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.

22. of May, 1624.

Having made visits at sundry times to the Spanish Embassadours, I do here under my hand declare, what passed betwixt them and me, so neer as my memory serveth; lest in my absence any such ma••ter should fall in question, I now intending to travel for a space.

VVHen his Highnesse was in Spain, being upon my journy in Scotland, I went to Elis-House to take my leave of Don Car∣les, where Vanvail was present, I expressing much joy of the march, which in my mind would without all question be perfected, did find no such humour, nor inclination on their part, which did much asto∣nish me; for they grumblingly did alleadge, that the King my Ma∣ster did perform nothing that he promised, or how could any thing be expected the Infanta being here, whereas nothing was per formed

the Prince being in Spain? I besought them to do better offices, then without reason to put jealousies betwixt my Master, and theirs, who would never have sent his son to Spain without a real intention. Which onely act was reason sufficient to remove all doubts.

Yet did they still continue their challenge of divers Bracks, speci∣ally, anent the sending of ships to Scotland to bring away the two Dunkirkers, and not perfecting such conditions as were promised to Catholiques. I did intreat them again, that such conceits of my Ma∣ster might be removed, for they might be confident of full perfor∣mance of what he had promised, by reason he had never broke his promise to any. I desired them likewise to consider with what love our Prince was gone, and what a stain it should be to the State of Spain, if uncourteously he should return with distast; Besides, it might fall out to be the worst act that ever they committed, where anent if they had love to their Master they would prove good Instruments. What was spoke by me in English was related in Spanish to Don Carlo, so was it to me what they spoke in Spanish. Sometimes Don Carlo spoke in French, so that not a word passed which each man did not know.

I went again after the Treaties were given up, and did remember Don Carlo of what I had forespoke, when the Marquesse was present and took the speech; they did demand of me whether I was come of my self, or by Commission, for they professed to account me their friend.

I answered that I came meerly of my self, and was sorrie that by their own deserving, they had procured such alterations and I thought strange of such demands as they had made at Hampton Court, which did both expresse much spleen, and lack of good intelligence. They did avow their demands were reasonable; but, from that time they would make visits to the Duke and love him better then before, be∣cause they were in doubt before, but now they know him to be an Enemie. I did answer, that I was sorrie for their proceeding, and was their friend so long as they were friends to my Master.

After a few haughty words, such (as it was a wrong waie to deal with their Master by threatnings, who gave pay daily to 300000. Souldi∣ers that they had followed the wars a long time, and had seen men killed by the Cannon, Musket, Pike, and sword, but never saw men killed with words, they desired me to speak to his Majestie, that they might either be dismissed, or have freedome to go about their busi∣nesse with security. They did desire me likewise to speak to his Ma∣jestie, that the treatie for the Palatinate might continue.

I did demand of them how these two things did agree, both to threaten and intreat? whereupon they passed upon me with odd com∣plaints. I went once more of late to give them a farwel. I said, they proved themselves good Servants to their Master in pressing to raise jealousies in this State, but they were now too well known to do harm. The Marquesse swore, that by this time the Infanta had been here, & the Palatinate restored, if the blame had not been on our Part. I did intreat I might be excused not to believe that. I did ask whe∣ther they did not condemn their own judgments in accusing the Duke of Buckingham of that whereof he was cleared, both by the King, and State. Their answer was, He was cleared by those who were his confiderates, all as guiltie as himself.

I demanded, why they should still expresse their malice against the Duke of Buckingham. Did they not think but our Prince was a man sensible of what injuries he had received? their answer was, if the Duke were out of the way, the Prince would be well disposed. They said farther, his Highnesse was an obedient son before the Duke guided him, but since, he was not. So that when we speak of his Majestie, they speak with much respect, but for the Prince did not use them kindly, they did make the lesse accompt of him. So after I took my leave and parted.

Nithisdail.

MUch I have omitted for brevitie, wherein they did expresse much respect to his Majestie, much of their threatning to the Duke of Buckingham.