LETTERS FROM STEPHP;NS. 15 



touching the number convenient for manning the ships, 

 wherein the number allowed by the commissioners had, in 

 m y judgment, a little of the merchant ; for to measure by 

 so many as were above dead pays, is no good argument. 

 For the abuse of dead pays is to be amended, and not the 

 necessary number abated. In this his majesty may fall 

 upon a middle proportion between that of the commissioners 

 and that of the officers. 



It were good, now the three books which we have ap 

 pointed to be ingrossed into one ledger book are affirmed, 

 there were a short book of his majesty s royal directions, 

 and orders thereupon, extracted. 



For the commission of the treasury, I persuade myself, 

 they are of the first hours that have been well spent in that 

 kind. We have put those particulars whereof his majesty 

 gave us charge into a way. 



Bingley s information will be to good purpose, and we 

 find another of like nature revealed to Mr. Secretary and 

 myself. God ever prosper you. 



Your Lordship s most obliged Friend 

 and faithful Servant, 



October9 1618 FR. VERULAM, Cane. 



To the Lord Chancellor. 

 My Lord, 



I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who 

 giveth you thanks for your advice to communicate the 

 business of the Dutchmen to the commissioners of the trea 

 sury, which his majesty was before purposed to refer to 

 them, as it concerns his treasure, for the carriage of it ; and 

 to your lordship and the rest named in your letter, for the 

 relation it hath to the law. For the proposers of the suit, 

 his majesty intendeth only to reward their pains as may 

 stand with his service and his princely disposition, but to 

 preserve the main benefit himself: all that his majesty 

 would have your lordship to do for the present, is to take 

 order about the writ of ne exeant Regnum, to advise with 

 his learned counsel what course is to be taken, and if by a 

 warrant from his majesty, that your lordship send him a 

 warrant to be signed, which shall be returned with all 

 speed. Of other things his majesty thinketh it will be 

 time enough to speak at his return to London. In the 

 mean time I rest 



Your Lordship s faithful Friend and Servant, 



Hinchenbroke, Oct. 21, 1618. G. BUCKINGHAM. 



