Proceedings in the Commons, 1601: November 27th - 30th

November 27th - 30th

Fryday, Novemb. 27.

On Fryday, Novemb. 27. The Bill for Norwich was Read, and Committed; the Place of Meeting, the Exchecquer-Chamber, on Monday in the Afternoon.

Sir Francis Hastings.

Sir Francis Hastings said: 'I cannot find a better time, after 'so good a Bill, For the Maintenance of the Word in Preaching, than to move unto you a good Course for the Maintenance of Hearing.

'He that seeketh to please All, shall please None; and he that seeketh to please All in God's Cause, shall not please a Good Conscience. There is a Necessity, if the Queen's Will so be, that this Bill should be Preferred: For Religion is the Mother of Obedience.

'Four Exceptions have been taken to the Bill: That the Husband should not pay for the Wife, nor the Father for the Son, nor the Master for the Servant: And, That Recusants that pay the Penalty of Twenty Pound the Month, by Force of the Statute 23 Reginæ, should not be included: All these Penalties are now Excluded.

'I know some Half-Parishes, I would I could not say some Whole-Parishes, perverted by Jesuits, and Seminaries: These be of the poorer, and meaner fort of People; of whom this small Tax of Twelve Pence being duely Levied, will more pinch than any Law ever yet devised. And I humbly beseech, both in regard of the State of the Countries, and of our more secure Obedience to Her Majesty, it may be looked into, and Received. The Bill is Entituled, An Act for the more Speedy Coming to Church on Sundayes.

Dr. Perkins brought in the Bill from the Committee, Entituled, An Act for the Benefit of Merchants, and furtherance of Her Majesty's Customs.

The Speaker advises the House.

Mr. Speaker stood up, and wished the House to advise what they would do with the Prisoners that served Sir Edmund Morgan, and Mr. Pemberton with Subpæna's; and shewed, that they were ready at the Door to Attend.

Mr. Tate Speaks to their Privileges.

Mr. Tate said: 'I will be bold to offer Two Precedents to this 'House, touching serving of Subpæna's: Yet first, let us enter into Consideration of the Force of the Privileges we now have.

'It is manifest, and I think no Man doubteth, but that heretofore the Houses of Parliament were both one, without Division; and, That the United Body of the Parliament had the same Privileges, and Jurisdictions which we now have. And, Though there be a Cession or Separation of the United Body; yet the Privileges do still remain entire: For, by most Antient Records of this Realm, it plainly may appear, That the same Privileges serve Both Houses.

'The First Precedent is in King Edward the First's Dayes, when the Templars had certain Tenants in the Parliament-House, which were behind with their Rents; and they made Humble Petition to the King, That they might Distrain either their Bodies, or their Goods for the same. The King, as it appeareth, answer'd, Non videtur honestum quod aliquis de Magno Parlamento nostro distringatur. So that it seems, we are privileged from all kind of Distress whatsoever.

'The Second is, One Bago de Clare did presume to serve a Citation upon Edmond Earl of Cornwall, within westminsterHall, as he was going to the Parliament; for which he was sent to the Tower, and made to submit himself De alto & basso, and a Fine of Two Thousand Marks imposed upon him; which he truly Paid. Besides, because Westminster-Hall was within the Liberties of the Abby of Westminster, he was Fined One Thousand Pounds for his Contempt; but by Mediation of the Bishops it was reduced to One Hundred Pounds, which he also paid to the Abbot.

'And our Use at this Day is not warranted by Precedents of Ancient Times; For, if a Man had been Arrested upon a Subpæna, upon Notice given, he should have had a Writ of Privilege, which of course Her Majesty must have allowed.

Then he made a long Discourse upon Trewynnard and Skewish's case. 35. Hen. 8. Dyer. fol. 55. pl. 8. & 36. Hen. 8. fo. 59. pl. 17. Vide the Books.

