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Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer hath signified to me, this day, that yesterday his majesty called him to his coach and said to him, that one

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that had used ill speech of me should be called
before me and make his submission to me, and,
thereupon be called before the council and receive
a sharp reprehension, and so be enlarged.
Mr. Chancellor could not tell me who the person
was, but after, by some letter he received from
my Lord Clifton, and speech with a man of his,
he perceived it was he.

I pray your lordship, in humbleness, to let his majesty know that I little fear the Lord Clifton, but I much fear the example, that it will animate ruffians and rodomonti, extremely, against the seats of justice, (which are his majesty's own seats) yea, and against all authority and greatness, if this pass without public censure and example, it having gone already so far as that the person of a baron hath been committed to the Tower. The punishment it may please his majesty to remit, and I shall not formally but heartily intercede for him, but an example (setting myself aside) I wish for terror of persons that may be more dangerous than he, towards the least judge of the

kingdom.

Therefore, it may please his majesty to speak of it with myself and my lords when he cometh next; and in the mean time I will command from his majesty, the master of the rolls and Mr. Attorney, who were appointed by the table to examine him, to stay. God ever prosper you. Your lordship's true friend and devoted servant, FR. BACON, Canc.

March 17, 1617.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Secondly, The warrant (as is acknowledged) came only from my Lord of Suffolk, and not from Mr. Chancellor, and yet my lord was wont to boast, that since he was treasurer, all commissions and contracts for sale of the king's land were broken off and ceased.

Thirdly, The rate of the moneys paid by the gentlemen, amounteth to but thirteen year's purchase, which is a plain gift of a good prepo tion of value.

If his majesty, now informed, iterate his mandate, it is done, and I excuse; but I could wish his majesty would refer it to the commissioners of the treasury how the gentlemen may be otherwise satisfied.

commission of the wards in Ireland, which, this
I received, yesternight, a brave account of the
one year, is advanced from two hundred pounds
per annum to four thousand pounds, which is
This I write for two
twenty fold multiplied.
reasons. First, because I glory in it, because it
was my work wholly: next, because his majesty
may take occasion by this to look better to the
improvement of his wards in England in due
time. God ever preserve and prosper you.
Your Lordship's most obliged
friend and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

York House,
July 27, 1618.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOCD LORD,

I am very glad to hear of the honour his majesty intendeth to my noble lady, your lordship's mother. This, amongst many other things, showeth, in your lordship, good nature, which is the root of all virtues, next religion. Besides, it doth sort well in states, when place and power do meet, and stand not too far at distance.

For the passing of it by direction without bill signed, it cannot be in law. So is Mr. Attorney's opinion, and so is mine; and, therefore, there is presently a bill sent with an endorsement of passing it by immediate warrant, and this antedate.

For the antedate, I must present his majesty with my caution, and with my obedience.

For the statute tieth me from antedates; and, indeed, the mischief is infinite: for, by that means the king may grant any land, &c., and take it away a month hence, and grant it another by an antedate. And, surely, were it land or the like, I would not say absit, or your majesty cannot do it for the world; or your majesty is sworn, and I am sworn; or such brave phrases: but, surely, (Isay) I would in humbleness represent it to his majesty But the case of honour differeth; for, therein his majesty's prerogative and declaration is absoFirst, It is a perpetuity, and so much rent in lute, and he may make him that is last to be first. diminution of revenue certain. And, therefore, upon his majesty's signification

I pray your lordship to signify to his majesty that I thought it my duty to stay at the seal, a book of Sir Francis Steward's and Sir James Averlony, &c., of £200 land in charge in fee simple: my reasons.

OF THE

IVEL

of his pleasure upon the endorsement of the bill | hath been yielded communibus annis, by a medium signed, I take it I may lawfully do it.

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of seven years. If the king be pleased to grant me this, it will a little warm the honour he hath given me; and I shall have a new occasion to be as I ever have been, and shall be

York House, October 9th, 1618.

Your lordship's obliged friend and faithful servant,

FR. VERULAM, Cane.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I thank your lordship for your last loving letter. I now write to give the king an account of the patent I have stayed at the seal. It is of licence to give in mortmain eight hundred pounds land, though it be in tenure in chief to Allen, that was the player, for an hospital.

