These notes are in Hatton's hand. He was the spokesman for the government at the trial of Babington and his accomplices and probably he drew up these notes for use on that occasion. The various projects against the government enumerated here seem to have been entertained at one time or another by the conspirators, as appears from the summary of their confessions in the Record Office (S.P. Mary Q. of S. xix, no. 91). They were embodied by Hatton in the general charge which he made against Babington and his fellows at their trial (State Trials, I, p. 1140).

1779, September 17.—Memorandum endorsement by John Robinson. “Covers in which the 24 Bank Notes of 500l. each were enclosed with his Majesty's Docquet thereon, and which were delivered by his Majesty to Lord North this day and given by Lord North to J[ohn] R[obinson] and which were sent to Mr. Drummond by me on the 18th and placed to the credit of my private account B—, and which sum was for twelve months of the additional 1.000l. per month from July, 1778, to June, 1779, inclusive.”

• Preface iii

• Introduction

• The Manuscript ix

• Contents and Sources x

• The Author xi

• Editions and Translations xiv

• A Note on the Text xiv

• Text and Notes I

• Index 69

These arguments are in Hatton's own hand and bear his indorsement. They have reference to certain negotiations for a treaty between Elizabeth and Mary which contemplated Mary's liberation and which had been resumed in May, 1584. Apparently Elizabeth hoped to use Mary's influence in favor of the discomfited English party in Scotland and of the leaders of that party who had been forced to flee into England earlier in the year. Hatton's notes should not be interpreted to mean that he was in favor of liberating the Scottish Queen at this time. He simply sets down arguments in favor of such a policy just as the year before (cf. Document V) he had set down arguments opposing it.