Catalogue description LORD WYLLUGHBY to the EARL OF ESSEX, as "Lord Generall of all har Majestie's forces by sea and land."

--"I receaved your Lordship's most noble extraordynary witnessed favours by your letters the 9th of July from Plimouth the 3rd of this present August, not a lytle greved it was not my good fortune to have wayted on your fortunes, and now your Lordship will thinke perhapps idle words if I should vow that had I knowne of your retorn and partinge from Plimouth, I would have sett upp my rest to have begon and dated my vowed sarvice to you from your storme where others ended. I hope in God I shall never be so mutch behind to witnes my love and devotions as this sommer: bafull+ me if I live and do not prevent it the next yeare. I will pray for your Lordship as my owne soule and my countrys good. Your Lordship knowes humeurs at hoame, and can discerne your enterprises best knowen to your selfe, according to the proportion and season of the yeare, but many harts do blede to thinke (that at hoame we cannot conceave) so greate an adventure as your selfe alone is not so furnished, so provided, so cared and prayed for as we wishe. It may be our infirmities reacheth not to the depth of that we may blame reckeles. I will not amplefy the point beiond my skill, and am assured that no man living can or will do more to make it good than yourselfe. I beseech the Almighty succede your deseignes according to your projects and resolutions, that thereof you may receave all honnour and we all comfort. In the mean while, I would be the gladdest man livinge to do you any sarvice, as the searcher of harts knoweth." Holograph.

Endorsed:--"Oct., 1597." [Probably date of receipt, on Essex's return to England.]

* After setting sail in July, Essex's fleet was driven back by a storm, and did not set out again until Aug. 17.

+ "Baffle me," i.e., disgrace me as a perjured knight.