acquit my trust. To-morrow I will write particularly. God

The letter promised for the next day with a particular account of the result has not been found; though it seems that there was one answering the description among the papers sent to Tenison in 1682. For I find in Stephens's catalogue, under the date 8 Dec. 1619, a note of one described as "touching some fines recovered for his Majesty," and beginning "This cause." The next letter was, I suppose, in answer to it.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.'

My Lord,

His Majesty having seen in this great business your exceeding care and diligence in his service by this effect which hath followed thereupon, hath commanded me to give you many thanks in his name, and to tell you that he seeth you have played the part of all in all. And so I rest Your faithful friend and servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

Newmarket, 10 Dec. 1619.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.2

My very good Lord,

On Friday I left London to hide myself at Kew; for two months and a half together to be strong-bent, is too much for my bow. And yet, that the King may perceive that in my times of leisure I am not idle, I took down with me Sir Giles Mompesson, and with him I have quietly conferred of that proposition which was given me in charge by his Majesty, and after seconded by your Lordship; wherein I find some things I like

1 Harl. MSS. 7006. Orig. Docketed "10 Dec. 1619. My Lo. Marquess to your Lp. giving your Lp. thanks in his Majesty's name in the Dutch cause."

2 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 119. Copy by Meautys. No fly-leaf. Indorsed "To Lo. of Buckingham touching his Maty's service up on conference had with Sir Giles Mompesson."

1619-20.] ADVICE AS TO THE DISPOSAL OF THE FINES. 69

very well, and some other that I would set by. And one thing is much to my liking, that the proposition for bringing in his Majesty's revenue with small charge is no invention, but was on foot heretofore in King Philip's and Queen Mary's time, and had a grave and mighty opinion for it. The rest I leave to his relation and mine own attendance.

I hope his Majesty will look to it, that the fines now to come in may do him most good. Both causes produce fines of one hundred and fourscore thousand pounds, whereof one hundred thousand may clear the Anticipations; and then the Assignations may pass under the great seal to be inrollable; so as we shall need to think of nothing but the arrear in a manner; of which I wish the £20,000 to the strangers (with the interest) be presently satisfied. The remain may serve for the King's present and urgent occasions. And if the King intend any gifts, let them stay for the second course (for all is not yet done,) but nothing out of these; except the King should give me the £2,0001 I owe Peter Vanlore out of his fine, which is the chief debt I owe. But this I speak but merrily. I ever rest Your Lordship's most obliged friend

and faithful servant,

Kew, Decemb. 12, 1619.

FR. VERULAM, Canc.

After I had written this letter, I received from your Lordship by my servant his Majesty's acceptation of my poor services; for which I pray your Lordship to present to his Majesty my most humble thanks. I have now other things in my mind for his Majesty's service, that no time be lost.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.2

My honourable Lord,

His Majesty hath been pleased, out of his gracious care of Sir Robert Killigrew, to refer a suit of his for certain concealed lands to your Lordship and the rest of the Commissioners for the Treasury; the like whereof hath been heretofore granted to many other. My desire to your Lordship is, that he being a gentleman whom I love and wish very well unto, your Lordship would shew him for my sake all the favour you can in

1£20,000 had been written first, but the last cypher has been struck through with the pen.

2 Harl. MSS. 7006. f. 158. Orig. Docketed "25 Decemb. 1619, My Lo. of Buck touching Sir R. Killigrew's suit."

furthering his suit; wherein your Lordship shall do me a courtesy, for which I will ever rest

Your Lordship's faithful friend and servant,
G. BUCKINGHAM.

Royston, December 25, 1619.

2.

The important paper which follows is without a date. But as we know that the King had received, but had not read it, before he went to Royston (which was on the 17th of January1); and as Bacon was in the habit of presenting such things by way of new year's gifts; I take the first of January 1619-20 to be the most probable date of it. At any rate, this is its proper place in this collection.

The

A more important question is, have we the whole paper here, or only the first sheet? I incline to think that there was more. writing goes to the very end of the sheet. There is no docket; no mark of any kind to show that it is finished; and for anything that appears it may have been continued on another, which once separated would easily be lost. As far as it goes, however, it fully explains

its own business.