Mr. Britten shewed, That a Member of the House, Mr. Phillips the Lawyer, was served with a Privy-Seal, out of the Court of wards, by one Thomas Deane servant to Mrs. Chamberlain a Widow, who when he delivered the Process, being told it would be taken in ill part by the House, he said, He cared not; being told the House would punish him for it, and bring him on his Knees, He Answered, His Mistress would bear him out, and she made no doubt, she should find as good Friends there, as he had any. Whereupon, the House Ordered, That she and her servant should be sent for by the Serjeant.

Mr. Holcroft said: 'That many Complaints were made, but none Punished; many sent for, but none Appeared. There was a Matter complained of, by one Mr. Morrice a Gentleman, that had his Man Arrested at his Heels, by the Bayliffe of Shrewsbury, and nothing was done therein.

Mr. Morrice said: 'That after the House had given Order to go, he came (said he) unto me to Certify him of the Parties and Particulars; and what he hath since done he knoweth not.

Mr. Roger Owen said, 'May it please you, Mr. Speaker, my self being chosen for the Shire, I think it my part to Speak something, seeing the Burgesses for the Town neglect their Duties, in not Speaking. True it is, that such Order was given by the House; but Mr. Morrice, and some others being willing to let me have the Examination of the Matter, they came before me. And upon Examination (a Wise Examination no doubt, Said Mr. Secretary Cecil) I found he was no menial Servant, but only a Servant that brought him part of the Way, and was to go no further with him, towards the Parliament; whereupon, I think, the Serjeant having some Notice, staid.

Mr. Brown of Grays-Inn said: 'It seems this Matter, is shuf'fled up: I humbly pray the Serjeant may be heard; and all the House Cried I, I, I.

After three Congees made, the Serjeant shewed He was with Mr. Morrice, and that he offered him to send one of his Men; but because he was in doubt of finding him, he desired some part of his Fees, or Money for his Charges, or Horses, or else he would find Horses, and get one of his Fellow-Serjeants to go, because he could not well be spared from his Service; if not, he would for his more Expedition procure a Pursuivant, to go with a Warrant under Mr. Speaker's Hand, and the Honourable of the Privy-Councel in this House; for the more speedy Passage. All which Courses, Mr. Morrice rejected. I hope the House me neth not that I should go or send on mine own Purse, or hazard the Charge my self. And therefore, I hope this will be Sufficient for my Discharge, And all the House Cried, I, I, I.

So no more was said of that Matter; For the Speaker seemed to Favour the Cause. And therefore he presently stood up, and asked If the House would have the Prisoners in, which Served Sir Edmund Morgan, and Mr. Pemberton? And all said, I, I, I. And by this Shift, the former Matter was shuffled over. Christopher Kennel, and William Mackerles, were brought to the Bar, the one for Serving Sir Edmund Morgan, and the other Mr. Pemberton with a Subpæna.

Christopher Kennel said, 'Mr. Speaker, and the rest of this Honourable House, I am, though poor, a Gentleman Born, and known to many in this Assembly; this perhaps, may be a cause to aggravate my Offence. I hope there is no Man here, that doth not know me; and I am sure there is no Man which knoweth me, but thinketh, I would not willingly commit such an Offence as this is.

'I have been sometimes, (though unworthy) a Member of this House. And I have seen and known the Justice of this House, in the like Cases. But, Mr. Speaker, if there be either Honesty, or Christianity in me, by the same I do protest, that I knew not Sir Edmund Morgan was of the Parliament-House; which, I think he will avouch himself. And as soon as I heard it, I went to Sir Edmund's Chamber, where I found him, to reconcile my self, and make an Attonement with him. And as I was doing this, Mr. Serjeant came into the Chamber, and there Arrested me, whose Arrest I most willingly Obeyed, and do now acknowledge my self to have Offended, though not Wittingly.

