Catalogue description COMMISSARY GEORGE MATRUYT to LORD WILLOUGHBY.

--Your Lordship has no doubt heard that after your departure on March 11 N.S. for England, the town of Geertrudenberghe was besieged on the 15th of the same by the States. As your Lordship may have been wrongfully blamed in the matter, I desire to testify what I saw and heard there, whither I was sent [in 1588] to treat with the garrison concerning their accounts and payment. On my arrival, I found the garrison in such a state of disorder that it was not possible to quiet them except by your Lordship's assistance, and you spared neither life, expense or toil in the cause, to the great profit of the States. Also, after the arrangement of the dispute, your Lordship prevailed on the soldiers to include in the oath which they then took a clause that no one henceforward should speak against his Excellency [Count Maurice] and the States General. Soon afterwards, fresh jealousies arose, on which you urged Count Maurice to appoint one or two well qualified men of the country to assist Sir John Wingfield, showing that you desired nothing but that the town should be held under obedience to his Excellency and the States.

For the same end, at your departure, your Lordship gave me authority under your hand and seal to go to Sir John Wingfield, in order to assist him in your absence. By reason of the commencement of the siege, I sent this authorization, on March 19 O.S. last past, to Counsellor Valcke and Advocate Barnevelt to show to his Excellency at the fleet before the said town, requesting to be allowed to go thither, but have hitherto had no reply.

Endorsed as received on April 8-18.