The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

THE MOST HUMBLE
CERTIFICATE OR RETURN
OF
THE COMMISSIONERS OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND,
AUTHORIZED TO TREAT OF A UNION FOR THE WEAL OF BOTH REALMS:
2 JAC. I.
[PREPARED, BUT ALTERED]
WVE the commissioners for England and Scot- follow next in order, that the commerce between
land respectively named and appointed, in all both nations be set open and free, so as the comrnhumbleness do signify to his most excellent ma- modities and provisions of either may pass and
jesty, and to the most honourable high courts of flow to and fro, without any stops or obstructions,
parliament of both realms, that we have assembled into the veins of the whole body, for the better
ourselves, consulted and treated according to the sustentation and comfort of all the parts: with
nature and limits of our commission; and foras- caution nevertheless, that the vital nourishment
much as we do find that hardly within the memory be not so drawn into one part, as it may endanger
of all times, or within the compass of the universal a consumption and withering of the other.
world, there can be showed forth a fit example or Fourthly, after the communion and participation
precedent of the work we have in hand concurring by commerce, which can extend but to the transin all points material, we thought ourselves so mission of such commodities as are moveable,
much the more bound to resort to the infallible and personal, and transitory, there succeeded naturally
original grounds of nature and common reason, that other degree, that there be made a mutual
and, freeing ourselves from the leading or mis- endowment and donation of either realm towards
leading of examples, to insist and fix our consi- other of the abilities and capacities to take and
derations upon the individual business in hand, enjoy things which are permanent, real, and fixed;
without wandering or discourses. as, namely. freehold and inheritance, and the like:
It seemed therefore unto us a matter demonstra- and that as well the internal and vital veins of
tive by the light of reason, that we were in first blood be opened from interruption and obstruction
place to begin with the remotion and abolition of in making pedigree, and claiming by descent, as
all manner of hostile, envious, or malign laws on the external and elemental veins of passage and
either side, being in themselves mere temporary, commerce; with reservation nevertheless unto
and now by time become directly contrary to our the due time of such abilities and capacities only,
present most happy estate; which laws, as they as no power on earth can confer without time and
are already dead in force and vigour, so we education.
thought fit now to wish them buried in oblivion; And, lastly, because the perfection of this
that by the utter extinguishment of the memory blessed work consisteth in the union, not only of
of discords past, we may avoid all seeds of re- the solid parts of the estate, but also in the spirit
lapse into discords to come. and sinews of the same, which are the laws and
Secondly, as matter of nature not unlike the government, which nevertheless are already performer, we entered into consideration of such fectly united in the head, but require a further
limitary constitutions as served but for to obtain time to be united in the bulk and frame of the
a form of justice between subjects under several whole body; in contemplation hereof we did conmonarchs, and did in the very grounds and mo- ceive that the first step thkereunto was to provide,
tives of them presuppose incursions, and inter- that the justice of either realm should aid and
mixture of hostility: all which occasions, as they assist, and not frustrate and interrupt the justice
are in themselves now vanished and done away, of the other, specially in sundry cases criminal;
so we wish the abolition and cessation thereof to so that either realm may not be abused by malebe declared. factors as a sanctuary or place of refuge to avoid
Thirdly, for so much as the principal degree to the condign punishment of theii crimes andi
union is communion and participation of mutual offences.
commodities and benefits, it appeared to us to All which several points, as we account them
_N' 2 149