out of Norwich and Norfolk unwrought was upon the second reading committed unto the former Committees for Logwood and to meet at the same time and place And the Knights of Norfolk M r Nathaniel Bacon and M r Southerton were added unto them And the Bill was delivered to Sir John Hart one of the Committees The Bill concerning the Hospital of Warwick was read the second time and committed unto the Knights for Warwickshire the Burgesses of Warwick M r Linley Sir Francis Hastings M r Recorder of London Mr. Doctor Caesar Mr. Foulk Grevill Sir Robert Wroth and others And the Bill was delivered to M r Foulk Grevill with a Note of the Committees names who with the rest was appointed to meet in the Exchequer Chamber upon Wednesday next at two of the Clock in the Afternoon Thomas Layton Esquire one of the Knights for the County of Salop having been much visited with sickness since his coming up to this Session of Parliament is for the better hope of recovery of his health licensed by M r Speaker to depart home into his Country On Saturday the 19 th day of November Four Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading of which the last being the Bill for erecting of Houses of Correction and punishment of Rogues and Sturdy Beggars was upon the second reading committed unto Mr. George Moore Mr. Attorney of the Dutchy and Mr. Attorney of the Court of Wards Mr. Francis Bacon Sir Thomas Cecill Sir William Moore Sir Robert Wroth Mr. Recorder of London and others who were appointed to meet on Tuesday next in the Middle-Temple Hall at two of the Clock in the Afternoon Sir John Fortescue Chancellor of the Exchequer one of the Committees for the Subsidy who were appointed on Tuesday the 15 th day of this instant November foregoing shewed the meeting of the Committees yesterday and their assents to grant unto her Majesty three intire Subsidies and six Fifteenths and Tenths the two first Fifteenths to be levied before next and three Subsidies to be paid at three intire payments in the three next years Whereupon some of the House were of opinion that the last of the said three Subsidies should have been in two several years at two several payments in the like manner as the third and last Subsidy granted in the last Parliament was paid Whereupon Mr. Secretary Cecill purporting to the House the said Assent of the Committees for the said payments in manner as Mr. Chancellor had before declared shewing very many forcible reasons and causes of very great importance for the said speedy performance of the said payments accordingly Which done it was upon the Question resolved that the said last payment of the said three Subsidies shall be made in one year and at one intire payment in like sort as the two first of the same three Subsidies are to be paid Vide Decemb. 7 th post Mr. Davies shewing many Corruptions in the Masters of Colledges in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge in their abusing of the Possessions of the same Colledges contrary to the intents of the Founders converting the benefit of the same to their own private Commodities prayed the advice of this House for reformation and having a Bill drawn to that purpose desired he might have assistance of some of the Members of this House being learned in the Laws for the better digesting of the said Bill against the next sitting of this Court. Wherein Mr. Speaker referred him to Mr. Francis Moore and Mr. Boise with such other Members of the House as are of the Temple together in the same House with the said Mr. Davies Sir Edward Hobbie liking very well of the said Motion made by the said Mr. Davies moved that like consideration may be had of Deans and Chapters as of the said Masters of Colledges On Monday the 21 th day of November the Bill against Bastardy was read the second time and committed unto the former Committees for erecting of Houses of Correction and the punishment of Rogues and sturdy Beggars to meet at the former time and place The Bill for imployment of the Poor on work and to refrain them from idleness was read the second time and committed to the former Committees to meet at the same former time and place The Bill for the Lord Mountjoy had its first reading Sir Thomas Cecill one of the Committees in the Bill for George Durrant who were appointed on Tuesday the 8 th day of this instant November foregoing shewed the meeting of the Committees and sundry particulars of their travel in the said Bill to the good satisfaction of this House Whereupon the said Bill was upon the question Ordered to be ingrossed Mr. Adrian Gilbert one of the Burgesses for Burtport in the County of Dorset is for his necessary repair into the Country unto his Brother Sir Walter Raleigh Knight being as it is said visited with sickness licensed by Mr. Speaker to depart into the Country unto his said Brother The Bill concerning the Lands and Debts of Sir Henry Vnton Knight deceased was read the second time and committed unto Mr. Comptroller Sir Thomas Cecill and others and the Bill was delivered to Sir William Cornwallis who with the rest was appointed to meet upon Wednesday next at two of the Clock in the Afternoon in the Exchequer Chamber M r Baker one of the Committees concerning Weavers and Spinners who were appointed on Thursday the 10 th day of this instant November foregoing brought in the old Bill which was recommitted unto the former Committees and Mr. Nathaniel Bacon Mr. Hext Sir John Savile Mr. Davies and Mr. Bourchier were added unto them All which were appointed to meet in the Middle-Temple Hall upon Wednesday next at two of the Clock in the Afternoon And the Bill was delivered unto Mr. Nathaniel Bacon Mr. Francis Bacon one of the Committees for Tillage and re-edifying of Houses who were appointed on Saturday the 5 th day of this instant November foregoing shewed the sundry meetings and traverses of the Committees in divers and sundry courses concerning the converting of Tillage into Pasture And that as touching the said matter of Tillage they have framed a Bill which he offered unto this House requiring the same might be read to Morrow And as touching the said matter of re-edifying of Houses being not so throughly digested in the said Committee as the other was for Tillage he hopeth nevertheless to have the same very shortly ready to go forward together with the other Mr. Boyse one of the Committees in the Bill for Hospitals abiding and working Houses for the Poor who were appointed on Friday the 18 th day of this instant November foregoing shewed the meeting of the Committees and some Amendments in the Bill and delivered in the Bill so amended which Amendments being twice read the Bill was upon the Question Ordered to be ingrossed Mr. Robert Wingfield one of the Committees touching the abuses of Licences who were appointed on
