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 62 THE CECILS

the world and to give and take kingdoms," l and when the Portuguese Ambassador made a similar protest he was told that, " the Queen does not acknowledge the right of the King of Portugal to forbid the subjects of another prince from trading where they like, and she will take care that her subjects are not worse treated in the King of Portugal's dominions than his are in hers." 2 At the same time he refused to counten- ance piracy in any form, not only because it might lead to war, but also because of its bad effect on legitimate trade.

It is not true to say that he was unsympathetic towards the magnificent achievements of the Elizabethan seamen. Though he was not one of those who would give up everything

" To try the sea and win undying fame,"

he could acknowledge and appreciate the achieve- ments of others, so long as they did not interfere with the political and commercial interests which it was his duty to guard. In the case of Drake's famous voyage in the Golden Hind (1577 1580), " the Queen had forbiden any revelation of the voyage to Burghley, who wished to avoid the risk of an open breach with Spain ; and Drake felt that he had been encouraged by Leicester and Walsingham in order that his aggression might frustrate Burghley 's efforts for peace." 3 Burghley, of course, found out all about the expedition, and

1 Cal. S. P. Spanish. November 27th, 1561. a Cal. S. P. Foreign. April 8th, 1561.
 * Pollard, p. 319.

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