Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 2

Emmanuel Downing to John Winthrop1

Downing, Emmanuel Winthrop, John

1629-03-06

To his louinge Frind John Winthrop esq. at Groton these dlr. Suff.

My good brother,

I am glad you retorned home soe well, and founde them soe there;

the newes yeasterday vpon thexchange was, that the Dutch haue taken the second parte of the Spaynishe plate Fleete

One Monday morning the Parliament mett,2 and presently soe soone as they were sett there came a messenger mr. Maxwell3 of the bedchamber from the king to dissolve the howse, mr. Litleton4 tendred a Demonstrance to the Speaker5 to be read, he refused, the howse comaunded him, he weepes and offers to goe out of the chayre, he was by force kept in, manie cryed out with him to the barr and choose an other in his place, they comaunded the Serieant to lock the dore, ere the Messenger entred, he 75durst not, vp riseth a Burgesse6 and offers his service, they all willed him lock the dore and bring away the key, they comaunded the Clarke to reade yt, he answeared that he was to reade nothing but what was past and entred in the booke, then mr. Litleton goes into the next roome and burnes the Demonstrance, vp riseth Hollace7 one of the lord of Clares sonns, and declares to the howse the somme and heades of the Demonstrance, to this effect; that all those are enemyes to this Church and Common wealth that seekes to bring in these new opynions, And that those merchantes shalbe reputed enemyes to this state that shall yeald tonnadge and poundadge before yt be graunted in Parliament. And the Conclusion was most sharpe and cruell against the Lord Treasurer 8 and the Bishop of Wynchester;9

One Tuseday mr. Seldon,10 mr. Litleton,11 and 3 more were sent to the Tower, Sir Peter Heymond12 and 2 others to the gatehowse, 8 more sent for, all are close prisoners that are comitted, mr. Seldons study is sealed vp, this morning I was told that there be 2 barges attending at Whytehall to carry some noblemen to the tower, and that the Customhowse dores are shutt vp for that the officers dare not sett to demaund Custome, I heard yeasterday at Charing Crosse that the Customers of Lynn were beaten out of the Customhowse, the good lord torne all to a good yssue, soe with myne and my wives dewty to my mother with our love to your selfe and my good sister etc. I rest your verie loving brother

Em: Downinge. London, 6to Martij 1628–29 1.

W. 2. 16; 4 Collections , VI. 35–36.

The proceedings of this eventful day, the last session of Parliament for eleven years, are analyzed by Gardiner, History of England, VII. 67–76, on the basis of the accounts in print and manuscript.

James Maxwell, groom of the bedchamber and usher of the Black Rod.

Edward Littleton (1589–1645), member for Leominster, later chief justice of the common pleas. It was really, however, Sir John Eliot who offered the resolutions or “Demonstrance” to the speaker.

Sir John Finch (1584–1660).

Sir Miles Hobart (d. 1632), member for Marlow, co. Bucks.

Denzil Holies (1599–1680).

Richard Weston (1577–1635), later Earl of Portland.

Richard Neile (1562–1640), later archbishop of York, 1631–40, in his own words “a great adversary of the Puritan faction.”

10.

John Selden (1584–1654), member for Ludgershell co. Wilts, famous jurist, antiquary, and Orientalist.

11.

Again an error for Sir John Eliot.

12.

Sir Peter Heyman (1580–1641), member for Hythe, co. Kent.

John Winthrop, Jr., to John Freeman1

Winthrop, John, Jr. Freeman, John

1629-03-28

Venice, Martii 28, Stilo novo. 1629. Mr. Freman and my approved good freind,

I wrote unto you bearing date the 13 of March, stil: nov: being then newly come out of the Lazaretto, where noe man comming at us, nor knowing noe man to send my letters to 76be conveied, I deferred writing to you till my liberty gave me better occasion. I advised you of our arrivall heere the 9 of Feb: after 6 weeks at sea, having touched at Zante by the way and some other ports. Yesterday I receyved yours of the 7 of Feb: then which nothing could have beene more welcome, being very glad to understand of your welfare. Therein I understand of another from you of the 12 of January, with the draught of your Statues inclosed, which never came to my hands, which had I met withall I would have used much diligence therein, espetially in Venice, Padoa, and those citties heereabout, where only I have spent my tyme, since I came hither. Further into Italy I think I shall not goe, nor stay heere long, but thereof I shall not be resolved till the next weeke. The Lady Wake being to depart very shortly for England, and much good company going along, I doubt I shalbe drawne that way, but thereof I shall further advise you when I know more certainly. I found Mr. Prise2 in Padoa to whome I delivered your letter, who was very glad to heare and receive a letter from so good a friend. He spoke to me of the great friendship between yourself and him. Mr. Petty3 is also at Padoa, but I have not seene him; he staieth to passe with my Lady into England. I hear that there is a booke got out of some of the inscriptions of his antiquities by Mr. Selden in England, without his knowledge.4 The cheife newes heere is of the French king, who since his comming into Italy hath taken the Spanish generall prisoner, succored the Casell,5 a castle neare Mantua besieged by the Spaniard, made a peace betwixt Savoi and Mantoa, is now in Savoi, and is thought will goe against Genoa: he filleth world with great expectations of his actions what the event of them may be. He hath had the cytty of Orange delivered up to him by the treachery of the Governour selling it into his hands for a great summe of money.6 It is rumored that the Hollanders have againe taken some caracks of Portugal 77worth over the 6000000 ducats. Of the former I suppose you have heard, being old newes when we came to Zante. So with my love and service remembred, I commend you to the Divine tuition and rest Your truest friend to serve you,

John Winthrop.

I pray present my service, etc.

Original lost; L. and L. , I. 272–273; 5 Collections , VIII. 15–17.

Probably John Price (1600–76?), antiquary, who accompanied James Howard, eldest son of the second Earl of Arundel, in his travels on the Continent. D. N. B.

William Petty, agent in Italy and earlier in the Orient for Thomas, Earl of Arundel, and his son and heir Lord Maltravers, for the purchase of paintings and other works of art. B. M., Additional MS. 15,970, contains forty-three letters of the Howards addressed to Petty at Venice, Florence, and Rome. Selden, in his preface to the work named in the next note, speaks in high terms of Petty's learning, judgment, and zeal.

One of the most celebrated of archaeological publications: Marmora Arundelliana, sive Saxa Graece incisa, ex venerandis priscae Orientis Gloriae Ruderibus, Auspiciis & Impensis Herois Illustrissimi Thomae, Comitis Arundelliae & Surriae,. . . Publicavit & Commentariolos adjecit Joannes Seldenus, J. C. Londini, 1628.

Casale. See page 73, supra.

This intrigue centered around the possession of the citadel of Orange, which was then reckoned one of the strongest fortresses in Europe. Richelieu, knowing that the Huguenots sought to gain possession of the place, won over the Prince of Orange's governor, Valkenburg, by dazzling offers of rank and money. Antoine de Pontbriant, Histoire de la Principauté d'Orange (Avignon, 1891), 188–196; Calendar of State Papers, Venetian, 1628–1629, 460, 560.