Eighteen of Oxford's lettters from 1595 to 1599 concern the farm of the tin mines in Cornwall and Devon. See also Tin Mine Memoranda.
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| [=51] Letter of 20 March 1595 | [=60] 7 June 1595 | Personal letters (1-44) |
[=51] Cecil Papers 170/126: Oxford to Burghley, 20 March 1595.
My very good Lord, upon your message unto me by your servant Hicks, I received no small comfort that, God putting into your heart to favour and assist me in my suits to her Majesty, after a long travail and doubtful labour I might obtain some end to my contentment. Wherefore I most earnestly and heartily desire your Lordship to have a feeling of mine infortunate estate which, although it be far unfit to endure delays, yet have consumed four or five years in a flattering hope of idle words. But now, having received this comfortable message of furtherance & favour from your Lordship, although her Majesty be forgetful of herself, yet by such a good mean I do not doubt, if you list, but that I may receive some fruit of all my travail.
This last year past I have been a suitor to her Majesty that I might farm her tins, giving £3000 a year more than she had made. If I had not done this, there were which thought to have had it for a thousand marks a year. I persevered, and if I would have given it over to such, I might have been recompensed to my content. But for that I did not, a show hath been made to her Majesty of 10 thousand pounds of year, only determining thereby to stop her Majesty from hearkening to my suit, and so to wear me out thereof. Which, being compassed, to bring it to their first point (or, at the least, to an easier rent), they demanded 30 or 40 thousand pounds to be lent them for one year, which they thought her Majesty would absolutely refuse. And so having colour to break off all, and myself forgotten, it might be (and as they thought, most likely), her Majesty would yield and be brought to be contentend [sic] with a small sum or, at the most, with so much as I had offered. Thus I was to have beaten the bush whilst other, holding the net, had taken the bird.
But, as I perceive, a rude copy of mine, altogether undigested, came to her Majesty's hands, whereby she is not so discouraged as they have made their account. This copy, as I perceive, your Lordship hath seen. Yet I am sure, although you may discern some lights of reasonable matter, it is so ill-appearing as it will rather encumber you than comfort you of any possibility.
Yet understanding thus much by your servant Hicks, I framed one other plot which, for that the other stood all upon likelihoods & probabilities, might upon a more assured ground be built, if her Majesty any kind away [sic] can be persuaded to disburse forth her money. For whereas that for which was demanded 40 or 30 thousand pounds stood altogether upon conjectures, this did only rely upon that which was certain & what was by her Majesty's informations of the year past certified in her rates, how it might be made with a far smaller sum of money laid out. And so what difference is between doubt and certainty, between a great cost and lesser charge, that differency is apparent between that unperfect note and that I last sent your Lordship.
But if it be so that her Majesty likes a way whereby she shall lay forth no money, & can be contented to have those revenues which already are made to be lifted up and increased to ten thousand pound by year, then I have discovered such an one as, if your Lordship like thereof, I will be glad to do her Majesty service therein, & so to proceed as I shall be encouraged by you.
And this it is. Those Merchants which first set me on work will give her Majesty four thousand pound a year advancement of rent in her custom if she will grant me the farm thereof, and to me a fifth part. They are to lay out in stock 20 thousand pound. I, only bearing but the name of the suit, lay out never a penny but have, as is said, a fifth part. This fifth part is assured me to be £2000 which, indeed, although I seem to receive at their hands, yet it shall run into her Majesty's coffers. So that here is £6000 for her Majesty without laying forth one penny &, I dare undertake, presently to be performed. So that this £6000, added to the £3283, wanteth but little of 10 thousand, to make up which, if it shall please her Majesty to grant my suit for the licence of transportation, I am to give her £500 more, and will, what I can, strain myself to make it up full 10 thousand, which is some 200 or £300 more.
Also, for your Lordship's furtherance of my suit concerning the licence for the transportation of tin and lead, according to the statute which defendeth none to be carried out of the realm without licence unless it be to Calais, etc., I will assure your Lordship towards the help of my daughter's marriage, or otherwise as it shall please your Lordship to assign, to pay yearly, where and to whom you shall appoint, £500.
And if her Majesty sees that the other ways are all intricate and troublesome, then she may be assured of this last way to be presently performed, & it is without trouble to her Majesty or laying out any money to take this course last set down. And although the Merchant is to be thought thereby to gain, yet it is to be considered the sum of money which he must lay out, the hazard of the times, of war, of peace whereto he must stand, and doubt whether the mines will continue their proportion or no. And what he doth gain, her Majesty shall always be able to look into by my fifth whereof, though I bear the name, yet it is hers. Thus desiring pardon for my earnest and long writing, I commit your Lordship to the Almighty, this 20th of March. Your Lordship's always to command.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=52] Cecil Papers 25/106: Oxford to Burghley, 23 March 1595.
My very good Lord, I know you are not to be troubled at this present with any long letter, wherefore I will only answer to the matter proposed.
First, to that point where it is said that the tinners shall have their money lent them at £8 in the 100, whereas they have it at £10 in the 100. This is but a mask, for they have it already at 5 or £6 the 100. And also the matter is of small importance, sithence the whole sum so commonly lent unto them from divers engrossers of their tin is not, among them all, above £3000.
For that the country hath [been?] left at randall unto an uncertain price as heretofore. This is likely to return the country to the former discontentment before it was yielded unto, to their own asking, that they should have £24 certainty (communibus annis) for every 1000 lb. weight of tin.
Whereas it is said that that which is sold in the realm shall be at the accustomed price, this doth but make a noise, and is to no purpose. For in mine accounts your Lordship shall perceive, in comparing them, that there is no other profit raised but on that which is transported.
Last of all, for the £30000 which her Majesty is to lay out, and the £10000 my Lord is to disburse.
This so great a sum, proportioned to the quantity of tin, doth direct to that whereof I have all this while motioned, & that is that the rates of the tin are undervalued to her Majesty, and to be thought the quantity which is taken from the mines is far more than is thought, whereof even this day some discovery is made unto me.
For if the tin were no more than it is rated, sith [sic?] as your Lordship shall find by mine account, then 17000 and some odd pounds buyeth the whole year's tin, of which money the one half is to be employed for the first coinage, where is tin for so much money as he sets down.
