Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/217

 1581.] VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 201 'I answered that subsidizing Alen 9 on was a singular way of keeping the French out of the Netherlands ; that I had many times told her that your Majesty had not meddled with Ireland, and that for Don Antonio, I was only sorry that, after so long an acquaintance, she had not known me better.' ' Sussex said that a serious wrong had been done in Ireland. The Queen grew loud again, and added that your Majesty had not made a sufficient acknowledg- ment of your fault ; and to conclude, and as my final answer about the affairs of Drake, she said she would make no restitution till your Majesty had given her full satisfaction about Ireland. She had first received offence ; she must first receive reparation. Afterwards she would see what could be done.' ' I replied that I would report her words to the Board of Trade at Seville ; that more than a million and a half of ducats had been stolen, and that if your Majesty was content to forget your own share of the loss, you could not neglect the claims of your subjects. She herself, I said, issued letters of marque when her people had been wronged, and. redress could not be had for them; and I did not doubt that, when her answer was known in Spain, your Majesty would empower the merchants of Seville to indemnify themselves out of English property in our harbours.' ' She repeated that she had been the first offended, and would have the first satisfaction ; and so, with much composure, told me that I might retire.' ' I said I must speak further with her council.'