1598 December Edmondes

Original at National Archives. Transcription by John O'Donnell.

Sr. Beeing commaunded by her matie. to prepare my self to serve as her ambassador in france, where your long Compliment [deleted: & experience, hath] hath gained you both knowledge of the affaires & reputation, I [deleted: am bold both] assure my self both in respect of the common end of our imploiments tending to the service of her matie, & [deleted: vpon confidence] of that ingenuyty & naturall courtesy which all men command in you, that I shall find all good correspondence in you, that is fit to be betweene her maties: ministers yet notwithstanding, I thinke yt my part to make yt my particular sute & request vnto you, as a matter whereby not only her maties. affaires shall receave advancement, but my self [deleted: shallbe] allso a particular obligacion. And for that purpose, having determined to send over this bearer my Steward, to provide me of a convenient howse & other necessaries against my comming, I thought good by these few lines to salute you & to contract acquaintance & amitie with you; which I shallbe further ready to increase by all the good offices I may, either at my comming or before yf you please to vse mee. And further to commend my said Steward vnto you, praying your freendly advice & direction, in such matters as he shall stand in neede of yt. The rest I reserve till my comming which I suppose willbe about the beginning or middle of february. And in the meane time with offer of all the best offices I am able to perfourme towards you, I take my leave. from the court the of december 1598

Your very assured freend & at your commaundment