Thus it appears that £8000 or thereabouts buys up the first coinage which, being turned over, yields itself back again with the increase, and so doth satisfice the whole year. Then all the rest of the money the Merchants and my Lord have this whole year in their own hands, except £3000 thereof more which they lend the country, as it is said, for £8 in the 100.
Now let these offers be considered. My Lord asketh £30000 to be lent him, and I only wish her Majesty, by her own officers, to lay out £8000. My Lord, if she will lay out nothing, desires that her Majesty should receive no further profit than her ordinary revenue for the first year, whereby she leeseth £7000.
I offer her the first year's gain, as well as ever after, and her Majesty to lay out never a penny.
My Lord leaves the tinners to their former uncertainty.
I satisfice them with £24 for every 1000 lb. weight, which is their own demand and agreement.
Your Lordship's to command.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=53] Cecil Papers 31/45: Oxford to Burghley, 25 March 1595.
My very good Lord, to set down that which should be fit for your satisfaction would require a long writing which should be too cumbersome at this present, and moreover I would gladly deliver my knowledge of the quantity of tin by mouth for that I think it not convenient by letter wherefore, when your Lordship shall have best time and leisure, if I may know it I will attend your Lordship as well as a lame man may at your house.
Those articles of my Lord of Buckhurst's offer I have already answered in my last letter, yet for more assurance I have sent mine answer again unto every point.
And whereas it hath been said (as I understand) that he was the first that moved this suit, I confess that he was the first that dealt in it to cozen her Majesty but not to profit her, as at my coming to your Lordship I will fully satisfice you.
For the 40 hundred thousand lb. weight of tin, if he had put in 60 hundred and 70 hundred thousand, yet I was the first (as I can prove by good testimony) that gave her Majesty warning to look well thereto before she made any grant, and gave inkling of those sums. And at what times he made his offer of 10 thousand pounds custom, and now the 40 hundred thousand lb. weight, when I shall have speech with your Lordship, you will judge thereof a great deal better.
Wherefore, lest I trouble your Lordship, I most heartily thank you for your most honourable dealing towards me, and earnestly crave that your Lordship will not suffer this matter so swiftly and hastily to pass till I have fully advertised your Lordship of my knowledge of the 40 hundred thousand pound weight and what other means I know necessary for her Majesty to compass her intent, and without which being known it will be overthrown and prove nothing to that which her Majesty expects and I do wish.
Your Lordship's to command.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable & his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=54] Cecil Papers 31/52: Oxford to Burghley, 28 March 1595.
My very good Lord. I do fully perceive how much I am bound unto your Lordship, wherefore I am sorry that the shortness of the time this day which I had with your Lordship, and the presence of the alderman, made me to forbear some things of importance in this matter of the tins. It is true that I have found the Lord of Buckhurst to have dealt with me very strangely, and otherwise than (till this experience had of his disposition) I would have believed, or otherwise suspected. But in effect I should have assured your Lordship that I have not ignorantly or rashly entered into this suit for a licence of transportation, but upon the solicitation of Mr Carmarden, and the conference of such as have had long experience in tin matters. He, I say, is the only man that set me in hand with this suit, & by whom I had the first light of the great quantity of tins whereof her Majesty is yearly deceived in her custom. Wherefore accordingly I have of long time (so well as I could by writing and sending) made all the means I could to her Majesty that by that ways I might both do her Majesty service and myself pleasure, which thing Carmarden would have done himself if the fears of some counsellors (whereof one I have named) did not discourage him. Wherefore what he durst not enter into himself, that hath he from time to time encouraged me, showing me the small matter which is yearly answered to her Majesty, as your Lordship may perceive in my notes (which is agreeable with that of his the last year, for mine were taken out of his). And assure your Lordship, if her Majesty will but give me leisure to agree with them that have set me on, and to make my bargains with them, I do not doubt but to bring very shortly good assurance to your Lordship for her Majesty to perform so much as I have promised. I have already agreed with some, and I only stay but to finish with the rest that what they shall pay to me to turn their bonds to your Lordship for her Majesty's assurance, granting me the suit.
It is true that my gains shall be very little, or nothing, yet sith my Lord of Buckhurst hath so hardly dealt with me (as I will inform your Lordship whensoever I shall have opportunity therefor), I rather will content myself with nothing and make up the sum I have promised than he should effect his cross and overthwart towards me.
But I did always take that he would have given £7 thousand more than her Majesty yet had, and that made me offer the more which, by God's grace, I mean to perform. But considering he is fallen £3000 of that account, if I may be therefore spared, my gain will be something, and whereas he brings it to £7000, if I may have it for £8000, which is a thousand £ more, then I shall not be so much afeard of the decay of the mines nor of the self-will of the people (and such fears as are not forecast in vain).
Yet if her Majesty will have the uttermost rather than be thus put out, I do not doubt but to answer in all respects my promise, so that I may be assured none shall have it from me and that I have some small time given me to make an end of those agreements, whereof some I have already finished. Thus to inform your Lordship that which I forgot today. I fear I am too long.
Your Lordship's to command.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable & my very good Lord, my Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=55] Cecil Papers 31/54: Oxford to Mr. Hicks, 28 March 1595.
Good Mr Hicks. Whereas I was determined to have visited my Lord at his house, I do now understand that his Lordship is removed to the court, and for that I am not able nor fit to look into that place (being yet no better recovered), if it shall please his Lordship at his best leisure to take so much pains as to look into my daughter Derby's house or mine, I hope so to satisfice his Lordship as touching this matter of the tins that he shall think it for her Majesty's contentment. For whereas I perceive my Lord doubteth that I shall not be able to find out the 16 hundred thousand, I am now very well assured that there is every year brought from the mines 4050 blocks, according to the last paper I sent him, and those contain 18 hundred thousand lb. weight. As for the 40 hundred thousand, thereof what to think, I will refer it to his Lordship's conceit when I have showed him such intelligences as I here have sent you to show his Lordship, and I do not doubt but to perform this 18 hundred thousand pound weight fully to her Majesty in the meanwhile and to make up her custom, which is now about £300 [sic?], to the full sum of 10 thousand, without that she shall have cause to lay out one farthing. Thus desiring you to remember my Lord for me, and to show him this paper which I have sent you, I bid you heartily farewell. From Bishopsgate this present morning.
