Cecil
Papers 8/12 (small bifolium, 280mm x 195mm), Oxford to Burghley; 3 January 1576
(W110-11;F203-4). [Click here for original spelling.]
My
lord,
I
am sorry to hear how hard my fortune is in England as I perceive by your
Lordship’s letters, but knowing how vain a thing it is to linger a mischief,
(to know the worst of myself & to let your Lordship understand wherein I
would use your honorable friendship) in short I have thus determined, that
whereas I understand, the greatness of my debt; and greediness of my creditors,
grows so dishonorable to me, and troublesome unto your Lordship, that that land
of mine which in Cornwall I have appointed to be sold according to that first
order for my expenses in the travel be gone through withal. And to stop my
creditors’ exclamations or rather defamations I may call them I shall desire
your Lordship by the virtue of this letter which does not err as I take it from
any former purpose which was that always upon my letter to authorize your
Lordship to sell any portion of my land that you will sell one hundred pound a
year more of my land where your Lordship shall think fittest, to disburden me
of my debts to her Majesty my sister or else where I am exclaimed upon. Likewise most earnestly I shall desire your
Lordship to look into the lands of my fathers will, which my sister being paid
and the time expired I take is come into my hands. And if your Lordship will
for not troubling of yourself too much with my causes command, Lewine, Kelton,
and my auditor to make a
view into the same, I think it will be the sooners dispatched. As for Hulbert I pray your Lordship to displace him of his office which I restored unto him him before my auditor on condition he should render it up at all times that I should command. My reason is why I do the same for that he bargained with me in Colne, and trusting him, therein he has taken more than I meant and as his own letter which I have sent to my servant Keltone does show than himself did mean, a fit excuse for so cozening a part and yet though it was more than he meant whereas it is that all times he should surrender the same when his money should be offered to him again in compass of certain years, yet in my absence he has refused the same as I understand. Whereupon me thinks he deserves very evil at my hands, and h e that in so small a matter does misuse the trust I have reposed in him, I am to doubt his service in greater causes. Wherefore I do again desire your Lordship to discharge him from all dealings of mine, upon his accounts to the rest of my forenamed servants.
view into the same, I think it will be the sooners dispatched. As for Hulbert I pray your Lordship to displace him of his office which I restored unto him him before my auditor on condition he should render it up at all times that I should command. My reason is why I do the same for that he bargained with me in Colne, and trusting him, therein he has taken more than I meant and as his own letter which I have sent to my servant Keltone does show than himself did mean, a fit excuse for so cozening a part and yet though it was more than he meant whereas it is that all times he should surrender the same when his money should be offered to him again in compass of certain years, yet in my absence he has refused the same as I understand. Whereupon me thinks he deserves very evil at my hands, and h e that in so small a matter does misuse the trust I have reposed in him, I am to doubt his service in greater causes. Wherefore I do again desire your Lordship to discharge him from all dealings of mine, upon his accounts to the rest of my forenamed servants.
In
doing these things your lordship shall
greatly pleasure me. In not doing them you shall as much hinder me. For
although to depart with land your Lordship has advised the contrary and that
your Lordship for good affection you bear unto me could wish it otherwise, yet
you see, I have none other remedy I have no help but my own, and mine is made
to serve me, and myself not mine. Whereupon until all such encumbrances be
passed over and until I can better settle myself at home I have determined to
continue my travel the which thing in no wise I desire your Lordship to hinder.
Unless you would have it thus Ut nulla sit inter nos amicitia for having
made an end of all hope to help myself by her Majesty’s service considering
that my youth is objected unto me, and for every step of mine, a block is found
to be laid in my way, I see it is but vain, calcitrare contra li buoi.
And the worst of things being known they are the more easier to be provided
for, to bear and support them with patience. Wherefore for things past amiss to
repent them is too late, to help them, which I cannot but ease them that I am
determined to hope for anything I do not, but if anything do happen preter
spem. I think before that time I must be so old as my sons, who shall enjoy
them, must give thanks and I am to content myself according to this english proverb
that it is my hap to starve like the horse, while the grass does grow.
Thus
my good lord I do boldly write that you should not be ignorant of anything that
I do, for if I have reason I make you the judge, and lay myself more open unto
you, than perhaps if I write fewer lines or penned less store of words
otherwise I could do. But for that it is not so easy a matter at all times to
convey letters from these parts into England I am therefore the more desirous
to use largely this opportunity and to supply in writing the want of speaking,
which the long distance between us has taken away. Thus I leave your Lordship
to the protection of almighty god whom I beseech to send you long and happy
life and better fortune to define your felicity, in these your aged years, than
it has pleased him to grant in my youth. But of hard beginning we may hope a
good and easy ending. Your Lordship’s to command during life. The 3rd
of January, from Siena
(signed)
Edward Oxenford
Addressed
by Oxford: <…>ght honorable and his singular good lord, my lord Burley,
lord Treasurer of England give this [seal]
Endorsed
by Burghley: 3 January 1575 The Earl of Oxford by M Spinola's packet. Received the
17 of February.
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