To his very loving Friend, Mr. John Murray, of his Majesty's Bed Chamber. Deliver these.* Good Mr. Murray, I have laboured like a pack horse in your business, and, as I think, have driven in a nail. I pray deliver the inclosed to his majesty, wherein I have made mention of the same. I rest 27th January, 1611. Yours assured, FR. BACON. From the University of Cambridge to the Right Honourable Sir Francis Bacon, Knight, his Majesty's Attorney General, and one of his Honourable Privy Council, these.† Right Honourable, The special love and favour which your honour by word and writing hath ever professed to learning and this University, makes us fly to your protection in a present danger, where we fear the chief nerves and foundation of all our jurisdiction, and gracious charters, are (under a pretence of dignity and honour to this University) either intended to be shaken, or wholly overthrown. We doubt not but your honour hath heard of a late petition preferred to his majesty by the mayor and others of Cambridge (as they pretend), to dignify the University in making the town a city; which, upon so fair a gloss, his majesty (out of his gracious favour to this University) hath referred to the order of the Lord Chancellor of England, their high steward; the Lord Treasurer, our honourable and our most loving chancellor, and your honour. By this project (though dignity and honour to us be the first colour they cast upon their suit, yet by the cunning carriage of the business, and secret workings of friends) we cannot but fear this shadow will be overcast with matter of such substance for them and their purpose, that it will either draw our former grants into question, or us to great inconvenience. Neither is this suspicion without a cause; first for that, about six years past, the like petition was preferred and followed by them; at what time by a secret view of their book, we perceived our best charters nearly touched: secondly, upon our earnnest request to have a copy of such matters as they desire, they slight us, saying, "That were but to part the lion's Harl. MS. 6986. art. 114. + Sloan MS. 3562. art. 40. skin;" thirdly, by experience we find the danger of trusting their kindness, for upon our late sufferance of their last charter to pass (without good advice of our council), they both incroach upon our ancient grants, and inforce that charter not only against our privileges and customs, but the special proviso and reservation therein made for our former liberties. These peremptory answers and dealings of theirs, upon so kind and friendly usage and requests of ours, make us fear the sequel; for that as yet we could never find by any record, act, or wish of theirs, that this University ever received honour, dignity, or favour; in regard whereof we earnestly intreat your honour to stand with our worthy chancellor and us in staying this suit, until we be truly informed how the town may receive grace and the University no dishonour. So with our hearty thanks to your honour, for all your former favours shewed us and this University, and with our daily prayers to the Almighty for your long life and happiness, we take our leave. This 9th of December, 1616. Your Honour's in all duty. To the Right Worshipful the Vice-chancellor and others, the Masters, and the Heads of the Houses of the University of Cambridge.* After my very hearty commendations, I have received your letter of the 9th of this present December, and have taken care of you rather according to your request, than at your request; forasmuch as I had done it before your letter came. This you may perceive by the joint letter which you shall receive from my Lord Chancellor, my Lord Treasurer, and myself. And for me you may rest assured, that nothing can concern you little, or more nearly, or afar off, but you shall have all care out of my affection, and all strength and help out of my means and power to conserve and advance your good estate and contentment. And so I remain Your very affectionate and assured Friend, December 28, 1616. From the University of Cambridge.† The confidence which the townsmen have, in obtaining their charter and petition, makes us bold and importunate suitors to your honour, by whose favour with his majesty Sloan MS. No. 3562. art. 25. ↑ Sloan MS. 3562. art. 41. and protection, we again humbly intreat the University and ourselves may be freed from that danger which by them is intended to us. By their own reports, it is a matter of honour and advantage for which they sue: when they were at the lowest, and in their meanest fortunes, they ever shewed themselves unkind neighbours to us; and their suits with us, within these few years have caused us to spend our common treasury, and trouble our best friends, and therefore we cannot expect peace amongst them, when their thoughts and wills shall be winged and strengthened by that power and authority which the very bare title of a city will give unto them. Since our late letter to the right honourable Lord Chancellor, your honour, and his majesty's Attorney General, we (being better informed of the course they take, and of their confidence to prevail at the end of the next term) have sent letters from the body of the University to the King's majesty, the Lord Chancellor, and others, our honourable friends; shewing them of our fear, and their purpose, and to entreat them to join with your honour and us, to his majesty, to stay their suit before we be driven to further charge or trouble, in entertaining counsel, or soliciting our friends. Thus humbly entreating your honour to pardon our importunity, and often soliciting your lordship in this business, with our earnest prayers to the Almighty for your honour's long life and happy estate, we end this. Your Honour's in all duty February, 1616. to be commanded. Honoratissimo Domino Francisco Domino de Verulamio, Equiti Aurato summo Angliæ Cancellario, Regiæque Majestrati Consiliario dignissimo.