Your assured friend.
Edward Oxenford
*To his very well beloved friend Mr Hicks, give these at my Lord Treasurer's lodging at the court.
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[=56] Cecil Papers 31/68: Oxford to Burghley, 1 April 1595.
My very good Lord. As I promised your Lordship to send a resolute answer, so now being fully furnished for the same I beseech your Lordship that you will persever in your favour towards me and, for the matter, thus I do advertise your Lordship, that I will make up the custom which already her Majesty hath (that is, as I perceive, 3000 and odd pounds), 10 thousand &, for her assurance, to put in such Merchants as (among these here named, and some others which I shall hereafter nominate) your Lordship shall choose, and think most sufficient. Thus most earnestly desiring your Lordship's favour, I do crave her Majesty's resolution for that I (knowing the same) may haste the assurance the sooner, for some of these I must send for which are in the country, but ready, whensoever I shall give them word, to be here within 9 or 10 days.
Your Lordship's to command.
Edward Oxenford
The names of the parties.
Roberts
Taylor
Soames
Smith of Exeter
Stapers
Catcher
Moody
Glover, and all those which are the usual Merchants for the tin and that are customers to the tinners, whereby there needeth no loss of coinage by clearing the same, for these be the same that have already paid for their tin & to whom the tinners are indebted, wherefore the sooner I may know her Majesty's good pleasure by your Lordship's favour, the sooner I shall be able to give assurance, which is necessary lest her Majesty leese this coinage which is next to come, the best in all the year.
*To the right honourable & his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=57] Cecil Papers 31/79: Oxford to Burghley, 9 April 1595.
My very good Lord. I have laboured so much as I could possibly to advance her Majesty's customs of tin, and had performed it if mine 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 back 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. Nevertheless, when your Lordship hath 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 £3000 to her Majesty whenas 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 £1000 by year more than she hath.
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.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=58] Cecil Papers 31/83: Oxford to Burghley, 13 April 1595.
My very good Lord. I do not know how my Lord of Buckhurst doth proceed with her Majesty for that which she expects to be made of her tin, but it may be that it falleth out as I have thought, that he would as hardly bring in his undertakers as myself, which if it be so, & her Majesty and your Lordship will like of this which I do here write, I will neglect no diligence that may do her Majesty service.
The undertakers are to be either those which have already the trade in their hands, or such strangers as upon good consideration will be soon willing to farm so good a commodity.
When they which are now the present engrossers did verily think that her Majesty would have nominated me to the farm of this commodity then, lest I should agree with other strangers, I found determined to agree with me, saying they rather would command than be commanded. But when they found that her Majesty stood in suspense and that my Lord of Buckhurst was to have it at a lower rate than myself, then they hung off from both for they said, if we agree with any of them before it be granted they must accept conditions such as we shall give them; if we stand out till it be granted, then for that they must pay so great a rent to her Majesty they must of necessity seek us, whereby we shall be able to make our bargain as we list.
Another occasion which is an especial let to her Majesty's purpose is that there is a suit which hath been of long time motioned for the Pewterers, that they might have a second melting and casting of the tin into bars. This suit (by reason so many rivers run out of it) hath many friends, and all these are enemies to the great matter for, say they, it swallows this up.
But this suit, if her Majesty doth grant, it is called a little suit, but so little it is that whosoever shall undertake the great leeseth 3 or 4 thousand pounds a year thereby. Then how is it possible that they can give so much to her Majesty as she looks for?
First, seeing they must lay out £40 thousand stock and then pay to her Majesty four thousand pound moreover than her custom; further, to him who shall obtain the farm, some 2 or 3 thousand. This they cannot perform if her Majesty shall pass before, or accept hereafter, the suit of the Pewterers.
But if it will please her Majesty to nominate me for the pre-emption and transportation, and be content to give me time to make my bargain (that they shall not see that I am constrained by necessity to depend upon them and to make a hasty bargain), I do not doubt only to get her Majesty the 4 thousand pound which is offered but to get for myself 2 or 3 thousand pound more which to compass in her Majesty's name I find by no means they will be brought (and, as it seems, they allege great reason therefor), and if they give me assurance, afterward when the same shall be turned over to her Majesty, they (being already bound) cannot refuse it.
And further it is to be thought if in the little suit of bars they can provide for themselves so well, they may be as good husbands to her Majesty in the great.
Also, sith the Merchants have dealt so frowardly to cross her Majesty, if it shall please her upon the grant to me to deal somewhat roughly with them in the matter of transportation (for that they cannot and oft not to transport but to Calais), and now in this month and next when they have laded their tin to make a stay, as a thing forfeited, it will make them the more greedy to come to composition. This 13th of April, 1595.
Your Lordship's to command.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable and my very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=59] Cecil Papers 31/93: Oxford to Burghley, 17 April 1595.
My very good Lord, I have asked Mr Alderman Catcher whether 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 doth fear to become his heavy Lord, for that he hath charged him how he should be the man that gave me information first of this suit, whereby (as he takes it) that he hath been greatly hindered.
But as for Carmarden, I do find that he hath not a little doubled with me by divers actions of his & manifest dealings, for whereas I sent him to 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 than to proceed. By these dealings and many other I do find that he hath been no small hinderer.
Thus much I thought necessary to inform your Lordship, both in the alderman's behalf and mine 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, sith they have not succeeded, hath 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 thereon a crown or noble the hundred or fother, so still do I desire your Lordship to persever, if it may stand with your liking, & that my Lord of Buckhurst dealeth no farther, as he giveth out himself. This 17th of April, anno 1595.
Your Lordship's to command.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=60] PRO SP12/252[/57], ff. 108-9: Oxford to Burghley, 7 June 1595.
My very good Lord, if I had not had already sufficient knowledge of Carmarden's honesty, I would have the more wondered at this impudent part of his, to avow before her Majesty so manifest & intolerable untruths. But when I remember how earnest he was against my Lord of Buckhurst's proceedings in this matter, how he was the man which set me on to move her Majesty and your Lordship for the imposition of the crown upon the hundred, how he was the first that assured me that at the least, in his knowledge, the quantity of tin came to xv hundred thousand, how he promised me to inform your Lordship faithfully and assure you thereof, & that sithence that time he hath run a double course with her Majesty, with your Lordship and myself, I do the less regard his treachery and the more trust unto the truth of mine actions, which I will answer to her Majesty and your Lordship.
