The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

216 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.
Thus, hoping his majesty, out of his gracious that it should not be treason; that it be given
and accustomed benignity, will accept of our out constantly, and yet as it were a secret, and so
faithful endeavours, and supply the rest by his a fame to slide, that the doubt was only upon the
own princely wisdom and direction; and also publication, in that it was never published, for
humbly praying his majesty, that when he hath that (if your majesty marketh it) taketh away,
himself considered of our humble propositions, or least qualifies the danger of the example; for
he will give us leave to impart them all, or as that will be no man's case.
much as he shall think fit, to the lords of his This is all I can do to thridd your majesty's
council, for the better strength of his service, we business with a continual and settled care, turnconclude with our prayers for his majesty's happy ing and returning, not with any thing in tWie
preservation, and always rest, &c. world, save only the occasions themselves, ana
Endorsed, your majesty's good pleasure.
The lord chancellor and the two chief justices to the I had no time to report to your majesty, at your
king co~ncernilng Parliame~nt businessI. being here, the business referred, touching Mr.
John Murray. I find a shrewd ground of a title
against your majesty and the patentees of these
lands, by the coheir of Thomas, Earl of NorthSIR FRANCIS BACON TO KING JAMES.* umberland; for I see a fair deed, I find a reasonable consideration for the makinog the said
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENT MAJESTY, deed, being for the advancement of his daughters;
I perceive by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, for that all the possessions of the earldom were
that although it seemeth he hath dealt in an entailed upon his brother; I find it was made
effectual manner with Peacham, yet he prevaileth four years before his rebellion; and I see some
little hitherto; for he hath gotten of him no new probable cause why it hath slept so long. But
names, neither doth Peacham alter in his tale Mr. Murray's petition speaketh only of the
touching Sir John Sydenham. moiety of one of the coheirs, whereunto if your
Peacham standeth off in two material points majesty should give way, you might be prejude novo. diced in the other moiety. Therefore, if Mr..Murray
The one, he will not yet discover into whose can get power of the whole, then it may be safe
hands he did put his papers touching the consis- for your majesty to give way to the trial of the
tory villanies. They were not found with the right; when the whole shall be submitted
other bundles upon the search; neither did he to you.
ever say that he had burned or defaced them. Mr. Murray is my dear friend; but I must cut
Therefore it is like they are in some person's even in these things, and so I know he would
hands; and it is like again, that that person that himself wish no other. God preserve your
he hath trusted with those papers, he likewise majesty.
trusted with these others of the treasons, I mean Your majesty's most humble and
with the sight of them. devoted subject and servant,
The other, that he taketh time to answer, when FR. BACON.
he is asked, whether he heard not from Mr. Feb. the 28,1614.
Paulet some such words, as, he saith, he heard
from Sir John Sydenham, or in some lighter
manner. TRANSLATION OF A LETTER TO THE COUNT GONI hold it fit, that myself, and my fellows, go to DOMAR, AMBASSADOR FROMI THE COURT OF
the Tower, and so I purpose to examine him upon SPAIN.
these points, and some others; at least, that the MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD AMIBASSADOR,
world may take notice that the business is fol- Your lordship's love to me, both in its warmth
lowed as heretofore, and that the stay of the trial and purity, hath, I am well assured, been ever
is upon farther discovery, according to that we equal and unalterablein prosperity as in adversity;
give out. in which regard I offer you the thanks so worthily
I think also it were not amiss to make a false and justly claimed. Now that at once my age,
fire, as if all things were ready for his going my fortunes, and my genius, to which I have
down to his trial, and that he were upon the very hitherto done but scanty justice, call me from the
point of being carried down, to see what that stage of active life, I shall devote myself to letters,'will work with him. instruct the actors on it and serve posterity. In
Lastly, I do think it most necessary, and a such a course I shall, perhaps, find honour. And
point principally to be regarded, that because we I shall thus pass my life as withiln ihe verge of a
live in an age wherein no counsel is kept, and better.
that it is true there is some bruit abroad, that the God preserve your lordship in safety and
judges of the King's Bench do doubt of the case, prosperity. Your servant,
" Sir David Dalrymple's Memorials and Letters, p. 29. June 6th, 1621. FR. ST. ALBAN