the proceedings in particular touching the said matter of Wardship; with this special care, that a matter so advisedly and gravely undertaken and proceeded in, might not die or be buried in the hands of those that first bred it.1 A proceeding like this,-entailing as it must a personal controversy with the King on points to which he had thus publicly committed himself, could not be expected to have a satisfactory result. But it would take time. Time would allow feelings to cool on both sides and meanwhile they could give satisfaction of a more promissing kind by making haste with what remained to be done. The Union Act, which had just been sent down from the Lords, had been read once. It was now read a second time, committed, reported, passed, and sent back to the Lords, by whom it was received with great applause-all in a day: the day after the King's speech. And it was agreed at the same time that all further proceedings in the matter of Purveyors should be allowed to sleep till the next session. Measures which were not lost upon the King: as may be seen by the message which he sent to the House only three days after. Mr. Speaker delivereth from the King a message of three parts: Matter of his relation to us: Of his princely satisfaction. When he looked into the gravity and judgment of this House, and of the long continuance of the Parliament; so few matters of weight passed, and that matter of Privilege had taken much time (which, notwithstanding, he was as careful to preserve as we ourselves); he was moved with jealousy that there was not such proceeding as, in love, he expected. This the cause of unkindness. That we should not think this declaration to us was any condemnation of our ingratitude or forgetfulness of him; but by way of commemoration and admonition, as a father to his children; neither did he tax us; but only remember us of expedition, omitted and desired. Lastly, that he is resolved, we have not denied anything which is fit to be granted. That he had divers arguments of our good affections: 1. Our doubt of his displeasure. 2. Our desire to give him satisfaction; which he accepteth as a thing done, because desired by us. 3. He observeth the difference of our proceeding, sithence his speech unto us, with greater expedition in those things desired to be effected by him, than before: He giveth us thanks, and wisheth we would not trouble ourselves with giving him satisfaction. And he giveth what time we desire for finishing the matters of importance depending.3 1 C. J. p. 230. 2 Ib. p. 231. 3 Ib. p. 232 (5 June). In spite however of this message, which may be regarded as the King's Apology to the Commons, the Committee appointed to prepare the threatened Apology of the Commons to the King went on diligently with their work; and at the end of a fortnight laid the result before the House:-a grave and important document, in which all their proceedings that had been found fault with were recapitulated and justified, point by point; and which, though not formally placed on record, remains to this day a notable landmark in the progress of constitutional liberty. The question was, what to do with it. I do not know that any exception was or could be taken either to the substance of it or the style. But seeing that the positions which it maintained were threatened only in words and by implication, that the Commons remained masters of the field in fact, that there was no pretence for a serious declaration of hostilities, and that the formal delivery of such an argument could have led to nothing but an angry altercation and a quarrel in the honeymoonwhich would have been bad for all parties—those who wished to preserve harmony could not wish that it should be pressed further. Bacon was certainly among those who spoke against presenting it, though we have no account of what he said. And as the Journals contain no notice of the final resolution, we may conclude that it was in favour of letting the dispute rest; and that the document was not officially brought under the King's notice. Nevertheless, as it had been twice read in the House, we may be sure that he heard of it: and that unluckily at a time when he was endeavouring to digest a fresh disappointment. At the beginning of the session, hoping to please everybody and wishing to avoid everything that might cast a shadow over the general satisfaction, he had resolved that no demand should be made on his subjects for money; and in this resolution he had persevered so constantly and so long that I have no doubt it was a true intention of his own. For full three months he had refrained both his tongue and his pen from all allusion to the subject—had not said so much as that he meant to say nothing-but maintained on all occasions a politic and dignified reserve which was very unusual with him. Now however that the prorogation was near at hand, it was represented to him by some who thought they understood the Lower House, that a session closing without any vote of supply would have a bad appearance, and be subject to unfavourable construction. Upon which it seems to have been arranged that, the Lords having or making occasion to confer with the Commons upon a Tonnage and Poundage Bill, the 1 C. J. pp. 243, 995. opportunity should be taken to give them some information about the financial condition of the kingdom,—with a hint that an offer of subsidy would not be unwelcome. Of the communication which was thereupon made, we have the following partially intelligible note. Sir Francis Bacon maketh report of the Conference with the Lords, touching the Bill of Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage. Reported the reading and consideration of sundry amendments in the Bill. Collateral speeches: That we were well fenced with Privileges:-That it was good husbandry to fence.