And for that I go about now to lay open his evil and corrupt service, I will not for mine own particular hereafter move your Lordship's furtherance, but if I shall deserve anything in this action I will leave the whole consideration thereof to her Majesty. But as a principal counsellor of hers and as one holding the place of her Treasurer of England, who doth especially look into her profit, I shall desire your Lordship that those matters which I allege and bring forth to be judged by you, that they be so pondered that reason be not oppressed with a vain confidence in a light person, nor truth smothered up rather by false apparence than assisted by indifferent hearing, nor that her Majesty's former trusts be now made the very instruments of her infinite loss.
It is true, I confess, that Carmarden avows in part, that is, there be some slabs of tin (for in that he calls them blocks, therein he speaketh ignorantly) which are but 50 lb., 100 lb., 150 lb., 200 lb. weight.
But whereas he saith her Majesty is not paid in respect of their small quantity, he should have said, for that she hath nothing at all for such slabs.
And herein is the deceit that, under the colour of some to have a slab of tin for their household provision or to send into France for wine for their houses, and such-like colours, that they may not forfeit them, they have the lion stamped on them, and such slabs, although they mount to the number of a 100 or 200 thousand weight, are not put into the Customers' books, whereby the quantity of tin cannot truly appear.
And whereas it seems your Lordship heard him avow this the reason that her Majesty is not paid, your Lordship, I know, can easily see that he doth err by the part to account the whole, & this is a foul abuse.
But for the blocks, which I affirm in Cornwall to be 13 hundred thousand, that they be commonly 300, 400 and sometime 500 lb. weight and odd, adding that her Majesty's weights are more than the Merchants', whereby I may well account one with another 700 lb. weight, I appeal and fly to your Lordship's justice and care of her Majesty's revenue, that she be not abused by the cunning of such a merchant, who doth abuse her trust.
And therefore, as well for her Majesty as for my discharge, I do crave and exhort your Lordship that you will be content and procure her Majesty to appoint some whom she knows will prefer her profit before any respect either to me or the other side, to survey the blocks of tin which are to be seen now in town, as well in Alderman Soame's warehouse as in other places, and at this present a shipful newly come in, laden with blocks of Alderman Taylor's, and then if your Lordship shall find more blocks of 300 lb. weight and upward than of slabs, I pray you hereafter in her Majesty's behalf that the rest of mine informations be the better heard.
For the sending down of Middleton alone, a man wholly disposed to that party against which I inform, I do not think myself indifferently dealt withal, and though not for me but for her Majesty's better and more certain information, it should not be amiss and not against equity that another whom I would have named might have been sent with him, that this device might have had no suspect of corruption.
But I shall desire your Lordship for her Majesty's better service that, whereas by delaying of time her Majesty may chance to leese this coinage and so, in conclusion, the benefit of the whole year, that your Lordship would procure a letter to be sent down wherein order may be given that no tin be sold or bought till July, which is the first coinage.
And this is agreeable with their old custom that no tin should be bought or sold till all the Merchants were come together, and by the breach of this custom many abuses creep in which are neither profitable to the realm nor to her Majesty in especial.
And for that I would proceed to the proof of the exact number of tin, I shall desire your Lordship that I may appoint the messenger, and that he may have from her Majesty equal authority with Middleton in his service, which shall take away all ambiguity which may grow through suspect of partial and unjust dealing, hoping that her Majesty will have an equal regard, in her countenancing the cause, as well to them that study her profit as they which covet nothing more than their own. This vii of June, 1595.
Your Lordship's to command, Edward Oxenford.
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[=61] PRO SP12/252[/69], ff. 133-4: Oxford to Burghley, 13 June 1595.
My good Lord, although I doubt that Middleton will be ready to return before any other can now arrive to the place where he is, yet sith I have engaged myself so far in her Majesty's service to bring the truth to light (although some cause I have had to discourage me to proceed further in this matter), yet I would be glad that Alderman Catcher might have warrant to join with Middleton for mine own satisfaction who, although some have reported him simple, yet I have found honest, and whither I direct him I know he will both speedily go and effectually and honestly perform what is to be expected & what I most earnestly in her Majesty's service desire. This 13 June, 1595.
Your Lordship's to command
Edward Oxenford.
*To the right honourable and his good Lord, my Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=62] PRO SP12/252[/70], ff. 135-6: Oxford to Burghley, 14 June 1595.
My good Lord, although it is all one in mine opinion whether her Majesty send down or not to have anybody join with Middleton for that I am not acquainted with the points of his message (which, if they be but as I do hear, are little to the advancement of this service, but rather a deter and hindrance thereto), yet concerning the main point upon which I most force, that is, that her Majesty should not leese the benefit of this year, to that part of my desire I hear of no ear given. Wherefore, assuring myself that your Lordship will further her Majesty's profit and assist them that shall go about the same earnestly, I would gladly put your Lordship in remembrance that the chiefest part of my request was to have her Majesty's letter for the stay of tin, that none should be bought or sold till this month be past, or about St. James' tide, in which time she may have leisure to consider what course will be most for her benefit, and not to suffer a matter of such moment as this (which is too great for any subject) for a small trifle to herself, by too much haste to slip her hands.
The matter of time to busy about the quantity is but frivolous, and I know not to what purpose, sith it might be easilier known here than by examination of Sir Francis Godolphin's rolls, for the deceit there cannot be perceived, that will only stand upon affirming and denying without control.
The money which he yearly pays to the Queen declareth sufficiently, for if he pay to her Majesty £2400 rent, then is that after 40s the 1000 lb. weight, 1200 thousand pound weight, and if the remain which is to come to the account of the year following, if it be a hundred or two 100 thousand tin, that is but a 200 or £400 matter more of money, which is too small a trifle to stand upon at this present.
The deceit lies where the tin is transported and when the blocks be underrated as, where 4 blocks should be a thousand, it is commonly seen that three blocks attain to that quantity.
