 In 1619 , Calvert completed his rise to power when James appointed him as one of the two principal <unk> of state . This followed the dismissal of Sir Thomas Lake , ( 1567 @-@ 1630 ) , due to <unk> , including his wife 's <unk> with state secrets . Not emerging as a candidate until the end of the selection process , Calvert 's appointment surprised him and most observers . Assuming he owed his promotion to the king 's increasingly powerful favourite , George Villiers , ( 1592 @-@ 1628 ) , later first Duke of Buckingham ) , he sent him a great jewel as a token of thanks . Villiers returned the jewel , however , saying he had had nothing to do with the matter . Calvert 's personal fortune was secured when he was additionally appointed a " commissioner of the treasury " with a <unk> of £ 1 @,@ 000 pounds sterling and a subsidy on imported raw silk , which would later be converted to another £ 1 @,@ 000 <unk> . 
