My very good Lord.
I have labored so much as I could possibly to advance her Majesty’s Customs of Tin, and had performed it if my undertakers had kept promise with me, on Monday last to have set to their names with their own hands to the Bargain. But through the cunning dealing of some, they are dissuaded, and I cannot bring them bake again to their former purpose. Wherefore if your Lordship think, my Lord of Buckhurst have undertakers, I think it best for her majesty to take that course which is best for her service. But I doubt our merchants were all one, & that he will find them as backward now to him. For I see, and I believe your Lordship shall find it true, that the Turkey company have so packed, that her Majesty’s
intention will find no issue. Never
the less when your Lordship has made trial of all, if it shall please her Majesty
to employ my service I will use all diligence, to further her profit.
And if it so happen that my Lord
of Buckhurst be able to bring forth undertakers, which I do not believe, yet
whereas I was the first that offered 3000l to her majesty when as there
was but a 1000 marks proffered by others, and thereby was an occasion, to cause
her Majesty to stay until she was better advertised I desire your Lordship yet
to further my suit for the transportation, whereby I shall advance her Majesty
a 1000l by year more then she has.
The great matter I have followed
ever with a mind to bring all the profit thereof to her Majesty And brought it
on so far, as the undertakers as I have said were ready to set down their hands,
yet so dissuaded by certain persons which they have named unto me, that they
have like merchants gone from their word and promise.
Your Lordship’s to Command
(signed) Edward Oxenford
Addressed (in Oxford’s hand): To
the right honorable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer of England.
[seal]
Endorsed (in Burghley’s hand): 9
April 1595; Earl of Oxford; his Merchants have gone back
Also at Virtual Grub Street:
- Shakespeare and Thomas North. April 5, 2021. “It might have been more of a surprise if North had not been advanced after one or another fashion.”
- On Shakespeare and Drinking Smoke. January 4, 2021. “The debate raged for some time: Had Shakespeare smoked pot? Tobacco? Both?”
- On the Question “Who knew Edward de Vere was Shakespeare?” December 14, 2020. “But was the word going around that his wife, the Countess of Oxford, conceived two children in his absence?”
- A 1572 Oxford Letter and the Player’s Speech in Hamlet. August 11, 2020. “The player’s speech has been a source of consternation among Shakespeare scholars for above 200 years. Why was Aeneas’ tale chosen as the subject?”
- Check out the English Renaissance Article Index for many more articles and reviews about this fascinating time and about the Shakespeare Authorship Question.
- Check out the Letters Index: Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford for many letters from this fascinating time, some related to the Shakespeare Authorship Question.
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