Secondly, not to restore the Steelyard to their usurped privileges.
Thirdly, to grant as few licences as you can.
Fourthly, to come in as small debt as you can beyond seas.
Fifthly, to keep up your credit, and specially with your own merchants, for it is they must stand by you at all events in your necessity. And thus I shall most humbly beseech your Majesty to accept this my [poor writing in good] part; wherein I shall from time to time, as opportunity doth serve, put your Highness in remembrance, according to the trust your Majesty hath reposed in me; beseeching the Lord to give me the grace and fortune that my service may always be acceptable to your Highness; as knoweth our Lord, whom preserve your noble Majesty in health, and long to reign over us with increase of honour.
By your Majesty's most humble and faithful obedient subject,
Thomas Gresham, Mercer.
[304] i.e. Fordeal, or advantage.
5. The Reasons Why Bullion is Exported [Br. M. Cotton Ms. Otho. E. x., f. 145[305]], temp. Elizabeth.
Where the Queen's Majesty is moved, that for the staying of the transportation of gold she will be pleased either to call in all gold by proclamation and then to coin it anew again with more alloy, or else that her Majesty should call in no gold, but coin new and utter them at higher rate than now, it seemeth the matters intend, that it is transported for the richness only, and, being either based by alloy or dearly priced, no more would be transported.
But if all the true causes of this late transportation be considered, that will not be sufficient to stay gold within.