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be good. But then every man must put to his helping hand; for else I must say to your majesty, in this and the like cases, as St. Paul said to the Centurion, when some of the mariners had an eye to the cock-boat, "except these stay in the ship, ye cannot be safe." I find in my lord's great and worthy care of the business. And for my part I hold my opinion and am strengthened in it, by some records that I have found. God preserve your majesty.

Your majesty's most humble, and devoted subject and servant.

A Letter to the King, touching Peacham's Cause, January 27, 1614.

It may please your excellent Majesty,

This day in the afternoon, was read, your majesty's letters of direction touching Peacham; which because it concerneth properly the duty of my place, I thought it fit for me to give your majesty, both a speedy and private account thereof; that your majesty knowing things clearly how they pass, may have the true fruit of your own wisdom and clear-seeing judgment in governing the business.

First, for the regularity which your majesty (as a master in business of estate) doth prudently prescribe in examining, and taking examinations, I subscribe to it; only I will say for myself, that I was not at this time the principal examiner.

For the course your majesty directeth and commandeth, for the feeling of the judges of the King's Bench, their several opinions by distributing ourselves and enjoining secrecy, we did first find an encounter in the opinion of my Lord Cooke; who seemed to affirm, that such particular and (as he called it) auricular taking of opinions, was not according to the custom of this realm; and seemed to divine that his brethren would never do it. But when I replied,

that it was our duty to pursue your majesty's directions; and it were not amiss for his lordship to leave his brethren to their own answers, it was so concluded; and his lordship did desire, that I might confer with himself; and Mr. Serjeant Montague was was named to speak with Justice Crooke; Mr. Serjeant Crew with Justice Houghten; and Mr. Solicitor with Justice Dodderidge. This done, I took my fellows aside, and advised that they should presently speak with the three judges, before I could speak with my Lord Cooke for doubt of infusion; and that they should not in any case make any doubt to the judges, as if they mistrusted, they would not deliver any opinion apart, but speak resolutely to them, and only make their coming to be, to know what time they would appoint to be attended with the papers. This sorted not amiss; for Mr. Solicitor came to me this evening and related to me, that he had found Judge Dodderidge very ready to give opinion in secret; and fell upon the same reason, which upon your majesty's first letter I had used to my Lord Cooke at the council table; which was, that every judge was bound expressly by his oath to give your majesty counsel when he was called; and whether he should do it jointly or severally, that rested in your majesty's good pleasure as you would require it. And though the ordinary course was to assemble them, yet there might intervene cases, wherein the other course was more convenient. The like answer made Justice Crook, Justice Houghton who is a soft man, seemed desirous first to confer; alleging, that the other three judges had all served the crown before they were judges, but that he had not been much acquainted with business of this nature.

We purpose therefore, forthwith, they shall be made acquainted with the papers; and if that could be done, as suddenly as this was, I should make small doubt of their opinions; And howsoever, I hope, force of law and precedent, will bind

them to the truth: neither am I wholly out of hope, that my Lord Cooke himself, when I have in some dark manner put him in doubt that he shall be left alone, will not continue singular.

ness.

For Owen; I know not the reason, why there should have been no mention made thereof in the last advertisement: for I must say for myself, that I have lost no moment of time in it, as my Lord of Canterbury can bear me witFor having received from my lord an additional of great importance; which was, that Owen of his own accord, after examination, should compare the case of your majesty (if you were excommunicate) to the case of a prisoner condemned at the bar; which additional was subscribed by one witness; but yet I perceived it was spoken aloud, and in the hearing of others, I presently sent down a copy thereof, which is now come up, attested with the hands of three more, lest there should have been any scruple of "singularis testis;" so as for this case, I may say "omnia parata ;" and we expect but a direction from your majesty, for the acquainting the judges severally; or the four judges of the King's Bench as your majesty shall think good.

I forget not, nor forslow not your majesty's commandment touching Recusants; of which, when it is ripe, I will give your majesty a true account, and what is possible to be done, and where the impediment is. Mr. Secretary bringeth "bonum voluntatem," but he is not versed much in these things; and sometimes urgeth the conclusion without the premises and by haste hindreth. It is my Lord Treasurer and the Exchequer must help it, if it be holpen. I have heard more ways than one, of an offer of 20,0001. per annum, for farming the penalties of Recusants, not including any offence, Capital or of Premunire; wherein I will presume to say, that my poor endeavours, since I was by your great and sole grace your Attorney, have been no small spurs to make them feel your laws, and seek this redemp

tion; wherein I must also say, my Lord Cook hath done his part: and I do assure your majesty I know it, somewhat inwardly and groundedly, that by the courses we have taken, they conform daily and in great numbers; and I would to God, it were as well a conversion as a conformity; but if it should die by dispensation or dissimulation, then I fear, that whereas your majesty hath now so many ill subjects poor and detected, you shall then have them rich and dissembled. And therefore I hold this offer very considerable, of so great an increase of revenue; if it can pass the fiery trial of religion and honour, which I wish all projects may

pass.

Thus in as much as I have made to your majesty, somewhat a naked and particular account of business, I hope your majesty will use it accordingly. God preserve your majesty.

Your majesty's most humble, and devoted

subject and servant.

A Letter reporting the State of my Lord Chancellor's Health. Jan. 29, 1614.

It may please your excellent Majesty,

Because I know your majesty would be glad to hear how it is with my Lord Chancellor; and that it pleased him out of his ancient and great love to me, which many times in sickness appeareth most, to admit me to a great deal of speech with him this afternoon, which during these three days he hath scarcely done to any; I thought it might be pleasing to your majesty to certify you how I found him. I found him in bed, but his spirits fresh and good, speaking stoutly, and without being spent or weary, and both willing and beginning of himself to speak, but wholly of your majesty's business. Wherein I cannot forget to relate this particular, that he wished that his sentencing of I. S. at the day appointed, might be his last work, to conclude his

services, and express his affection towards your majesty. I told him I knew your majesty would be very desirous of his presence that day, so it might be without prejudice, but otherwise your majesty esteemed a servant more than a service, especially such a servant. Not to trouble your majesty, though good spirits in sickness be uncertain calenders, yet I have very good comfort of him, and I hope by that day, etc.

A Letter to the King, giving him an Account of Peacham's Business, and some others, Jan. 31, 1614.

It may please your excellent Majesty,

I received this morning, by Mr. Murray, a message from your majesty of some warrant and confidence, that I should advertise your majesty of your business, wherein I had part. Wherein, I am first, humbly to thank your majesty for your good acceptation of my endeavours and service; which I am not able to furnish with any other quality save faith and diligence.

For Peacham's case, I have, since my last letter, been with my Lord Cooke twice; once before Mr. Secretary's going down to your majesty, and once since, which was yesterday; at the former of which times I delivered him Peacham's papers; and at this latter, the precedents which I had with care gathered and selected, for these degrees and order the business required.

At the former I told him that he knew my errand which stood upon two points; the one to inform him the particular case of Peacham's treasons (for I never give it other word to him) the other to receive his opinion to myself, and in secret, according to my commission from your majesty.

At the former time he fell upon the same allegation which he had begun at the council table; that judges were

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