— A good account of this Parliament, to maintain privileges and preserve the King's favour. An insinuation of a message from the King, touching subsidy or gratuity. Excuse of the Lords that they propounded matter of charge or contribution. An approbation of the forbearing to offer by this House. No meaning that this insinuation should possess the House as with a motion: Not to preoccupate our thanks: Not to prejudicate our assent or dissent. The state of the King. The nature of the Peace. Not within the knowledge of this Four last years of Queen Eliz. the charge of this state 2,200,000l. Debt of the City of London, 80,000l. The exchange of Ireland, 120,000. Entry, Funeral, Coronation, a great accumulation of charge.Peace only between the persons of the King of England and Spain -Nothing articulate:-A mere cessation, or abstinence, from hostility. The proportion of the charge of Ireland is yet 30,000l.—The rebel hath put up, not put off, his sword.— Conclus. To think of the point of honour, in respect of advertisement to foreign states.1 Simultaneously with this (for though the report was not made till the 22nd of June, the Conference appears to have been held on the 1 C. J. p. 244 (22 June). 19th) a motion was made in the House of Commons for a committee to consider of some sort of gratuity to be offered to the King. But whoever advised it, it was an unlucky motion. Though introduced by two of the most independent and popular members-Sir Francis Hastings and Sir Edward Hoby1-in the interest of national honour, harmony, and reputation abroad, it was received so doubtfully that the King thought it best to avoid the risk of a refusal by making it his personal request a request conveyed in a letter too transparent to allow a doubt of its sincerity2-that they would not meddle any further in the question. This of course was not the issue which had been intended or anticipated, and (coming upon him at the same time with rumours of the 'Apology') proved more than he could comfortably digest. And though the Speaker, by a lavish profession of affection, admiration, and loyalty, made in the name of all the Commons,-together with a liberal offer of all they had whenever it was wanted,—did as much as words could do to make the parting pleasant, the King could not bring himself to repay the flattery in kind, but frankly told them. exactly what he felt. And so Parliament was prorogued on the 7th of July, and they parted for the present, each with better means of knowing what was to be expected of the other. 7. In Sir Toby Matthew's Collection of Letters (p. 20) there is one with this title "Sir Francis Bacon desiring a friend to do him a service." It has no date, and like many others in that collection it appears to have been stripped of all particulars which might serve to fix the occasion. But I think it belongs to this session of this Parliament. The service' desired is assistance in preparing a 'report' of some debate or conference in which Bacon had himself taken an active part. The friend has always been supposed to be Matthew himself. Now it has been seen that Bacon was continually employed during this session both as spokesman for the House in conferences, and as reporter to the House of what had passed. The attention requisite for taking part in the discussion would of course interfere with the attention requisite for remembering the passages 1 C. J. p. 994. It was of course supported (though I think not advised) by Bacon of whose speech we have only this note: "The Kingdom in the Queen's time but as a tenant for life: if for a state for life a gratuity, then much more for a planted posterity-a state of inheritance. "Let not this Parliament end, like a Dutch feast, in salt meats; but like an English feast, in sweet meats."-C. J. p. 242: and compare p. 994. 2 26 June. C. J. p. 246. 3 S. P. Dom. viii. 93. of it while engaged in thinking what he should say himself, he would be in danger of not hearing what others were saying. When called upon for a report, therefore-especially when the call was unexpected, as happened sometimes-the help of another man's memory would be of great value. And as Toby Matthew was a member of Parliament, and of more than one Conference-Committee in which Bacon had a principal part, nothing is more natural than that on some occasion of this kind he should have had recourse to him. What the particular occasion was it is probably impossible to guess. That it was a matter of some importance, which had given some trouble, may be inferred from the terms in which it is alluded to. But many such businesses were on hand, and almost all of them sooner or later "fell and seized upon " Bacon. SIR FRANCIS BACON DESIRING A FRIEND TO DO HIM A Sir, SERVICE. The report of this act, which I hope will prove the last of this business, will probably, by the weight it carries, fall and seize on me. And therefore, not now at will but upon necessity, it will become me to call to mind what passed; and (my head being then wholly employed about invention) I may the worse put things upon the account of mine own memory. I shall take physic to-day, upon this change of weather and vantage of leisure; and I pray you not to allow yourself so much business but that you may have time to bring me your friendly aid before night, &c. |