I like well that Allen playeth the last act of his life so well; but if his majesty give way thus to amortize his tenures, his courts of wards will decay, which I had well hoped should improve. But that which moved me chiefly is, that his majesty now lately did absolutely deny Sir Henry Savile for two hundred pounds, and Sir Edwin Sandys for one hundred pounds, to the perpetuating of two lectures, the one in Oxford, the other in Cambridge, foundations of singular honour to his majesty, (the best learned of kings,) and of which there is great want; whereas, hospitals abound, and beggars abound never a whit the less.

If his majesty do like to pass the book at all; yet if he would be pleased to abridge the eight hundred pounds to five hundred pounds, and then give way to the other two books for the University, it were a princely work. And I would make an humble suit to the king, and desire your lordship to join in it, that it might be so. God ever preserve and prosper you.

Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

York House, this 18th of August, 1618.

I have written to my Lord Chamberlain, being Chancellor of Oxford, to help in the business.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Looking for matter of service, I have found out a suit for myself, and it is proper for me more than all men, because it is within the accompt of the hanaper. But I have made a law to myself, that I will never beg any thing, which shall not bring a gain to the king; therefore, my suit is to farm the profits of the alienations, yielding a thousand pounds a year more to the king than

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

My Very good Lord,

This morning Mr. Attorney came to me and desired of me many writs of ne exeat regnum against most of the Dutch merchants, and withal let me understand that there was a discovery of an infinite transportation of gold and silver out of this realm, by the said Dutch merchants, amounting to millions; and that Sir John Britten had made a book thereof, and presented the same to his majesty; and further that his majesty had directed him to prosecute the same; and had also given to Sir Thomas Vavisor the forfeiture of such ten of them as he should choose.

Hereupon, I thought it my duty, as in a matter of great weight, to signify to his majesty, by your lordship, what I conceive.

The discovery I think very happy: for, if it be true, it will be a great benefit to his majesty; it will also content his people much, and it will demonstrate also that Scotland is not the leech (as some discoursers say,) but the Netherlanders that suck the realm of treasure; so that the thing is very good.

But, two things I must represent to his majesty: the first, that if I stay merchants from their trading by this writ, I must do it either ex officio, or by special warrant from his majesty.

If ex officio, then I must have more than a bare surmise to grant the writ upon, so as I must be acquainted with the grounds, or at least appearance of proofs. If by special warrant, then I desire to receive the same. The other is that I humbly beseech his majesty that these royal boughs of forfeiture may not be vintaged, or cropped by private suitors, (considering his majesty's state as it is,) but that Sir Thomas Vivasor or Sir John Brittain may have a bountiful and gracious reward of their discovery, but not the prime, or without stint.

In sum, I would wish his majesty to refer the whole business and carriage of the same for his honour and profit to the commissioners of treasure, or because it is a legal forfeiture to myself, Mr. Chancellor, Sir Edward Coke, and my Lord Chief Justice of England, and by us his majesty shall be assured to know the best cause for his justice, honour, and profit, and that he may dispose what

bounty he will. God ever preserve and prosper of the pursuivants in a way, which I think will

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TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

This long book which I send for his majesty's signature, was upon a conference and consult yesternight, (at which time I was assisted by the two chief justices, and attended by the surveyor, attorney, and receiver of the court of wards, Fleetwood,) framed and allowed.

It is long, because we all thought fit not to piece new instructions with old instructions, but to reduce both old and new into one body of instructions. I do not see that of the articles, which are many, any could have been spared. They are plain, but they have a good property, that they will take fast hold. I may not trouble his majesty with choosing some of them in particular, when all are good, only I think fit to let his majesty know of one, which is, that according to his own directions, the oath of making no private unlawful profit is now as well translated to the master and officers that may take, as to the parties and suitors that may give.

It little becometh me to possess his majesty that this will be to his majesty's benefit ten thousands yearly, or fifteen thousands, or twenty thousands; for those rattles are fitter for mountebanks of service than grave counsellors. But my advices (as far as I am able to discern) tend or extend but to thus much: this is his majesty's

surest and easiest may for his most good.

Sir Miles Fleetwood, who both now and heretofore, hath done very good service in this, meriteth to be particularly from your lordship encouraged: which I beseech your lordship not to forget. God ever prosper you.

