unto their lordships, which was presently read in hæc verba :

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS OF THE PARLIAMENT IN THE UPPER HOUSE

ASSEMBLED.

The humble Submission and Supplication of the Lord Chancellor.

"IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIPS,

"I shall humbly crave at your lordships' hands a benign interpretation of that which I shall now write; for words that come from wasted spirits, and an oppressed mind, are more safe in being deposited in a noble construction, than in being circled with any reserved caution.

"This being moved, and as I hope obtained, in the nature of a protection for all that I shall say; I shall now make into the rest of that, wherewith I shall at this time trouble your lordships, a very strange entrance: for in the midst of a state of as great affliction, as I think a mortal man can endure, honour being above life, I shall begin with the professing of gladness in some things.

"The first is, That hereafter the greatness of a judge, or magistrate, shall be no sanctuary or protection of guiltiness: which, in few words, is the beginning of a golden world.

"The next, That after this example, it is like that judges will fly from any thing that is in the likeness of corruption, though it were at a great distance, as from a serpent; which tendeth to the purging of the courts of justice, and the reducing them to their true honour and splendour.

"And in these two points, God is my witness, that though it be my fortune to be the anvil, whereupon those good effects are beaten and wrought, I take no small comfort.

"But to pass from the motions of my heart, whereof God is only judge, to the merits of my cause, whereof your lordships are judges, under God and his lieutenant. I do understand there hath been heretofore expected from me some justification: and therefore I have chosen one only justification, out of the justification of Job. For after the clear submission and confession which I shall now make unto your lordships, I hope I may say and justify with Job in these words, I have not hid my sins, as did Adam, nor concealed my faults in my bosom.' is the only justification which I will use.

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This

"It resteth therefore, that, without fig-leaves, I do ingenuously confess and acknowledge, that having understood the particulars of the charge, not formally from the house, but enough to inform my conscience and my memory, I find matters sufficient and full, both to move me to desert my defence, and to move your lordships to condemn and censure me. "Neither will I trouble your lordships by singling those particulars which I think Horat. Ep. might fall off, "Quid te exempta juvat

lib. ii.

spinis de pluribus una ?" Neither will I prompt your lordships to observe upon the proofs, where they come not home, or the scruple

touching the credit of the witnesses. Neither will I represent to your lordships, how far a defence in divers things mought extenuate the offence in respect of the time and manner of the gift, or the like circumstances. But only leave these things to spring out of your own noble thoughts, and observations of the evidence, and examinations themselves; and charitably to wind about the particulars of the charge, here and there as God shall put into your minds; and so submit myself wholly to your piety and grace.

"And now I have spoken to your lordships as judges, I shall say a few words to you as peers and prelates; humbly commending my cause to your noble minds and magnanimous affections.

"Your lordships are not simply judges, but parliamentary judges; you have a farther extent of arbitrary power, than other courts. And if your lordships be not tied by ordinary courses of courts or precedents in points of strictness and severity, much more in points of mercy and mitigation.

"And yet if any thing which I shall move, mought be contrary to your worthy ends to introduce a reformation, I should not seek it: but herein I beseech your lordships to give me leave to tell you a story. Titus Manlius took his son's life for giving battle against the prohibition of his general: not many years after the like severity was pursued by Papirius Cursor, the dictator, against Quintus Maximus; who being upon the point to be sentenced, by the intercession of some principal persons of the senate was spared: whereupon Livy maketh this grave and gracious observation; "Neque minus firmata est disciplina militaris periculo Quinti Maximi, quam miserabili supplicio Titi Manlii." The discipline of war was no less established by the questioning of Quintus Maximus, than by the punishing of Titus Manlius. And the same reason is of the reformation of justice; for the questioning of men of eminent places hath the same terror, though not the same rigour with the punishment.

"But my case standeth not there; for my humble desire is, that his Majesty would take the seal into his hands; which is a great downfal, and may serve, I hope, in itself, for an expiation of my faults.

"Therefore, if mercy and mitigation be in your power, and do no ways cross your noble ends, why should I not hope of your lordships favour and commiseration?

