Catalogue description LORD WYLLUGHBY to the COUNCIL OF STATE.

--By yours of the 30 December, received yesterday, I understand of your declaration concerning the proposal made to you by Sir John Norris; and although I have not seen your resolutions, I can well believe that you intended to make the conditions of which you write.

But to fill the twenty companies of foot and four troops of horse to the number required, I assure you, gentlemen, passes my power, without express command from her Majesty, for it is not easy to draw men from one company and reduce them into others, without an order of cassation. It seems little reasonable to take the men of one captain and give them to another, and if the captains have served well against the enemy, and have lost men by the fortune of war, sickness or otherwise, ought they not to have time to fill up their troops in a proper manner. For in case of this reduction, I know not how the captain who has to give up men would be satisfied for their arms, or, if he keeps them, how the men would find others.

I myself wish with all my heart that your desires were satisfied, both in rendering these companies complete and in furnishing those which you have granted to Sir John Norris, and I assure you it is not my fault that this has not been done.

The muster rolls will show you the numbers. If they are short, you will do well to write to her Majesty praying her to send men to fill up her troops, and meanwhile I will do as much as I can to arrange that her Majesty's soldiers shall employ themselves where occasion shall present, for the service of the country.