Cabala, sive, Scrinia sacra mysteries of state & government : in letters of illustrious persons, and great agents, in the reigns of Henry the Eighth, Queen Elizabeth, K. James, and the late King Charls : in two parts : in which the secrets of Empire and publique manage of affairs are contained : with many remarkable passages no where else published.

Sir Francis Cottington to the Duke.

May it please your Honour,

MY last unto you was of the 23. of September by Mr. Berrie, who that day departed from hence towards England, with in∣tention to take passage by Sea from St. Sebastians: and although I conceive, that this conveyance will be much speedier (it being by an extraordinarie dispatched for Flanders) yet for that I hold the other to be sure, I will not forbear to trouble your Honour with any re∣petition of that dispatch.

The strength and boldnesse of the Pyrats (or rather of the Turks) is now grown to that hieght both in the Ocean, & Mediterranean seas, as I have never known any thing to have wrought a greater sadnesse and distraction in the Court, then the daily advice thereof. Their whole Fleet consists of 40. Sail of tall ships, of between 200. and 400, tuns a piece; Their Admiral of 500. tuns. They are divided into 2. Squadrons, the one of 18. Sail remaining before Malaga (in sight of the Citie) the other about the Cape St. Marie, which is between Lisbone, and Sevil. That Squadron within the Straights entred the rode of Mostil (a Town by Malaga) wherewith their ord∣nance, they beat down a part of the Castle, and had doubtlesse ta∣ken the town, but that from Granado there came Souldiers to succor it; yet they took there divers ships, and amongst them 3. or 4. of the west part of England. Two bigg English ships they drave on shoar, not past four Leagues from Malaga; and after they went on shoar also, and burnt them, and to this day they remain before Ma∣laga, intercepting all ships, that passe that way, and absolutely pro∣hibiting all trade into those parts of Spain. The other Squadron at the Cape St. Marie doth there the like, intercepting all shipping what∣soever.

They lately met with seven sail of English ships, (all of London as I take it) but loaden only with pipestaves, which they had taken on the Coast of Ireland by the way. Five of these, viz. the Marie Anne, the Marie and John, the Rebecca, and Gibbs of Sand∣wich, and one John Cheyney of London they took, and the other two escaped. They robb'd them onely of their victuals, their Ordnance, and of some sayls, and so let them go, but in their company was also taken a great Ship of Lubeck, sayd to be very rich, which they still keep with all the men. They have few or no Christians aboard them, but all either Turks, or Moores, and the most part are of those, which of late years were turned out of Spain for Moriscos. They attend (as it seems) and as themselves report to them that have been aboard them (the coming of the West Indian Fleet, which is now very near.) But from hence they have commanded the Armada (which was di∣vided into three Squadrons) to be joyned together, and advice is brought that it is so, and now consists of twenty strong ships; Don John Faxardo (the General) hath also expresse order to fight with the Pyrats, not admitting any excuse whatsoever, but the common opinion is here, that we will be able to do them little harm, because his ships are of great burthen, and they will be able to go from him at their pleasure. And the other Squadron within the Straights will al∣waies be able to secure their retreat thither. I doubt not but in my next dispatch, I shall be able to tell your Honour what Don John Fax∣ardo either hath or will do to them. If this year they safely return to Argier (especially if they should take any of the Fleet) it is much to be feared, that the King of Spains forces by Sea will not be suffici∣ent to restrain, them hereafter, so much sweetnesse they find by ma∣king prize of all Christians whatsoever. The Secretary of the Councel of war, hath hereupon discoursed much unto me, and by him I per∣ceive, that here is an intention, to move his Majestie (the King our Master) that he will be pleased to joyn some of his Sea-forces (upon good terms) with this King, for the suppressing of these Py∣rats, if they should hereafter grow, and increase as hitherto they have done. Seeing they now professe themselves the common enemies of Christendom. Many reasons he gave me, that he thought might move his Majestie thereunto; but that whereon for my part I most reflect is, that these courses of the Pyrats, do but exercise the forces of the King of Spain by Sea, and put an obligation on him by all meanes to strengthen, and increase his Armada, and keep in practise his Sea-souldiers, without doing him any great harm, for that the greatest dammage will alwayes fall upon the Merchants that trade

into those parts (of which the English will ever be the greatest num∣ber, and the greatest losers) And as for the taking of his Fleet, it is not to be imagined, for that besides, that they come very strong (consisting of 50 great ships, of which eight are Gallions of war) they shall alwayes be meet, and guarded by the Armada. Your Ho∣nour may be pleased to acquaint his Majestie with what I here write, for I perceive it is expected, that I should advertize what the Secre∣tarie hath discoursed to me, which I would have done more at large; but I am straightned with want of time. Yet I may not forbear to advertize your Honour, that the said Secretarie told me withal, that the last year the States desired leave of this King for certain ships of war (which they had armed to Sea against Pyrats) might have safe recourse into these parts, which was accordingly granted them, but that instead of offending the Pyrats, the same ships sold in Argeir as much Powder, and other warlike provision (especially powder) un∣to the Turks, as furnished the foresaid Fleet which they have now at Sea, a thing which is here (he sayes) very ill taken. I doubt not but from Piemount your Honour hath better advertizement (at least more speedier) then I can give you from hence, yet have I thought it fit to advertize you, that in a late ambush, which the Duke of Sa∣voy had layed, at Don Pedro de Tolledo's entrance into Piemount, the Maestro de Campo of the Spanish armie was slain; the Son of the Prince of Astoli was hurt: so was the Prince of Morveles (who serves this King there) and many other Captaines, and Gentlemen of note slain and hurt. They here say that the number of men Don Pedro lost was but few, but their custome is to dissemble their losses, howsoever it is to be conceived, that when so many principal men were touched, the common Souldiers could not well escape.

At Lisbone there is arrived two Caracks, and a Gallion from the East-Indies, the Caracks very rich, and much richer then in former years, but (as in a former Letter I advertised you) two others as rich as they, and that should have come in company with these, were cast away coming home.

Don Roderigo Calderon (now the Marquesse de Las Siete Iglesias) is suddenly commanded from this Court, and confined to a small Vil∣lage, and Judges are appointed to examine by what means he is so suddenly grown to so great an estate (which in my time is risen from nothing to above 60000. Duckets a year rent, besides an infinite treasure in moveables) and doubtlesse some heavie sentence will fall upon him, for he hath many enemies, and I understand that the Duke of Lerma hath much withdrawn his favour.

New supplies of Souldiers are here raised for the Governour of Millan, and 30. Companies are ready to be embarqued at Valentia, where the Gallies attend them.

Here is lately come hither one who calls himself Sir James Macko∣nel a Scotchman, and sayes he is Cousin german to the Earl of Ar∣guile: I have not seen him, but I hear he discourses of his breaking out of the Castle of Edenborough, of the unjustnesse of his imprison∣ment there, of his integritie in the Popes Religion, and so desires to be entertained into this Kings service, which doubtlesse he shall obtain if he can make it here be believed, that he hath a true fugi∣tives heart.

My Lord Rosse is now much hearkened after, and they think he staies very long. By the ordinarie (God willing) I shall write again to your Honour. And so for this time I humbly take my leave

Your Lordships to be Commanded, Fran. Cottington.

Madrid the first of Octob. 1616. Stil. Vet.