|
Date: |
|
Description: | 1588, [March 25-] April 4. Bergen.
I think you will already have heard of the assembling of troops by the Prince of Parma, in order shortly to draw out his army and besiege one place or another, which makes me suspect that, although they treat of peace, it is only to amuse us and put us off our guard. For what, think you, means his arrangement for 800,000 pistols with Carlo Lenfranco and Jean Baptist Spignoli. It can only be in order to make war upon us, and to better purpose than before, he being more provided of victuals &c. than he has been for long. As you know the importance of this town, and how much harm it can do to the enemy, I pray you most earnestly to do all you can towards furnishing it with victuals and munition, so that if it should be besieged (of which I have no doubt) we may not be in danger of having to abandon it to the enemy for lack of supplies. We desire with all our hearts to risk our lives in its defence, but you are bound to assist us, even if it were only for your own preservation. By the list enclosed you may see what we have in store and what we lack.
I pray you not to refer us (as you usually do), to the Council of State, or to excuse yourselves by your "quota" or the like, but "astheures," while you have opportunity and leisure, to make this provision, lest, perhaps, when you desired to do so, you might not be able, which God forbid. You may perhaps object that we have not husbanded our resources here, and have used too much of the provisions, but I would have you to remember that necessity knows no law, and moreover that the country is paid for all the victuals which her Majesty's troops take from the store of this town. I only bring forward this argument from my fear of your customary excuses, that you may not again put us off with the like; for truly this is not the time for them, if you care for the preservation of this town, and consequently of yourselves.
Noted as sent also to the States General, with the omission of the paragraph underlined.
French. | Subjects: | Country Estates | Temporal: | 25 Mar 1588 | Source: | Lincolnshire County Council | Identifier: | http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/Re... | Go to resource |
|
|