Decrees were generally made with so much equity, that though gifts rendered him suspected for injustice, yet never any Decree made by him was reversed as unjust, as it hath been observed by some knowing in our laws.” As to bishop Field, on May 16th a message was sent from the commons to remind the lords of the Complaint against the bishop of Landaff for an offence proved to the house of commons by the testimony of Randolph, Davenport, and divers other witnesses, wherefore the commons demand Judgment against him for the same answer. The lords have been busied with many matters of great importance, but they shall hear from them shortly touching the said complaint. him that attended Demosthenes, Seneca, and Cicero (all great men), of whom the two first fell by Corruption. The fairest diamond may have a flaw in it, but I believe he died poor out of a contempt of the pelf of fortune, as also out of an excess of generosity, which appeared as in divers other passages, so once when the king had sent him a stag, he sent up for the under-keeper, and having drank the king's health to him in a great silver gilt bowl, he gave it him for his fee. He wrote a pitiful Letter to king James not long before his death, and concludes Help me dear sovereign lord ⚫ and master, and pity me so far that I who have 'been worn to a bag, be not now in my age ♦ forced to bear a wallet, nor that I who desire to live to study may be driven to study to live;' which words, in my opinion, argued a little abjection of spirit as his former Letter to the prince did of profaneness, wherein he hoped that as the Father was his Creator the Son will be his Redeemer.' I write not this to derogate from the noble worth of the lord viscount Ve-Field, now bishop of Landaff. A collection rulam, who was a rare man, a man recondite, scientio et ad salutem literarum natus, and I think the eloquentest that was born in this isle." James Howell to Dr. Pritchard, Jan. 6, 1625 (1626, N. S.) Letters, B. 1. § 4, Let-jeant, Crewe, came to the clerk's table and ter 8. It will be observed that this Letter, unless the date be misprinted, falsifies the account given above of the time of Bacon's death. The dates to Howell's Letters are not to be depended on. Dr. Birch's account of the time of Bacon's death, agrees with that given in the text: but Birch has not given very great accuracy to his dates. He says that Bacon was born Jan. 224, 1561, and entered of Trinity College, Cambridge, June 16th 1573, in his twelfth year. Now in June 1573, Bacon was in his thirteenth year, if he were horn Jan. 224, 1561, N. S.; and in his fourteenth year if born on Jan. 22d, 1561, O. S. Dr. Birch in the life of Bacon, prefixed to the Doctor's edition of Bacon's Works, expresses an opinion that the representations of his poverty are exaggerated. Bacon's Will certain y indicates a condition far removed from indigence. It is printed at the end of the third volume of Birch's edition. It must, however, be observed, that though in his Will he named six executors, none of them would undertake the office; for on July 23d, 1627, administration juxta tenorem et 'effectum testamenti,' was granted to two of bis creditors.-Rushworth thus speaks of Bacon: "This learned peer, eminent over the Christian world for his many writings extant in print, was known to be no admirer of money, yet had the unhappiness to be defiled there with: He treasured up nothing, either for himself or his family; for he both lived and died in debt; he was over indulgent to his servants, and connived at their takings, and their ways betrayed him to that error; they were profuse and expensive, and bad at command whatever he was master of. Th gifs taken ere, for the most part, for interlocutory Orrs; his May 30. The first thing of moment the Lords went upon this day, was to hear the Report of the earl of Huntingdon, one of the committee appointed to take Examinations concerning Dr. was made thereof, which, with divers letters, sent up by the Commons, concerning that cause, were delivered by his lordship into court. The bishop having withdrawn, the king's ser read the said collection in hac verba ·—“ Edw. Egerton having a suit in chancery with sir Rowland Egerton, for lands of good value; and supposing he had some bard measure therein, was commended to Dr. Field, now lord bishop of Landaff, for the procuring of some great friends to assist him in this cause. Upon conference between Edw. Egerton and the lord bishop about this matter, and to the end to procure such assistance and friendship, he acknowledged a recognizance of 10,000l. to the bishop, and one Randolph Davenport a gentleman belonging to the late lord chancellor ; which was dated March 18th, in the 16th year of this reign. Whereupon there was a draught of a defeasance conceived, but not perfected, as it seems; by which it was agreed between them, That if, by means or mediation of the said commissees, or either of them, the said Egerton should prevail, either by decree in chancery, or at common law, to recover so much of the ancient inheritance of the said Edward, as is mentioned in the defeasance, then to pay the lord bishop or Davenport, or either of them, 60007, within two years after.-On the 15th of March 1618, Dr. Field writes a letter to Edw. Egerton, in the nature of a defeasance of that recognizance, which con taineth, that the sum of 60007. is for gratuities to such honourable friends as shall be made in his business, if he recover, by the power of those friends, his ancient inheritance; or, otherwise, a third part of whatsoever shall be added to that which had been formerly awarded to the said Edward in chancery. And, if nothing was done, t..en he promised, in verbo sacerdotis, to return the recognizanec.