124 



and for the seal of writs and commissions for ordinary 

 justice, till you may advise of a chancellor or keeper of the 

 great seal. 



Your majesty will graciously pardon my care, which is 

 assiduous ; and it is good to err in caring even rather too 

 much than too little. These things, for so much as con- 

 cerneth forms, ought to proceed from my place, as attorney, 

 unto which you have added some interest in matter, by 

 making me of your privy council. But for the main they 

 rest wholly in your princely judgment, bein^ well informed ; 

 because miracles are ceased, though admiration will not 

 cease while you live. 



Indorsed February 21, 1616. 



ACCOUNT OF COUNCIL BUSINESS. 



FOR remedy against the infestation of pirates, than which 

 there is not a better work under heaven, and therefore 

 worthy of the great care his majesty hath expressed con 

 cerning the same, this is done : 



First, Sir Thomas Smith * hath certified in writing, on 

 the behalf of the merchants of London, that there will be 

 a contribution of twenty thousand pounds a year, during 

 two years space, towards the charge of repressing the 

 pirates; wherein we do both conceive that this, being as 

 the first offer, will be increased. And we consider, also, 

 that the merchants of the west, who have sustained in pro 

 portion far greater damage than those of London, will come 

 into the circle, and follow the example ; and for that pur 

 pose letters are directed unto them. 



Secondly for the consultation de modo of the arming and 

 proceeding against them, in respect that my Lord Admiral -f- 

 cometh not yet abroad, the table hath referred it to my 

 Lord Treasurer,^ the Lord Carew, and Mr. Chancellor of 

 the Exchequer, | who heretofore hath served as treasurer 



* Of Biborough in Kent, second son of Thomas Smith, of Ostenhanger, of 

 that county, Esq. He had farmed the customs in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 

 and was sent by King James I. ambassador to the court of Russia in March, 

 1604 ; from whence returning, he was made governor of the society of merchants 

 trading to the East Indies, Muscovy, the French and Summer Islands ; and 

 treasurer for the colony and company of Virginia. He built a magnificent house 

 at Deptford, which was burnt on the 30th of January, 1618 ; and in April, 

 1619, he was removed from his employments of governor and treasurer, upon 

 several complaints of frauds committed by him. 



t Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham. 



t Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk. 



$ George, Lord Carew, who had been president of Munster, in Ireland, and 

 was now master of the ordnance. He was created Earl of Tot ness by King 

 Charles 1. in 1626. 



II Sir Fulk Grevile. 



