LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 353 



poor people ; which charitable endeavour of his, I assure 

 myself, will find so good acceptation with your lordship, 

 that there shall be no other use of recommendation : yet, 

 at the earnest request of some friends of mine, I have 

 thought fit to write to your lordship in his behalf, desiring 

 you to shew him what favour you lawfully may, and the 

 cause may bear, in the speedy dispatch of his business ; 

 which I shall be ever ready to acknowledge, and rest 

 Your Lordship s most devoted to serve you, 



Whitehall, the 20th day of Apr. 1618. G. BUCKINGHAM, 



To the Lord Chancellor.* 

 My honourable Lord, 



I will not go about to excuse mine own fault, by making 

 you believe his majesty was backward in your business; 

 but upon the first motion he gave me directions for it, 

 which it was my negligence, as I freely confess, that I 

 have no sooner performed, having not been slack in moving 

 his majesty, but in dispatching your man. All is done 

 which your lordship desired ; and I will give order, accord 

 ing to his majesty s directions, so that your lordship shall 

 not need to trouble yourself any farther, but only to expect 

 the speedy performance of his majesty s gracious pleasure. 



I will take the first opportunity to acquaint his majesty 

 with the other business, and will ever rest 



Your Lordship s faithful Friend and Servant, 



Theobalds, the 8th of May [1618]. G. BUCKINGHAM. 



To the Lord Chancellor, f 

 My honourable good Lord, 



Whereas in Mr. Hansbye s cause,f which formerly, by 

 my means, both his majesty and myself recommended to 

 your lordship s favour, your lordship thought good, upon a 

 hearing thereof, to decree some part for the young gentle 

 man, and to refer to some masters of the Chancery, for 

 your farther satisfaction, the examination of witnesses to 

 this point ; which seemed to your lordship to be the main 

 thing your lordship doubted of, whether or no the leases, 



* Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. t Ibid. 



^ This seems to be one of the causes on account of which Lord Bacon was 

 afterwards accused by the house of commons ; in answer to whose charge he 

 admits, that in the cause of Sir Ralph Hansbye, there being two decrees, one for 

 the inheritance, and the other for goods and chattels, some time after the first 

 decree, and before the second, there was five hundred pounds delivered to him 

 by Mr. Tobie Matthew ; nor could his lordship deny that this was upon the 

 matter pendente lite. 



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