Cabala, mysteries of state,: in letters of the great ministers of K. James and K. Charles. Wherein much of the publique manage of affaires is related. / Faithfully collected by a noble hand.

Sir Walter Aston to the Duke, 10. December, 1624.

May it please your Grace,

THe Arch-Duke Don Carlos, brother to the Emperour, made his entrie into this Town on the 15^th. of the last moneth, Stil. Vet. He was met by the Almirante of Castile two daies journey from this place, who went from hence well accompanied, and attended by many Liveries richly set forth. Some 400. paces without a Gate of this Town called Alcala, the Arch-Duke was received by the two In∣fants Don Carlos and the Cardinal, and about 200 paces without the said Gate by the King himself, who came attended with the greatest part of this Court, and in his Coach accompanied with the Duke of Newbergh, and the Conde of Olivarez: The King lighted out of his Coach to receive the Arch-Duke, and some complements being past between them, returned into his Coach, and set the Arch-Duke by him on his left hand; in the other end of the Coach set the two In∣fants; in one boot the Duke of Newbergh, and the Conde of Olivarez; and in the other the Emperours Embassadour, and the Almirante; the Almirante taking place of the Embassadour. Being come to the

Palace, the King accompanied the Arch-Duke to the Queens Quarter, where his Majestie left him to be conveyed from thence to his own Quarter (which is the same was given to the Prince his Highnesse at his being in this Court,) by the Infants his Brothers, as he was, having finished his complements with the Queen, and the Infanta Dona Ma∣ria. There were preparations here making for the honouring his reception with several feasts, and entertainments after their manner here. But these have been stopped by the Arch-Dukes sicknesse, who felt himself indisposed the day after his arrival, and applying some Physical remedies by the advice of a Physitian which he brought along with him, his distemper increased, and as it is pretended by these Physitians by a wrong course held with him. What hath been the true cause of his infirmity, I leave to be disputed by them; He hath been held divers dayes with a terrible Calenture, which proved at last a Tabardillo, whereupon there was little hope conceived of his life; but he hath since received some ease, and is now in a good way of amendment. In respect of the Emperours unworthy proceedings with the King our Master, I have not dared to visit him, untill I shall have notice of his Majesties pleasure therein, which I shall be glad to understand from your Grace.

Since the expiring of the Truce betwixt this Crown and the Hol∣landers, this King hath given License to divers Port Towns on the Coasts of Biscay to arm out what ships they shall think good, and to make prize to their own particular benefit of what they shall light upon belonging to the enemies of this Crown: by which meanes it is here hoped, That these Coasts will be much the better secured from the daily pillages of the Holland men of War, and the Turkish Pyrates. For the advancing whereof upon request made of those of Sevil, there is License given unto them to arm what men of War they can find means. The Duke of Maqueda likewise with leave hath lately set forth six ships which are abroad in Pyracie.

There is advice given hither, that the Duke of Brandenbergh hath given his consent to the conferring of the Electoral dignitie upon the Duke of Bavaria, which I can hardly believe, though I find it assured from very good hands.

The Duke of Newbergh remains still in this Court, and presses to carry a cleer resolution in his businesses from hence; but for any thing I can yet learn his negotiation remains in the same estate as I adver∣tised in my last to Mr. Secretarie Conway.

The Armada prepared in Portugal for the recovering of Brasil is gon to Sea, and whereas, they were to have stayed at the Cape St.

Vincent for the Armado of Castile, upon advice, that is given hither, that the Hollanders in Brasil are not able to make any resistance of consideration, they have order to proceed in their journey. Twenty ships of war, and 4000. land Souldiers (which is the force of that Fleet) being here held sufficient for that enterprize. The Armado in Cadiz is not yet departed, but hath her men aboard, and there is daily expectation of newes that it is gone to Sea. The Duke of Saxonie having received letters from the King our Master, and the King of Denmark, sent presently coppies of them unto the Empe∣rour, with his answers unto their Majesties, and accompanied them with a letter of his own unto the Emperour. All which the Emperour sent unto the King. The carriage of the Duke is much esteemed here, for having given (as I am informed) by his Letters unto the King our Master, and the King of Denmark such an answer as they are here much satisfied withal. Nothwithstanding in this Letter to the Emperour with many reasons, and much instance, he advises him to apply himself to the setling of the peace in Germany, and ex∣pressing much affection to the composing of the affaires of the Prince Palatine doth earnestly intreat his Majestie not to destroy that ancient house. In the mean time the Duke of Bavaria uses all dili∣gence to combine himself with this Crown, and now doth offer to cast off all other thoughts of leagues, and to depend wholly upon Spain, so that this King will protect him in his Electoral dignity, and what he hath lately possessed himself of in those parts. This offer of the Dukes hath been several dayes debated in Councel, where the Marquesse Ynoiosa hath been busie in the behalf of the Duke: but the wiser part of this Councel seeing how prejudicial, the increase of the Dukes greatnesse may prove to the Empire, do no way favour his pretentions. They likewise hold fit to continue the state of things in a possibility of an accommodation without our Master.

The Arch-Duke Don Carlos hath brought power from the Empe∣rour to proceed to the consummation of a marriage betwixt the Em∣perours son and the Infanta Donna Maria, wherein he sayes, he hath nothing to Capitulate, but brings them a blanck paper, and hath pow∣er, and order to confirm what conditions they shall here set down. The Emperour's Embassadour doth much presse to proceed to the Capitulations, but there is yet nothing done. The Infanta of Brus∣sels hath lately written hither, importing this King to admit of a treaty of marriage betwixt the Prince of Polonia, and the Infanta his Sister, extolling with many expressions the worth, and parts of that Prince.

There hath been some moneths a general stop of their proceed∣ings here in all suites of English Merchants depending in this Court; but I have at last procured a Junto to be assigned for the hear∣ing of all English Causes, wherein I am promised there shall be a speedy Resolution taken of whatsoever is at present in Que∣stion.

The Duke of Feria hath lately advertised hither from Millain, that the French King, and the Duke of Savoy do minister much occasion of jealousie, that they intend to attempt some novelty in those parts, and doth therefore desire, that his Troops may be augmented; whereupon (above the ordinary charge) there was instantly remit∣ted unto him 2000. Duckets.

The great annual Assiento which this King makes with the Genoueses is newly concluded, it is for 7. millions, whereof 4. are remitted for Flanders, to be paid by monethly portions.

In a late meeting of the Councel of State upon a discourse that passed amongst them, taking into consideration this Kings wants, and the present distemper of his affairs, the Inquisidor General ex∣pressing how necessary a time it was for his Majesties Subjects to assist his present occasions, made offer of 100 Duckets for his part, which the Conde of Olivares followed with a tender of 300; the Conde of Monterrey of 100; all the rest of the Councel of State following their example gave according to their quality. Notice being taken of this abroad, the Condestable wrote a Letter unto this King, wherein he made tender of 200 Duckets, the Marquesse of Castel Rodrigo of 100, the Marquesse of Carpio of the like summe. Divers others have likewise declared themselves in this donative, and it is hoped that it will go over the whole Kingdome, and bring in an extraordinary Treasure into the Kings purse. Thus with the remembrance of my duty, I rest

Your Graces, &c. W. A.