16 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I have this morning received the petty roll for the 

 sheriffs. I received also the papers exhibited by Sir Miles 

 Fleetwood, which I will use to his majesty s best service, 

 and thereupon give account to his majesty when time 

 serveth. 



My care, which is not dormant, touching his majesty s 

 service, specially that of treasure (which is now summa 

 summarum), maketh me propound to his majesty a matter, 

 which, God is my witness, I do without contemplation of 

 friend or end, but animo recto. 



If Sir Edward Coke continue sick, or keep in, I fear his 

 majesty s service will languish too, in those things which 

 touch upon law ; as the calling in debts, recusants, aliena 

 tions, defalcations, &c. And this is most certain, that in 

 these new diligences, if the first beginning cool, all will go 

 back to the old bias. Therefore it may please his majesty 

 to think of it, whether there will not be a kind of necessity 

 to add my Lord Chief Justice of England to the commis 

 sioners of treasure. This I move only to the King and 

 your lordship, otherwise it is a thing ex non entibus. God 

 preserve and prosper you. 



Your Lordship s most faithful Servant, 



From the Star Chamber, F R . VERULAM, Cane. 



Nov. 25, 1618. 



I forget not Tufton s cause. All things stay, and prece 

 dents are in search. 



To the King.* 

 May it please your most excellent Majesty, 



According to your majesty s pleasure, signified to us by 

 the Lord Marquis Buckingham, we have considered of the 

 fitness and conveniency of the gold and silver thread busi 

 ness, as also the profit that may accrue unto your majesty. 



We are all of opinion that it is convenient that the same 

 should be settled, having been brought hither at the great 

 charge of your majesty s now agents, and being a means 

 to set many of your poor subjects on work; and to this pur 

 pose there was a former certificate to your majesty from 

 some of us with others, 



* October 4, 1618. The Marquis of Buckingham writes from Theobalds to the 

 Lord Chancellor, that the King being desirous to be satisfied of the gold and silver 

 thread business, would have his lordship consult the Lord Chief Justice, an 

 Attorney and Solicitor General therein. 



