The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 157
letter, refused to receive it. Motions have been some servants, and some of my kindred, apt for
made also of reconcilement, or of reference to the place you write of, and have been already so
some gentlemen of the country not partial: but much importuned by noble persons, when I lately
the serjeant hath refused all, and now, at last, was with his majesty at Salisbury, as it will be
sueth him in the Earl Marshal's Court. The hard to me to give them all denial; I am not able
gentleman saith, he distrusteth not his cause upon to discern, how I can accommodate your servant;
the hearing; but would be glad to avoid restraint, though for your sake, and in respect of the former
or long and chargeable attendance. Let me, there- knowledge myself have had of the merit and
fore, pray your good lordship to move the noble worth of the gentleman, I should be most ready
early in that kind, to carry a favourable hand and willing to perform your desire, if it were in
towards him, such as may stand with justice and my power. And so, with remembrance of my
the order of that court. I ever rest service to your lordship, I remain
Your lordship's faithful friend and servant. At your lordship's commandment,
Endorsed, rHO. COVENTRY.
To E. Dorset. Gor. 1625. Kingsbury, Oct. 29, 1625.
To the right honourable, and my very good lord,
the Viscount St. llban.
SIR THOMAS COVENTRY, ATTORNEY-GENERAL,
TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.
MY VERY GOOD LORD,
I received from your lordship two letters, the TO MR. ROGER PALMER.
one of the 23d, the other of the 28th of this month. GOOD MR. ROGER PALnER,
To the former, I do assure your lordship I have I thank God, by means of the sweet air of the
not heard any thing of any suits or motion, either country, I have obtained some degree of health.
touching the reversion of your honours or the rent Sending to the court, I thought I would salute
of your farm of petty writs; and, if I had heard you: and I would be glad, in this solitary time
any thing thereof, I would not have been unmind- and place, to hear a little from you how the
ful of that caveat, which heretofore you gave in world goeth, according to your friendly manner
by former letters, nor slack to do you the best ser- heretofore,
vice I might. Fare ye well most heartily.
The debt of Sir Nicolas Bacon resteth as it did; Your very affectionate and assured friend,
for in the latter end of King James's time, it FR. ST. ALBAN.
exhibited a quo warranto in the Exchequer, touch- Gorhambury, Oct. 29, 1625.
ing that liberty, against Sr. Nicolas, which abated
by his death; then another against Sir Edmund,
which, by the demise of the king, and by reason
of the adjournment of the late term, hath had no
farther proceeding, but that day is given to plead. EXCELLENT LORD,
Concerning your. other letter, I humbly thank I could not but signify unto your grace my
your lordship for your favourable and good wishes rejoicing, that God hath sent your grace a son
to me; though I, knowing my own unaptness to and heir,* and that you are fortunate as well in
so great an employment,t should be most heartily your house, as in the state of the kingdom.
glad, if his majesty had, or yet would choose, a These blessings come from God, as I do not
man of more merit. But, if otherwise, humble- doubt but your grace doth, with all thankfulness,
ness and submission becomes the servant, and to acknowledge, vowing to him your service. Mystand in that station where his majesty will have self, I praise his divine Majesty, have gotten
him. But as for the request you make for your some step into health. My wants are great; but
servant, though I protest I am not yet engaged yet I want not a desire to do your grace service; and
by promise to any, because I hold it too much I marvel, that your grace should think to pull down
boldness towards my master, and discourtesy the monarchy of Spain without my good help.
towards my lord keeper,4 to dispose of places, Your grace will give me leave to be merry, howwhile he had the seal: yet, in respect I have ever the world goeth with me. I ever rest
Your grace's most faithful
* Arundel, Earl Marshal. and obliged servant, &c.
t Bishop Williams, who had resigned the great seal on the I wish your grace a good new year.
25th of October, 1625, to Sir John Suckling, who brought his
majesty's warrant to receive it, dated at Salisbury, on the
23d of that month. * Born November 17, 1625, and named Charles. —Diary of
t That of the great seal, of which Sir Thomas Coventry the Life of sArchbishop Laud, published by Mr. Wharton, p.
was three days after made lord keeper, on the 1st of Novem- 24. This son of the duke died the 16th of March, 16267. -
ber, 1625. Ibid., p. 40
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