The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

196 A REPORT OF THE SPANISH GRIEVANCES.
ple nor possessiorn, is already become infamea for Which words, howsoever the effects prove, are
piracy. Witness Bingley, who first insinuating not suddenly to be requited with peremptory re
his purpose to be an actor in that worthy action solutions, till time declare the direct issue.
of enlarging trade and plantation, is become a For the third part of the matter of the petition,
pirate, and hath been so pursued, as his ship is which was the remedy sought by letters of mart,
taken in Ireland, though his person is not yet in his lordship seemed desirous to make us capable
hold. of the inconvenience of that which was desired.
For the trade to the Levant, his lordship by setting before us two notable exceptions thereopened unto us that the complaint consisted in unto: the one, that the remedy was utterly ineffect but of two particulars: the one touching competent and vain; the other, that it was danthe arrest of a ship called the Trial, in Sicily; the gerous and pernicious to our merchants, and, in
other of a ship called the Vineyard, in Sardinia. consequence, to the whole state.
The first of which arrests was upon pretence of For the weakness of the remedy, his lordship
piracy; the second, upon pretence of carrying wished us to enter into consideration what the
ordnance and powder to the Turk. That process remedy was, which the statute of Henry the Fifth,
concerning the Trial had been at the merchants' which was now sought to be put in execution,
instance drawn to a review in Spain, which is a gave in this case: which was thus; That the
favour of exceeding rare precedent, being directly party grieved should first complain to the keeper
against the liberties and privileges of Sicily. of the privy seal, and from him should take
That of the Vineyard, notwithstanding it be of letters unto the party that had committed the spoil,
that nature, as, if it should be true, tendeth to the for restitution; and in default of restitution to be
great dishonour of our nation, whereof hold hath made upon such letters served, then to obtain of
been already taken by the French ambassador the chancellor letters of mart or reprisal: which
residing at Constantinople, who entered into a circuit of remedy promised nothing but endless
scandalous expostulation with his majesty's am- and fruitless delay, in regard that the first degree
bassador there, upon that and the like transporta- prescribed was never likely to be effected: it
tions of munition to the Turk, yet nevertheless being so wild a chase, as to serve process upon the
there is an answer given, by letters from the wrongdoer in foreign parts. Wherefore hislordking's ambassador lieger in Spain, that there ship said, that it must be the remedy of state,
shall be some course taken to give reasonable and not the remedy of statute, that must do good
contentment in that cause, as far as may be: in in this case; which useth to proceed by certiboth which ships, to speak truly, the greatest ficates, attestations, and other means of informamass of loss may be included; for the rest are tion; not depending upon a privy seal to be
mean, in respect of the value of those two vessels. served upon the party, whom haply they must
And thus much his lordship's speech compre- seek out in the West Indies.
hended concerning the wrongs in fact. For the danger of the remedy, his lordship
Concerning the wrongs in law; that is to say, directed our considerations to take notice of the
the rigour of the Spanish laws extended upon his proportions of the merchants' goods in either
majesty's subjects that traffic thither, his lordship kingdom: as that the stock of goods of the
gave this answer. That they were no new sta- Spaniard, which is within his majesty's power
tutes or edicts devised for our people, or our times; and distress, is a trifle; whereas the stock of
but were theancient laws ofthatkingdom:,,Suus English goods in Spain is a mass of mighty
cuique mos." And, therefore, as travellers must value. So as if this course of letters of mart
endure the extremities of the climate, and temper should be taken to satisfy a few hot pursuitors
of the air where they travel; so merchants must here, all the goods of the English subjects in
bear with the extremities of the laws, and temper Spain shall be exposed to seizure and arrest: and
of the estate where they trade. Whereunto his we have little or nothing in our hands on this
lordship added, That our own laws here in Eng- side to mend ourselves upon. And thus much,
land were not exempted from the like complaints Mr. Speaker, is that which I have collected out of
in foreign parts; especially in point of marine that excellent speech, concerning the first main
causes and depredations, and that same swift part, which was the consideration of the petition
alteration of property, which is claimed by the ad- as it proceeded from the merchant.
niralty in case of goods taken in pirates' hands. There followeth now the second part, considerBut yet that we were to understand thus much ing the petition as it was offered in this House.
of the Kingc of Spain's care and regard of our na- Wheyrein his lordship, after an affectionate comtion; that he had written his letters to all corre- memoration of the gravity, capacity, and duty,
gidors, officers of ports, and other his ministers, which he generally found in the proceedings of
declaringhis will and pleasure to have his majesty's this House, desired us nevertheless to consider with
subjects used with all freedom and favour; and him, how it was possible that the entertaining
with this addition, that they should have more petitions concerning private injuries, and of this
f'vour, when it might be showed, than any other. nature, could avoid these three inconveniences;