masters dear Son-in-law, and his blessed Lady, out of the extream diffi∣culties they are in, and, in this work, to be joyn∣ed with your wisdom and dexterity. Here you will find ready affections to Peace, to treat, to ad∣mit the ways and conveniencies to Treaty, if a cessation of Arms may be accorded: but the diffi∣culty lies to find the medium. The Kingdom of Bohemia, and the Appurtinances, are the very que∣stion; and they tell you here, that the granting of a disposition thereof, is to overthrow their Pri∣viledges, Immunities, and Rights: So to leave the possession of the Kingdom, and to keep it, is to re∣concile Yea and No. Yet our earnest longing being to see a good end of our gracious Masters blessed designs, we cannot but think of ways to keep on foot the contentment of Traffick with you, and communicate them, though but raw indigested conceptions of our own, to be produced further, if your judgement and hope warrant them. This granted, that both Parties have affection to Treat, doth warrant the freedom of access to the Instru∣ments. Whereupon we propound as followeth: That whereas His Majesties Son-in-law (for ought we can find) is resolute to hold both the Title and

Possession of this Kingdom, it may be advised, whe∣ther the Emperor may be drawn to content himself with the Title, and such a compensation by a yearly proportion of Money, as competerit and equal Ar∣bitrators shall judge to be fit. Hereto may be ad∣ded, the quitting of Austria on the one part, and restitution of the Palatinate on the other. As for banished Men on both sides, and particular Rights, both Civil and Criminal, the same Arbitrators may deal therein according to equity. Having besides Sir Francis Nethersale's faithful endeavors, sounded with our best lines, and we cannot say found the depth, but a kind of scantling, vve offer you to measure, vvhether this heat of War and Confusion may by such a Chanel be drawn to a peaceable Haven; the perfect good steering of vvhich, vve present to your great practice in affairs of conse∣quence, to the good guidance vvhereof, vve offer all our powers and endeavors, vvhile they may be of use; but if vve find no other ground of hope here then vve have hitherto, vve are resolved to dravv towards home; and in that case, your Lord∣ship finding occasion, may continue your addresses to Sir Francis Nethersole, of vvhose careful cor∣respondence you may rest assured. Wherewith vve rest,

From Prague, October 18. St. vet. 1620.

Your Lordships in all true affection to serve you,

• Edw. Conwey.
• Rich. Weston.
• J. Dickenson Secr. assistant.