'May it please you, I have served Her Majesty these 18. Years, in Her Wars; and in all my Life, I was never Trespasser in any Offence of this kind or nature. I therefore do most humbly beseech you, in your Wisdomes to have Consideration of the nature and circumstances of my Offence. And most willingly I do submit my self to your Censures.

William Mackerless, being a poor simple Fellow, could say nothing for himself, but only, That he knew not Mr. Pemberton to be of the House.

So the Serjeant was commanded to Remove them both forth.

Mr. Johnson said: Some we Pardon out of Discretion, some out of Commiseration. I think, set all Parliaments together, they will not match this Parliament with Numbers of Offences of this Nature; and only our Impunity is the Cause.

Mr. Edmond Morgan said: Mr. Speaker, The Gentleman is a Man of good Sort, Desert, and Carriage: And, I think, if he had known me to be of the House, he would not have served me with a Subpœna. Truly, he came to my Lodging, and acknowledged his great Fault, and prayed me to Extenuate it. I protest, I think he did not know I was of the House. And therefore I pray, in regard of his Person, and good Service done to Her Majesty, his Offence may be as freely Remitted by the House, as it is by Me: And that it would please you All, to Refer your justice to Matters of greater Importance. Which was marvellously well liked by the House.

Mr. Pemberton being asked, What he could say? whether William Mackerles knew him? He answer'd, I; and that his Man had told him, he said, That he knew the said William was a very Knave: And therefore, he would not intreat the Favour of the House; but let him have the Justice of the House. Which Speech was generally misliked.

Mr. Fleetwood, a Councellor of Grays-Inn, shewed unto the House, That one Holland, a Scrivener by Temple-Bar, and his Man, had Beaten his Servant; and he humbly prayed, they might be sent for. And the Question grew upon Dispute in the House, whether this were Punisbable: And after, upon a Precedent vouched by Mr. Roger Owen, of 8 Hen. 4. touching a Knight of the Parliament, coming towards the Parliament, &c. it was agreed, That they should be sent for.

Mr. Kennel, and Mackerles were brought to the Bar: And after their Offence laid open by the Speaker, he said: It pleased the House, to have so favourable Consideration of their Offence, That they should only have but Three Dayes Imprisonment, in the Custody of the Serjeant, and pay his Fees.

Mr. Downold moves to have the Queen's Message entered in the Journal.

Mr. Downold moved the House; First, That the Gracious Message sent from Her Majesty, might be written in the Books of the Records of this House, [As, well it is worthy to be written in Gold] as well as written and fixed in the True Hearts of every good Subject.

Secondly, That the Honourable of this House, would move Her Majesty, and be an earnest Means of Speed; lest that which is now meant indeed, should by Protraction of Time be altered, or perhaps not so happyly Effected.

Secretary Cecil speaks to it.

Mr. Secretary Cecil said: I promised to be as Silent as I could. Amongst much Speech of the wise, there wants not much Folly; much more in Me. I do not Speak, because I do dislike the Motion of that Gentleman that last spake; but to defend the Diligence and Grace of the Queen. It is no matter of Toy, for a Prince to Notisie in Publick, a Matter of this weight. Though the Idol of a Monopoly be a great Monster, yet after Two or Three Dayes, I doubt not, but you shall see him Dismember'd. And I do protest, there is not a- ny Soul living, deserves Thanks in this Cause, but our Sovereign.

Yesterday, the Queen gave Order for the Draught of a Proclamation: I had the Minutes thereof, even now in my Hands. You all know, I went even now out of the House; then I Read it, and sent for him that should Deliver it to Her Hands. Now, what needs this new Zeal?

Mr. Davies.

Mr. Davies said: Mr. Speaker, I stood up before to Speak. It was not much I had to say, only this: That which was deliver'd unto You from Her Sacred self, I think to be Gospel; that is, Glad Tydings. And as the Gospel is written and Registred, so would I have that also: For Glad Tydings come to the Hearts of the Subjects.—This is all.

