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.

The Collections of the Passages and Discourses between the Embassadours of the King of Spain, and Sir Arthur Chichester, 18. Jannary, 1623.

These Passages were sent to the Duke, inclosed in the last fore∣going Letter.

ON Sunday the 18. of this present January, the two Embassadors of Spain came to visit me at my House in Drury-Lane. At their first entrance they took occasion to speak of the profession of Soul∣diers, and of the Spanish Nation, affirming them to be the bravest Friends, and the bravest Enemies. I approved it in the Souldier, and contradicted it not in the Nation.

When they were come into an Inner Room, looking upon the Company as if they desired to be private; I caused them to withdraw, but noting that they had brought an Interpreter with them, I prayed Sir James Blount, and Nathaniel Tomkins Clark of the Princes Coun∣cel, (who doth well understand the Spanish tongue) to abide with me.

Being private, they said they came to visit me, because of the good intention, and well-wishing they understood I had to the ac∣commodation of businesses, and because I stood named by his Maje∣stie for the imployment into Germanie.

I acknowledged their coming to visit me as a particular Favour, professing my self to be one of those, who was able to do least, but that I must and would in all things conform my self to the will, and good pleasure of the King my Master.

They were pleased to remember, and to take for argument of his Majesties good opinion of me, to make me one of the Junta (as they called it) of the selected Councellours, and his imployment given me the last year as his Extraordinary Embassadour into Germany.

I told them I had been bred a Souldier, as their Excellencies had been, but that I wanted the capacity and abilities which they had, and that for want of Language (not affecting to speak by an Inter∣preter) I had forborn to wait on their Excellencies, as otherwise I would have done.

To that they returned the like Complement, and then said, Their Master had sent a good answer touching the Palatinate, and they as∣sured me, that he would perform what he had promised with advan∣tage.

I said if it were so, I then hoped all things would sort to a good end.

They then asked me how his Majestie, and the Lords were affect∣ed, and whether therewith they were satisfied, or no?

I answered, That I conceived their Excellencies knew his Maje∣sties mind as well as the Lords, for that they had so lately audience of him.

They said. It was true, they had so, but not a private audience; nor could they obtain any, though they had much desired the same, but that others were still present.

I said merely that they were two, and I believed that the King their Master had sent as able and experienced Ministers as he had any, and therefore his Majestie might peradventure think fit not to hear them alone.

They said his Majestie might alone hear a thousand Ministers of any Kings, but if he should be otherwise pleased, they well liked of the Princes being present; but they said there were also other great Ministers of the Kings, who wished not well to their Masters affairs.

I said, There might therein be a mistaking, or misunderstanding on their part; for if the King their Master mean so really as they said, I conceived that no body would be willing to remove his Majestie from

those purposes, and that good affection which he bore unto his dear Brother the King of Spain.

The Marquesse said in English, The King was a good King, and the Prince a good Prince, but some of their Ministers they doubted were ill willers to them.

I asked if greater demonstrations of reality could be devised, then had been given on the part of the King and Prince, instancing in the Prince his going in Person into Spain.

They confessed it, but as the times now were, they said ill offices were done them.

I assured them, That I neither knew, nor understood of any; nei∣ther did I ever hear them spoken of, but with due respect had unto them, as to the Ministers of a great King, and his Majesties dear Bro∣ther.

They said their meaning was not, that the ill offices were done to their Persons, but to the great Businesses, which a certain Person had shewed a willingnesse to disturb; but they hoped, that the intended amity between our Masters would hold, and proceed neverthelesse.

I professed, that I knew nothing to the contrary, neither under∣stood I the particular at which they aymed.

The Marquesse swore as he was a Christian, he knew that the King his Master did so truly, and really esteem his dear Brother the King of England, and the Prince of Wales, that if they needed part of his blood, they should have it for their good: But he complained, that they could not have their Messages delivered nor returned from the King of late, but qualified according to the pleasures of others.

I said, They misconceived it, for I thought they had no cause to complain, seeing they now had, or might have (as I supposed) the Kings Ear when they craved it in due, and befitting times.

They seemed to deny it, alledging, That they could not get their Messages and Papers answered as aforetime.

I said, When the Prince was in Spain, they had free accesse to his Majestie, whensoever they desired it.

Yea said the Marquesse in Latine Tune; but now, he said, the ease was altered.

I said the King had given many testimonies to the world of his willingnesse to comply with their Master, and Them: And if either his Majestie or the Prince seemed now more reserved, and deliberate in their actions then heretofore, it might be that his Highnesse had learned that wary and circumspect proceeding in Spain, where they are said to use it in matters of far lesse moment.

They smiled hereat, and prayed me to continue my good intenti∣ons, and respects towards them, and to the joynt affairs of both our Masters.

I said, I would alwaies serve the King my Master, with a true and faithful heart, and so far as should be agreeable to his desires, and good liking, I would to my small power be ready to serve them.

In Conclusion they said, They came but to visit me, but being come, they could not choose but say something, and touch upon bu∣sinesse.

Arthur Chichester.