* Honoratissime Domine, Herculem olim Antiquitas ceu Musagetem coluit, quia mutuis operibus, ac præmiis jurari invicem ornarique deberent, et virtus Herculis voce Musarum, et Musarum quies defensione Herculis. Expecta est sæpiusculè nostra etiam sororia, et favoris tui æmula Academia te suum Herculem; quo nec præsentius aliquid, nec studiis mage propitium numen est. Teque adeo alumnorum suorum fautorem, te ultorem injuariarum, te cognitorem juris sui, te dignitatis juxta, ac libertatis suæ assertorem non jucundâ minus quàm gratâ subinde animi recordatione veneratur. Perge (illustrissime Mæcenas) perge usque sic beare, sic nobilitare Musas, Musisque dicata hospitia, et Emporia; ut sub tua Sloan. MS. 35 2. art. 80. lauro deponant fessum latus, et sub ala, nutuque tuo vitam ac sanguinem recipiant. Ut portus in mari Deus statuit, jactatis refugium; sic vos magnos Patronos, quibus in turbida fortuna recreemur. Quod rovemus, et (quæ suggerit nobis sive importunior spes seu fiducia promptior) pristinam illam tuam omnem variis, nec obscuris indiciis exertam in nos benignitatem, tanquam novi hujus, et succedanei (quod impræsentiarum petimus) benificii tesseram aliquam, et quasi stipulationem accipimus. Imminet jam nostræ Mantuæ incursionis periculum a vicinâ, et contigui liminis cremonâ: quæ sub ementitæ dignitatis larva, ac prætextu, veræ, ac veteri dignitati nostræ insidiatur: nec vanus nobis subest suspitionis metus, ne dum surgant civitatis hujus mœnia, mox Academiæ Barietes injurioso (sed occulto) pede conculcentur. Esto quidem per nos (imo sit per vos) Cantabrigia civitas florentissima (cur enim honorem tunc ipsi nobis invideamus?) sit tamen (ita uti nomen ei olim in archivis cluet) civitas literarum, non illiberalium opificum: qui dum majores nido pennas extundunt, et civitatis (quam ambiunt), et universitatis (cui invident) dignitatem eunt delibatum. Honorem nobis obtendunt, et auctiorem Oxonioque rivalem splendoris cumulum? Officia meræ, et hamatum lenocinium. Blandiens rentus nos non inducet, quin tempestatem, et nimbum expectemus. Ut aves semel deceptæ, cæteros etiam cibos viscatos credunt: sic ab imposturâ ut ut speciosâ, quod etiam bonum, syncerumque videtur, esse id tamen omne dilutum, atque incrustatum, haud perperam suspicamur. Nos macti titulis illis, ac municipiis, quos Principum Diplomata, et domina rerum consuetudo longâ amorum serie firmatos nobis indulserunt in propria pelle quiescimus, haud ignari, noxios interdum, curiosos sæpe, semper suspectos esse Novatores, qui ut aliquid sui videantur afferre, etiam recta mutant in deterius. Tu verò Amplissime Heros (quæ summa sua erit, cum summâ prudentiâ, et equitate conjuncta humanitas) privilegiorum nostrorum Paladium sartum tectum conservabis ; decernes nihil, quod Athenis nostris, vel in jacturam cedat vel molestiam, nec committes, ut qui per emensum omne vitæ spacium clarè se ostendit, vel in extremo ætatis Curriculo claudatur honorificus ille tuus Erga togatam gentem affectus. Quod superest Deum optimum Maximum calidâ votorum nuncupatione veneramur ut te Ecclesiæ Patriæ, Academiæ bono coclitis natam divinare in terris velit, * Addit. MS. Mus. Brit. No. 5503. fol. 98. jubeat, et cui Nestoreum pectus, annos etiam concedat Nestoreos, usque et usque ad novissimam senectutis lineam, imo ad famæ, et æternitatis metam fælicibus auspiciis decurrentes. Parum est enim optare tantæ virtuti, tantæque pietati quem longissimum habet humana vita progressum. Honori tuo omni cultu, et Date Senatu frequenti nostro tertio Idus, Februarii, 1616. obsequio Devinctissimi. Procancellarius reliquusque cæterus Academiæ Cantabrigiensis. A letter to my Lord of Buckingham, touching Mompesson's business of Inns.* My very good Lord, We are left a little naked in the business of Inns, by the death of Justice Nicholls; and my Lord Chief Baron and Mr. Justice Crooke having been with me, do desire the number of three may be fulfilled. I have therefore sent your lordship a warrant for the king's signature, wherein Justice Winch is put in Justice Nicholls's place. It is also altered at my request, in that other point of the former warrant, whereby the certificate was required in writing, which they desire may be by attending his majesty themselves, at his coming, which I do think to be the more convenient and the more usual for judges. I ever rest Your Lordship's true and most devoted Servant. October 18, 1616. To my Lord of Buckingham, touching Mompesson's Business, the Maltsters, &c.† My very good Lord, I am much troubled in mind, for that I hear you are not perfectly well, without whose health I cannot joy, and without whose life, I desire not to be. I hear nothing from Mr. Mompesson, save that some tell me he is knighted, which I am glad of, because he may the better fight with the bull and the bear, and the Saracen's head, and such fearful creatures. For Sir Robert Killigrewe's suit of enrollment of apprentices, I doubt we must part it; but yet I suppose it may be left valuable. Your office is dispatched, and your books in effect. I *Addit. MS. Mus. Brit. No. 5503. fol. 98. ↑ Ibid. |