Sir George Moore.

Sir George Moore said: This eating and fretting Disease of Monopolies, I have ever detested with my Heart; and the greater the Grievance is, and hath been, the more Inestimable is the Grace of Her Majesty, in Repealing them. And therefore, to think we can sufficiently Record the same, it were to hold a Candle before the Sun, to dim the Light. And seeing that She, in Her Clemency and Care to us, hath taken the Matter into Her own Hands, I wish the Matter may be no more spoken of, much less proceeded in.

Sir Francis Hasting.

Sir Francis Hastings said: It ought to be Written in the Tables of our Hearts.

Mr. Laurence Hide: I think that this Gentleman, that set this Motion on Foot, spake out of Joy for Her Majesty's Grace, and Zeal to have Performance of Her Promise: In that he wish'd it might be Recorded in Paper here, or in Parchment, it is not to be intended, but he also meant in our Hearts, which remain no longer than we Live; but Records remain longer, and will give a Lively Remembrance in Ages to come. And therefore, for that part of his Motion, I think it very Good, and wish the Clerk may do accordingly.

Mr. Comptroller.

Mr. Comptroller said: I think that he that moved first this Question, exceedingly forgat himself, and exceedingly detracted from Her Majesty; who, I know, out of her abundant Grace and Favour to this House, hath taken such speedy Course, as hath been delivered by my Fellow-Councellour. With that Affection she embraceth this House, that in more Familiar, than Princely fort, it hath pleased Her to say, Recommend me to the House, with Thanks for their Promise, and Care for the Common Good.

Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker said: My Heart is not able to conceive, nor my Tongue to utter the joy I conceive for Her Majesty's Gracious, and Especial Care for our Good and Wellfare. wherefore, as God said, Gloriam meam alteri non dabo; so may Her Majesty say in that, That she Her self will be the only and speedy Agent, for the Performance of our most Humble and Wished Desires. wherefore, let us not doubt, but as She hath been, so She still will be our most Gracious Sovereign, and Natural Mother unto Us: whose Dayes, the Almighty God prolong to our Comforts. And all the House cryed, Amen.

Saturday, Novemb. 28.

On Saturday, Novemb. 28. The Bill Intituled, An Act for Explanation of the Statute of 39. Eliz. Cap. 6. touching Charitable Uses, was Read the second time, to which Mr. Tate spake; and said, amongst other things, that That could be no Law, which was contrary to the Great CHARTER of England. And this was, because it gave Power against the Great CHARTER, which giveth Challenges to Jurors, which this Law alloweth not.

Therefore he wished there might be a Commitment, to Consider, whether it were fit to be continued, or repealed. And the House would have appointed Monday.

But Mr. Secretary Cecil spake: 'I told you of late, That Her Majesty accepted of our Loves, and Thanks: But She Her self, from our Selves by our Speaker, would receive none, till She had performed Her Promise; which you may see is Accomplished, and Proclamations extant in every Mans Hand. Now, because you shall not think but She will receive your Thanks, which proceed from your Loves, (which is the greatest Pillar and Pearl of Her CROWN) She hath appointed Monday in the Afternoon, for that Purpose. And, if it please you to come with a Convenient Number of Forty, Fifty, or a Hundred, they shall all be Welcome.

So the Committee was put over till Tuesday; and they went to Name those that should go: At the last, at the Lower-End of the House, they cryed, All, All All; and so none were Named.

Robert Holland a Scrivener at Tempie-Bar, and Laurence Brook his Man, were brought to the Bar, for that they had beaten Mr. Fleetwood's Man, a Member of the House.

