THOMAS PHELIPPES

A SIR FRANCIS VVALSINGHAM.

( Autographe. — State paper office de Londres , Mary Queen of Scots, vol. 17. }

Compte rendu par Phelippes à Walsingham du rapport qui lui a été fait par son agent secret. — Avis donné par Chérelles au sujet d'un paquet que l'ambassadeur de France se propose de faire passer secrètement en Ecosse. — Précaution que doit prendre Walsingham d'avoir quelqu'un dont on puisse se servir dans le cas où Poley se trouverait absent. — Commission qu'il faudrait donner à Poley auprès de l'ambassadeur pour lui fournir l'occasion de se charger du paquet. — Moyen que l'on aurait par là de vérifier la fidélité de Poley. — Avis donné par Phelippes à Walsingham que le juge Yong entretient un espion secret pour surveiller l'ambassadeur de France. — Graves inconvénients qui peuvent résulter de cotte fausse mesure.

De Londres, le 19 mars 1585-86.

It may please your Honour. The secrett partye '

> Gilbert Gifford, qui devait se rendre à Chartley.

was with me this morning and telles me that Cherelles prayes him in any case to stay till to-morrow at night, for that before that he have talked with one Mr. Pierrepont' agayne he can not dispatch him. But the Embassador himselfe hath bene inquisitive of him for some apt meane to send a packett into Scotland, which is some secrett matter. 1 thought good to send your Honour worde hereof to the ende that if Foley be not in the way, whome it is likelye they will use, you may thinke of some other that may deliver itt, and the secrett partye shall demawnde the same. If Poley receave it I do not think but he will bring it unto yow. But you may Irye his good de[serts] at this time if he be in these partes. For as appeared by Morgan's last , he is recommended as a fitt man for that convoyé of Scotlande. Howbeit it may be that they wold not be at so full a charge as the expresse sending of a messenger. Poley I think may be sent to the Embassador by a sleight, with some wispering intelligence, to see what he will otfer towching the convoy of these letters; which if he committ it to Poley you shall eyther have it, and caried at theyr costes, or els know Poley thorowghly. For my secrett fiend shall know what becomes of it. If they do not committ it to Poley , it may please you consider how it may be convayed otherwise, and give me direction, and my secrett frende shall accept it an J call for the packet at your pleasure.

' Chérelles avait été chargé par Nau de parler en sa faveur à M. de Pierrepont , dont il déi>irait épouser la fille.

The mention hereof putles me in mynde that Mr. Justice Yonge sayed yesternight that he had a speciall spye abowt the Embassador by whose direction he delt with Aldred, and I consyder he may doe the like with my secrett frende, which would be very prejudicial! to the service. I told him if he had commission from you to take that course it was another matter 5 but if he had not, I sayd, without your privitye he might as sone do harme as good with his spyalls. And further that as I toke it, yow were not curious to watche the Embassador. "But they have bene carefull," sayd he, "heretofore." I answered the limes were altered and perhappes his spye was knowne ; wherefore he were best to follow soch order as yow wold prescribe. For any thing I find by your Honour or him he hath no commission. If not, it may please yow to limit him by some peremptorye speche, or he will marre all to have worke. And so 1 humblye take my leave of your Honor. London this 49''' of Marche 1585.

Your Honours most humble at commandement Tho. Phelippes.

Au dos: To the honorable Sir Frances Walsingham Knight Her Ma*'" Principal! Secretarye.

DE MARIE STUART. ITo