-After this the lord bishop writes another letter without date, to Mr. Egerton, letting him know thereby, that ment of 6000l. when this examinant should have such an order from the court as he desired. The recognizance was entered accordingly; after which, this examinant finding no good thereby, demanded back his recognizance; when, after many delays, and a year's distance of time, he had the saine delivered. capt. Field his brother, and Butler should have shared the money amongst them; but how, he knoweth not." deration thereof be referred to the archbishop of Canterbury, and he to give the bishop an admonition for the same in the convocation house." The archbishop (George Abbot) then rose up and said, "That Dr. Field, the now bishop of Landaff, could not be excused from Brokage in Bribery; for which he was to blame: but hoped that he might bear his fault as Dr. Field, and not as bishop of Landaff; and that, if it was referred to him, he would do that which belongs unto him." there was a stay made of decreeing the lord chancellor's award till next term, by the means of one of my lord chancellor's gentlemen, who would have conferred with Mr. Egerton, but that his leisure permitted him not then to do it; he therefore required some further warrant and direction to proceed in his behalf. Underneath this letter one Woodward, brother--Lastly, that Woodward told him Dr. Field, in-law to Mr. Egerton, writes this postscript, That he thinks his cause will do well, and that he hath assured this gentleman he shall find Mr. Egerton faithful in his promise, and wish- Then the king's serjeant read also the Proofs, eth he would write back to Woodward to that which consisted of all the letters and examinapurpose.-Woodward writes another letter to tions before mentioned. After which the bishop Mr. Egerton without date, letting him know, of Durham* stood up, and, in a speech, rethat Dr. Field is sorry my lord hath not sent peated the manner how this matter was first an answer as he expected, but that my lord complained of by the commons to this house, chancellor shall be moved this night for a stay with the several proofs thereof; but added, of the decree; which he hopes to get by such" That since there was nothing proved but an means as he shall use; and that he hath as-intent, at the most, he moved that the consisured him Mr. Egerton would perform his promise.-Davenport being examined in this high court, touching the sharing the 6000/. betwixt him, Butler, the bishop, and others, saith, He himself should have had nothing; Butler was to have 2000l. and 1000l. was thought fit to be given to the lord chancellor; but his lordship knew not of it, and Butler dared not to move it. Davenport and Butler meant to have shared that 1000l. For the other 3000l. he knew not how it should be shared. The matter promised was a letter from the lord admiral, and a reference from the king to the lord chancellor.-Francis Joyner being examined in this cause, confesseth, he was the means to make Mr. Egerton and Dr. Field acquainted; and that the doctor had conference with Butler and Davenport about Mr. Egerton's business; and that the doctor drew in the lord Haddington to be a furtherer of it. He spoke to the recognizance; and that the doctor confessed he was trusted from the lord Haddington, and that his lordship was to dispose of the money at his pleasure. Tristram Woodward being likewise examined, confessed, Joyner told him Dr. Field had friends at court; and how Mr. Egerton was drawn to the doctor's house. The recognizance was taken for Butler and the lord Haddington, as he thinks; but out of it the doctor expected recompence, as he heard amongst them and confessed he wrote the postscript to Dr. Field's letter sent to Mr. Egerton.-Edw. Egerton saith, "That he agreed with Dr. Field for the recognizance, that he should have his land decreed to him: that 6000l. was to be paid on the event of the suit. He was to pay the money to Dr. Field and Davenport; but how much each should have he knoweth not. He further said, That Woodward, his brother-in-law, and Dr. Field, procured him to acknowledge the recognizance; but he did not pay the charge of it: that Dr. Field told him he would bring him to one Butler, who would procure an order from my lord chancellor for his relief in the cause as he would desire: thereupon the doctor demanded a recognizance of 10,000l. for pay Whereupon it was ordered, That the affair of the lord bishop of Landaff should be referred to the archbishop of Canterbury, and he to be admonished by his grace in the Convocation House, before the bishops and clergy there. The Lords also taking into consideration the complaint of the Commons, touching this matter, agreed upon a message to be sent to that house, to this purpose: viz. "Whereas the house of commons informed this house of a great misdemeanor committed by Dr. Field, now bishop of Landaff, and bath also sent since to demand judgment in that cause; the Lords having taken full examination thereof upon oath, do not find it proved in the same manner as, it seems, they were informed by exami nations taken in their house. And, for further satisfaction of the commons therein, their lordships have sent them the examination of Randolph Davenport."