of Munition for the Realms defence marvellously consumed The Navy and Sea matters nothing in the State they now be was forced to give Ear to a Peace with some other Conditions than else it is like her Highness would have come to to the end that these dangerous defaults might be in the time of Peace sufficiently for the security of the Realm provided for Whereupon indeed her Highness Peace being concluded entred into the reforming and supplying of most of all those great lacks and for the well-doing of them hath not forborn to take any care or pains neither hath she sticked for the compassing of this both to spend her own Treasure to sell her own Lands to prove her own Credit at home and abroad to the uttermost and all this for our Sureties and quiet Here want the Causes why the Queens Highness sent her Forces to lie in assisting the Admiral and others against the Guises and a Declaration of the great charges that grew thereby Thus have you heard the sum of those Proceedings whereby it is plain and evident that as our most Dear and Gracious Soveraign Lady hath for the preservation of common quiet and for our own Surety against the common Enemy for born no care or travel in the devising no more hath she charge or expence in the performing I may safely affirm it because I am well able to prove it that the Charges of the managing of these Affairs and that that hath been done since the Queens Majesty came to the Crown in supplying the dangers aforementioned amount to as much as two of the greatest Subsidies that I can remember a matter not possibly to be born for that which is past nor to be continued for that which is to come by the ordinary Revenue of the Crown and yet of necessity to be done except all which God forbid should run to ruine If when any part of the natural body happeneth to be in danger the head and every part hasteth to the relief what would then be done trow ye when peril is offered that the Head should take the whole care and bear the whole burthen and all the Members remain uncareful and uncharged therewith How light a burthen it is when it is born of many is understood of us all But hereof I make a stay because there is no doubt your good wills and towardness upon these Considerations be such as this last Speech of mine needeth not and so doubtless the Queens Highness taketh it And yet your Wisdoms well know that the Office of this place which I occupy craveth thus much to be said at my hands and for that purpose chiefly could I trust you take it and not for any necessity to draw them by perswasion that otherwise of their own disposition be forward enough The Declarations of the Proceedings being uttered I do assure my self to suffice to men of your understanding and inclination For how can a man think that any is so void of reason that he would not gladly offer any aid against a Foreign Enemy that he were able to make for the safety of his own Country his Soveraign himself his Wife and Children especially when by reason it is plain that the Queens Majesty hath already and daily doth imploy her own Treasure yea and her Lands and Credit not in any Glorious Triumphs superfluous and sumptuous Buildings of delight vain and chargable Embassages neither in any other matters of will and pleasure I mean no Expence to be noted in a Prince of thirteen Years Reign but as far as man can judge in the Service of her Realm and necessary defence for her people and for the annoyance of the Enemy Yet hath it been seen ere this that Princes Wills Pleasures and Delights have been followed in Expences as necessities And now God be thanked the doings have been such since the Queens Highness Reign that to the indifferent man it will be probable and plain that the relieving of the Realms necessity is become the Princes Delight a good Change God continue it a marvellous good Example for us to follow and yet it is scant credible how long it was and in the end with what difficulty the Queens Majesty came to agree that this Example should be followed by us in being content that this Parliament should be Summoned that it might be moved that the Realm might contribute to the Realms defence with such difficulty indeed that if any other way could have been devised her Honour and Realms Surety saved this had never been attempted So loth she is to any offensive matter by burthen or charge that if any other way could have been devised this had not been and so from her own Mouth she Commanded me to say unto you Oh what a grief it is to a Prince trow you when he findeth such want that he is not able so to consider of the Service of his Servants and Subjects this dangerous and necessary Service as their deserts do crave knowing that most commonly the very life and heart of the Servant and Souldier which so often offereth himself to the Cannon the Pike the Fire is either over-thrown or set up as regard is had of his perils Except there be some odd men as they call them of that perfection that virtue and well-doing is their mark and not reward who hold for firm that Recti facti merces est fecisse tantum but Rara avis in terris c. Yea those are so rare as counsel cannot be given that Princes Service should hang on the help of such hope and yet these be the perfectest and best but the World is not served by such To give good words is a good thing but often used albeit never so cunningly without Deeds or Service is reputed but as Wind and is indeed dare verba Marry power serving not then it deserveth great Commendations for it is as much as can be done for ultra posse non est esse But hereof thinketh little the greatest number But to a Prince who thinketh thus much and daily thinketh and feeleth of it what a tormenting trouble is such a want think ye These wants when they happen would be ought to be most holpen But here I have troubled you further than I meant or perchance needed If I have so done I pray you apply it to the best as I meant it and so there must needs come good of it And thus no further to trouble you but to make an end You have heard First the causes of this Assembly Secondly What I think meet to be remembred Thirdly What for the Governance of the Subject at home and what hath been done for the defence of the Enemy abroad your Offices and Duties to be careful to consider of these matters which I have the rather summarily remembred than effectually discoursed upon The former pertaineth to my Office as a Remembrancer The second to you as Executors of these remembrances And because you of the Nether House cannot
were appointed to have Conference in the Star-Chamber to Morrow at three of the Clock in the Afternoon for drawing of a Bill against the oppression of common Promoters The Bill lastly for setting the poor on work and for avoiding of Idleness was read the second time On Saturday the 11 th day of February Two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading of which the first being the Bill for M r Hatton was read the first time Upon sundry Arguments made unto the Bill for setting the poor on work and for avoiding of Idleness it was committed unto M r Treasurer Sir Rowland Hayward Sir Nichlas Arnold M r More M r Robert Bowes M r Atkins M r Alford M r Aldrich M r Sampoole M r Norton M r Cromwell M r Snagg M r Layton M r Waye M r Popham M r Woley M r Fleet M r Honnywood M r Longley M r Ailmer M r Newdigate M r William Thomas M r Tate M r Owen M r Grimston and M r Cure to meet at this House upon Monday next at three of the Clock in the Afternoon Christopher Dighton Gent. one of the Citizens for the City of Worcester was licensed by M r Speaker to take his Journey unto the said City of Worcester for Execution of Dedimus potestatem in the Service of our Soveraign Lady the Queens Majesty On Monday the 13 th day of February Five Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading of which the last being the Bill that in Actions upon the Case brought for words the County may be traversed was read the second time and committed presently after this Forenoon M r Treasurer for himself and the residue of the Committees for the Subsidy whose names see on Friday the 10 th day of this instant February foregoing declared