LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 261 



landers that suck the realm of treasure : so that the thing 

 is very good. 



But two things I must represent to his majesty: the 

 first, that if I stay merchants from their trading by this 

 writ, I must do it either ex officio, or by special warrant 

 from his majesty. 



If ex officio, then I must have more than a bare surmise 

 to grant the writ upon, so as I must be acquainted with the 

 grounds, or at least appearance of proofs. If by special 

 warrant, then I desire to receive the same. The other is 

 that I humbly beseech his majesty that these royal boughs 

 of forfeiture may not be vintaged, or cropped by private 

 suitors (considering his majesty s state as it is), but that 

 Sir Thomas Vivasor or Sir John Brittain may have a boun 

 tiful and gracious reward of their discovery, but not the 

 prime, or without stint. 



In sum, I would wish his majesty to refer the whole 

 business and carriage of the same for his honour and profit 

 to the commissioners of treasure, or because it is a legal 

 forfeiture to myself, Mr. Chancellor, Sir Edward Coke, and 

 my Lord Chief Justice of England, and by us his majesty 

 shall be assured to know the best course for his justice, 

 honour, and profit, and that he may dispose what bounty 

 he will. God ever preserve and prosper you. 



Your Lordship s most obliged Friend 

 York House, and faithful Servant, 



October 19th, 1618. FR. VERULAM, Cane. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



This long book which I send for his majesty s signature 

 was upon a conference and consult yesternight (at which 

 time I was assisted by the two chief justices, and attended 

 by the surveyor, attorney, and receiver of the court of wards 

 Fleetwood) framed and allowed. 



It is long, because we all thought fit not to piece new 

 instructions with old instructions, but to reduce both old 

 and new into one body of instructions. I do not see that 

 of the articles, which are many, any could have been spared. 

 They are plain, but they have a good property, that they 

 will take fast hold. I may not trouble his majesty with 

 choosing some of them in particular, when all are good, 

 only I think fit to let his majesty know of one, which is, 

 that according to his own directions, the oath of making 

 no private unlawful profit is now as well translated to the 



