THE EARL OF ESSEX. 291 



three proofs : the first, the most authentical but the 

 least pressed, and that was her majesty s own royal 

 affirmation, both by her speech now and her prece 

 dent letters ; the second, the testimony of the privy 

 council, who upon their honours did avouch the 

 substance of that was charged, and referred them 

 selves also to many of their lordships letters to the 

 same effect ; the third, letters written from my lord 

 after his being in Ireland, whereby the resolution 

 touching the design of the north is often know- 

 ledged. 



There follow some clauses both of her majesty s 

 letters and of the lords of her council, and of the 

 earl s and the council of Ireland, for the verification 

 of this point. 



Her majesty, in her letter of the 1 9th of July to 

 my lord of Essex, upon the lingering of the northern 

 journey, doubting my lord did value service, rather 

 by the labour he endured, than by the advantage 

 of her majesty s royal ends, hath these words : 



&quot; You have in this dispatch given us small light, 

 &quot; either when or in what order you intend particu- 

 &quot; larly to proceed to the northern action ; wherein 

 &quot; if you compare the time that is run on, and the 

 &quot; excessive charges that are spent, with the effects 

 &quot; of any thing wrought by this voyage, howsoever 

 &quot; we remain satisfied with your own particular cares 

 &quot; and travails of body and mind, yet you must needs 

 &quot; think that we, that have the eyes of foreign princes 

 &quot; upon our actions, and have the hearts of people to 

 &quot; comfort and cherish, who groan under the burthen 