Your lordship's most faithful

This 4th of December, 1618.

bounden friend and servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

I send his majesty a volume of my Lord of Bangor's and my Lord Sheffield, whereof I spake when I left his majesty at Theobald's. His majesty may be pleased at his own good time and pleasure to cast his eye upon it. I purpose at my coming to London to confer with the chief justice as his majesty appointed; and to put the business

be best by a commission of Oyer and Terminer; for the Star Chamber (without confession) is long seas. I should advise that this point of the pursuivants were not single, but that it be coupled in the commission with the offences of keepers of prisons hereabouts, it hath a great affinity; for pursuivants are but ambulatory keepers, and it works upon the same party (of the Papists.) And it is that wherein many of his majesty's and the council's severe charges have been hitherto unhave some other reasons for it. But of this it fruitful: and it doth a great deal of mischief. I will be fittest to advertise more particularly what with the chief justice. I am wonderful glad to I have resolved of on advice, upon conference hear of the king's good health. God preserve his majesty and your lordship. I ever rest Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant,

Gorhambury, this last of July, 1619.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I think it my duty to let his majesty know what I find in this cause of the ore tenus: for as

his majesty hath good experience, that when his business comes upon the stage, I carry it with strength and resolution, so in the proceedings, I love to be wary and considerate.

I wrote to your lordship by my last, that I hoped by the care I had taken, the business would go well, but without that care, I was sure it had conference with the two chief justices, Sir would not go well: this I meant, because I had Edward Coke being present, and handled the matter so, that not without much ado, I left both the chief justices firm to the cause and

satisfied.

But calling to mind that in the main business, notwithstanding I and the chief justices went one way, yet the day was not good, (and I should be loath to see more of such days,) I am not without some apprehension; for though we have Sir Edward Coke earnest and forward, insomuch as he advised the ore tenus, before I knew it at Wansted, and now bound the Dutchmen over to the Star Chamber, before I was made privy; unto both which proceedings, I did nevertheless give approbation: yet if there should be either the major part of the votes the other way, or any main distraction, though we bear it through, I should think it a matter full of inconvenience. but that which gives me most to think, is the carriage of Mr. Attorney, which sorteth neither with the business nor with himself; for as I hear from divers, and partly perceive, he is fallen from

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earnest to be cool and faint; which weakness, if it should make the like alteration at the bar, it might overthrow the cause; all the remedy which is in my power, is by the advice of the judges to draw some other of the learned counsel to his help, which he, I know, is unwilling with, but that is all one.

This I thought it necessary to write, lest the king should think me asleep, and because I know that his majesty's judgment is far better than mine. But I, for my part, mean to go on roundly; and so I ever rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

October 9th, 1619.

If the king, in his great wisdom, should any ways incline to have the ore tenus put off, then the way were to command that the matter of the ore tenus should be given in evidence, by way of aggravation, in the main cause. And it is true, that if this precursory matter goeth well, it giveth great entrance into the main cause; if ill, contrariwise, it will do hurt and disadvantage to the main.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

These things which I write now and heretofore, in this cause, I do not write so as any can take knowledge that I write; but I despatch things ex officio here, and yet think it fit, inwardly, to advertise the king what doth occur. And I do assure your lordship, that if I did serve any king whom I did not think far away wiser than myself, I would not write in the midst of business, but go on of myself.

This morning, notwithstanding my speech yesterday with the duke, he delivered this letter enclosed, and I having cleared the room of all save the court and learned counsel, (whom I required to stay,) the letter was read a little before our hour of sitting. When it was read, Mr. Attorney began to move that my lord should not acknowledge his offences as he conceived he had committed them, but as they were charged; and some of the lords speaking to that point, I thought fit to interrupt, and divert that kind of question; and said, before we considered of the extent of my lord's submission, we were first to consider of the extent of our own duty and power; for that I conceived it was neither fit for us to stay proceeding, nor to move his majesty in that, which was before us in course of justice; unto which, (being once propounded by me,) all the lords and the rest, und voce assented. I would not so as ask the question whether, though

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we proceed, I should send the letter to his majesty, because I would not straiten his majesty in any thing.

The evidence went well, (I will not say I sometimes helped it as far as was fit for a judge,) and at the arising of the court, I moved their lordships openly, whether they would not continue this cause from day to day till it were ended; which they thought not fit, in regard of the general justice, which would be delayed in all courts: yet afterwards within I prevailed so far, as we have appointed to sit Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and to sit by eight of the clock, and so to despatch it before the king come, if we can. God preserve and prosper you. I

ever rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

This 22d of October, Friday, at 4 of the o'clock, 1619.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I do not love to interlope by writing in the midst of business; but because his majesty commanded me to acquaint him with any occurrence which might cross the way, I have thought fit to let his majesty know what hath passed this day.