The whole Matter was thus related to the House, by Mr. Fleetwood, viz. That he was bound as Surety with one Mr. Heydon, for payment of Money at Holland's Shop, which was paid and told there, and the Bag, after, put up. Mr. Fleetwood on wednesday, as he came by Holland's Shop, was called in by Holland into the Shop, and after into a Parlour; where after chafeing and swearing that there wanted Ten Pounds Six Shillings of the Sum in the Bag; and that he should not have his Bond, until he had it: Mr. Fleetwood called his man to justify the payment, who did so. Holland swore he Lyed like a Boy and a Rascal. To which the Boy Answered. If you say so, I say, that whosoever saith there was not so much Money, he Lyeth; With that, Holland ran at him, and thrust him into a Chimny-Corner, and would have Stabbed him, if Mr. Fleetwood had not taken the Daggar from him. The Scriveners man, who heard the bussle, came in, and not only struck Mr. Fleetwood, but helped the Master to Beat the Man, and after, went again into the Shop, through which Mr. Fleetwood and his Man went forth. The Boy Mocked and jeared at him, and Mr. Fleetwood telling him, They should both answer it in the ParliamentHouse; The Boy Answered, My Master will warrant me, I care not. And it seemed by Holland, who could not well be heard, the aforesaid matter was true.

So, after he was removed, there was a great Dispute whether he should be sent to the Tower, or Committed to the Serjeant. And, I verily think, he had gone to the Tower, if Mr. Fleetwood had not by chance spoken a word, touching Mr. Anthony Maynard, Secretary to the Old Lord Treasurer, which happened thus: When Holland, Kneeling at the Bar, had spoken for himself; the Speaker asking Mr. Fleetwood What he could say? He told all the Matter aforesaid. But as he was at the begining, some said, At the Bar, At the Bar; which Mr. Fleetwood took to be a great Disgrace, and said: Mr. Speaker, I have heard that Mr. Anthony Maynard hath given out Speeches in the behalf of this Holland; and for some special Reason, I think he is the Man that saith, At the Bar. But the House push'd at him, and bad, to the Matter He fell again to speaking of Mr. Maynard, then they did as before; and so the Third time.

Then the Speaker wished him, To leave that as a Private Matter, and so fall to the Point.

After which, he told the whole Matter aforesaid, though I verily think, there was no such thing done by Mr. Maynard; for none spake against him, and for the easy Punishment of the Scrivener, but Mr. Maynard's Friends, even some of the greatest. Besides, it seems by the many Councellors that spake for Holland, That, &c.

Mr. Francis Bacon.

Mr. Francis Bacon said: 'I have been a Member of the House these Seven Parliaments, and yet never knew of above two that were Committed to the Tower: The first was Arthur Hall, for saying, The Lower-House was a new Person in the Trinity; which, because these words tended to the Derogation of the State of this House, and giving absolute power to the other, he was Committed. The other was Parry, that for a Seditious and Contemptuous Speech, made even there (pointing to the Second Bench) was likewise Committed. Now this Offence was not of the like Nature, and very small; not done to the Person of any Member of this House. And therefore, I think the Serjeant's Custody punishment sufficient.

Mr. Francis Moore.

Mr. Francis Moore said: 'Why, Mr. Speaker, this Offence is ordinary; my Man was well Beaten, and carried to the Tavern, and made Free of the Company of Gentlemen-Pages, forsooth. It were ridiculous for me to Complain; but this is a Matter of greater Importance.

Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jones of Grays-Inn said: 'Mr. Speaker, I think this is a great Wrong: For he hath charged him with Ten Pounds Six Shillings, and yet sent the Bond; which he would never have done, if he could have justified his Charge. The Tower is our Prison. And in Courts of Common-Law, if a man be Arrested but for Twenty Shillings, he shall be in the same Prison with him that is Arrested for Ten Thousand Pounds; and therefore, I think best he were Committed to the Tower.

So after other Consultation and Debate, it was put to the Question, and agreed, he should be in the Serjeant's Hands five Days, and also his man: And that they should pay double Fees.

Sunday, Novemb. 29.

Monday Novemb. 30.

On Monday Novemb. 30. The Bill for Redress of unsized Bread, Read the first time; and it hath a Limitation, to the end of the next Parliament.

