[This is the tract referred to at Vol. III. p. 623. It appears from p. 623 of that Volume, that T. Gentleman was a Yarmouth man.]
TO THE RIGHT NOBLE
LEARNED AND TRULY HONOURABLE
HENRY HOWARD, Earl of
NORTHAMPTON, Baron of MARNHILL,
Constable of the Castle of Dover,
Lord Warden, Chancellor and Admiral
of the Cinque Ports, Lord Privy Seal,
Knight of the most noble Order
of the Garter, and one of His
Majesty's most honourable
Privy Council.
Right Honourable,
Seeing that, by Nature, our country challengeth a greater interest in us, than our parents, friends, or children can; and that we ought for preservation thereof, oppose [expose] our lives unto the greatest dangers: it is the part of every native to endeavour something to the advancement and profit thereof: and not to affect it, for that we possess in it; but to love it for itself, as being the common Mother and Nourisher of us all. For mine own part, albeit my short fathom can compass no such great design as I desire: yet from a willing mind (as he that offered his hands full of water to great Artaxerxes), I am bold to present this Project of my honest and homely labours; beseeching your Lordship, whose virtues have truly ennobled you, to take the same into your protection! and prefer it to the view of our most royal Sovereign, recommending the good effecting thereof to his gracious favour and furtherance! Doubtless your actions and endeavours, having all been full of virtue and goodness, are not the least prevailing motives whereby His Majesty hath so endeared you unto him. In this, then, you shall not think yourself disparaged! the matter being both honest and commendable; and in true value, of as great substance, as the offer of Sebastian Cabota to King Henry the Seventh for the discovery of the West Indies.
Humbly at your Lordship's commandment,
Tobias Gentleman.