Wherefore, my Lord, I insist still to crave her Majesty's letter for the stay of the tin, that none be bought and sold till her Majesty be throughly satisficed what will be her pleasure. And in the mean season, that if her Majesty shall find how that, appointing of a couple of agents, it shall rise much more to her benefit than otherwise, then I am to advertise Roberts to draw in his money, whereof I know, at his last being in town, he left here a good sum. About this matter I must, and so he is determined, to send Alderman Catcher down, who I know will not be negligent in this behalf. And if her Majesty sees that he shall be ready with his moiety to perform the service, then there is no let but to appoint another to join with him for the other moiety, and if Alderman Houghton be ready to take such a charge upon him alone, then is it much more easier being joined with another. And sith he hath already deceived her Majesty of 40 thousand pound, as when he had for 12 or 14 year together the impost of wines under his master, why should he think much to recompense the same now in her Majesty's service, raising to her so great a commodity and to himself no small revenue?
If 40 thousand pound laid out yield some four or five and twenty thousand pound gain (as the return and the use of the money comes to no less), why shall it not be thought, if her Majesty hath half with them, and they five or six thousand pound a year, that it is the best way for her Majesty, and a reasonable commodity for them, whose proportions few noblemen in England attain to the like in their living? I do not doubt but Houghton may very well be satisficed with five or six thousand pound a year, a portion that may content any subject in the land.
Wherefore, my Lord, this is my request in short, that I may have her Majesty's letter to Sir Francis Godolphin for the stay of the tin, that none be bought or sold till her Majesty hath declared her pleasure. And whereas I am acquainted with the sending down of divers Merchants of their men to buy up the tin beforehand, that expedition may be used of the same, and for that Alderman Catcher is now at this present to go down about this business between me and Roberts concerning the setting forward of this service, I would gladly obtain that he might carry down the letter, for I would be loath that her Majesty, being drawn on with frivolous devices, should leese some eight or ten thousand pound this year, and after be said that it was through my vain motions, when indeed it shall be their practice who would have her Majesty be content with a little that they may deceive her of much. And to prevent this disgrace, I crave both in mine own behalf, as well as in her Majesty's, your Lordship's true and honourable help. This 14 of June, 1595.
Your Lordship's to command, Edward Oxenford.
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[=63] PRO SP12/252[/76], ff. 144-5: Oxford to Burghley, 15 June 1595.
My very good Lord, if your meaning be only that the alderman should go down to join with Middleton (whose journey, in mine opinion, is to small furtherance of her Majesty's service), then I think as your Lordship, that it is not so convenient for an alderman to be sent for if it be to inquire of the quantity of tin whereupon, as the matter is now, it is not to be so much stood upon sith her Majesty might have had, with less trouble, a more perfect intelligence and with less charge here at home by perusing the books of the Exchequer, the receipts of Sir Francis Godolphin's, and conferring them with the Merchants' books which have used the trade, at what prices they bought and have sold this four or five years past.
But if the main and chiefest point is to be had in consideration, which is that her Majesty be not put by the benefit of this year, then I am wholly of the opinion that, in a matter of such importance, no man too good to serve her Majesty, and the more experienced & practised in the cause, the meeter to be employed.
And if your Lordship stand in doubt of the contentment in the country, then it is easy enough for your Lordship to be resolved sith the last year both the country and Company of Pewterers made an agreement and gave assent unto £24 the thousand.
And then they had reason, as the case stood with them, for tin within this 18 months was as good cheap as it was forty years ago by the means of five or six Merchant engrossers, who kept it at a low rate for their gain a dozen years, yet now have put it up for the letting of good causes which should take effect.
Wherefore if her Majesty give them 20s more, which is £25 or £26, or 40 marks, which will content them, to be assured yearly, & may have two or three thousand pound at five or six in the hundred at the agents' hands, putting in good assurance (which money will cause the quantity to be great, by means they shall want no money to set their people on work), then there is no let but her Majesty may make her benefit this summer, so there be sent with speed someone to stay the sale till St. James' tide, in which time the agents and such others may go to accomplish the cause.
As for your Lordship's mistaking of the putting off the coinage to St. James' Day, it is no putting off, for it is the very day, by order of the Stannary, whereby her Majesty shall rather reform a late abuse brought in by the engrossers than seem to innovate.
Mine intent is no more but that there might be a couple of agers and such others this summer appointed to take in the tin for the Queen's use at the prices abovesaid, and they to sell it but as it is now worth in London, very near four pound a hundred, which is near £40 a thousand, and makes of every two thousand, three. The quantity of tin being worth near forty thousand pound, makes very near threescore thousand pound, which is £20 thousand gain.
Now, my Lord, I leave to your judgment whether ten thousand pound a year be better to the Queen than four, and yet such a bargain for the agents and others as few merchants can attain unto, who make greater adventures for less gain. This 15 June, 1595.
Your Lordship's to command.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable my very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=64] PRO SP12/253[/60], ff. 100-1: Oxford to Burghley, 7 August 1595.
My very good Lord, I have received your letters touching Middleton's return, and also of the Lord of Buckhurst's renewing of his suit.
For Middleton's report, he hath not differed much from that I have already informed her Majesty, only this, I consider that this year is more plentiful for the tin than hath been this forty years before, & that it seems contrary to former objections that the mines rather increase than diminish their portion, & Middleton hath not yet informed (nor shall be able till the next coinage) the full quantity.
For my Lord of B., he doth not yet arrive to the proffer which I have made to her Majesty, which she shall better perceive by perusing my notes of information, sith by the agenty dealing for the half, my undertakers are to pay five thousand pound yearly & certain. And if the Lord of Buckhurst with his agents will join for the other half, he nor they by my offer are excluded. So that the whole to her Majesty oft to be made ten thousand pounds by year, wherefore his offer is not so profitable for her Majesty as mine.
Besides, the Lord of B. persisteth still in a course whereby her Majesty is much hindered, that is he practiseth still mine agents by devices and by open benefits to cause them to give me over, wherein he draws them not from me but from her Majesty.
It is but since Tuesday at night last at [ ] of the clock he sent to speak with Alderman Catcher, who came unto him the next morning, where the Lord of Buckhurst told him that in his suit of the tin he had much crossed him, wishing he had given him a £1000 he had not dealt with me and, further, if he would draw away his friends, he was assured I could not but fail in undertakers, which thing if he would undertake, for recompense he offered him a £1000 worth of tin for £20 the thousand.
