408 LETTERS RELATING TO 



minations of Somerset ; wherein we found Sir John 

 Digby ready and willing to discover unto us what 

 he knew ; and he had also, by the lord chancellor s 

 direction, prepared some heads of examination in 

 writing for Sir Robert Cotton ; of all which use 

 shall be made for his majesty s service, as is fit. 

 Howbeit, for so much as did concern the practice of 

 conveying the prince into Spain, or the Spanish 

 pensions, he was somewhat reserved upon this 

 ground, that they were things his majesty knew, 

 and things, which by some former commandment 

 from his majesty he was restrained to keep in 

 silence, and that he conceived they could be no ways 

 applied to Somerset. Wherefore it was not fit to 

 press him beyond that, which he conceived to be his 

 warrant, before we had known his majesty s farther 

 pleasure ; which I pray you return unto us with all 

 convenient speed. I for my part am in no appetite 

 for secrets ; but nevertheless seeing his majesty s 

 great trust towards me, wherein I shall never deceive 

 him; and that I find the chancellor of the same opi 

 nion, I do think it were good my lord chancellor 

 chiefly and myself were made acquainted with the 

 persons and the.particulars ; not only because it may 

 import his majesty s service otherwise, but also be 

 cause to my understanding, for therein I do not 

 much rely upon Sir John Digby s judgment, it may 

 have a great connection with the examination of 

 Somerset, considering his mercenary nature, his 

 great undertaking for Spain in the match, and his 

 favour with his majesty ; and therefore the circuin- 



