Burghley, William Cecil, Baron

Autograph letter signed ("W Burghley"), 1 page plus integral address leaf (11 3/4 x 7 7/8 in.; 298 x 200 mm), no place, 29 September 1576, to Robert St. Peter, "Auditor of her majesty's Recepte"; central fold mended, seal tear in address leaf mended without loss, some spotting and seal residue.



With:



Letter signed ("W Burghley"), 1 page plus integral address leaf (11 1/4 x 8 in.; 285 x 204 mm), the Court at Oatlands, 9 July 1593, to John Fytton, Mayor of Chester; formerly folded, seal tear mended on address leaf, mended tear in upper inner corner without loss, dampstains in right margin.

1rst: central fold mended, seal tear in address leaf mended without loss, some spotting and seal residue; 2nd: formerly folded, seal tear mended on address leaf, mended tear in upper inner corner without loss, dampstains in right margin.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Queen Elizabeth's Treasurer on the Plague coming to Westminster.

William Cecil (1521-1598), elevated to Baron Burghley in 1571, was the chief advisor to the Queen during most of her reign. Twice acting as Secretary of State, he was made Lord High Treasurer in 1572. In the first letter, the Treasurer writes to Her Majesty's Auditor warning him of the arrival of three ships bearing bullion which is to be weighed and assayed: " ... conduct the some of 1^c xxv^l and on Monday yow shall have warra[n]t I pray you also tell Mr. Martyn that the bullyon in the town shall be receaved, and therfor cause it to be wayed and assayed ..." After the closing, he writes a very interesting postscript about the plague in Westminster "which excedeth in proportion the plage in ye Cite [of London] for that in the Cite was but xvii [days] and in westminster was x and that sparkled [caused spotting in its victims]. I pray you lett the Master of the Rolls know of it ..."

The later letter was written in the early stages of the Nine Years War when Gaelic chieftains (among them Hugh O'Neill) rose against British rule, the largest conflict fought by England in the Elizabethan era. The Treasurer writes to the Mayor of Chester commending him for arranging for the transport of 600 soldiers into Ireland, but asks him to postpone sending them until the lords of the Privy Council shall direct him. He asks that the same instruction be passed on to the Mayor of Liverpool.