LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 381 



To the Lord Chancellor.* 

 My honourable Lord, 



I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who for 

 that business, whereof Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer 

 brought the message to his majesty to Theobalds, returned 

 the answer by him. As for that, whereof Sir Giles Mom- 

 pesson spake to your lordship, his majesty liketh very well, 

 and so do all others with whom his majesty hath spoken 

 of it ; and therefore he recommendeth it to your care, not 

 doubting but your lordship will give all your furtherance 

 to it, being your own work, and so much concerning his 

 majesty s honour and profit; and will speak farther with 

 your lordship of it at his return to London. 



For those other businesses of the Star-chamber, which 

 his majesty hath recommended to your lordship, he hopeth 

 you will keep the clock still going, his profit being so much 

 interested therein, especially seeing Mr. Chancellor of the 

 Exchequer-f- hath promised his majesty that he will be no 

 more sick, whereby you shall have this comfort, that the 

 burden will not lie upon your lordship alone. 



The little leisure I had at Theobalds made me bring your 

 man down hither for this answer, which I hope your lord 

 ship will excuse ; and ever hold me for 



Your Lordship s faithful Friend and Servant, 



Royston, 19th of Jan. G. BUCKINGHAM. 



Indorsed 1619. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



In the midst of business, as in the midst of a way, one 

 should not stay long, especially when I crave no direction, 

 but only advertise. 



This day we met about the commission, the common 

 wealth s commission, for the poor and vagabonds, &c. We 

 have put it into an exceeding good way, and have appointed 

 meetings once in fourteen days, because it shall not be 

 a-slack. I was glad to hear from the two Chief Justices, 

 that whatsoever appears in the country to come from primiim 

 mobile (that is, the king s care) works better than if it came 

 from the law. Therefore we have ordered that this com 

 mission shall be published in the several circuits in the 

 charges of the judges. For the rest hereafter. 



* Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. 



t Sir Fulke Greville, who surrendered that office in September, 1621, being 

 succeeded in it by Sir Richard Weston. He had been created Lord Brooke of 

 Beauchamp s Court, Jan. 9, 1620-1. 



