Briefwisseling. Deel 4: 1644-1649

4567. St. Goffe. (L.B.)

As soone as I left you yesterday I hastned to Rotterdam, to see where Forant⁴⁾ was, and when he would apply himself wholy to the busines, for now every minute costs deare. I hope, he will suddainely render himselfe where his presence is required. Being returned I expected to find the parties from Amsterdam; without doubt they wil be here this night. In the meane time to give you a full and cleare information of the matter, I pray you to peruse the inclosed paper⁵⁾, and so take upon you, yet once more, the unreasonable

4) Zie No. 4272.

5) Dat stuk, door Goffe geschreven, luidt aldus:
M.^r Webster hath lent unto the King 143000 gs. for wich he hath several parcells of jewels engaged to him. Besides the jewells engaged there is deposited in his hands for His Ma.^ties use the great ruby collar and all the bankebills of Amsterdam.
But because there is due unto M.^r Webster upon account from the King about the summe of 40000 gs. besides the above said 143000 gs., for wich he has no security, he believes it unsafe for him to part with that ruby collar, till either payment be made of some part of the whole debt, or other good security be given him. However it is acknowledged that the ruby collar is not engaged at all to anybody, and he offers that it shal be obliged for security to Calandrini, either by putting it into Calandrini his owne hands, if he wil pay unto him the 40000 gs., or els by making what act or obligation he will desire, that the ruby collar shal be faithfully preserved for Calandrini his use, till the summe of 100000 gs. be paid him according to the condicions to be made, obliging himselfe to pay the paid summe, if the ruby collar be otherwise disposed of.
Upon these grounds the expedients to give Calandrini security seeme to be theas:
1. To procure some person or banke to lend 100000 gs. or more upon the said ruby collar, and to putt that mony into M.^r Websters hands for His Ma^ty his service, who having that mony in his custody wil be ready to give Calandrini the security he expects.
2. If the 100000 gs. cannot be presently found, that some person whom Calandrini may accept would give him security, that in the month of September next following he would pay unto him the said summe, upon the condicions to be agreed on. And for the security of that person His Majesty hath transmitted hither full powers to engage unto him the ruby collar, wich - because the mony is not yet required, and most probably never wil be - may still remaine in M.^r Websters hand, he giving an obligation, that, when it is called for and the mony paid, it shal be surrendred.
Or if this be not accepted, then for M.^r Websters satisfaction that party, who receaves it into his custody, may be obliged to preserve it for M.^r Websters use as wel as his owne, and the engagement shal be made unto both for the whole summe of 140000 gs.
Besides this for M.^r Websters satisfaction I shal be enabled to give him a ratification from His Ma^ty of all his accounts, according to a forme wich himselfe hath desired.
Whilst these things are transacting, because more time wil be spent then the lamentable condicion of His Ma.^ties affaires will permit, it is necessary that Calandrini be immediately dispatched away with assurance, that in September next, if need he, he shal find where to receave the 100000 gs. Upon wich he must be made to promise to proceed clearely and promptly according to such ordres as shal be given him.

[p. 398]

and intollerable trouble wich is now offered. It hath no excuse for itselfe, but that it is like to be the last, whether the busines succeed well or ill, for our hopes and despaire are aequally great. And the obligation you lay upon their Majesties will certainely be eternally remembered, and for the security - for that's the subject now - I beseech you to accept ..... Hage, March 13. Wensday¹⁾.

Though for some reasons I tell not Mr. Webster²⁾ so much, you may please to take notice that I have already in my hands the ratification he desires, and all other instruments and powers wich are requisite for the plea of the great collar.

1) Het jaartal ontbreekt; het is 1647, want toen viel 13 Maart op een Woensdag.

2) Zie blz. 391.