-" Ans. The commons returned great thanks for their lordships honourable and just proceedings in the cause of the lord bishop of Landaff, and for sending the examination of Davenport; by which it doth appear, that his examination, taken by them, doth differ much from that taken upon his oath before their lordships."-Then the question was put, Whether the said bishop should take his place in the house before he received his admonition from the archbishop or not? * Richard Neile, who had himself been complained of by the Commons, when bishop of Lincoln, for some expressions in the house of lords, tending to advance the prerogative royal. See No. 98, p. 885. Agreed, per plures, that he should: where upon his lordship was called in by the gentleman usher, and went to his place. Thus ended this affair. The following characteristic Letter from this bishop Field to Buckingham is printed ined my actions, my words, and my very thoughts, the Cabala, p. 117. my own blockishness, that I thrive no better; "My gracious good lord; In the great library of men, that I have studied these many years, your grace is the best book, and most classick author, that I have read, in whom I find so much goodness, sweetness and nobleness of nature, such an heroick spirit, for boundless bounty, as I never did in any. I could instance in many, some of whom you have made deans,(with loss of blood rather.) But God forbid so some bishops, some lords, and privy-counsellors; none that ever looked towards your grace did ever go away empty. I need go no further than myself, a gum of the earth, whom you raised out of the dust, for raising but a thought so high as to serve your highness. Since that, I have not played the truant, but more diligent-moving. I desire it therefore but once for all, ly studied you than ever before: and yet, dunce that I am, I stand at a stay, and as a non proficient, the book being the same that ever it was, as may appear by the great proficiency of others. This wonderfully poseth me, and sure there is some guile, some wile, in some of my fellow students, who hide my book from me, or some part of it; all the fault is not in be it Ely, or Bath and Wells; and I will spend the remainder of my days in writing an history of your good deeds to me and others, whereby I may vindicate you from the envy, and obloquy of this present wicked age wherein we live, and whilst I live in praying for your grace, whose l'am, totally and finally. THEOPHILUS LANDAVEN." 116. Proceedings in Parliament against Sir GILES MOMPESSON, a Monopolist and Patentee: 18 JAMES I. A. D. 1620. [Journals of both Houses. 1 Cobb. Parl. Hist. 1198.] WE shall now present the reader with a selves, in treaty and advise, the principal offenNarrative of the Proceedings against sir Giles der, sir Giles Mompesson, was escaped. ThereMompesson, a member of parliament, a Projec-fore, the Commons did desire strict scrutiny tor, and a great Dealer and Patentee. This man the Commons convened before them, and ordered him into custody of the serjeant at arms; but he, being conscious of his guilt, found means to make his escape, and fled beyond sea. The particulars of this affair will best appear from the Journals of the Lords, to whom the Commons carried their Complaint against the said sir Giles, and others concerned with him in the execution of his proSects: all the judicial proceedings both against man, and others of much higher rank, in sequel, being transacted before this suone Court of Judicature. March 3, 1620. A Message from the Lower use was delivered to the Lords by sir Edw. oke, attended by several knights, citizens and urgesses, to this effect: That the House of Commons had entered to a due consideration of divers heavy Grieves, and do desire a Conference about leaving the time, number and place to ps appointment. He further added, what they had enjoined him to say, ist their house was thus, amongst them On should be made for finding him out within the realm." The messengers being withdrawn, the Lords agreed to the Conference: the number, the whole house: the time and place, March 5th at two in the afternoon, in the Painted Chamber. Sir Edw. Coke and the rest were again called, and the Lord Chancellor acquainted them, That the house had agreed to meet with the Commons, as above; and that their lordships would give their best aid and assistance for finding out the offender. which Answer, sir Edw. desired to explain his Message a little further; and declared that the Commons were not fully provided for a Conference so soon: but that his meaning was, That if their lordships would be pleased to yield to one, then the other house would prepare the business so as it might give least interruption to their lordships greater affairs: and, when they were ready, would return and acquaint their lordships with it. The Chancellor answered, That the lords would suspend the time, till the Commons were ready for the Conference. Several proposals were then made for the from the commons, "That they had taken notice of some Warrants, issued by their lordships, for search in certain places for papers concerning sir Giles Mompesson. That the parties, therein employed, had found and brought in certain papers sealed up, also, a trunk and a bag in which other papers and books are sealed up, which they desire may be delivered to them. That one question had been made by the persons so employed, concerning their power, and they desire further warrant, from the lords, to authorize them to open locks, doors or chests, that their search may be more enlarged." Answer, "That the lords do grant the request of the commons in all its points; and will give direction for the proper additional words to be added to the warrant." apprehending