The said Petition, Pardon, and Letter were read; and then the abp. proceeded with the Report, "That the Cominons insisted much upon three points: 1st. The date of the Pardon, being the next day after the king's An-, swer delivered to both houses, by the king's command: 2ndly. That the Pardon dispenseth with these laws, viz. with the statutes of the 23d and 27th Eliz. and the 3d Jac. provided to keep his maj.'s subjects in due obedience; and with the statute the 10th Edw. 3. which directeth, That every felon, upon pardon obtained, should be bound to good behaviour: 3rdly. That it was solicited by the principal secretary, the lord Conway; and to this they added these circumstances: That this Jesuit, being formerly imprisoned and now set at liberty, his conversation might be dangerous in perverting many of the king's subjects. That, heretofore, in the time of queen Eliz. if any were convicted and pardoned, (for she pardoned none before conviction that their faults might be first known) they were also banished, not to return upon pain of death, which is prevented by this pardon. They concluded, That | both this Pardon and Letter were procured by the importunity of some foreign ambassadors; which was of dangerous consequence, to give the subjects here any dependeficy upon them." -The archbishop having ended,

His ldp, protested his sincerity to the true religion here established; whereof he had forunerly given good testimony, and in which he would persevere. And what he did, in these matters, was only to take away all scandal from the king, though it lighted upon himself; and that he did nothing but what he was first expressly commanded to do by the king."

But,

The Lord Keeper affirmed, "That he received the said Pardon, long before the date thereof; and if he had made a recepi upon the warrant, as is usual in other cases, it had born date with that though sealed afterwards. But that his ldp. deferred the sealing thereof, in hopes that the ambassadors would have been gone first, as they were often for going. they staying and daily urging the king for the Pardon, he, being again commanded, sealed it at the next general seal; and so it had date with the time of the seal and not of the grant. His Idp. well hoping, upon the departure of the ambassadors, to have stopped it with his maj. otherwise it had been sealed before the king's promise to the parliament; and therefore this can be no breach of the king's promisc." His lordship also said, "That the ambassador urged his majesty very much to give a general dispensation to the Papists; but the king was advised rather to pardon some few of them what was past. Which counsel, though to be commended, yet none gave way to it, but much against their wills; and his Idp. wished that a Petition might be presented to the king, to stay the like Pardons hereafter."

Next follows in the Journals, a Copy of a Petition to the king, from the lords and commons, repeating the aforesaid evidences; and that as the Letter and Pardon were drawn from him by the importunity of foreign ambassadors; a course of late too frequently practised by his ill-affected subjects, it was of dangerous consequence, inducing to a dependency upon foreign princes, &c. But as the whole of this would be a repetition of what is gone before, and besides, as it was never pre

The Lord Conway stood up and affirmed, "That though the Pardon was dated the next day after the king's promise to the parliament, yet it was no breach thereof; for it was granted long before: And his Idp. shewed, That, at Christmas last, his late maj. promised to the marquis de Villa Clara, (the French ambassador) certain graces and privileges to the Papists; that the marquis D'Effiat did afterwards obtain the like, to the end that the queen might come the more easy hither; and the duke de Chevereux (his maj.'s kinsman) who brought the queen over, had importuned him that he might also carry home the like graces. That the Pardon passed by immediate warrant, to take off the continual importunity of the ambassadors to the king; and he, being secre-sented, it may well be omitted. tary of state, solicited it himself; but it was at The Lord Keeper, on the same day, next prohis maj.'s command, to take off all imputation cecded to give the rest of the Report on what from himself; and not out of any affection of passed in the Conference, along with the king's bis to that religion which be ever hated. As Message and the consequence of it. His ldp. touching the Non-payment of the Fecs, his began with telling the house, "That his maj. Idp. said, That mr. Benbowe demanded 501. had graciously, fully, and parliamentarily, anfor them; and the ambassador complaining swered the Petition concerning Religion, dethereof to the king, he commanded him to see livered him by both houses, at Hamptonthat no fees should be taken. That the duke Court, the 7th of July last; and had comde Chevereux importuned the king to write manded his ldp. to signify to the Lords and that letter, himself, in favour of mrs. Estmond; Commons, that he had also given command to and he, as secretary, was forced and com- the lord admiral to deliver his said Answers manded to do it, rather than that his maj. thereunto, to both houses; to be by them disshould. The said duke complained much of posed, as the Answers of kings unto Petitions, the justices hard carriage unto her, but he of that kind, exhibited, are wont to be. And never heard any thing of her obstinate beha-withal to deliver a Message from his maj. conviour to them; nor of any copes, nor altars, found in her house; wherefore he wrote also to be advertised of her offence by them, but was not answered till within these few days.