that upon Conference had amongst them at their meeting together upon Friday last they did then Assent unto certain Articles for drawing of a Bill for one Subsidy and two Fifteenths and Tenths to be paid at several times whereupon the same Articles were read by the Clerk and then by Order of the House were the same Articles delivered to some of the Committees being of the Privy-Council that some of the Queens Majesties Learned Councel may by Warrant from this House cause the same Bill to be drawn accordingly Vide concerning this matter on Wednesday the 27 th day of this instant February ensuing The Bill for traversing of the County in Actions upon the Case was committed unto M r Seckford Master of the Requests M r Colshill M r Newdigate and others who were appointed to meet upon Thursday next at three of the Clock in the Afternoon in the Temple Church The Petitions touching Ports was read and committed unto all the Privy-Council being of this House the Lord Russell M r Captain of the Guard Sir Thomas Scott Sir William Winter M r Recorder of London the Burgesses for Dover M r Sampoole M r Grice Mr. John Hastings Mr. Norton Sir Arthur Basset Mr. Diggs Sir Henry Gate Sir Henry Wallop Mr. Langley Mr. Hawkins Richardson Mr. Randall Mr. Gardiner Mr. Sanders Mr. Jenison Mr. Beale Mr. Honnywood Mr. Tremaine Sir George Speak Mr. Captain of the Wight Sir Henry Ratcliffe Mr. Elesdon Mr. Layton and the Burgesses of Linne to meet to Morrow at three of the Clock in the Afternoon in the Exchequer Chamber Sir Nicholas Arnold Mr. Snagg Mr. Norton and Mr. Atkins were added to the former Committees for drawing of a Bill against the Promoters whose names see on Friday the 10 th day of February to meet upon Thursday next in the Afternoon at two of the Clock in the Treasury-Chamber near the Star-Chamber The Bill for reformation of Errors in Fines and common Recoveries was read the second time and committed unto Mr. Recorder of London Mr. Attorney of the Dutchy Mr. Baber Mr. Yelverlon and others to meet at three of the Clock this present day in the Exchequer Chamber Charles Johnson of the Inner Temple Gent. being Examined at the Bar for coming into this House this present day the House sitting confessing himself to be no Member of this House is Ordered that M r Wilson Master of the Requests Mr. Recorder of London and Mr. Cromwell to examine him wherein he seigned to excuse himself by ignorance he was committed to the Serjeants Ward till further Order should be taken by this House Sir Richard Read and Mr. Doctor Berkley brought into this House a Bill from the Lords touching the diminishing and impairing of the Coins of this Realm and of other Foreign Coins not currant within this Realm Two Bills lastly had each of them their several readings of which the second being the Bill for the preservation of the Lords Seignories was read the second time and Ordered to be ingrossed On Tuesday the 14 th day of February the Bill for Mr. Hatton was read the second time and Ordered to be ingrossed and committed unto Mr. Treasurer Mr. Heneage Mr. Cromwell Mr. Dalton Mr. John Spencer Mr. Norton and Mr. Alford to examine the suggestion of the Bill touching the consent of the parties to the passing of the same Bill whereupon Mr. John Spencer one of the Committees being also one of the persons named in the said Bill so resolved the residue of the Committees that upon the report thereof made to the House by Mr. Treasurer it was presently Ordered that the Bill should be ingrossed and the Proviso omitted and left out The Bill for the true payment of the Debts of William Isley Esquire was read the second time and the Proviso to the same Bill being twice read it was committed to Mr. Secretary Walsingham Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr. Treasurer of the Chamber and others Two Bills lastly of no great moment had each of them one reading of which the first being the Bill for Jeofailes was read the first time On Wednesday the 15 th day of February Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading of which the third being the Bill against diminishing and impairing the Coins of this Realm or of other Foreign Realms currant within this Realm was read the second time and committed to Mr. Treasurer Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr. Secretary Smith Mr. Secretary Walsingham Mr. Captain of the Guard Mr. Chancellor of the Dutchy Mr. Heneage Mr. Lieutenant of the Tower Mr. Sandes Mr. Darrington Mr. Popham and Mr. Norton to confer with the Lords at the next time that any Bill shall be sent to the Lords from this House The Bill against Bastardy was upon the second reading committed unto Mr. Comptroller Mr. Secretary Smith Sir Thomas Scott and others to meet upon Friday next at three of the Clock in the Afternoon at the Star-Chamber The Bill for reformation of Jeofailes c. was read the second time and committed unto Mr. Seckford Master of the Requests Mr. Serjeant Lovelace Mr. Recorder of London and others The Bill for the Freemen of the
upon the second reading committed unto Mr. Vice-Chamberlain Sir Henry Knyvet Mr. Wroth and others and the Bill was delivered to Mr. Vice-Chamberlain who with the rest was appointed to meet to Morrow in the Afternoon at two of the Clock in the Exchequer Chamber The Bill for relief of the City of Lincoln was brought in by Mr. Vice-Chamberlain one of the Committees in the same who shewed that they have met and conferred upon the same Bill and have amended it in four parts thereof and sheweth wherein leaving the same to the further proceeding of this House in the expediting thereof Mr. Vice-Chamberlain shewed that he and divers others of the Committees of this House met yesterday in Conference about the matter touching abuses of Purveyors and received all such Informations as were then delivered unto them which he said were very many and foul and some of them offered to be proved true in such sort as the same had been reported unto them and so moving this House to make choice of four of the Members of the same to be specially selected to attend upon the Lords in the said matter according to her Majesties said pleasure formerly signified unto them by Mr. Speaker Sir Henry Kuyvet Mr. Thomas Cromwell Mr. John Hare and Mr. Robert Wroth were thereupon nominated for that purpose and Ordered and assented that all the Members of this House might at their pleasure in the mean time of the said Conference so to be had with the Lords repair unto the said Sir Henry Knyvet Mr. Thomas Cromwell Mr. John Hare and Mr. Robert Wroth and to every or any one of them with such instructions either in writing or by information otherwise as they shall think fit for the better furnishing of the same Sir Henry Knyvet Mr. Cromwell Mr. Hare and Mr. Wroth with matter against the time of the said conference to be had with the Lords Nota That this House having formerly dealt in this matter and in reforming some exactions of the Exchequer had been forbidden by her Majesty to deal any further therein and yet afterwards upon some new considerations had leave for their further proceeding in the said matter as see before on Saturday the 15 th day and on Thursday the 17 th day and on Monday the 27 th day of February foregoing and on Tuesday the 4 th day Thursday the 6 th day Saturday the 8 th day and on Monday the 17 th day of this instant March last past Mr. Vice-Chamberlain one of the Committees in the Bill of Hue and Cry appointed on Saturday the 15 th day of this