of sir Giles Mompesson; and a Message was sent to the Lower House to acquaint them, "That they had appointed a committee of 40 lords, of which the Prince was the first, to confer with a number of the Commons, immediately, about that point." The lord Zouch, warden of the Cinque-Ports, was ordered to send his warrant thither, to search for and apprehend the said sir Giles, if he should attempt to escape that way. The two lords presidents, of Wales and of the Council at York, were ordered to cause strict search to be made in the several ports under their chargé. The Lord Treasurer had the same charge given him, to take care that all officers of the Customs and other officers, within the ports, havens and creeks of this land, be warned of this business. Lastly, orders were given to the Lord-Admiral that he should instruct all vice-admirals anded what passed at the last Conference of both other maritime officers under his jurisdiction, to make the like search for this extraordinary runagate. March 12th. The Lord Chancellor report houses; the inducement of which was, to clear the king's honour touching Grants to sir Giles Mompesson, and the means of procuring the same. The effect of this Conference was, "That the king, on the Petition of the said sir Giles, to have a Patent to reform abuses in divers Innkeepers, and a warrant to compound for the penalty of obsolete laws touching the prices of horse-meat, had refered the same to several judges, for the point of law; and to divers lords, for the point of conveniency. That his majesty bad shewn the like care, in granting the Patent for Monopoly of the sole making of Gold and Silver Thread. That sir Henry Yelverton, Attorney-General to the king, had advised the same to be returned into his majesty's own hands, and then by indentures to autho rize divers persons to manage it; but that this also was referred by his majesty to the consideration of several of his council. That the benefit arising to the king was made over to others, pro tempore; that the authority granted by the king, was much abused in the exe All these orders and directions of the Lords being told to the Committee of the Commons, they approved of them, with thanks; and only desired that a more private search might be made for the offender. Accordingly, a warrant was ordered to be drawn, as from the Lords, and signed by the Chancellor, as their Speaker and the lord chamberlain, the earls of Arundele and Southampton, the lords Hunsden and Houghton, were appointed for that purpose. Which warrant, was ordered to be directed to the deputy-clerk of the crown, and clerk of parliament, and to all mayors, bailiffs, &c.-In the midst of these orders and directions, the Lord Admiral, the marquis of Buckingham, declared openly to the house how much he had been deceived and abused by this offender, sir Giles Mompesson; who, but very lately, had wrote to him, protesting his innocency, affirming that what was objected against him was but matter of cavil, and that he desir-cution thereof, to the intolerable grievance of ed only a legal trial by due course of law. March 5. The Lord Chancellor acquainted the Lords, that the deputy-clerk of the crown, and the clerk of parliament, with others, had, according to their lordships direction, made search into the several houses of sir Giles Mompesson, sir Francis Mitchell, and in the house called and used as for the exercise and execution of letters patents, concerning Gold and Silver Thread, &c. in Wood-street; and that in each search the said clerks had brought away divers books and writings, concerning such matters wherewith the said sir Giles standeth charged; which they had sealed up, according to the direction of the house. The Lords ordered that the said things so sealed up, should be safely kept by the clerk of parliament, until their lordships should be pleased to give further direction, about delivering them to such members of that house as should be assigned to receive the said books and papers, for the better manifestation of the truth in such matters as the said sir Giles stood charged with. March 6. The lords received a message VOL. 11. the subject; and lastly, that much imposture was used in the trade." March 15th. The lord Wentworth moved, and it was ordered, That no bill but the Prince's bill should be read, until the business of sir Giles Mompesson be past and determined. The house to sit on convocation days, for the more speedy dispatch of that business. March 22d. The Lord Chamberlain, one of the committee appointed to enquire into the Grievances of the Patent concerning Inns and Hostelries, reported, "That in the said Patent were three things considerable: 1st, the legalis ty of it granted to Mompesson; but in that the committee had no power to judge. Next the inconvenience. Lastly, the abuses in the execution. That the inconvenience appeared in the patent, where the judges are made subject to a base of lee 5s. ; and, in the execution, because that sir Giles Mompesson affronted the justices of the peace, and threatened several of them with the council-table. And, because there were certificates sent him, from time to time, of those Alehouse-keepers, who were supe 4 c pressed for ill behaviour, be made this use of it, to make them Inu-keepers. That he granted licences to divers base fellows to keep ions; and sued out processes against 4000, for keeping inns without licence, and for the price of horse-meat, of which he only tried two suits. Lastly, his lordship delivered a collection of the several abuses and the proofs of