378 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



endeavours will never be wanting, when any thing is to be 

 done for the advancement of his affairs. 



According to your lordship s advice, his majesty hath 

 written to the commissioners of the treasury, both touching 

 the currants and the tobacco,* the plantation whereof his 

 majesty is fully resolved to restrain; and hath given them 

 order forthwith to set out a proclamation to that effect; 

 not intending in that point to stand upon any doubt of law, 

 nor to expect the j udges interpretation ; nor to allow any 

 freehold in that case; but holding this the safest rule, 

 Salus reipublica suprema lex esto. And so I rest 



Your Lordship s faithful Friend and Servant, 



Newmarket, Nov. 27, 1619. G. BUCKINGHAM. 



To the Lord Chancellor.! 

 My honourable Lord, 



I have presented both the submissions to his majesty. 

 His answer is, he cannot alter that which was allowed of 

 by the lords of the last Star-chamber-day, except first they 

 be acquainted with it, and the consent of the Lady Exeter 

 be likewise had, because the decree doth necessarily require 

 it. So I rest 



Your Lordship s humble Servant, 



G. BUCKINGHAM. 



Indorsed Touching the submissions of Sir Thomas Lake 

 and his Lady. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I acquainted this day the bearer with his majesty s 

 pleasure touching Lake s J submission ; which, whether it 

 should be done in person or in writing, his majesty signified 

 his will thus : that it should be spared in open court, if my 

 Lady of Exeter should consent, and the board think fit. 

 The board liked it well, and appointed my Lord Digby and 

 Secretary Calvert to speak with my lady, who returned her 

 answer in substance, that she would, in this and all things, 

 be commanded by his majesty: but if his majesty left it to 

 her liberty and election, she humbly prayed to be excused. 

 And though it was told her, that this answer would be 



* Lord Bacon, in his letter of November 22, 1619, mentions that there was 

 offered two thousand pounds increase yearly for the tobacco, to begin at Michael 

 mas, as it now is, and three thousand pounds increase if the plantations here 

 within land be restrained. 



t Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. J Sir Thomas Lake s. 



