Catalogue description GEORGE GILPIN to LORD WILLOUGHBY.

--I came hither to-day and was present when your letters from Bergues, brought by Captain Bucke, were read in the Council, who "had good contentment of your Lordship being there, though they would be loath that you should adventure your person in a place besieged, which might move the enemy to efforce himself the more."

Col. Morgan is on his journey towards Bergues, and it is much wished here that he may be received without difficulty, "having here a great opinion of him."

It is greatly hoped that the victuals and ammunition in the magazine will be well husbanded and only spent in time of need, for this country is so bare that it cannot abide all charges, and the store of powder very small. "It was reasoned that musket shot would annoy the enemy so much as greater, and some do think that if there be not care and discretion by your Lordship's commandment used in the distribution of powder, the provision there ... will not last long. Here was spoken of two thousand pounds spent in a day, and doth seem unpossible, unless the cannon had still played. All the trust here is in your Lordship.

"It is thought that the Scots prisoner that Capt. Buck brought is a false fellow, and sent of purpose to work some mischief. The King of Scots hath written another letter about a ship taken from the Lord of Oirke [? Orkney] whereof he demandeth restitution, or else that his Majesty must take another course for remedy."