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 Heads of that Discourse which fell from Don Francisco, 7. Die Aprilis, 1624. at 11. of the clock at night.

This Relation was sent by the Lord Keeper to the Duke.

[ 1] HOw he came to procure his accesses to the King. The Marquesse putting Don Carlos upon the Prince and Duke in a discourse, thrust a Letter into the Kings hand, which he desired the King to read in private; The King said he would, thrust it into his pocket, and went on with his discourse, as if he had received none. The effect was, to procure private accesse for Don Francisco to come and speak with the King, which his Majestie appointed by my Lord of Kelley; and he by his secresie, who designed for Don Francisco time and place.

[ 2] At his first accesse, he told the King, That his Majestie was a pri∣soner, or at leastwise besieged; so as no man could be admitted to come at him. And then made a complaint against the Duke, that he aggravated, and pretended accusations against Spain; whereas its onely offence was, that they refused to give unto him equal honour, and observance, as they did unto his Highnesse. And that this was the only cause of his hatred against them.

At the last accesse, which was some 4. dayes ago, [ 3] he made a long invective, and remonstrance unto the King, which he had put into writing in Spanish, which he read unto me, corrected with the hand of Don Carlos, which I do know. It was somewhat general, and very rhe∣torical, if not tragical for the stile. The heads of what I read were these, viz.

1. That the King was no more a freeman at this time, then King John of France when he was prisoner in England, or King Francis when he was at Madrid. Being besieged and closed up with the servants and vassals of Buckingham.

2. That the Embassadours knew very well, and were informed 4. moneths ago, that his Majestie was to be restrained, and confined to his Country house, and pastimes, and the Government of the State to be assumed and disposed of by others, and that this was not con∣cealed by Buckinghams followers.

3. That the Duke had reconciled himself to all the popular men of the State, and drawn them forth out of prisons, restraints, and con∣finements to alter the Government of the State at this Parliament, as Oxford, South-hampton, Say, and others, whom he met at Suppers and Ordinaries to strengthen his popularity.

4. That the Duke to breed an opinion of his own greatnesse, and to make the King grow lesse, hath oftentimes brag'd openly in Par∣liament, that he had made the King yield to this and that, which was pleasure unto them. And that he mentioned openly before the Houses his Majesties private oath, which the Embassadors have never spoken of to any creature to this hour.

5. That these Kingdomes are not now governed by a Monarch, but by a Triumviri, whereof Buckingham was the first and chiefest, the Prince the second, and the King the last; and that all look towards Solem Orientem.

6. That his Majestie should shew himself to be, as he was reputed, the oldest and wisest King in Europe, by freeing himself from this Captivity, and eminent danger wherein he was, by cutting off so dangerous and ungrateful an affecter of greatnesse and popularity, as the Duke was.

7. That he desired his Majestie to conceal this his free dealing with him, because it might breed him much peril and danger. And yet if it were any way available for his service, to reveal it to whom he pleased, because he was ready to sacrifice his life to do him accept∣able service.

And this was the effect of so much of the penned speech as I re∣member was read unto me out of the Spanish Copy.

His Majestie was much troubled in the time of this speech.

His Offer to the King for the restitution of the Palatinate.

TO have a Treaty for three moneths for the restitution, and that money was now given in Spain to satisfie Bavaria. That in the mean time because the people were so distrustful of the Spaniard, the King might fortifie himself at home, and assist the Hollanders with men or money at his pleasure. And the King of Spain should not be offended therewith.

His opinion of our preparing of this Navie.

IT was a design of the Duke, to go to the Ports of Sevil, and there to burn all the Ships in the Harbour, which he laught at.

Speeches which he said fell from his Majestie concerning the Prince.

1. THat when he told the King, that his greatnesse with the Duke was such, as might hinder his Majestie from taking a course to represse him. His Majestie replyed; He doubted nothing of the Prince, or his own power to sever them two, when he pleased.

2. His Majestie said, That when his Highnesse went to Spain, he was as well affected to that Nation as heart could desire, and as well disposed as any son in Europe; but now he was strangely carried away with rash, and youthful Councels, and followed the humour of Buckingham, who had he knew not how many Devils within him since that journey.

Concerning the Duke.

1. THat he could not believe yet, that he affected popularity to his disadvantage. Because he had tryed him of purpose, and commanded him to make disaffecting motions to the houses, which he performed, whereby his Majestie concluded, he was not popu∣lar.

2. That he desired Don Francisco, and the Embassadours (and renewed this request unto them by Padre Maestro two dayes ago,) to get him any ground to charge him with popular courses, or to in∣crease a suspition of it, and he would quickly take a course with him.

3. That he had good cause to suspect the Duke of late, but he had no servant of his own, that would charge him with any particular; nor knew he any himself.

The end (as was conceived) of Don Francisco's desiring this Conference.

HE had heard that the Duke had pusht at me in Parliament, and intended to do so again, when he had done with the Treasurer, and therefore shewed, that if I would joyn to set upon him with the King, there was a fit occasion.

I answered, that the Prince and the Duke had preferred me into my place, and kept me in it, and if I found them pursuing I would not keep it an hour. That what favour soever I shewed the Embassa∣dour, or Catholiques, I did it for their sakes, and had thanks of them for it. And that I would deal by way of counsel with the Duke to be temperate, and moderate; but to be in opposition to my friend, and Patron, I knew he (being one that professed so much love unto me) would never expect from an honest man. Upon the which answer he seemed satisfied, and never replyed word in that kind.

I made an end of writing these notes about two of the clock in the morning.