A Bill for the Repairing and Amending of two Bridges over the River of Eden, in the County of Cumberland, adjoyning to the Walls of the City of Carlile, Read the first time.

Doctor Cæsar brought in a Bill from the Committees, Entituled, An Act for the making of a Hold or Key, in the NorthParts of Devonshire.

A Bill that no Person or Persons shall use the Art or Mystery of Poulterers in London, or within Forty Miles thereof; unless he hath been an Apprentice Seven Years thereunto; Read the first time: And the House cryed, Away with it. And being put to the Question for a Second Reading, all cryed, No, No, No.

A Bill for the Perfecting of the Joynture of Bridget Countess of Sussex, by the Right Honourable, the Earl of Sussex; and to the Right Honourable Anne his Wife, now Countess.

Mr. Comptroller's Message from the Queen.

Mr. Comptroller said: I am to Certifie you, of the Queen's Gladness and Willingness to hear the Acceptable News, that was deliver'd unto Her from this House, of the Humble and Earnest Desire of us all to see Her Majesty, and to shew our Thankfulness. She commanded me to tell you, That the Reason of Her Limitation of having a Convenient Number, was, in that the Place whereinto we should come, was not big enough to Receive us all. But She faith, That She is Glad, That there is such a Sympathy betœxt Her, and Us. And She is well pleased, That this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, we should all come; and without Restraint or Limit we may all come, and shall be very welcome.

The Bill for the Four Subsidies, and Eight Fifteens granted to Her Majesty, put to the Question, and ordered to be Ingrossed.

It was concluded, At Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, to meet in the Great Hall at White-Hall, there to Attend Mr. Speaker to Her Majesty.

Mr. Barrington brought in the Bill against Swearing, from the Committees.

The Bill for Avoiding of Trifling Suits, being Ingrossed, and put to the Question for Passing, it passed.

The Bill touching Edward Nevill, Esquire, &c. was passed, with a Proviso added to it, for the Saving of the Right of the Lady Vane, and her Sons.

The Speaker asked the House, what it was their Pleasure he should deliver unto Her Majesty? And Sir Edward Hobby stood up, and said: He thought it was best he should devise that himself; for the whole House would refer it to him.

In the Afternoon, the Commons Attended the Queen at White-Hall, about Three of the Clock, to the Number of One Hundred, and Forty.

The Commons attend the Queen in the Council-Chamber.

At length, the Queen came into the Council-Chamber; where sitting under the Cloth of State, at the Upper End, the Speaker, with all the Commons came in: And after Three low Reverences made, he spake to this Effect:

The Speaker's Speech to Her Majesty.

Most Sacred, & more than most Gracious Sovereign;

'WE Your Faithful, Loyal, and most Obedient Subjects, and 'Commons here present, vouchsafed of Your special Goodness, (to our unspeakable Comforts) Access to Your Royal Presence: Do in all Duty, & Humbleness, come to present that which no Words can express, our most Humble and Thankful Acknowledgment of Your most Gracious Message, and most Bounden and Humble Thanks for Your Majesty's most abundant Goodness, extended and performed to Us.

'We cannot say, (most Gracious Sovereign) we have called, and been Heard; we have Complained, and have been Helped; though in all Duty and Thankfulness, we acknowledge, Your Sacred Ears are ever open, and ever bowed down to Hear us, and your Blessed Hands ever stretched out to Relieve us.

'We acknowledge (Sacred Sovereign) in all Duty and Thankfulness; we acknowledge, That before we Call, your preventing Grace, and all-deserving Goodness do watch over Us for our Good; more ready to give, than we can desire, much less deserve.

