nd, and with an
insurrection in Ireland, recalled most of her forces, and sent Norris to
command in this latter kingdom. Finding also that the French league was
almost entirely dissolved, and that the most considerable leaders had
made an accommodation with their prince, she thought that he could well
support himself by his own force and valor; and she began to be more
sparing in his cause of the blood and treasure of her subjects.

Some disgusts which she had received from the states, joined to the
remonstrances of her frugal minister, Burleigh, made her also inclined
to diminish her charges on that side, and she even demanded by her
ambassador, Sir Thomas Bodley, to be reimbursed all the money which
she had expended in supporting them. The states, besides alleging the
conditions of the treaty, by which they were not bound to repay her till
the conclusion of a peace, pleaded their present poverty and distress,
the great superiority of the Spaniards, and the difficulty in supporting
the war; much more in saving money to discharge their encumbrances.
{1595.} After much negotiation, a new treaty was formed, by which the
states engaged to free the queen immediately from the charge of the
English auxiliaries, computed at forty thousand pounds a year; to pay
her annually twenty thousand pounds for some years; to assist her with a
certain number of ships; and to conclude no peace or treaty without her
consent. They also bound themselves, on finishing a peace with Spain,
to pay her annually the sum of a hundred thousand pounds for four
years; but on this condition, that the payment should be in lieu of all
demands, and that they should be supplied, though at their own charge,
with a body of four thousand auxiliaries from England.[*]

Camden, p. 586.

{1596.} The queen still retained in her hands the cautionary towns,
which were a great check on the rising power of the states; and she
committed the important trust of Flushing to Sir Francis Vere, a
brave officer, who had distinguished himself by his valor in the
Low Countries. She gave him the preference to Essex, who expected so
honorable a command; and though this nobleman was daily rising, both in
reputation with the people, and favor with herself, the queen, who was
commonly reserved in the advancement of her courtiers, thought proper
on this occasion to give him a refusal. Sir Thomas Baskerville was
sent over to France at the head of two thousand English, with which