This day, (which was the day set down,) the great cause of the Dutchmen was entered into. The pleading being opened, and the case stated by the counsel, the counsel of the defendants made a motion to have certain examinations taken, concerning the old defendants suppressed, because they were taken since the last hearing.

I set the business in a good way, and showed they were but supplemental, and that at the last hearing, there were some things extrajudicial alleged, ad infimandum conscientiam judicis, and therefore there was more reason these should be used, ad informandum conscientiam judicis, and that there was order for it. The order was read, and approved by both the court and the defendant's own counsel; but it was alleged, that the order was not entered time enough, whereby the defendants might likewise examine, wherein certainly there was some slip or forgetfulness in Mr. Attorney, or Britten, that followed it, which I wish had been otherwise, yet it wer: fair out of the court.

But after dinner my lords were troubled with it, and after much dispute, we have agreed to confer silently, and sine strepitu to-morrow, and set all straight, calling the judges and the learned counsel, with whom I have spoken this evening, 1 think to good purpose. For in good faith I am fain

to be omnibus omnio, as St. Paul saith, to set for- business of your majesty's attorney-general, both ward his majesty's service.

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for the satisfying your own honour, as also for calling in the late exorbitant charter of the city; which are the two ends, as we conceive, that your majesty proposed unto yourself.

To effect both which, we humbly presume to present thus much unto your majesty as our opinion. First, That an information be put into the Star Chamber, as we formerly advised, against your attorney as delinquent, against the mayor, &c., as interested, and against the recorder also mixedly with some touch of charge.

That the submission by letter offered by Mr. Attorney is no way satisfactory for your majesty's honour, but is to be of record by way of answer, and deduced to more particulars.

I have conferred with Sir Lyonel Cranfield, That any submission or surrender of the patents according to his majesty's special commandment, by the city should be also of record in their antouching two points of value, for the advance-swer; and no other can be received with your ment (the one present, the other speedy) of his majesty's honour, but by answer in court: the majesty's revenue. same to come merely of themselves, without any

The first is of the corans, to restore the imposi-motion on your majesty's behalf, directly or intion of five shillings and sixpence, laid in the late directly; which being done in this form, it will queen's time, and drawn down unduly, to serve be afterwards in your majesty's choice and pleaprivate turns, to three shillings and four pence, sure to use mercy, and to suspend any farther which will amount to above three thousand pounds proceedings against your attorney. yearly increase.

The other is of the tobacco, for which there is offered two thousand pounds increase yearly, to begin at Michaelmas next, as it now is, and three thousand pounds increase if the plantations of tobacco here within land be restrained.

I approve, in mine own judgment, both propositions, with these cautions: That for the first, the farmers of the corans do, by instrument under their seal, relinquish to the king all their claim thereto, by any general words of their patent. And for the second, that the bargain be concluded and made before the proclamation go forth; wherein, perhaps, there will occur some doubt in law, because it restraineth the subject in the employment of his freehold at his liberty. But being so many ways pro bono publico, I think it good enough.

His majesty may, therefore, be pleased to write his letter to the commissioners of the treasury, signifying his majesty's pleasure directly in both points, to have them done, and leaving to us the

That it is of necessity, as well for the putting in of this information, as for your majesty's other urgent and public services in that and other courts, to have a sequestration presently of your attorney, and a provisional commission to some other, during your majesty's pleasure, to execute that charge: for both which instruments legai shall be provided as soon as your majesty's plea sure is known. To which we humbly and dutifully submit our advice and opinion, beseeching God to bless your majesty's sacred person with continuance and increase of much health and happiness. Wherewith, humbly kissing your royal hands, we rest

Your majesty's most humble and faithful subjects and servants,

consideration de modo. God ever prosper you. At your majesty's palace at I rest your lordship's most obliged friend

Whitehall, June 16, 1620.

FR. VERULAM. Canc.

ROBERT NAUNTON,

JUL. CÆSAR,

T. ARUNDEL,

GEO. CALVERT,
EDW. COKE

and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

November 22, 1619.

TO THE KING.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, According to your commandment, we met together yesterday at Whitehall, and there consulted what course were fittest to be taken now in this

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM
MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I have lately certified his majesty on the behalf of Sir George Chaworth, by Secretary Calvert, touching the place of a remembrancer in the Chancery for setting down of causes. And because the gentleman telleth me the king thought my certificate a little doubtful, he desired me to

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