instant March foregoing shewed that in respect of other particular attendance committed unto him in her Majesties service elsewhere he could not be at the said Commitment this Afternoon and therefore prayed he may be excused and some other appointed in his stead Whereupon presently Sir John Parrot and the Master of the Wardrobe were added to the former Committees and the said Mr. Vice-Camberlain withdrawn And the Bill together with the names of the Committees was then delivered to the said Sir John Parrot On Wednesday the 19 th day of March the Bill concerning Glass-houses and Glass-Furnaces was upon the second reading committed unto Sir William Moore Mr. George Moore Mr. Markham and others and the Bill was delivered to Sir William Moore who with the rest was appointed to meet in the Exchequer Chamber at two of the Clock this Afternoon The Bill for the Lady Gressam was upon the second reading committed unto Mr. Cromwell Mr. Grafton Mr. Grimston Mr. Recorder of London and others who were appointed to meet in the Exchequer Chamber to Morrow in the Afternoon at two of the Clock The Bill against discontinuances in Writs of Error in the Courts of Exchequer and the Kings Bench was read the second time and upon further Motion was read again for the third reading thereof and so passed upon the question The Master of the Wardrobe one of the Committees in the Bill touching Leases of the Lands Parcel of the Possession of the Bishoprick of Oxford brought in the same Bill with report that the said Committees do think the same Bill not meet to be further dealt in by this House The Bill concerning Captains and Souldiers was read the second time and after the doubtfulness of the voices upon two several questions for the commitment thereof was upon the division of the House by the difference of thirty five Persons Ordered to be committed viz. with the Yea one hundred thirty one and with the No ninety six unto all the Privy Council being of this House Sir Henry Knyvet M r Wroth M r Lieutenant of the Tower M r North and others who were appointed to meet upon Friday next in the Exchequer Chamber at two of the Clock in the Afternoon Sir John Parrot one of the Committees in the Bill touching Hue and Cry brought in the Bill again with report that the Committees have met and conferred upon the same Bill and finding good Laws in force already touching that matter are of opinion that in respect also partly of the shortness of this Parliament likely to ensue the said Bill may be reserved to be further considered of in another Session Thomas Drurie Gent. being brought to the Bar was charged by M r Speaker in the name of this whole House with great and deep offences committed by him against the whole State of this House in general in having untruly reported and given out both to some of the Lords in the Upper House and also to divers others Persons elsewhere that he could have no justice in this House nor could himself be heard nor have his Witnesses in his Cause heard neither in the House nor before the Committees and also against divers Members of this House in particular in offering unto some of them great threats and to some others of them great sums of Money to speak in this House for him and not against him and likewise in using of hard Speeches both to some of them and of some of them to the great discredit wrong and prejudice both of the whole State of this said House in general and also of divers Members of the same in particular for that in very deed he had been heard at large both in this House and also before the Committees and for that likewise sundry of his misbehaviours towards divers Members of this House were directly proved in this House against him to the full satisfaction of this House in the same And so was required by M r Speaker to answer therein for himself Whereupon the said Thomas Drurie in very humble sort and good terms sought to excuse himself not directly acknowledging any the said offences but humbly craving pardon of this House if he had committed any such And then being sequestred the House till his said pretended Speeches of excuse and conditional form of craving pardon were considered of it was by divers of the Members of this House grieved
it hath not been the hardness to obtain or doubt how to keep the things so obtained that only hath withheld me from these attempts My Mind was never to Invade my Neighbours or to Usurp over any I am contented to Reign over mine own and to Rule as a Just Prince Yet the King of Spain doth challenge me to be the Quarreller and the Beginner of all these Wars He doth me the greatest wrong that can be for my Conscience doth not accuse my thoughts wherein I have done him the least Injury so that I am perswaded in my Conscience if he knew what I know he would be sorry himself for the wrong he hath done me I fear not all his Threatnings his great Preparations and mighty Forces do not stir me For though he come against me with a greater Power than ever was his Invincible Navy I doubt not but God assisting me upon whom I always trust I shall be able to defeat him and overthrow him For my Cause is Just. I heard say when he attempted his last Invasion some upon the Sea-Coasts forsook their Towns and fled up higher into the Country and left all naked and exposed to his Entrance But I swear unto you By God if I knew those persons or may know of any that shall do so hereafter I will make them know and feel what it is to be so fearful in so urgent a Cause The Subsidy you give me I accept thankfully if you give me your good will with it but if the necessity of the time and your Preservations did not require it I would refuse it But let me tell you the summ is not so much but that it is needful for a Prince to have so much always lying in her Coffers for your defence in time of need and not be driven to get it when she should use it You that are Lieutenants and Gentlemen of Command in your Countries I require you to take care and special Order that the people be well Armed and in readiness upon all occasions You that be Judges and Justices of Peace I Command and straitly Charge you that you see the Law to be duly executed and that you make them living Laws when we have put life into them Thus with most gracious thanks to the House her Princely Speech ended Note That the several Interlocutory Speeches of the Speaker and the Lord Keeper immediately foregoing with the coming up of the said Speaker and the rest of the House of Commons into the Upper House are not found in the Original Journal-Book of the same House but are here inserted partly out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons and partly out of another very exact Journal of that House which was in my Custody being very diligently observed and set down by some Anonymus who was a Member of the said House during this Parliament out of which the said Speeches were written almost verbatim And I have always thought it most fitting in all those several Journals ever to refer such like Speeches and other Passages as are wholly handled and agitated in the said Upper House to be set down as largely as by any good Authority they may in the Journal of the same to which they do most truly and properly belong and only for order sake to give a short touch or remembrance of them in the Journal of the House of Commons After the before-recited Speeches were ended as aforesaid then were the Titles of all the Acts read in their due order Which manner of the Clerk of the