cerning the great affairs of his, now in agitation in the house of commons."-That then the lord admiral said, " His maj. had laid upon him such a charge, as, when he did consider

to their several countries, there to remain confined within five miles of their places." Answ. For this the laws in force shall be forthwith executed.-XIII." And whereas your maj. hath strictly commanded and taken order, that none of your natural-born subjects repair to the hearing of Masses, or other superstitious service at the chapels or houses of foreign ambassadors, or in any other places whatsoever; we give your maj. most humble thanks, and desire that your order and commandment therein may be continued and observed, and that the offenders herein may be punished according to the laws." Answ. The king gives assent thereto, and will see that observed which herein hath been commanded by him.-XIV. "That all such Insolencies, as any that are popishly affected have lately committed, or shall hereafter commit to the dishonour of our religion, or to the wrong of the true professors thereof, be exemplarily punished." Ausw. This shall be done as is desired.-XV. "That the statute of 1 Eliz. for the payment of twelvepence every Sunday, by such as shall be absent from divine service in the church, without a lawful excuse, may be put in due execution, the rather, for that the penalty, by law, is given to the Poor, and therefore not to be dispensed withall."-Answ. It is fit that this Statute be executed, and the Penalties shall not be dispensed withall.

move in their own spheres, as being of sufficient poise and weight within themselves. What was done in this Petition, came from these two fountains, conscience and duty to his father; who, in his last speech, recommended unto him the person, but not the religion of his Queen."

The Duke's Account of the Preparations for the Fleet, and of the Conduct of the War.] Then his Grace signified, "That, by the king's com mands, he was to give to both houses, an Account of the Fleet, and all the Preparations thereof;" which he did in this manner, viz. "That the first and last time he had the honour to speak in this auditory, it was on the same business; and then he was so happy as to be honoured and applauded by both houses: And he made no question but, speaking with the same heart, and on the same business, he should be so now: For, if they looked upon the change of affairs in Christendom, they could not think it less than a miracle. Then the king of Spain was sought and courted by all the world; he was become master of the Valtoline; had broken all Germany in pieces, and was possessed of the Palatinate The princes of Germany were weak, and not able to resist; and, by reason of his master's neutrality, caused by a treaty, he kept all other king's and princes in awe. Now, on the contray, the Valtoline is at liberty; the war is proclaimed beyond the Alps; the king of DenXVI. “Lastly, That your maj. would be mark is in arms, with 17,000 foot and 6000 horse, pleased to extend your princely care also over besides commissions to make them up 30,000; the kingdom of Ireland, that the like courses the king of Sweden is also interested; the may be there taken for the restoring and estab- Princes of the Union are revived; the king of lishing of true Religion".-Answ. His maj.'s France is engaged against Spain, and, for that cares are, and shall be extended over the king-purpose, having made peace with his own subdom of Ireland; and he will do all that a re-jects, hath joined and confederated himself with ligious king should do for the restoring and esta-Savoy and Venice. Why should not he, thereblishing of true Religion there. And thus, most gracious sovereign, according to our duty and zeal to God and Religion, to your maj. and your safety, to the Church and CommonWealth, and their peace and prosperity, we have made a faithful Declaration of the present estate, the causes and remedies of this increasing disease of Popery, humbly offering the same to your princely care and wisdom. The Answer of your majesty's father, our late sovereign, of famous memory, upon the like petition, did give us great comfort of reformation; but your maj.'s most gracious promises made in that kind, do give us confidence and assurance of the continual performance thereof; in which comfort and confidence reposing ourselves, we most humbly pray for your maj.'s long continuance in all princely felicity."

fore, hope for the same success; considering that, since the time of his last speech to both houses, there was not one action, or a thought of his, that levelled at any other than one and the same object, which was to please their desires? If he should credit all rumours, which he would not do, he should speak with some confusion of fear, to hold the same place he formerly did in their affections: But, having still the same virtuous ambition, and considering his own heart to the king and state, he could find no cause of alteration, but was all courage and confidence."

Here the Duke made a request to the House of Commons, "That if any man had spoken or should speak any thing, in discharge of his conscience, zeal of reformation, or love to his country, which may seem to reflect upon some The Duke of Buckingham, assisted by Sir J. particular persons, he may be the last that shall Cooke, gives the King's Reasons for approving of apply it to himself: Because he is confidently the said Petition, &c.] The Petition and An-assured of two things; 1st. That they are so swers being read, the Lord Admiral said, "That as his maj. took well their putting him in mind of his care for Religion; so he would have done and granted the same things, though they had never petitioned him. Neither did he place this Petition, in this order, as a wheel to draw on other affairs and designs; but leaves them to

just as not to fall upon him without cause, who was so lately approved by them. And, 2ndly, That himself shall deserve nothing that shall misbecome a faithful Englishman."

