The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITATIO. 45
ground, having spoken out of a few heads which are to have all the Old Company's profit, by the
I had gathered; (for I seldom do more) I set trade of whites; they are again to have upon the
down, as soon as I came home, cursorily, a frame proportion of clothes, which they shall vend dyed
of that I had said; though I persuade myself I and dressed, the Fleming's profit upon the teynspake it with more life. I have sent it to Mr. tour. Now then as I say, as it had been too good
Murray, sealed; if your majesty have so much husbandry for a king to have taken profit of them
idle time to look upon it, it may give some light if the project could have been effected at once, (as
of the day's work: but I most humbly pray your was voiced;) so on the other side it might be,
majesty to pardon the errors. God preserve you perchance, too little husbandry and profidence to
ever. take nothing of them, for that which is merely
Your majesty's most humble subject, lucrative to them, in the mean time. Nay, I say
and devoted servant. further, this will greatly conduce and be a kind
of security to the end desired. For I always
feared, and do yet fear, that when men, by condition merchants, though never so honest, have
A LETTER TO THE KING, CONCERNING THE NEW gotten into their hands the trades of whites, and
COMPANY. AUGUST 12, 1615. the dispensation of teyntour, wherein they shall
IT MAY PLE ASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, reap profit for that which they never sowed; but
Your majesty shall shortly receive the bill, for have gotten themselves certainties, in respect of
the incorporation of the New Company; together the state's hopes; they are like enough to sleep
with a bill, for the privy seal, being a dependency upon this, as upon a pillow, and to make no haste
thereof. For this morning I subscribed and to go onwith the rest. And though it may be said
docketed them both. I think it, therefore, now that that is a thing will easily appear to the state,
time, to represent to your majesty's high wisdom yet (no doubt) means may be devised and found
that which I conceive, and have had long in mind, to draw the business in length. So that I conconcerning your majesty's service and honourable elude that if your majesty take a profit of them,
profit in this business. in the interim, (considering you refuse profit from
This project, which hath proceeded from a the Old Company,) it will be both spur and bridle
worthy service of the lord treasurer, I have to them to make them pace aright to your mafrom the beginning constantly affected; as may jesty's end.
well appear by my sundry labours from time to This, in all humbleness, according to my avowtime in the same. For I hold it a worthy character ed care and fidelity, being no man's man but
of your majesty's reign and times; insomuch; as your majesty's, I present, leave, and submit to
though your majesty might have at this time (as your majesty's better judgment; and I could
is spoken) a great annual benefit for the quitting wish your majesty would speak with Sir Thomas
of it, yet, I shall never be the man that should Lake in it; who, besides his good habit whichl
wish your majesty to deprive yourself of that he hath in business, beareth (methinks) an indifbeatitude; " Beatius est dare, quam accipere," ferent hand in this particular; and (if it please
in this cause; but to sacrifice your profit (though, your majesty) it may proceed as from yourself,
as your majesty's state is, it be precious to you) and not as a motion or observation of mine.
to so great a good of your kingdom: although Your majesty need not in this to be straitened
this project is not without a profit, immediate unto in time, as if this must be demanded or treated,
you, by the increasing of customs upon the mate- before you sign their bill; for I, foreseeing this,
rials of days. and foreseeing that many things might fall out
But here is the case. The New Company, by which I could not foresee, have handled it so, as
this patent and privy seal, are to have two things with their good contentment there is a power of
wholly diverse from the first intention; or rather, revocation inserted into their patent. And so,
ex diametro, opposite unto the same; which, commending your majesty to God's blessed and
nevertheless, the most of necessity have, or else precious custody, I rest
the work is overthrown. So as I may call them, Your majesty's most humble and devoted
mala necessaria, but yet withal temporary. For subject and servant.
as men make war to have peace, so these merchants must have license for whites, to the end to
banish whites; and they must have license to use
tcyntours, to the end to banish teyntours. A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, TOUCHING
This is therefore that I say; your majesty upon ROPER'S PLACE. JANUARY 22, 1615.
these two points may justly, and with honour, SIR,
and with preservation of your first intention in- Sending to the king upon occasion, I would
violate, demand profit in the interim, as long as not fail to salute you by my letter; which, that
these unnatural points continue, and then to cease. it may be more than two lines, I add this for
For vour majesty may be pleased to observe they news; that as I was sitting by my lord chief