Upper House his reading and of her Majesties Answering to the said Acts is not thus exactly set down in the Original Journal of this Parliament but is supplied out of another of the Queens time and doth alike serve in all places because the same form is still continued And first the Bill of Subsidies to which the Clerk of the Parliament standing up did read the Queens Answer in manner and form following viz. La Roigne remercie ses loyaulx subjectes accepte leur benevolence ainsi le venlt The Clerk of the Parliament having read the Queens Acceptance and thanks for the Subsidies given as aforesaid did then upon reading of the Pardon pronounce in these French words following the thanks of the Lords and Commons for the same Les Prelats Seigneurs Communes en ce present Parlament assembles au nom de tous vostres autres subjects remercient tres humblement vostre Majeste prient à dieu que il vous done en sancte bonne vie longue Nota That here to the Bill of Subsidy because it is the meer gift of the Subject the Queens Consent is not required for the passing of it but as it is joined with her thankful acceptance nor to the Bill of Pardon because it is originally her free gift is other circumstance required than that the thankful acceptance thereof to the Lords and Commons be likewise expressed it being but once read in either House before it come thus at last to be expedited Now to all other Bills either private or publick the Queens express consent though in differing words is always requisite as followeth viz. The publick Acts were read to every one of which allowed by the Queen the Clerk of the Parliament read in French these words following viz. La Roigne le veult To every private Act that passeth the said Clerk of the Parliament reads the Queens words in these French words following viz. Soit fait come il est desire These two last Answers to the publick and private Acts that past are to be written by the Clerk of the Parliament at the end of every Act. To such Acts as her Majesty doth forbear to allow the Clerk of the Parliament reads in French these words following viz. La Roigne s'advisera After which ended the Dissolution of the Parliament followed in these words viz. Dominus Custos magni Sigilli ex mandato Dominae Reginae tunc praesentis dissolvit praesens Parliamentum THE JOURNAL OF THE House of COMMONS A Journal of the daily Passages of the House of Commons in the Parliament holden at Westminster Anno 35 Reginae Eliz. Anno Domini 1592. which began there on Monday the 19 th Day of February and then and there continued until the Dissolution thereof on Tuesday the 10 th Day of April Anno Domini 1593. THIS Journal of the House of Commons is fully replenished with many Excellent Passages both touching the publick State of the Realm and also concerning Priviledges Elections Returns and such like private Affairs of the House it self So that not only the dangers of the Realm were discussed and the Ecclesiastical Government touched but also consultation was had for a seasonable and timely preparation to be made against the ambitious and proud designs of the Spanish King Neither is it unworthy the Observation that some unusual distast was occasioned from her Majesty towards some Members of the House by reason of their
Subsidies would not defray her Majesties Charges though all other Customs and Revenues were added unto them And motioned what should be delivered by the House and what should be delivered to the Lords by the Committees Sir Thomas Heneage her Majesties Vice-Chamberlain affirmed he never saw the House so willing to yield to needful Aids And that he was one who had now served her Majesty a long time and knew something her disposition Wherefore he advised that the wonted course should be followed For he heard her Majesty speak of it that she loved not such fineness of device and novel inventions but liked rather to have the antient usages offered It is best so to have it paid as it hath been heretofore Only a greater discretion to be used in the charging of it To charge the poor men more deeply he thought it not fit yet they to be grateful to her Majesty he thought it would be accepted And that the best able men should offer somewhat to her Majesty of their ability And for the Order of our Proceedings he thought it fit that we first agree to three Subsidies and six Fifteenths this to be considered upon by Committees this Afternoon and to Morrow to be propounded to the House And then if it were allowed we might at our going to the Lords tell them what we have agreed upon Hereupon a murmur was in the House whether we should have a Committee for three Subsidies or a general Committee to confer of all matters of remedies The question being propounded it was Answered that it should be by a general Committee In the Afternoon at the General Committee the Committees met and it was debated how the Subsidy could be levied in shorter time than heretofore The poverty of the people and hard Collections of other Subsidies and the double charge which this would be unto them with many other reasons were alledged against the Parliaments so speedy Collection On the other side it was vehemently pressed that the necessity of the time was such as it could not carry the accustomed time for payment her Majesties Purse and Coffers being empty the danger would be over before the usual payment would come in Wherefore if the help were not timely it would be no service There was much division about this Some of the Committees would have this propounded whether the three Subsidies should be paid in four years or three others dissented from it M r Heale amongst the Committees argued the wealth of the Country to be greater than ever it was affirming that of his own knowledge from the Mount to London the Country was richer many thousand pounds than heretofore He also urged the necessity which being so great and her Majesty having expended as was said since Eighty eight above ten hundred and thirty four thousand pounds and that only in Normandy Brittany and in the Low Countries and upon her Navy and Artillery besides all her Pensions to Foreign Princes her Officers Fees the charges of her Garrison of Barwick standing her yearly in seventeen thousand pounds and all this is besides the Expences in her House These things being considered he thought more than Subsidies would be yielded and if Subsidies only the richer Men must be the more deeply charged and the Commission so penned as the Commissioners may have Authority to force men M r Francis Bacon assented to three Subsidies but not to the payments under six years And to this propounded three questions which he desired might be answered The first Impossibility or difficulty the second Danger or discontentment and thirdly a better manner of supply than Subsidy For Impossibility the poor mens Rent is such as they are not able to yield it nor to pay so much for the present The Gentlemen must sell their Plate and Farmers their Brass Pots ere this will be paid And for us we are here to search the wounds of the Realm and not to skin them over therefore not to perswade our selves of their wealth more than it is The dangers are these We shall first breed discontentment in paying these Subsidies and in the Cause endanger her Majesty's safety which must consist more in the love of the people than in their wealth and therefore not to give them discontentment in paying these Subsidies thus we run into a double peril In putting two