By this dealing I find that I have all this while mistaken the Lord of B., whom I thought that he had dealt only for her Majesty's profit, as before he sent me word by one Bullman encouraging me to proceed in this service, & he would the like, for his part, endeavour the same.
But this dealing conferred with the like when he practised Carmarden from me and, by one Hales, the rest of the undertakers whose names I sent your Lordship, the contrary doth appear.
Also, so long as it shall be holden a firm opinion that the Lord of B. shall have the suit upon easier conditions than myself, it is hard for me to make it so commodious as indeed otherways I may, for who in reason will give ten when they know her Majesty will be satisficed with a much inferior sum?
There is a great difference between mine offer & the Lord of B.'s, both in certainty and uncertainty, for in the certainty mine is ten thousand pound a year, and in uncertainty, as the quantity of tin riseth (as it doth this year) and as the Merchants shall find it prosperous to themselves, so her Majesty parting half with them of their gains to increase her proportion (which as my notes plainly set down may happen to be 20 thousand pound some year), from which good hap, besides the surplus in the 10 thousand pound by year, her Majesty doth bar herself by granting it absolutely to the Lord of B. for seven thousand six hundred pound a year.
Mine absence from the City takes away the commodity which else I might have in more speedy answering of your Lordship, but I do not doubt, if I may have her Majesty's indifferent countenance in the matter, but to make all good that I have informed her, although by such dealings as I have afore set down and others which I reserve to a fitter time, I say not I, but her Majesty, hath been greatly hindered.
I beseech your Lordship that in this, her Majesty's service, wherein I have laboured so long, that you will stand indifferent between the Lord of B. and me, and so much the rather to yield me your favour by how much you shall see it is more for her Majesty's profit.
I most heartily thank your Lordship for your desire to know of my health, which is not so good yet as I wish it. I find comfort in this air, but no fortune at the Court.
I hope your Lordship hath your health, and I shall be glad to hear thereof, and this one thing I have to inform your Lordship before I make an end, and that is, at my coming hither from Cannon Row, the Earl of Derby was very earnest that he might assure a thousand pound a year for my daughter's [ ] finding, adding farther that he marvelled that Sr Robert Cecil, her uncle, & I, her father, were so slack to call upon it. Wherefore I shall desire your Lordship, as you shall choose best time, that something may be done therein; my daughter hath put her trust in me both to remember your Lordship and her husband, wherefore I would be glad that some certainty were effected to her mind. Byfleet, this 7 of August, 1595.
Your Lordship's ever to command,
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable my very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=65] Cecil Papers 31/11: Oxford to Burghley, 14 March 1596.
My very good Lord, whereas in my late notes I sent unto you concerning the pre-emption of tin I understand that there are some points whereof you would be satisficed, and for that I am ignorant what they be, I know not how to do the same unless it would please your Lordship by some means, as you shall think best, to notify them unto me.
And whereas I received a most favourable message from your Lordship by your servant Hicks, these shall be to desire the continuance of so good an intention to further my suit unto her Majesty who, although I find of herself to have oftentimes sundry good motions and dispositions to do me good, yet (for want of such a friend as your Lordship that may settle her inclination to a full effect), I perceive all my hopes but fucate and my haps to wither in the herb. But now, settling an assured confidence in your Lordship's proffered help (and of me most earnestly at this time desired), hereafter I will expect a more fruitful harvest of my long labour, putting my trust wholly in your Lordship, whose honourable intention towards me I pray God to continue, and to give me hereafter means to acknowledge, according to your merit and my desire. This present the 14 of March, 1595.
Your Lordship's to command.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable & his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.
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[=66] Cecil Papers 71/23: Oxford to Cecil, June 1599 (a Saturday).
I am not at this present to use any superfluous circumstances, wherefore I hope you will conceive never the worse, and bear with the haste of my matter.
Her Majesty hath of late by Sir John Fortescue and my Lord Chief Justice employed my service for the getting her of money wherewith to supply a stock to buy the tin yearly in Cornwall and Devonshire.
I found out sufficient and of the most able Merchants, willing and ready with their money to lend it to supply her Majesty without any penny of interest, to pay her this present year ten thousand pound, every half year, to wit, five thousand pound.
I advertised the Lord Chief Justice.
Sithence I have heard nothing till Thursday last, when overnight I received from Sir John Fortescue a letter that at three of the clock in the afternoon next day they were appointed by her Majesty to be with me about this matter of the tin; at noontime, I had a messenger from Sir John Fortescue that he had not found himself that morning well, and therefore he would next day be at the same hour with me, which was Friday, that is, yesterday. I attended till six, expecting their coming. I saw they came not, I marvelled, and sent a man both to Sir John Fortescue to know how he did, and to my Lord Chief Justice that, if it were any matter concerning her Majesty's service, if there were any let that they could not come, that they would signify the matter by letter. Sir John was sick, and this day sent me word he takes physic.
My Lord Chief Justice, for that he was joined to come with Sir John Fortescue, will know her Majesty's pleasure further tomorrow at the court.
In the mean season, I find they have reported nothing of the matter as they resolved to do when they were with me; they have not advertised her Majesty that the money was to be had but, contrary rather (if it be true that I do hear), that her Majesty hath no money in her coffers for this purpose. To what end is that, when she hath it ready-prepared by her Merchants? Why should it be told her what she wanted in her coffers, and not what her Majesty might have, without any interest, and the gain of seven thousand pound, from her Merchants, and hereafter a matter of fifteen thousand pound a year, proved as clear as the sun doth shine? For the quantity of tin being supposed ten hundred thousand pound, and that her Majesty shall buy it for four marks the hundred (that is, £26 and a mark the thousand), who doth not see that, selling the same for £4 4s a hundred (that is, two and forty pound a thousand weight of tin), that her Majesty gains fifteen thousand pound a year, and thus the Merchants to buy it of the Queen have agreed with me.
Now it moves me not a little that I should be thus set a-work for her Majesty's service and, when with my great labour I have effected it, to be thus mocked. If they meant it at the first to overthwart it, why should they abuse me in her Majesty's name to deal with the Merchants and, when I have done it, neither to let her Majesty understand it (putting them in trust and sending them of purpose to assist me), but contrary, by their silence, to neglect the time and, with impertinent matters of her Majesty's want of money in her coffers, to hide from her the readiness of the Merchants to furnish this service?
