And so departing from the said Sloboda, I arriued at the said
Otwer, the 28. of March aforesaid, where I remained til the eight of May
folowing. Then I was sent for to come vnto his Maiestie, to the sayd
Staryts, where I arriued the tenth of the same, and the twelfth of the same
I was appointed to come to the chiefe Secretary, who at our meeting said
vnto me these words.
Our Lord Emperor, and great Duke, hath not onely perused the Queene her
highnes letters sent by you, and thereby doeth perceiue her minde, as well
touching their princely affaires, as also her earnest request in the
merchants behalfe, but also hath well pondered your words. And therefore
his Maiesties pleasure is, that you let me vnderstand what sutes you haue
to moue in the merchants behalfe, or otherwise, for that tomorrowe you
shall haue accesse againe vnto his highnes, and shall haue full answere in
all things, with your dispatch away.
Then after long conference had with him of diuers matters I gaue him in
writing certaine briefe articles of requests, which I had drawen out ready,
as foloweth:
1 First the Queenes Maiestie her request is, that it would please the
Emperors highnesse to let me know the iust cause of his great displeasure
fallen vpon Sir William Garrard, and his company, who neuer deserued the
same to their knowledge.
2 Also that it would please his highnes not to giue credite vnto false and
vntrue reports, by such as seeke to sowe dissension, and breake friendship
betwixt the Queenes highnesse, and his Maiestie.
3 Also that it would please his Maiestie to receiue the said sir William
Garrard, with his company into his fauour againe, and to restore them to
their former priuiledges and liberties, for free traffike in, and through,
and out of al his Maiesties dominions, in as ample maner as aforetime,
according to his princely letters of priuiledge, and accustomed goodnes.
4 Also it would please his highnes to graunt, that the said company of
merchants may haue iustice of all his subiects, as well for money owing
vnto them, as other their griefes and iniuries, throughout al his dominions
suffred since the time of his displeasure, during which time, the merchants
were forced by seuere iustice to answer to al mens demands, but theirs
could not be heard.
5 Also that his Maiestie would vnderstand, that much debts are owing to the
said merchants by diuers of his Nobilitie, whereof part are in durance, and
some executed, and the said merchants know not howe to be paide, and
answered the same, except his highnes pitie their case, and commaund some
order to be taken therein.
6 Also, it would please his highnes to commaund that the saide merchants
may be payde all such summe or summes of money as are owing, and due vnto
them by his Maiestie, for wares, as well English as Shamaki, taken into his
highnes treasury by his officers in sundry places, the long forbearing
whereof hath bene, and is great hinderance to the said company of
merchants.
