Cecil Papers 31/93, Oxford to Burghley; 17 April 1595. [Click here for original spelling.]
My very good Lord,
I have asked Mr. Alderman Cacher
whither he delivered any such speech or no, to my Lord of Buckhurst, as that I
should show him a letter from your Lordship wherein I was promised this suit of
the Tin before him. He protests the contrary & I do believe him, for that I
assure your Lordship I neither showed him or any other, any letter of yours.
Nevertheless the Lord of Buckhurst he does fear to become his heavy Lord, for that
he has charged him, how he should be the man that gave me information first of
this suit, whereby as he takes it, that he has been greatly hindered.
But as for Carmarden I do find that he has not a little doubled with me, by divers actions of his, & manifest dealings. For whereas I sent him too your Lordship, to confirm that which I had undertaken, which was true, yet as I perceive he performed not what he promised. Also whereas he told your Lordship as I perceived by your letter, that he had talked with me, and the Alderman concerning the quantity, both
the
Alderman and myself can assure your Lordship he spake not one word to us thereof.
But excusing himself that he had not dealt so liberally with your Lordship as
he was determined, after his departure from me he persuaded the Alderman to move
me to join with my Lord of Buckhurst, and divers other speeches, which tended
to his mislike that the Customers & officers of her Majesty should be looked
into, and for his part if it should go forward it was out of his way a hundred
pounds a year. Wherefore he would wish it rather to stand as it did, then to
proceed. By these dealings and many other, I do find, that he has been no small
hinderer.
Thus much I thought necessary
to inform your Lordship both in the Alderman’s behalf and my own, for your
satisfaction. As concerning the suit that which I did was not my suit, but to
further her Majesty’s service. Wherein if I failed was not my fault of
diligence, but the merchants who first gave their promise, and then brake it.
And whereas I desired that the suit should pass in my name, was not thereby to
have gained, but to have raised the rent, the more to her majesty. All which
things since they have not succeeded, have not been any want of goodwill in me,
but want of credit from her Majesty.
Wherefore as in the beginning I
had your Lordship’s promise to further me in my suit concerning the
transportation of Tin & Lead, imposing there one a crown or noble the
hundred or [further?], so still do I desire your Lordship to persevere if it
may stand with your liking , & that my Lord of Buckhurst deals no farther,
as he gives out himself. this 17 of April Anno 1595.
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 (B): 17 April 1595; Earl
oxford; Tin
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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