Series 3 > Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot

§ I. THE SECRET CORRESPONDENCE 39
I fhalbe alwaies readie and moft willing to emploie therein
my life and all that I haue or maie ever looke for in this
world.
iii. Nowe 1 for to ground fubftantially this enterprife
and to bring it to good fuccefle you mull firft examine
deeply.
1°. what forces afwell on foote as on horfe you maie
raife amongeft you all and what Captaines you lhall apoint
for them in everie fture, in cafe a chief general cannot bee
had.
2°. of what townes portes and havens you maie allure
yorfelves, afwell in the Nort west as South to yeceave
fuccors from the lowe Contries Spaine and ffraunce.
3°. what place you efteem fitted and of greated advan¬
tage to alfemble the principall companie of your forces at;
and the fame being alfembled, whether or wch waie you
haue to march.
4°. what foraine forces afwell on horfe as foote you
require (which would bee compaded conforme to ye
proportion of yours) for ho we long paied, and munition and
portes the fitted for their landing in this Realm from the
three forefaid foraine princes.8,
5°. what pvifion of money and armor (in cafe you want)
you would alke.
6°. By what meanes doe the f lixf 2 gentlemen deliberate
to proceed.
7°. and the maner alfo of my getting forth of this hold.
iv. Vpon which pointes having taken amonged you,
who are the principall authors, and alfo as fewe in nomber
as you can, the bed refolution, my advice is that you
impart the fame with all diligence to Barnardino de Mendoza
ambalTador lieger 3 for the king of Spaine in ffrance, who
a. princes, so R.O.,—C. and K. read countries.
1 The first of the Points out of the Scottish Queen’s letter, subscribed by
Curll, 23 September. Printed in Kyffin, sig. F.2. This point covers § iii.
As the title indicates, a few unnecessary words and phrases are omitted.
2 For the daggers see introductory paragraphs, § 4.
3 Lieger means a ‘ resident' ambassador : allied to our word ‘ ledger.’