I have wrote to her Majesty, hoping she will not suffer me, employing myself in her service, to be rewarded for my labour with a mock, nor herself to be thus abused to have a matter of seven thousand pound this year, with a more assured profit in the years following, by negligence, dullness, or abuse (for one of these it must be) to be overseen and lost, especially putting her Majesty to no further cost or travail than to the telling it into her Exchequer.
My desire therefore unto you is this, that you will be acknown to her Majesty that I have made you privy that I have written unto her and, for that I fear in time enough my letter should not be read & that my hand is too troublesome for her Majesty, that I had desired you to move her Majesty for answer thereof, whereby it may be she will make you read the letter and then she shall not be ignorant how her service is conveyed.
And forsomuch as I find so many that her Majesty hath put in trust in this cause, yet when it comes to the point they give her the slip, I would most earnestly desire you for our old acquaintance, friendship and affinity's sake to join with me in this service and to offer your help to me in this matter to her Majesty, for I do assure you that it will have an acceptable end to her Majesty, and that counsellor shall have no small advantage over the other which have (I cannot tell what to term it) so slowly and dully or corruptly abused, from time to time, her Majesty's intentions touching this matter.
And thus much I assure you, to encourage you the more, that let her Majesty call back this countermand which stoppeth the pre-emption, and let it be declared as it was of her Majesty's resolution, to take it into her hands, and the money shall be presently supplied by the Merchants, and her Majesty shall have cause to give you thanks and I shall be glad my travail shall not be so lost. Thus, with my earnest desire to you to consider the cause according to the haste and not [ ] according to the disordered disposition of my letter, I will end and take my leave for, if her Majesty doth not presently countermand this last resolution procured from her by concealing the Merchants' readiness to furnish her with money, she is like to leese the benefit of this year and, hereafter, the whole cause.
One thing I also am to remember, that is, where I have named Alderman Bayning to her Majesty, who hath been very prompt and forward to bring on the rest of his companions to this service, for some cause to desire her Majesty not to let his name to be seen or known, for some respects, in her Majesty's service. I wrote of him only that her Majesty might both know his diligence and that, for my dealing with the Merchants, he might witness hereafter how far everything was proceeded in before this unlooked for countermand.
Your assured friend and loving brother.
Edward Oxenford
*To the right honourable and his very well beloved friend Sir Robert Cecil, her Majesty's Principal Secretary, and Master of her Wards.
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[=67] Cecil Papers 71/26: Oxford to Elizabeth, June 1599.
I beseech your Majesty to pardon mine importunity at this present, and once again in this cause to trouble you with my letters. Also, for my short writing, sith I rather am now in so short a time to possess you with the matter than with the circumstance.
There were with me a few days past, sent from your Majesty, Sir John Fortescue & my Lord Chief Justice about the matter of tin, who declared to me that your Majesty was resolved to take into your hands the pre-emption of tin, and that it was your pleasure I should proceed in that which I had advertised your Majesty, to get you the money with which the tin might be bought of the country.
I declared to them that I had in readiness Merchants very sufficient which were willing and ready to lend their money, but for that I had not of long heard from your Majesty I feared lest you had forgotten it or, at the least, not determined to proceed any further by some persuasion, wherefore I had neglected this time to entertain the Merchants in the same humour. I therefore desired a day or two again to refresh it again with them, whereto they agreed.
I did so. I found the Merchants steadfast in their mind, willing, and with great alacrity, forward to do your Majesty's service in this. Alderman Bayning was the messenger between them and me. He did their message, I received, we parted; then after (for that I could not travel up and down myself), I made Alderman Bayning once again to reiterate their resolution as repeated from me, to know whether I mistook any word or speech. They all sent me word back again that I rightly conceived them, and I mistook them in no one point or word.
Hereupon I advertised my Lord Chief Justice, in which advertisement I sent their requests and conditions, concerning which I referred some to his opinion, and required to hear from him.
These conditions and such matters at this time, for brevity's sake, I am to refer to a fitter time hereafter to inform your Majesty; only this I am here to let you understand, that the Merchants were willing and in readiness with their money to have lent you the money which should be a stock for the whole commodity. Your Majesty should not lay out one penny, you shall pay no interest, every six months they [ ] would have paid you five thousand pound, which is ten thousand pound a year. They would take no years but, when they had done your Majesty this service and that you had proof of the same, and that they had restored the ancient price in Turkey of this commodity, then to accepted such conditions as your Majesty should think most profitable for yourself.
These things I advertised, time ran on, the Merchants were moved, I wondered. And, to make me more wonder, my wife, coming from the court, told me that your Majesty said to her you heard not that there was any money gotten.
On Wednesday last, the Merchants were resolved to meet together for the collection of the money and to portion every man's part with great willingness and forwardness, but then (strange to me to hear it) a commandment delivered from the Lord Mayor that they should no further think of that matter for her Majesty had no money and therefore was determined this year to let it alone, and they might buy as they had done before.
How your Majesty is persuaded I am not privy but, by your Majesty's favour, I muse what eloquence should move you to leave seven thousand, gained so easily that you are put to no further cost than telling it in your Exchequer.
Again, I think myself very evil recompensed for my service, to be employed and, when I have performed it with all the faith and diligence I can, then it and myself upon no reason, with so great a loss to your Majesty, to be rejected and neglected.
I dare not say how much your Majesty is abused but I find myself much grieved to be set on to compass this money and, having compassed it, to be turned out with such a mockery. I beseech your Majesty, in whose service I have faithfully employed myself, I will not entreat that you suffer it yourself thus to be abused but that you will not suffer me thus to be flouted, scorned & mocked.
I fear I am too long, and that my hand is too troublesome to read; further, the letter too long, wherefore I will end, adding this only, that to inform your Majesty that you were to lay out any one penny is a foul abuse, and this, on my credit and duty, I do affirm to your Majesty, in whomsoever the fault is so far to abuse themselves. How can it be said you have no money when, behold, so sufficient Merchants are ready, without any interest, to lend you the money?