payments into one we make a double Subsidy For it maketh four shillings in the pound a double payment The second is this that this being granted in this sort other Princes hereafter will look for the like So we shall put an evil precedent upon our selves and our Posterity And in Histories it is to be observed that of all Nations the English are not to be subject base or Taxable The manner of supply may be by Levy or Imposition when need shall most require so when her Majesties Coffers are empty they may be filled by this means Sir Thomas Heneage her Majesties Vice-Chamberlain said my Opinion shall not prejudice any mans Judgment but this my answer to the Gentlemans two reasons that spake last which were difficulty and discontentment For the first it is strange to count that impossible which hath been proved or that difficulty which hath been used For discontentment a people sound in Religion and faithful to the Queen and State were never found to love their Prince so little as to be discontented c. The necessity of the time is to be considered and shall be informed unto them which is such as has not been at any time these sixty years nor at any time the like was ever heard of Yea such dangers as are not to be read that ever the like was intended to any State Therefore for this extraordinary time some accustomed help must be had and from these Subsidies do but take away the benefit of time and then the payments will yield no help to our necessity for in two years the dangers will be over So he desired that in this Case Examples might not lead us but that the present dangers should move us Sir Thomas Cecill moved also that the Cinque-Ports might be also brought into the Taxes of the Subsidies at this time for that it hath been the use of men having any Lands in the Cinque-Ports to take sanctuary there before the Sessing of the Subsidy by removing themselves and keeping their Houses there Sir Walter Raleigh said I can see no reason that the suspicion of discontentment should cross the provision for the present danger The time is now more dangerous than it was in Eighty eight for then the Spaniard which came from Spain was to pass dangerous Seas and had no place of retreat or relief if he failed But now he hath in Brittany great store of Shipping a Landing place in Scotland and Men and Horses there as good as we have any But for the difficulty in getting this Subsidy I think it seems more difficult by speaking than it would be in gathering Now stood up two or
one of the Committees in the Bill against counterfeiting of Councellors and principal Officers hands appointed on Saturday the 10 th day of this instant March foregoing shewed that he and the residue of the Committees have met together and upon the end of their Travel therein do all of them think it a very dangerous Bill and not fit in their opinions to pass this House And did further think good to leave the same to the good consideration of this House And because it is a Bill which came from the Lords they thought good with 〈◊〉 said report first made to deliver the said Bill again into this House and so there to leave it in such sort as it is and not otherwise The Bill concerning the Lands late of Henry late Lord Burgavenny was upon the second reading committed unto M r Thomas Fane Sir Henry Knivett M r Recorder of London and others And the Bill was delivered to Sir William Haward one of the said Committees who with the rest was appointed to meet to Morrow at two of the Clock in the Afternoon in the Exchequer Chamber Four Bills of no great moment were sent up to the Lords by M r Vice-Chamberlain and others of which the first was touching the sale of Raven's Lands and another touching salted Fish It is Ordered that touching the Bill against Alien Strangers selling by way of Retail whereof report was now made by M r Recorder of London one of the Committees in the same Bill of that which was done yesterday by such of the Committees as then did meet or at the least by the more part of them viz. by five there being in very deed but nine in all both parts should be heard to Morrow in this House with their Council The Bill for Confirmation of Letters Patents to the Mayor Sheriff Citizens and Commonalty of the City of Lincoln was read the third time and passed upon the question M r Serjeant Owen and M r Powle did bring word from the Lords that their Lordships desire Conference with the Committees of this House upon Thursday next at two of the Clock in the Afternoon in the Chamber next the Upper House touching the Continuance of Statutes and relief of poor maimed Souldiers if this House shall so like Which Message being opened to the House by M r Speaker it was Ordered by this whole House that the former Committees of this House whose names see before on Monday the 12 th day of this instant March foregoing should attend their Lordships at the said time and place accordingly Which resolution of this House was also thereupon signified from this House to their Lordships by the said M r Serjeant Owen and M r Powle The Bill for the better expedition of Justice in the Court of Star-Chamber was read the second time After the reading of which Bill M r Francis Bacon stood up and and spake very earnestly against it by means whereof as it should afterwards seem the Bill was Dashed Which said Speech containing divers matters of good moment in it although it be omitted in the Original Journal-Book it self yet I have thought good to supply it out of the aforesaid Anonymous Journal more particularly mentioned at the beginning of this present Journal being in manner and form following M r Francis Bacon after silence made spake as followeth Neither Profit nor Peril shall move me to speak against my Consciene in this place Yet because I am a party interessed in this Office which the Bill aims at so may I seem to speak with feeling my self also not thinking it fit that being here a Judge I should speak also as a party yet I beseech you as the manner is in places Judicial if the Judge be a party though he sit not there as Judge yet may he defend and speak at the Bar as a party in his own Case So I beseech you because I may hap to yield reason to the satisfying of any that yet may stand for the Bill let me be heard to speak at the Bar. And then he offered to go to the Bar but the House in favour would needs have him speak in the place where he sat First there is cunning shewed in the Bill and for that my Lord Keeper might be affected it seems to give him the bestowing of the Clerks places Secondly to insinuate with practising Lawyers it gives them a Fee For no Interrogatories should be administred whereto their hand was not under Thirdly it offered also some kindness to me for it gave a present Forfeiture of the Office upon sundry defaults Fifthly to the subject in general it pretended a very great relief So that it carried a plausible show but indeed the Bill was in it self prejudicial to her Majesty inconvenient to the Judges of that Court and burthensome to the Subject Prejudicial to her Majesty for it makes a diminution of her Inheritance Inconvenient for the Clerks place hath always been in her Gift and this Bill would carry it to the Lord Keeper who never before had it It is an Indignity offered unto the Court for that the Clerk must be Ordered by an Act of Parliament as if their wisdom and Care were not sufficent to relieve any abuses they should find in their Officers to the grief of the Subject Great Injury is offered