Acercamiento de Parma a Sir Roger Williams (lieutenant of the horse).

FRANCIS NEDHAM (Walsingham´s servant) to WALSINGHAM.

There has been intercepted a packet of the Duke of Parma with letters to Count Charles de Mansfeld and Barlemont, telling of the manner of winning Sluce ; "which, as he saith, cost him dearer than did Mastricht in respect of the great means and preparations ... and hath lost forty-five of his best captains and principal soldiers ; amongst whom La Motte is one and the Marquis of Renty fallen sick of his hurt, which is broken out again, and in some danger by reason that the bullet was poisoned.And yet hath between five and six thousand of his common soldiers slain.

He seemeth not to marvel that the town held out so long, for that we had put in our bravest men and all the soldiers we had ; amongst whom he nameth Sir Roger Williams, who did most obstinately defend the place.

But notwithstanding, he had dealt so favourable with the Englishmen as he thought would make them think well of him. That he had essayed by all possible means to gain Sir Roger Williams but could not in any wise prevail, although he thought the kind usuge he had received at his hands would be an occasion to make him to quit the Earl's party if he were not used upon his return as he deserved.

Themistocles [Leicester] hath hereupon conceived great jealousy of Sir Roger ; and hath not spared to give warning to Sir William Russell to beware of him, as of one who would be his undoing ; and as it seemeth, reported as much to Lord North and Sir William Pelham ... who have cast out some speeches to the gentleman's disadvantage as [that] he repenteth himself to have forsaken the favours of so many good friends here, both the States, Count Maurice and Hollock who wished him well and to fall out with Norris, whom he had followed in wars these eight years ... to run a new fortune with one who had so slender respect and care over him.

The gentleman is wonderfully perplexed that for his faithful service he should reap his utter undoing and to be accounted a traitor to his prince. He wisheth he were at home, upon condition he never should bear arms here, for he knoweth the nature of Themistocles to be such as he will leave no means unsought to overthrow his credit, and ruin him. He protesteth that when the Duke of Parma made him great offers of honour and courtesy, if he would serve against the Turks, where, by effects, he should find him a man of his word, and how much he loved him for his valour ; he answered that his sword was first to serve her Majesty and then the King of Navarre, which course he meaneth to take if he can get from hence ....

"Lord North hath bestowed his credit here not to so good purposes as he might, but rather to feed the dislikes between Themistocles, the States and the Earls ; and, which is more dangerous, hath been the cause that he hath of late fallen out with his best soldiers and men of war ; even so far as Sir William Russell himself hath not been spared ... insomuch as he mindeth to give over his place of general of the horse and to deal no further than with his government, which if he do, Lord North is likely to succeed him.

"Col. Morgan liveth here a man in manner disgraced, and not so well accounted of as many young captains, and yet those which look high report him to be a man of as good judgment and experience as any serving in these countries." Such discontents will give the Duke of Parma entrance to work his desires. And yet I dare engage that Sir Roger Williams, "will prove another kind of man than some stick not to report of him ..." It is secretly reported by some near to his Excellency, that Count Hohenlo lately offered to come to him, if he might have his Excellency's word of honour he should come to no harm ; "but he was advised by Lord North not to hazard himself so far into a madman's danger. So likewise, at his Excellency's going from Flushing to Midleburg, Count Hohenlo being then in practice with those of Camphere, it was doubted ... he might attempt somewhat against his [Excellency's] person, and therefore thought meet he should stand upon his guard, and bring thither five or six companies of our men, which, if it had been done, would have bred such conceits of diffidence in other towns as they would have made difficulty to receive him. Unless some course be taken to reconcile the Earls as well as the States ... the service here is likely to be but slowly furthered." I offered myself to carry letters to Count Hohenlo, but as his Excellency had written twice without result, he could not in honour do more, and the matter must proceed from a third person. I hear that Mr. Wilkes has great credit with him, but think no man so meet as your honour to be the intermediary. If the party employed by you were accompanied by Mr. Wilkes, it might give some furtherance.

[Account of the attempt to surprise Hoghstratten.] "It is greatly to be feared that his Excellency, at his coming to Dort, will absolutely give over his charge unless the States do give him better satisfaction, or cause better satisfaction to be made by Count Maurice than either they can or he will be brought to do, in that Sluse was not relieved ; for all the fault is cast upon him, and some doubt of false measure... And these dislikes between his Excellency, the Earls and the States, and the breach between him and the captains is still kept bleeding ; that if the service be not accompanied with good success, the burden may be divided amongst them." Pardon me if I complain of the weariness of this place, where I would not endure one day save for your honour's commands, "for I am idle all the day and almost every day ... for hardly can I endure to be made an instrument to expostulate matters which himself for shame will not."

Bergen upp Zome, 12 August, 1587. 

Add. Endd. 3 pp. Seal of arms. [Holland XVII. f. 69.]