Perhaps they have told you that they have heard none named, or know of any. How can Sir John Fortescue say so, how can my Lord Chief Justice say it, when I did assure them I had gotten Merchants and the money to be ready whensoever they should give me warning to bring forth these Merchants with their money?
They may say they had none named to them. They know that I told them the Merchants desired not to be seen in it till your Majesty had taken the pre-emption. They mislike it not; they told me that that order for the pre-emption should be done within two or three days. I never heard sithence from them. I prepared the Merchants to be ready, till now this new alteration hath confounded all.
Wherefore, if your Majesty will have it done, I am to advertise you it will be done. Money is to be had that shall stand you in never a penny. And therefore, if it stand with your pleasure, it behoveth your Majesty to make a stay again of this new deceit and to suffer the former order of pre-emption to go forward which, in a year or two, will be fifteen thousand pound a year.
Thus in haste I crave your Majesty's pardon, for I thought it better for me to make a fault in my writing than that your Majesty should suffer any loss by so great abuse, and to inform your Majesty how necessessary [sic] it it [sic] is (if your pleasure be not to leese a commodity made so ready to your hands) to countermand this last order, and to give commandment that the order of your pre-emption be not altered lest the Merchants, having prepared this money and being provided to furnish your service, disposing it otherwise and upon some other employments, the like facility and opportunity to effect it be never had again.
Your Majesty's most humble subject and servant.
Edward Oxenford
*For her most excellent Majesty.
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[=68] Huntington Library EL 2337: Oxford to Egerton, undated.
My very good Lord, it is now two or three years since that her Majesty was sought unto for the farm of her tin by two sorts of suitors. The one sort were many, the other was only myself. They (having given a very slight estimation thereof, and devised many reasons to move her Majesty to pass it) had wrought it so far that, seeming to her Majesty that they had made a very hard bargain, gave her with much ado a thousand marks by year, and so her Majesty had yielded unto it. At which instant I, ignorant of their proceedings, chanced to light upon the same suit and earnestly solicited her Majesty therefor, desiring to be her farmer for three thousand pounds a year. These offers were so unequal as then her Majesty made a stay of her former deliberation, further told them she was offered by me so much, and showed, for more confirmation, my letter unto them. They seemed to answer that sure I mistook it in writing and, for haste, had missed the number of my ciphers, for I had written it 3000 and they thought I meant but 300. Whereupon her Majesty caused the Lord Treasurer to send unto me, and write whether I meant; I affirmed the 3000, whereupon the matter then was stayed, and put to further consideration. Thereupon I was fain to look more exactly into the nature of the suit, which I found of two natures. The one was a suit to her Majesty which ran under the name of Mr George Gifford in the behalf of the Company of Pewterers, and this suit was called the lesser suit which was, in effect, that there should be no tin carried out of the realm but that it should be cast into bars or lingots by the Pewterers, or else the Merchant should pay one halfpenny to them for the pound. This suit was so blemished and painted out so small as it was to be passed for Mr Gifford at a very low rate, of little value, and fit for such a gentleman as he, that had run his fortune in her Majesty's court. But your Lordship knows better than I how the tin is her Majesty's commodity, and how she is to take custom thereof. This year wherein these occurrencies of suit happened was transported fifteen hundred thousand pound weight of tin (so far I affirm to your Lordship, but by tomorrow at night, by that time I have had recourse to my notes and memories, I think I must affirm to your Lordship not pounds, but blocks). Blocks oft to be 250 lb. apiece, but now they cast few under 400 lb. apiece, & most 5, 6 and 700 lb. Now, my Lord, then you can well judge, if her Majesty grants this suit that seemed so small, what it comes unto, if so many pounds weight, so many halfpence, so many halfpence pound's worth. I am sure it cannot be less than £6000 a year, but when your Lordship shall consider of it, you will find it more. For this, her Majesty should have had nothing; great persons, great shares; a number of meaner persons, a hundred, two hundred, three hundred, fifty pounds and such sums, all passed, signed, sealed and assured by the Masters and Wardens of the Pewterers, seen by myself and able to be proved, and was so. Of great persons, a thousand and two thousand to one, and as much to another. Now, my Lord, how little this suit is may appear.
The other nature of the suit (which had been passed, as I said before, for a thousand marks), to write shortly to your Lordship at this time, was brought to twenty thousand pound a year rent to be given, but for that I could not follow it, and they that thought to get it among themselves being more in number, in place and authority, when all their objections were refelled and there was nothing to make but for her Majesty's profit, then they quenched the heat thereof, said it was no time for her Majesty to lay new impositions on her subjects and that it was her Majesty's pleasure to hear no more thereof. Whereupon I have surceased ever since, till lately these persons themselves have revived the matter to her Majesty and, thinking me to be so discouraged that I thought no more thereof and that her Majesty had now forgotten all former contradictions, they have used all mine answers to their objections for reason to her Majesty to grant this suit unto the Company of Pewterers. These reasons, whilst they were mine, could be by no means in her Majesty's behalf accepted. But now, to serve their turn, they have used them for very reasonable & forcible, insomuch as, I being informed that her Majesty had passed this suit, I thought it good to know the truth & to put her Majesty in remembrance of what was past; hereupon I understand from her Majesty that it is true she hath signed the same, but now upon this remembrance from me she hath stayed the writing.
Now I thought, my good Lord, the case standing thus, that there was nothing so fit to be done as to acquaint your Lordship with the whole cause that you, being fully possessed therewith, by the knowledge of her Majesty's right in law, the examination of what number of tin is transported, may easily and perfectly discern what the weight or lightness of the matter imports. And forsomuch as they have wrought so cunningly that (before ever I could have knowledge thereof) they had gotten her Majesty's hand the sudden, cannot give me opportunity to gather up so many remembrances as is necessary to unfold a matter so full of objections, deceits and false apparences, but I hope (sith it hath pleased her Majesty to stay the writing) by tomorrow at night or next day to give you so good heads and general informations of these matters that, if you shall have cause to speak with her Majesty therein, that you will think reason that it is not fit that her Majesty should so suddenly, and without further advisement, pass it. Thus desiring your Lordship to pardon my long discourse urged by this matter, I leave to trouble your Lordship any farther this afternoon. Your Lordship's to command.
Edward Oxenford
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