LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 303 



This is a secret to all men but my Lord Chancellor; 

 and we go on this day with the new company without dis 

 couraging them at all. 



September 18, 1616. 



Indorsed To the King, upon Towerson s propositions about 

 the cloth business. 



Richard Martin, Esq.* to Sir Francis Bacon. 



Right Honourable, 



My attendance at court two days (in vain, considering 

 the end of my journey,) was no loss unto me, seeing thereby 

 I made the gain of the overture and assurance of your ho 

 nour s affection. These comforts have given new life and 

 strength to my hopes, which before began to faint. I know 

 what your honour promiseth you will undertake ; and what 

 you undertake, you seldom fail to compass ; for such proof of 

 your prudence and industry your honour hath of late times 

 given to the swaying world. There is, to my understanding, 

 no great intricacy in my affair, in which I plainly descry the 

 course to the shore I would land at ; to which neither I 

 nor any other can attain without the direction of our great 

 master pilot, who will not stir much without the beloved 

 mate sound the way. Both these none can so well set 

 awork as yourself, who have not only their ear, but their 

 affection, and that with good right, as I hope in time, to 

 good and public purpose. It is fit likewise that your ho 

 nour know all my advantages. The present incumbent is 

 tied to me by firm promise, which gives an impediment to 

 the competitors, whereof one already, according to the 

 heaviness of his name and nature, petit deorsum. And 

 though I be a bad courtier, yet I know the style of grati 

 tude, and shall learn as I am instructed ; whatsoever your 

 honour shall undertake for me, I will make good ; therefore 

 I humbly and earnestly intreat your best endeavour, to 

 assure to yourself and your master a servant, who both can 

 and will, though as yet mistaken, advance his honour and 

 service with advantage. Your love and wisdom is my last 

 address ; and on the real nobleness of your nature (whereof 



* Born about 1570, entered a commoner of Broad-gate s Hall, now Pem 

 broke College, Oxford, in 1585, whence he removed to the Middle Temple. 

 In the parliament of 1601, he served for the borough of Barnstable in Devon ; 

 and in the first parliament of King James I. he served for Cirencester in Glou 

 cestershire. He was chosen recorder of London in September 1618 ; but died 

 in the last day of the following month. He was much esteemed by the men of 

 learning and genius of that age. 



