Being arrived at this place through necessity of the weather, which
put us off from Santander, whither we were designed, I find it
requisite to give speedy notice thereof to Madrid, and in the first
place to your Excellency; hoping this letter will have the good
fortune to meet you there, and if it do, I then beseech you, either
from yourself to give notice to the Court of my arrival, or direct
this gentleman, Mr. Weeden, of whom I have great esteem, to deliver
the letter he hath from me to the Secretary of State, a copy whereof
is here enclosed, if your Excellency doth not think fit that the same
be signified to the Court both ways. I also farther entreat your
favour in sending me such advice for my journey, and procuring me such
helps and furtherances therein, as may enable me to accomplish it with
most expedition. Mr. Weeden is fully instructed in the condition of my
retinue and carriage; and as the affairs of both Crowns, the time of
the year, and other circumstances considered, require much haste to be
made in this negotiation, so the particular interest of the King our
Master, needs as speedy a meeting as can be between your Excellency
and me, which I pray to have in your mind, and contrive in the best
manner you can. In the meantime, as soon as anything is concluded by
you fit for my notice, I pray you to despatch Mr. Weeden back to me,
whether I remain in this place, or shall be on my way to Madrid. I
have not more to say unto you fit for a letter, but to desire you to
present my most humble service to my noble Lady, and that you would
believe that I come with that respect and resolution of doing you a
service, and of expressing myself upon all occasions,
My Lord,
Your Excellency's most humble servant,
SANDWICH.-Ibid.
To LORD SANDWICH.
Madrid, April 1/11, 1666.
"My wife returns many humble services to your Excellency, hoping my
good Lady's health; and likewise to be sooner happy in waiting upon
her than your Excellency, as, taking her leave this very day hereof of
the Queen and Empress, bound for England, at her good old father's
long importunities, to have his dear daughter and all her children
rest with him before he dies."--Ibid.