To King James, abignoto.

BEcause the departure of your Majestie doth not permit me to hope for the honour of seeing you, and that the advertisements, and orders which I have to communicate unto you, do merit your speedy review and magnanimous resolution, I have presumed to trust them unto this paper, which I do humbly desire may rest in the hands of your Majestie alone.

The treaty of restoring all that had been taken by Sea (which by a motion from Spain, was put into the hands of some Ministers in Rome) is accompanied with so little hope of obtaining the end, that was pretended, that by reason of their continuing at Naples to dissipate, and waste such goods as they had taken in our ships, and the Cardinal Borgias reservednesse to promise any thing, that negotiation may be held as vain, and as an insidious invention to gain time. Never∣thelesse my Masters marching still with a constant desire of purcha∣sing the publique tranquillity, have been content to render all such vessels as they had taken within their Gulph, in hope that having gotten the advantage of the cause by this honest proceeding, they might prevail in which they had made at Naples, for the restitution of their Galeasses, and of the ship called Rosse.

But the actions and operations of the Spaniards do not answer un∣to what is desired, and hoped. For in the Kingdome of Sicilie Na∣ples, and Calabria, they do muster new Souldiers, and they make great preparations for a war by the Sea. The subjects of those King∣domes are taxed with extraordinary Contributions of mony, and in daily councels held by the duke of Ossuna, the Marquesse Santa Croce, and other ministers they do consult of the meanes of making war, and doing hurt. But that which is most important is, that in the conjuncture, there is likewise in divers parts of Spain a terrible con∣course of great provisions. For they have put in a readinesse ar∣mour for 30000. men, they have ingrossed all the ammunition that could be purchased, and have put in good equipage 60. tall ships which being added unto those they have already in the Streights make 80. at Naples they have 20 ships more besides all their own Gallies, and an order they have obtained for the Gallies of Malta, Florence, and the Pope to joyn with them.

All the Italian Souldiers are quartered along the Coast of Apulia, which is opposite to our Gulphe, and they have 14000. foot of Wal∣loons, Page  179French, and Spaniards lodged within the Kingdom of Naples. In Flanders at this present, they make a new Leavie of 6000. foot, and a 1000. horse. And in the state of Millan, they do retain still 3000. horse supernumeraries. All which forces, and provisions, as they do deserve for their greatnesse to be regarded, and looked up∣on with a jealous eye of every one; so those, who do suffer at the present many injuries and acts of hostility at the hands of the Spa∣niards, and in particular the State of Venice, which is betrayed by their fraudulent treaties, cannot chuse but fear, and doubt more then any other. Neither can any pretences of enterprises or designs against the Turk secure those, who set the sword bended against their breasts, and the fire kindled in their own houses.

Whereupon your Majestie is humbly desired that you will be pleas∣ed to consider seriously of what hath been remonstrated, and to take such a resolution, as may best befit your wisdom, and Greatnesse, and the safety, and indemnity of a State so observant of your Majesty as ours is, and of a member so important of the liberty of Italie, and of Europe. There is not, at this day (Invincible Sir) any Prince in the whole world upon whom the Conservation of the publique tranquillity doth more rely then upon your Majestie. For there be∣ing none that doth equal your Majestie in wisdom, and experience, possessing your Kingdomes in perfect peace, quietnesse, and plenty, to the infinite praise of your name, and being free from the molesta∣tion of all stormes and tempests, it seemeth that the eyes of all men are turned towards your Majestie as towards a Sun, that ought to clear the Skie, and that they expect deliverance onely from your hand. These resolutions (oh most wise King) will be the strongest walls upon which your eternity can be reared. These will be the Jewels, and the crown, which will adorn you in earth, and in Heaven. These will be the immortal Glorie of your powerful name.

The resolutions in cases of such weight, and danger ought to be magnanimous, quick, and powerful. The very noise of your putting in order your royal Navie, the sending a person of quality to the place, from whence the danger is feared, and the declaring your self in favour of those, whom you shall find to have the right on their side, may perhaps prove sufficient to procure a peace. If words will not prevail deeds must follow, and such a resolution will prove the true Antidote to all their poysons. For the better effecting whereof the world doth attend with great devotion to see a good correspon∣dencie renewed betwixt your Majestie and the French King; and for Page  180the disposing your Majesties heart thereunto, the State of Venice doth joyn her humble prayers unto the earnest intreaty of many others.

In the mean time, I am to request your Majestie, that you will be pleased to forbid the exportation of Artillerie, ships and Marri∣ners out of our Kingdomes for the service of the Spaniards, it being neither just nor agreeable to your Majesties Piety, that your Arms should be stayned with the blood of a State, and Prince, that hath no equal in love to your Royal Crown, and that will ever testifie to all the world by effects of their observance, the pure, and sincere de∣votion that they have to your Glorious name. For my own parti∣cular, I humbly crave leave to kisse your royal hands.