LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 341 



First, to employ the sub-commissioners in the reconsi 

 dering of those branches, which the several officers shall 

 propound. 



Next, in taking consideration of other branches of re 

 trenchment, besides those which shall be propounded. 



The third, to take into consideration the great and huge 

 arrears and debts in every office ; whether there be cause 

 to abate them upon deceit or abuse ; and at least how to 

 settle them best, both for the king s honour, and avoiding 

 of clamour, and for the taking away, as much as may be, 

 that same ill influence and effect, whereby the arrear past 

 destroys the good husbandry and reformation to come. 



The fourth is to proceed from the consideration of the re 

 trenchments and arrears to the improvements. 



All these four, at least the last three, I wish not to be 

 stirred in till his majesty s coming. 



God ever preserve and prosper you. 



Your Lordship s true Friend 



and devoted Servant, 



FR. BACON. 



Your lordship will be pleased to have a little care of the 

 bestowing of this letter. 



York House, this 6th 

 of December, 1617. 



To the Lord Keeper. 

 My Lord, 



I have received so many letters lately from your lordship, 

 that I cannot answer them severally : but the ground of 

 them all being only this, that your lordship feareth I am so 

 incensed against you that I will hearken to every information 

 that is made unto me ; this one letter may well make an 

 swer unto them all. As his majesty is not apt to give ear 

 to any .idle report against men of your place ; so for myself, 

 I will answer that it is far from my disposition to take any 

 advantage in that kind. And for your lordship s unkind 

 dealing with me in this matter of my brother s, time will 

 try all. His majesty hath given me commandment to make 

 this answer in his name to your letter to him, that he need- 

 eth not to make any other answer to you, than that which 

 in that letter you make to yourself, that you know his ma 

 jesty to be so judicious, that whatsoever he heareth, he will 

 keep one ear open to you; which being indeed his own 

 princely disposition, you may be assured of his gracious 

 favour in that kind. 



I will not trouble your lordship with any longer discourse 



