The Works of Francis Bacon: Philosophical works

CONTENTS

TO THE KING (22 Jan. 1613)

3. Prosecution of Talbot in the Star chamber, for refusing to repu-

diate Zuares's doctrine concerning the duty of Catholic subjects

towards heretical Kings (31 Jan. 1613-14).

CHARGE AGAINST WILLIAM TALBOT

Sentence of the Court

4. Propositions for the coming Parliament, referred to the chief jus-
tices and law officers.

TO THE R. HON. OUR VERY GOOD L. THE EARL OF SOMER-

SET, OF HIS M'S MOST HON. PRIVY COUNCIL

Titles of Bills to be offered to Parliament

Policy and intentions of the government. Difficulties in the way

5. General election. Sir R. Winwood appointed Secretary of

6. Bacon's idea of the style in which the King ought to meet his Par-
liament

MEMORIAL OF SOME POINTS WHICH MAY BE TOUCHED IN HIS

MAJESTY'S SPEECH TO BOTH HOUSES

CHAPTER II.

A.D. 1614, APRIL-JUNE. ETAT. 54.

1. Bacon returned for Cambridge University. Question raised in

the House whether an Attorney General could serve. Resolu-
tion to allow it this time but not hereafter

2. The King's second speech, announcing the Bills of Grace, re-

ported to the House by the Solicitor-General.. Motion for

supply made by Winwood. Supported by Bacon (12 April) .

SPEECH IN SUPPORT OF A MOTION FOR SUPPLY
Question postponed. Committee appointed to consider of mes-
sage to the King about Undertakers

3. Bill against Impositions on Merchandise read a second time (18)
April), passed without a division, and ordered to be committed
on the 3rd of May. Question of Supply not to be meddled in
till the 5th. Adjournment for Easter (20 April)

4. Four Bills of Grace brought in by Bacon.

NOTE OF HIS SPEECH.

Report of Committee on Undertakers

Motion to enlarge the powers of the Committee, opposed by

Bacon.

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE KING'S ATTORNEY WHEN THE

HOUSE WAS IN GREAT HEAT AND MUCH TROUBLED ABOUT

THE UNDERTAKERS

.

Motion carried. Result of it.

Page

.

5. Question of Impositions. Speech of the King. Unanimity of
the House. The Lords to be invited to confer

Unsuccessful attempt to force on the question of Supply

SPEECH UPON THE CASE OF SIR THOMAS PARRY, CHARGED

WITH UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE IN AN ELECTION.

7. Preparation for the Conference with the Lords concerning Impo-

sitions. Distribution of the argument. Part assigned to

· Bacon

53

-

NOTES OF SPEECH ON PREPARATION FOR CONFERENCE TOUCH-

ING IMPOSITIONS

Refusal of the Lords to confer. Rumour that words had been
uttered by a Bishop in derogation of the Lower House

8. Proceedings of the Commons with regard to the Bishop's speech.

Explanations and apologies offered in vain. Disorderly debates,

and abrupt dissolution

9. Account of the dissolution by Chamberlain and Lorkin

Supposed conspiracy to upset the Parliament. Bacon's silence.

during the later debates, how to be accounted for.

1. Impolicy of the Dissolution. Importance of the matter in dis-

:

pute intemperance on both sides. Condition in which the
breach left the Government and the country

Voluntary subscription for the relief of the Exchequer begun at
Court: the country to be invited to follow the example.

Bacon's advice.

CERTAIN POINTS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE VOLUNTARY OB-

LATION WELL BEGUN FOR HIS MAJESTY'S HELP AND

SUPPLY

Measures taken by the Council

2. Ordinary official business.

TO SIR THOMAS LAKE (11 July, 1614)

3. A MEMORIAL TOUCHING THE REVIEW OF PENAL LAWS AND

THE AMENDMENT OF THE COMMON LAW.

4. Bacon on the uses of the royal forests.

NOTES OF MR. ATTORNEY'S [SPEECH] CONCERNING DEER-

STEALING.

87

CHAPTER IV.

A.D. 1614-15. ETAT. 55.

1. Prosecution of Edmond Peacham for treason contained in a ser-

2. Resolution to indict Peacham for treason. The Judges to be

consulted. Bacon's apprehensions

90.

93

95

TO THE KING CONCERNING PEACHAM'S CAUSE (21 Jan.

1614-15).

To HIS VERY LOVING FRIEND MR. JOHN MURRAY OF HIS

A LETTER TO THE KING, TOUCHING PEACHAM'S CAUSE (27

Jan. 1614)

Nature and object of the proposed innovation

Policy of exacting fines for Recusancy

5. The King's argument on Peacham's case

Bacon's conference with Coke.

TO THE KING, GIVING HIM AN ACCOUNT OF PEACHAM'S BUSI-

. 107

. 110

TO THE KING, REPORTING THE STATE OF LORD CHANCELLOR

ELLESMERE'S HEALTH

Postponement of the proceeding against Oliver St. John.

TO THE KING, TOUCHING MY LORD CHANCELLOR'S AMEND-

MENT AND THE PUTTING OFF ST. JOHN'S CAUSE.

1614

FEB. 7,

6. Consultation with the Judges of the King's Bench upon the case

against Owen. Date and history of Coke's discovery that the

Judges ought not to give opinion beforehand upon cases to be

tried. Practice in K. James's time

A LETTER TO THE KING OF ACCOUNT OF OWEN'S CAUSE,

ETC. (11 Feb. 1614)

Coke's written opinion on Peacham's case

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

Resolution that the case should be proceeded with. New state-

ment made by Peacham. Further examination

the Bishop of Bath and Wells

A LETTER TO THE KING FROM HIS ATTORNEY CONCERNING

PEACHAM'S CASE. 28 Feb. 1614

Grant of lands to John Murray.

TO MY VERY GOOD FRIEND, MR. JOHN MURRAY, OF HIS

MAJESTY'S BEDCHAMBER THESE

Final examination of Peacham by Bacon and the other law

officers.

TO THE KING CONCERNING PEACHAM. (12 March, 1614)

THE EXAMINATION OF EDMOND PEACHAM AT THE TOWER.

MARCH 10TH, 1614

Arraignment and conviction for Treason. Sentence not executed.

Further examination. Death in gaol

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A.D. 1615. ÆTAT. 55.

1. Fruits of the short vacation

A LETTER TO THE KING TOUCHING MATTER OF HIS MA-

JESTY'S REVENUE AND PROFIT. 25 APR. 1615

2. Prosecution of Oliver St. John in the Star chamber, for a seditious

libel contained in a letter to the Mayor of Marlborough, con-

cerning the Benevolence

129

. 130

Libros