366 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



majesty, and being themselves none of the greatest of the 

 state. Therefore his majesty holdeth it not fit or worthy 

 of you to put you into such an employment, in which none 

 of your predecessors, or any of the chief counsellors, have 

 been ever used in this kind, but only in a treaty of marriage 

 or conclusion of a peace ; as when the constable of Castile 

 was here, when the commissioners on both sides had their 

 authority under the great seal of either kingdom, with 

 direct relation to their sovereigns, far differing from this 

 commission, which is now given to these men, and where- 

 unto his majesty is to frame the course of his. As for the 

 part which concerneth Scotland, the choice hath not been 

 made of the chancellor or archbishop of St. Andrew s, but 

 of men nearer the rank of those that come hither to treat. 

 As yet his majesty delay eth to give any commission at all, 

 because he would first be informed from the lords, both of 

 the points and form of their commission, which his majesty 

 hitherto understandeth to be, with authority to over-rule 

 and direct their merchants in what they shall think fit; 

 which if it be so, then his majesty holdeth it fit for his part, 

 to appoint the whole body of the council with like power 

 over his merchants. As for me, I shall be ever ready upon 

 any occasion to shew myself 



Your Lordship s faithful Friend and Servant, 



Newmarket, the 14th G. BUCKINGHAM. 



of December, 1618. 



To the Lady Clifford. 

 My very good Lady and Cousin, 



I shall not be wanting in any thing, that may express 

 my good affection and wishes towards your ladyship, being 

 so near unto me, and the daughter of a father, to whom I 

 was in the passages of my fortune much obliged. So with 

 my loving commendations, in the midst of business, I rest 



Your affectionate Kinsman 

 York House, this 25th an( J assured Friend, 



of January, 1618. FR V E RULAM, CailC. 



To the Lord Chancellor.* 

 My honourable Lord, 



Lest my often writing may make your lordship conceive 

 that this letter hath been drawn from you by importunity, 

 I have thought fit, for preventing of any such conceit, to 

 let your lordship know, that Sir John Wentworth, whose 



* Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. 