TO THE KING.2

Amongst the counsels, which (since the time I had the honour to be first of your learned, and after of your privy council) I have given your Majesty faithfully, according to my small ability, I do take comfort in none more than that I was the first that advised you to come in person into the Star-Chamber; knowing very well that those virtues of your Majesty's which I saw near hand, would out of that throne, both as out of a sphere illustrate your own honour, and as out of a fountain water and refresh your whole land; and because your Majesty in that you have already done hath so well effected that which I foresaw and desired, even beyond my expectation, it is no marvel if I resort still to the branches of that counsel that hath borne so good fruit.

The Star-Chamber in the institution thereof hath two uses; the one as a supreme Court of Judicature; the other as an open Council. In the first kind your Majesty hath sat there now 1 Chamberlain, 22 Jan.

2 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 227. Fair copy by Meautys. No date, docket, or

title.

1619-20.] CERTAIN PUBLIC COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDED.

71

twice; the first time in a cause of force concerning the duels ; the second time in a cause of fraud concerning the forgeries and conspiracies against the Lady of Exeter; which two natures of crimes, force and fraud, are the proper objects of that court.

In the second kind, your Majesty came the first time of all, when you did set in frame and fabric the several jurisdictions of your courts. There wants a fourth part of the square to make all complete, which is, if your Majesty will be pleased to publish certain commonwealth commissions; which, as your Majesty hath well begun to do in some things, and to speak of in some others, so, if your Majesty will be pleased to make a solemn declaration of them in that place, this will follow:

First, that your Majesty shall do yourself an infinite honour, and win the hearts of your people to acknowledge you as well the most politic King as the most just. Secondly, it will oblige your Commissioners to a more strict account, when they shall be engaged by such a public charge and commandment. And, · thirdly, it will invite and direct any man that finds himself to know anything concerning those commissions to bring in their informations. So as I am persuaded it will eternise your name and merit, and that King James his commissions will be spoken [of] and put in ure, as long as Britain lasts; at the least in the reign of all good Kings.

For the particulars, besides the two commissions of the navy, and the buildings about London (wherein your Majesty may consider, whether you will have any thing altered or supplied,) I wish these following to be added.

Commission for advancing the clothing of England, as well the old drapery as the new, and all the incidents thereunto. Commission for staying treasure within the realm, and the reiglement of monies.

Commission for the provision of the realm with corn and grain, and the government of the exportation and importation thereof; and directing of public granaries, if cause be.

Commission for introducing and nourishing manufactures within the realm, for the setting people a-work, and the considering of all grants and privileges of that nature.

Commission to prevent the depopulation of towns and houses of husbandry, and for nuisances and high-ways.

Commission for the recovery of drowned lands.

Commission for the suppressing of the grievances of informers.

Commission for the better proceedings in the plantations of Ireland.

Commission for the provision of the realm with all kind of warlike defence. Ordnance, powder, munition, and armour. Of these you may take and leave, as it shall please you: and I wish the articles concerning every one of them (first allowed by your council) to be read openly, and the Commissioners

names.

For the good that comes of particular and select committees and commissions, I need not commonplace; for your Majesty hath found the good of them; but nothing to that that will be when such things are published; because it will vindicate them from neglect; and make many good spirits that we little think of co-operate in them.

I know very well that the world, that commonly is apt to think that the care of the commonwealth is but a pretext in matters of state, will perhaps conceive that this is but a preparative to a parliament. But let not that hinder your Majesty's magnanimity, in opere operato that is so good; and besides, that opinion, for many respects will do no hurt to your affairs.

Here we come to the end of the sheet, and must remain in doubt whether the letter ended with it. The King saw the value of the suggestion and desired Bacon to follow it up. But I suppose the troubles of the times were too many and too urgent to allow the necessary leisure for bringing it to maturity, and though the system of distributing the business of government to standing commissions charged with the care of particular departments has gradually extended and established itself, King James was not destined to have the credit of bringing it in.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. 2

My honourable Lord,

I have acquainted his Majesty with your letter, who for that business whereof Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer brought the message to his Majesty to Theobalds, returned the answer by him.

1 See the next letter-"those businesses of the Star Chamber which his Majesty hath recommended to your Lordship."

2 Harl. MSS. 7006, f. 160. Orig. Docketed by Meautys," 19 Janu. 1619. My Lo. Marq Buck to yo" Lp. touching the Treasury business and other services of his Ma."