'The Attribute which is most proper unto God, To perform all he promiseth, (most Gracious Sovereign, Queen of all Truth, of all Constancy, of all Goodness, never wearied of doing Good unto us, which the Deeds themselves do speak) That we must render unto You most Zealous, most Careful to provide all good Things for us, most Gracious, most Tender to remove all Grievances from us, which all Your Princely Actions have ever shewed. And even now, Your most Gracious published Proclamation, of Your own only meer Motion, and special Grace, for the Good of all Your People, doth witness unto us.

'We come not (Sacred Sovereign) One of Ten, to render Thanks, and the rest to go away Unthankful: But All, of All, in all Duty and Thankfulness, do throw down our Selves at the Feet of Your Majesty. Neither do we Present our Thanks in Words, or any outward thing, which can be nothing, which can be no sufficient Retribution for so great Goodness.

'But, in all Duty and Thankfulness, prostrate at Your Feet, We present our most Loyal and Thankful Hearts; even 'the last Drop of Blood in our Hearts, and the last Spirit of Breath in our Nostrils, to be pour'd out, to be Breathed up for Your Safety.

The Commons fall on their Knees.

After Three low Reverences made, He, with the rest, Kneeled down, and Her Majesty began thus to Answer, Her Self; viz.

'Mr. Speaker,

The Queen answers to them Her self.

'WE have heard your Declaration, and perceive your Care of Our State, by falling into the Consideration of a grateful Acknowledgment of such Benefits as you have Received; and that your Coming is to present Thanks unto Us, which I Accept with no less Joy, than your Loves can have Desire to offer such a Present.

'I do assure you, There is no Prince that loveth his Subjects better, or whose Love can countervail Our Love. There is no Jewel, be it of never so Rich a Price, which I set before this Jewel; I mean, your Love: For I do more Esteem of It, than of any Treasure or Riches; for That we know how to prize, but Love and Thanks I count Unvaluable.

'And, though God hath raised Me high; yet This I count the Glory of my Crown, That I have Reigned with your Loves. This makes me that I do not so much rejoyce, That God hath made Me to be a Queen, as, To be a Queen over so Thankful a People.

'Threfore, I have Cause to wish nothing more, than to Content the Subjects; and that is a Duty which I owe: Neither do I desire to live longer Dayes, than that I may see your Prosperity; and That's my only Desire.

'And as I am that Person, that still (yet under God) hath Deliver'd you; so I trust, (by the Almighty Power of God) that I still shall be His Instrument to Preserve you from Envy, Peril, Dishonour, Shame, Tyranny, and Oppression; partly by Means of your intended Helps, which We take very Acceptably, because it manifests the Largeness of your Loves and Loyalty to your Sovereign.

'Of My Self, I must say this, I was never any greedy scraping Grasper, nor a straight, fast-holding Prince, nor yet a Waster. My Heart was never set on Worldly Goods, but only for my Subjects Good. What You do bestow on Me, I will not hoard it up, but Receive it to bestow on You again: Yea, My own Proprieties I count Yours, and to be Expended for your Good; and your Eyes shall see the Bestowing of All, for your Good. Therefore, render unto Them from Me, I beseech you, Mr. Speaker, such Thanks as you imagine my Heart yieldeth, but my Tongue cannot express.

The Queen bids the Commons rise up.

"Nota, All this while, we Kneeled; whereupon Her Majesty said: Mr. Speaker, I would wish "You, and the Rest to stand up; for I shall yet trouble you with longer Speech.

"So we all stood up, and She went on with Her Speech, saying:

'Mr. Speaker,

And then continues to Speak.

YOu give Me Thanks; but I doubt Me, that I have more Cause to Thank You all, than You Me. And I charge you, to Thank them of the Lower-House, from Me: For had I not received a Knowledg from you, I might have faln into the Lapse of an Errour, only for Lack of True Information.