them." recompence of his service. The proceedings, warrants, and the abuses in the execution, are all set down in the declaration, delivered by the commons. Their lordships labour was to look into these informations, wherein they desired the help of divers gentlemen of the lower house; who, not as members of that house, but as private gentlemen and friends, gave their lordships full satisfaction therein. In this search, they found proofs of every point, set down in the said declaration: and, for their more full satisfaction, they reviewed the Records themselves, wherein they found some proceedings, not mentioned in the declaration, and not warranted by any commission, viz. 1. Process used by George Geldard, sir Giles Mompesson's agent, in the king's attorney's name; the said Geldard confessing to one and but one. 2. Sir Giles used Geldard and his man, as his agents; Geldard to be Commis sioner and Geldard's man to be his clerk. Their lordships found likewise, That Geldard's man gave the evidence to the Jury, and, though The Earl of Arundel reported, "That the consideration of the Grievances by the Patents of sole Manufacturing Gold and Silver-Thread, complained of, being committed to his lordship and other lords joined with him in committee, That they had often met, the business being attended with great difficulty, and consisted of many particulars. That they had examined many witnesses, and more were produced who were fit to be examined, if the time of recess was not so near at hand. The lords committees have thought good to present to the house those proofs they have made, not to delay the time, but their lordships were not to be excluded from giving further proofs hereafter.-His lordship observed, That the com-the jury found an imperfect verdict, yet Gelmittee dealt, chicfly, with the execution, not with the legality of these patents. They found in the execution thereof, that the authority given by these patents, which ought to have been rarely used, was used by them familiarly, to the undoing of thousands. That the warrants dormant, to seize and imprison, &c. exceed all kinds of warrants of which there are three, and one of them is without date and razed; and the other hath a date by a new hand. That sir Giles Mompesson committed divers to prison, without examination, which they could not do by that warrant. Several were threatened with imprisonment. That one Fowlis did lock up divers in his own house. That several houses were violently broke up and the parties goods seized. That others were compelled to enter into bonds, not to exercise their own trade and to stand to their orders; and to make oath what quantity of Gold and Silver-Thread they sold, and to whom. That sir Giles confessed divers of these wrongs, and made restitution unto many. That this work of Gold and Silver-Thread was much sophisticated, since the grant of the sole manufacture thereof. He further declared, That the lords committees urged none to accuse himself, and admonished every man not to accuse another out of passion. He desired, That though sir Giles be fled, yet that Fowlis and other delinquents may be heard here, what they can say in their own defence." dard proceeded as upon a perfect one. That Geldard compounded with divers who were questioned for their lands, as concealed, and employed those parties, as commissioners, for their own compositions. That they set down in their book an Advowson and a Rectory at 4d. per annum; and lands, called Pease Marsh, at 10s. a year; which was affirmed by sir George Moore, the tenant to it, to contain 700 acres, and to be better worth than 3001. ↑ year. That there was no time limited to sir Giles to fill up his book; whereby, his vexing the subject, to fill the same, might continue 7 years. Lastly, their lordships conceived, That as his majesty had been abused in the Grant and in the Execution of it, so he should also have been in the end."—After this last Report was ended, The Lord Admiral (Buckingham) stood up and moved the house, "That care might be taken hereafter, that the sophistication of the manufacture of Gold and Silver-Thread be prohibited; and none be permitted to work thereon, to waste and consume the bullion of the land." He commended the trade that set so many thousands on work; and, if order was first taken for bringing in bullion, and against the sophistication, it might be gainful both to the king and commonwealth; and to new pa tentees, if another patent thereof should be thought fit. He shewed further, “that the motive for the grant of Concealments was, The Earl of Southampton, one of the com- that sir Giles Mompesson offered his service to mittee to consider of the Grievances com- consider how the multitude of officers in the plained of for concealments, reported to the exchequer might be cut off. In which bis ma house," That they find his majesty to be much jesty first asked the opinion of the Judges; and abused in the pretence and execution of this his majesty's pleasure was not to prejudice any grant. They find that sir Giles Mompesson officer, during his life, but to provide for the obtained a commission to himself, to call all future; which was, and yet is, his majesty's reofficers before him; by virtue whereof he fetch-solution to do; in consideration whereof, this ed up, from all parts, the king's officers, and kept them here to fill his book, granted unto bim, of 2001. per annum on concealed lands, in Patent of Concealments was first granted to the said sir Giles. It was ill foreseen, that a man of his corrupt disposition should be admitted to |