to the parties interessed for first an Office which is incident unto the Clerk is given from him he shall not have the appointing of his own Examiner And again the Ancient Fee hath always been twelve pence the sheet and as much in other Courts therefore this is not tolerable And considering the place of his Attendance his place is in the highest Court wherefore in reason his Fee is to have proportion with his Attendance Now where relief and Ease were pretended to the Subjects no such thing will come by the Bill but rather a greater Charge for it gives a Fee for Judicial Acts as for making Reports for which no such Fee is due It appoints that a Councellors hand must be to all Interrogatories so their Clyents must pay a Fee more than usually Also whereas he used upon Commission the parties talking with their Deponents to have Cause presently to draw Interrogatories they thought not ..... before now they cannot minister any such Interrogatories nay to every Commission sitting they must bring their Councel which will be an exceeding great charge Besides the Commissioners are bound under a pain not to accept Interrogatories that are not signed under a Councellors hand so the Commissioners must take notice at their peril who be Councellors admitted to the parties who not These with many other reasons There was much division thereupon Wherefore the Speaker propounded the question that as many as will not have the Bill rejected say I and the other to say No. The voice was so indifferent that it could not be discerned which were greater Then the question grew whether part should go out those that said I or those that said
Darcy de Chiche Dominus North. Dominus Shandois Dominus S t John de Bletso Dominus Buckhurst Dominus Compton These Lords Spiritual and Temporal being sat and her Majesty placed in her Chair of Estate the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons upon notice thereof repaired thither and being as many as conveniently could let in Sir Thomas Egerton by her Majesties Commandment spake as followeth viz. THE Queens most Excellent Majesty my most Gracious and Dread Soveraign hath commanded me to declare unto you my Lords and others here present the Causes which have moved her Highness to summon this High Court of Parliament at this time Which before I can express I must confess truly That the Royal presence of her Majesty the view of your Lordships and this honourable Assembly together with the consideration of the weightiness of the service and my own weakness do much appal me and cause me to fear Wherefore if either through fear I forget or through the many wants and imperfections which I have I fail to perform that duty which is required I do most humbly crave pardon of her Majesty and beseech your Lordships to bear with me The great and Princely Care which her Highness now hath as heretofore she hath ever had to preserve her Kingdoms in Peace and Safety from all Foreign Attempts hath caused her at this present to assemble this honourable and great Council of her Realm to advise of the best and most needful means whereby to continue this her peaceable happy Government and to withstand the malice of her weighty and implacable Enemies which hitherto by the space of many years through her provident and Princely Wisdom hath been performed to the great and inestimable benefit of her Subjects as that the simplest amongst them could not but see and the wisest but admire their happiness therein the whole Realm enjoying Peace in all Security wherein our Neighbour Countries have been torn in pieces and tormented continually with cruel and bloody Wars This her Majesty is pleased to ascribe to the mighty Power and Infinite Mercy of the Almighty And therefore it shall well become us all of all sorts most thankfully upon the Knees of our Hearts to acknowledge no less unto his holy name who of his infinite goodness still preserves her Highness and send her many years over us all in Happiness to Reign In this her blessed Government her Highness chief care and regard above all hath been of the Honour and Service of Almighty God that true Religion might be planted and maintained in the hearts of her people through all the parts of her Realms and as well in that behalf as for the peace and benefits of her Subjects she hath from time to time established many good Laws to meet with the disorders and to punish the offences of wicked and ungodly men that continuing in their bad ways they might not be hardned and go forward in their wickedness For Mora in peccato dat incrementum sceleri And whereas the number of Laws already made is very great some of them being obsolete and worn out of use others idle and vain serving to no purpose some again over-heavy and too severe for the offence others too loose and slack for the faults they are to punish and many so full of difficulty to be understood that they cause many Controversies and much trouble to arise amongst the Subjects You are to enter into a due consideration of the Laws and where you find superfluity to prune and cut off where defect to supply and where ambiguity to explain that they be not burthensome but profitable to the Common-Wealth Which being a Service of importance and very needful to be required yet as nothing is to be regarded if due mean be not had to withstand the malice and the force of those professed Enemies which seek the destruction of the whole State this before and above all is to be thought of and with most endeavour and care to be provided for For in vain are Laws made and to little purpose will they serve be they never so good if such prevail as go about to make a Conquest of the Kingdom Wars heretofore were wont to be made either of Ambition to enlarge Dominions or of revenge to quit injuries But this against us is not so in this the Holy Religion of God is sought to be rooted out the whole Realm to be subdued and the precious life of her Excellent Majesty to be taken away Which hitherto by the powerful hand and great goodness of the Almighty hath been preserved mauger the Devil the Pope and the Spanish Tyrant and all the mischievous designs of all her Enemies Wherefore it is high time that this be looked unto and that no way be left unsought nor means unused which may serve for defence thereof Her Majesty hath not spared to disburse a Mass of Treasure and to sell her Land for maintenance of her Armies by Sea and Land whereby with such small helps as from her Subjects have been yielded she hath defended and kept safe her Dominions from all such forcible attempts as have been made Which being still to be performed by infinite charge her Majesty doth notwithstanding hear of nothing more unwillingly than of Aids and Subsidies to be returned from her people though what she doth receive she doth carefully bestow and infinitely more of her own The Taxations at this day howsoever they seem are nothing so great as heretofore in the Reign of former Kings they have been In the time of Edward the third the two next before him and those three which succeded after him the payments of the Commons did far exceed any that have been since her Majesties Reign which is of Record in Histories to be seen but never cause so great to imploy great sums of Money as now Now therefore you are to consider how to provide needful and convenient Aid in some measure to maintain and support her Majesties exceeding charge which at this present she is at and is to continue for the defence of the Realm He cannot be well advised who in this case will not be forward to contribute and bestow whatsoever he hath For if with the Common-wealth it go not well well it cannot be with any private or particular person that being in danger He that would seek to lay up Treasure and so inrich himself should be like to him that would busy himself to beautify his House when the City where he dwelleth were on fire or to deck up his Cabbin when the Ship wherein he saileth were ready to drown so as perish he must of necessity either with it or for it To spare in that Case is to spare for those which seek to devour all and to give is to give to our selves her Majesties part only being carefully to bestow what is delivered into her hands Wherein men performing their Duties there is no Cause at all to fear for this War is just
