Right Trustie and welbeloved we grete you well. Because we certaynly understand that notwthstandinge our desire and good contentacõn at diverse tymes declared to have a treatie wth the frenche for the redresse and staye of the notable Iniuries and attemptes commytted agaynst us and the right of our Crowne and for the wthdrawinge of their forces out of Scotland the whiche can not be permytted there as they be wthout greate daunger not onlie to or towne of Barwick but also to the state of or realme consideringe the false pretence made and certeyne other depe practises by them agaynst this Realme. To the furderaunce of whiche treatie they offer in speche and good wordes accesse of personages to mete wth somme of ours; yet their preparations to the seas be daylie so great as greater can not well be whiche surely with convenient providence on our parte and by goodes goodnes we nede not feare. Thearfore meanynge to be ready for the defense and honour of or Realme aswell to treate wth the frenche for accorde and quietnes as for wthstandinge of there furder attemptes specially by sea we have by advyse of our Counsell thought convenient to send our navie furthwth to the seas, and therwth or right trustie and right welbeloved Counsellor the lord Clynton our highe Admirall to governe the same, and wth or said Navie to wthstande suche force as he shall fynde on the frenche parte upon the seas to damage either our owne subiectes and marchauntes tradynge the seas or the subiectes of any other our frendes or to invade or attempte to lande upon any parte of or sea costes. And for the better furnyture of or said navie wth souldiores we will that there shalbe levyed wthin that our Cytie of London and the liberties of the same the nomber of two hundred and fyftie hable men whereof or meanynge ys, that the one halfe shoulde be archers and thother harquebuttiers, and as sone as ye have levied the same, our pleasure is that ye shall commytt them to several captaynes for every hundred, and cause them to be arrayed wth armoure and weapon mete for that service to be redy in or Cytie of London the xxiiijth of this monethe and to departe to or navie wth or Admirall at suche tyme as he shall prescribe and for their conducte money the same shalbe delivered to you by order of or Treasorer of Englande. And theise or lettres shalbe yor sufficient warrant for the levyenge of the said nomber of two hundred and fyftie men accordinglie. Yeoven under or signet at our mannor of Grenewiche the xvijth of Maye the seconde yere of or reigne [1560]. No. 46. Letter from Queen Elizabeth to the City, desiring that Sir Thomas Gresham might be discharged from serving the offices of Mayor, Alderman and Sheriff. Dated Westminster, 7 March, 5 Eliz. [1562-3]. Journal 18, fo. 137.