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Sir Thomas Bodley
47
always tell the Queen, (which I received from her self, and some other Ear- Witnesses ) that there was not any Man in England, so meet as myself, to undergo the Office of the Secretary: And since, his Son the present Lord Treasurer hath signified unto me in private Conference, that when his Father first intended to advance him to that Place, his purpose was withal to make me his Collegue. But the Case stood thus in my behalf: Before such time as I returned from the Provinces United, which was in the Year 1597, and likewise after my return. The Earl of Essex did use me so kindly both by Letters and Messages, and other great Tokens of his inward