The Lord Keeper (sir J.Cooke) next proceeded to give the remaining part of his Report, which was the sequel of the duke's speech. He said,

his grace chose rather to proceed in it by way of Question and Answer, than in one continued speech, as being the speedier way and means to yield satisfaction. He would take his rise, he said, from the Breach of the Treaties and Alliance, and put some Questions to himself, yet none but such as should be material to the business in hand. Here his grace did move 12, which the Lord Keeper said he would enlarge, for clearness and perspicuity's sake, into 14 Questions:

Quest. 1. By what Counsel the Designs and Actions of War were carried and enterprized? -Answer. "By the Counsel of parliament: and this his grace proved by the act of both the houses, March 24, 1623, which was read; and then his grace proceeded and said, Here you see, my lords and gentlemen, that his maj. moved by this council, applied himself accordingly for the defence of the realm, the securing of Ireland, the assisting our neighbours, the States of the United Provinces, and other our friends and allies, and for the setting forth of the Navy Royal. The king looking into his purse, saw enough to do all the former actions, but not the latter: For when he came to consider the Navy, there was neither money nor preparations; yet, looking upon the affairs of Christendom, he found this the most necessary. Hereupon his maj. of famous memory, did his grace that honour as to write to him from Newmarket to London, a Letter to this effect, 'That observing foreign affairs, he found it necessary that a Royal Fleet should be prepared, and put in readiness; but that he had no money: Wherefore his Lordship and his friends must begin to Jay out, and no doubt others would follow. And, by this means, the king might the longer lie concealed and undiscovered in the enterprize, as bearing the name of the subjects only; and other princes, in hopes to draw him on, would sooner come to the business.' Upon this Letter, his grace leap'd into the action with all alacrity; and, having received all he had from his maj. was desirous, and held it a happiness, to pour it out upon his service and occasions. But this he did not on his own head, but fortified by the advice and counsels of these worthy persons, the lords Conway, Chichester, Grandison Carey, Brook, and Ley, sir Rob. Mansell, and sir John Cooke-Their first consultation was of a War, the next of the Means; but both the one and the other was justified by more than himself. He never did any thing but by them; nothing was ever resolved on or altered but in their company; for either he repaired to them, or else they did him that honour, (as his grace term'd it) to resort to his chamber. When all was thus digested and prepared, and that they came to proportion time and levies, then, with the king's leave, the business was imparted to all the lords of the council; the Account was made to them, and allowed by them; who said there openly (his maj. being present,) That if this was put in execution, it would do well, and gave some attributes to it.'-Here sir John Cooke justified the shewing and approving of

their Accounts, at the council table; that those Accounts consisted of long particulars for soldiers to be levied, mariners to be pressed, forwardness of the ships and provisions, and that nothing was wanted but money; and that he had all these particulars ready to be shewn to the house of commons, if they should require it.-His grace then proceeded and shewed, "That he was so religious to guide these great affairs by counsel, that, at his Journey into France, which fell out about this time, he desired his majesty to recommend the business to a select committee, which his maj. did, to the lord treasurer, the lord chamberlain, the lords Conway and Brook, who in his absence, took care of the same. This his grace thought fit to tell their lordships, that they may see by what counsel this great business was carried; and that, in all the management thereof, he took no steps but by their approbation."

Quest. 2. Why did not his majesty declare the Enemy presently, upon the granting of the two subsidies? Answ. "His maj. considered the State of Christendom at that season, and found it full of danger to declare the enemy, for 3 reasons: 1st, because that great enemy would be more prepared. 2ndly, Spain being the enemy, our merchants would he embargoed, who are now drawn home. 3rdly, Our friends, finding us so long unprepared, after our Declarations, had despaired, and never believed any reality of our intendments."

Quest. 3. Whether this vast sum of 300,000. bestowed upon the Navy, together with 40,000/. more to be now employed, and 60,000/. at the return, be so frugally husbanded as was fit?Answ." That his grace refers to sir John Cooke's Accounts, which the house of commons may peruse; and when sir John hath done, the particular officers should be ready to justify it with their Accounts.”—Here sir John Cooke interposed, that he had already shewed this Account, and said, "That the duke had laid out of his own money 44,000l. and the Treasurer of the Navy, at his request, above 50,000l." To this his grace added, “That all this borrowed money was managed, by the proper officers, as if it had issued out of the exchequer; and had not been borrowed elsewhere.”

Quest. 4. Whether a considerable Sum of Money be yet required?—Answ. “ 40,000/. is yet necessary; but that our master is exhausted; his treasure anticipated, his lands engaged, his plate offered to be pawn'd, but not acceptcd; and yet his majesty must be maintained."

Quest. 5. Whether this Fleet was ever intended to go out or not?-Answ. "There have been some flying rumours to that effect. But what policy were it in the king, with the Charge of 400,000l. to amaze the world, cozen his people, and put you to such a hazard? What should he gain by an act that should make him blush when he met his parliament again? Certainly the king would never employ such a sum, but when the Affairs of Christendom made it necessary to do it; and it was done with an