A  printed  document  was  published  here  yesterday  which,  they
say,  was  written  by  the  King  of  Scotland,  and  of  which  I  enclose
an  original  and  a  Spanish  translation.  It  is  the  most  abominable
and  disgraceful  thing  that  ever  was  written,t  and  many  people  think
that  it  must  have  been  forged  here  in  order  that  it  may  be  talked
about  by  Parliament — men  and  the  people  atj  large.  The  opinion
justlj'  held  here  by  many  is  that  when  the  Scots  desire  to  break
with  the  English,  it  will  be  impossible  for  your  Majesty  or  any
Catholic  Prince  to  help  the  King  after  he  has  made  such  a  shameful
confession,  which  will  also  turn  the  English  Catholics  against  them,
as  there  will  be  ample  reason  always  to  distrust  people  who  could
make  such  a  declaration  as  this.  It  is  therefore  thought  that  it
has  been  invented  to  break  oft'  any  communication  between  the
Scots  and  English  Catholics,  who  are  desirous  of  the  liberation  of
the  queen  of  Scotland.
Parliament  had  resolved  to  close  three  days  since,  without  having
done  anything  of  im[)ortance,  except  to  restore  in  blood  the  earl  of
of  Surrey,  who  is  now  called  of  Arundel,  the  eldest  son  of  the  duke
of  Norfolk.  His  brothers  and  sisters  refused  a  similar  favour,
which  it  is  usual  to  extend  to  all  members  of  a  family.
It  is  believed  that  the  object  in  deferring  the  close  of  Parliament
is  the  opposition  which  exists  to  the  passing  of  a  Bill  proposed  by
tlie  heretics  to  punish,  with  much  greater  rigour  than  hitherto,
Catholics  who  will  not  attend  their  churches. | — London,  l7th  March
1581.
*  This  was  true  ;  Antonio  brought  jewels  of  enormous  value,  as  will  be  seen  later.
t  The  National  Covenant.