same to the Committee again On Monday the 7 th day of December Two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading of which the second being the Bill for the relief of poor Prisoners in Ludgate was read the first time Mr. Serjeant Harries made Report of the meeting of the Committees in the Bill for the Assurance of the Joynture of the Countess of Sussex who were appointed on Thursday the third day of this instant December foregoing and of some Amendments and a Proviso added by the Committees The Amendments in the Bill with a Proviso touching the Joynture of the Countess of Sussex were twice read and with the Bill Ordered to be ingrossed The Bill for confirmation of the Assurances of the Lands of Sagebury aliàs Sedgebury to Samuel Sandyes Esquire and John Harries Gentleman and their Heirs was read the first time M r Snigg one of the Committees in the three Bills touching Cloths and Clothiers who were appointed on Wednesday the 18 th day of November foregoing declared that by Order and direction of the same Committees he hath reduced and drawn the three said Bills into one Bill reformed in the Abuses committed amongst Clothiers and prayed the reading The Bill for the true making and working of Woollen Cloths was read the first time Mr Doyle one of the Committees in the Bill touching Fairs and Markets not to be kept on the Sunday who were appointed on Friday the 4 th day of this instant December foregoing brought in the Bill with some Amendments added by the Committees The Amendments in the Bill prohibiting Fairs and Markets to be kept on the Sunday were twice read and the Bill was Ordered to be ingrossed The Bill touching the Assize of Fuel was read the second time and committed unto the Knights and Citizens for London Sir Jerom Bowes Sir Robert Wroth and others who were appointed to meet to Morrow in the Court of Wards at two of the Clock in the Afternoon The Bill touching Charitable uses c. was read the second time and committed to the former Committees who were appointed on Saturday the 28 th day of November foregoing and M r Serjeant Harries and others were added unto them who were appointed to meet this Afternoon in the Exchequer Chamber at two of the Clock M r Bacon said I am Mr. Speaker to tender unto this House the fruit of the Committees Labour which tends to the Comfort of the Realm I mean the Merchant which if it quail or fall into a Consumption the State cannot choose but shortly be sick of that disease It is inclining already A certainty of Gain is that which this Law provides for and by policy of Assurance the safety of Goods assured unto the Merchants This is the Loadstone that draws him on to adventure and to stretch even the very punctilio of his Credit The Committees have drawn a new Bill far differing from the old the first limited power to the Chancery this to certain Commissioners by way of Oyer and Terminer The first that it should only be there this that only upon appeal from the Commissioners it should be there finally arbitrated But lest it may be thought for vexation the Party Appellant must lay it in deposito c. and if tryed against him to pay double Costs and Damages We thought this course fittest for two reasons First because a Suit in Chancery is too long a course and the Merchant cannot endure delays Secondly because our Courts have not the knowledge of their Terms neither can they tell what to say upon their Causes which be secret in their Science proceeding out of their experience I refer the Bill both old and new to your considerations wishing good success therein both for the comfort of the Merchants and performance of our duties The Act is Intituled An Act touching Policies of Assurances used amongst Merchants Sir Edward Hobbie said It was the good pleasure of this House to refer the consideration of an Information exhibited against a Member of this House one of the Burgesses for the Town of Leicester viz. Mr. Belgrave the scope and purpose of which Information pretendeth an abuse to be done to the High Court The Gentleman himself was at the Committee and did acknowledge the substance of the suggestion but denied the circumstance Some of the Committees censured it to be an enormous fault to invest himself for so the words of the Information are in a blue Coat but others were of a contrary opinion because they were satisfied upon allegations alledged that it was done ad redimendam vexationem which had been offered to him and so he thought to right himself these wayes Besides I am to inform the House that this Information was put in sedente curiâ and therefore thought by the Committees to be some disgrace to the same And because this Gentleman should not take benefit of this Pardon therefore the Information as I said is now put in sedente curiâ which I wish the House to note And because he should be debar'd of remedy against the party he hath therefore caused the same to be exhibited in M r Attorney Generals name May it please the House because he desireth to be heard and being now here that be may speak himself in that he told the Committees he had some special matter to deliver unto you and if he shall be found culpable he would most willingly abide your censures But because other Statutes were to be read of importance this was refer'd over till some other time Vide December 17 th postea An Act for the continuance of divers Statutes and repeal of some others was read the second time M r Francis Moore desired it might be read as also the Exposition of the Justices upon the Statute of 39 Eliz. of Rogues which if it please the House he thought fit to be annext to that Statute M r Bacon said There were never yet any more than two Articuli the one Articuli super Chartas when the Sword stood in the Commons hands the other Articuli Cleri when the Clergy of the Land bare sway and that done upon deliberation and grave advice I beseech you remember these are done by Judges and privately perhaps in a Chamber and shall we presently without scanning or view Enact them It befits not the gravity of this House And so after a long Speech dasht it The Bill touching payment of Debts upon Shop-Books lately pass'd in this House was sent up to the Lords by M r Comptroller and others After sundry Motions and Arguments made against An Act made 39 Reginae Eliz. touching Lands given to charitable uses it was upon the question Ordered that the said Act should be repealed And upon another question whether the said Act should be repealed in the particular new Bill exhibited this Session of Parliament or else in the general Bill touching repeal of Statutes it was agreed by the House that it should be repealed in the general Bill of