392 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



Commission to prevent the depopulation of towns and 

 houses of husbandry, and for nuisances and highways. 



Commission for the recovery of drowned lands. 



Commission for the suppression of the grievances of in 

 formers. 



Commission for the better proceedings in the plantations 

 of Ireland. 



Commission for the provision of the realm with all kind 

 of warlike defence, ordnance, powder, munition, and armour. 



Of these you may take and leave, as it shall please you : 

 and I wish the articles concerning every one of them (first 

 allowed by your council) to be read openly, and the com 

 missioners names. 



For the good that comes of particular and select com 

 mittees and commissions, I need not common-place, for 

 your majesty hath found the good of them ; but nothing to 

 that, that will be, when such things are published ; because 

 it will vindicate them from neglect, and make many good 

 spirits, that we little think of, cooperate in them. 



I know very well that the world, that commonly is apt 

 to think, that the care of the commonwealth is but a pre 

 text in matters of state, will perhaps conceive, that this is 

 but a preparative to a parliament. But let not that hinder 

 your majesty s magnanimity, in opere operato, that is so 

 good ; and besides, that opinion, for many respects, will do 

 no hurt to your affairs. 



To the Lord Chancellor.* 

 My very good Lord, 



By his majesty s directions Sir Francis Blundell will 

 deliver you a petition of Sir Francis Annesly, his majesty s 

 secretary of Ireland, with his majesty s pleasure thereupon. 

 To the gentleman I wish very well, and do therefore recom 

 mend him and his cause to your lordship s good favour ; 

 and your respect of him, in his absence, I will thankfully 

 acknowledge. So I take my leave. 

 Theobalds, the 2nd Your lordship s very loving Friend, 



of October, 1620. G. BUCKINGHAM. 



To the King. 



It may please your most excellent Majesty, 

 It being a thing to speak or write, specially to a king, 

 in public, another in private, although I have dedicated a 

 work,f or rather a portion of a work, which, at last, I have 



* Had. MSS. Vol. 7000. t Novum Organum. 