'Since I was Queen, yet, did I never put my Pen unto any Grant, but that, upon Pretext and Semblance made unto Me, it was both Good and Beneficial to the Subject in general; though a private Profit to some of My Antient Servants, who had deserved well at My Hands. But the Contrary being found by Experience, I am exceedingly beholding to such Subjects, as would move the same at the first. And I am not so Simple to suppose, but that there are some of the Lower-House, whom these Grievances never touched. And for Them, I think they spake out of Zeal for their Countries, and not out of Spleen, or Malevolent Affection, as being Parties grieved. And I take 'it exceeding Gratefully from them; because it gives Us to know, that no Respects or Interests had moved them other than the minds they bear to suffer no diminution of our Honour, and our subjects Loves unto Us. The zeal of which Affection, tending to ease my People, and Knit their hearts unto Me, I embrace with a Princely care; for (above all earthly Treasure) I esteem my People's Love, more than which I desire not to Merit.

'That my Grants should be grievous to my People, and Oppressions privileged under colour of our Patents; our Kingly Dignity shall not suffer it: yea, when I heard it, I could give no rest unto my Thoughts untill I had Reformed it.

'Shall they think to escape unpunished, that have thus Oppressed you, and have been respectless of their Duty, and regardless of Our Honour? No, Mr. Speaker, I assure you, were it not more for Conscience-sake, than for any Glory or Increase of Love, that I desire; these Errours, Troubles, Vexations and Oppressions done by these Varlets and lewd Persons, not worthy the name of Subjects, should not escape without Condigne Punishment. But I perceive they dealt with Me like Physitians, who Administring a Drug, make it more acceptable by giving it a good Aromatical Savour, or when they give Pills, do Gild them all over.

'I have ever used to set the last Judgment-Day before my Eyes, as so to Rule, as I shall be Judged to Answer before a higher Judge, to whose JudgmentSeat I do Appeal, That never Thought was Cherished in my Heart, that tended not to my People's Good. And now, if my Kingly Bounty have been abused, and my Grants turned to the Hurt of my People, contrary to My Will and Meaning; or if any in Authority under Me, have neglected or perverted what I have Committed to them; I hope God will not lay their Culps and Offences to my Charge; who though there were danger in repealing our Grants, yet what danger would I not rather incur for your Good, than I would suffer them still to continue?

'I know the Title of a KING is a Glorious Title. But assure your self, That the Shining Glory of Princely Authority, hath not so dazelled the Eyes of our Understanding; but that we well know and remember that We also are to yeild an Account of our Actions, before the Great Judge.

'To be a KING, and wear a Crown, is a thing more Glorious to them that see it, than it is pleasing to them that bear it: For my self, I was never so much inticed with the Glorious Name of a KING, or Royal Authority of a QUEEN, as delighted that G O D had made Me his Instrument to maintain his Truth and Glory, and to Defend this Kingdom (as I said) from Peril, Dishonour, Tyranny, and Oppression.

'There will never Queen sit in my Seat, with more Zeal to my country, Care for my Subjects, and that sooner with willingness will venture her Life for your Good and Safety, than My Self. For it is not my desire to Live nor Reign longer, than my Life and Reign shall be for your Good. And though you have had, and may have many Princes, more Mighty and Wife, sitting in this State; yet you never had, or shall have any that will be more Careful and Loving.

'Shall I ascribe any thing to my Self, and my Sexly Weakness? I were not worthy to Live then; and of all, most unworthy of the great Mercies I have had from God, who hath ever yet given me a Heart, which never yet feared Forreign or Home-Enemy. I speak it to give God the Praise, as a Testimony before you, and not to Attribute any thing to My Self. For I, O Lord, What am I, whom Practices and Perils past should not fear? Or, What can I do? [These Words She spake with a great Emphasis.] That I should speak for any Glory, God forbid.

'This, Mr. Speaker, I pray you deliver to the House, to whom heartily commend Me. And so, I commit you All to your best Fortunes, and further Councels. And I pray you, Mr. Comptroller, Mr. Secretary, and You of My Councel, That before these Gentlemen depart into their Countries, you bring them All to Kiss My Hand.