"Your lordships will be pleased to behold your chief pattern, the king our sovereign, a king of incomparable clemency, and whose heart is inscrutable for wisdom and goodness. Your lordships will remember that there sat not these hundred years before, a prince in your house, and never such a prince, whose presence deserves to be made memorable by records and acts mixed of mercy and justice. Your lordships are either nobles, and compassion ever beateth in the veins of noble blood, or reverend prelates, who are the servants of Him, who would not 'break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax.' You all sit upon one high stage, and therefore cannot but be more sensible of the changes. of the world, and the fall of any of high place.

"Neither will your lordships forget that there are vitia temporis, as well as vitia hominis; and that the beginning of reformations hath the contrary power of the pool of Bethesda; for that had strength to cure him only that was first cast in, and this hath commonly strength to hurt him only that is first cast in. And for my part, I wish it may stay there and go no further.

Lastly, I assure myself, your lordships have a noble feeling of me, as a member of your own body, and one that in this very session had some taste of your loving affections; which, I hope, was not a lightening before the death of them, but rather a spark of that grace, which now in the conclusion will more appear.

"And therefore my humble suit to your lordships is, That my penitent submission may be my sentence, and the loss of the seal my punishment; and that your lordships will spare any farther sentence, but recommend me to his Majesty's grace and pardon for all that is past. God's holy Spirit be among you.

"Your lordships' humble servant, and suppliant, 22d April, 1621. "FR. ST. ALBAN, CANC."

The lords having considered of this submission, and heard the collections of corruptions charged upon the said lord chancellor, and the proofs thereof read, they sent a copy of the same without the proofs unto him the said lord chancellor, by Mr. Baron Denham, and Mr. Attorney-general, with this message from their lordships, namely,

That the lord chancellor's confession is not fully set down by his lordship, in the said submission, for three causes.

every point, and after that an humble submission; but humbly craves liberty, that where the charge is more full than he finds the truth of the fact, he may make declaration of the truth in such particulars, the charge being brief, and containing not all circumstances."

The lords sent the same messengers back again to the lord chancellor, to let him know, that their lordships have granted him time until Monday next, the thirtieth of April, by ten in the morning, to send such confession and submission as his lordship intends to make.

On which Monday the lord chancellor sent the same accordingly, and that follows in hæc verba, namely:

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS
SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL, IN THE HIGH
COURT OF PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED:
The humble Confession and Submission of me the
Lord Chancellor.

Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into my own conscience, and calling my memory to account, so far as I am able, I do plainly and ingenuously confess that I am guilty of corruption, and do renounce all defence, and put myself upon the grace and mercy of your lordships.

The particulars I confess and declare to be as followeth.

To the first article of the charge, namely, “In the cause between Sir Rowland Egerton and Edward Egerton, the lord chancellor received 3004. on the part of Sir Rowland Egerton, before he had decreed the cause:"

tween Sir Rowland Egerton and Edward Egerton,

3. The confession, such as it is, is afterwards extenuated in the same submission; and therefore the lords have sent him a particular of the charge, and do expect his answer to the same with all convenient expedition.

Unto which message the lord chancellor answered, "that he would return the lords an answer with speed."

And on the twenty-fifth of April the lords considered of the lord chancellor's said answer, sent unto their message yesterday, and sent a second message unto his lordship to this effect, by the said Mr. Baron Denham, and Mr. Attorney-general, namely,

The lords having received a doubtful answer unto the message their lordships sent him yesterday; and therefore they now send to him again to know of his lordship, directly and presently, whether his lordship will make his confession, or stand upon his defence.

Answer returned by the said messengers, namely, "The lord chancellor will make no manner of defence to the charge, but meaneth to acknowledge corruption, and to make a particular confession to

recognisances reciprocal in ten thousand marks apiece; thereupon, after divers hearings, I made my award with the advice and consent of my lord Hobard: the award was perfected and published to the parties, which was in February. Then some days after the three hundred pounds, mentioned in the charge, was delivered unto me. Afterwards Mr. Edward Egerton fled off from the award; then in Midsummer term following a suit was begun in chancery by Sir Rowland to have the award confirmed, and upon that suit was the decree made mentioned in the article.

The second article of the charge, namely, “In the same cause he received from Edward Egerton 400” I confess and declare, that soon after my first coming to the seal, being a time when I was presented by many, the 400l. mentioned in the said charge was delivered unto me in a purse, and, as I now call to mind, from Mr. Edward Egerton; but, as far as I can remember, it was expressed by them that brought it to be for favours past, and not in respect of favours to come.

The article of the charge, namely, " In the cause between Hody and Hody, he received a dozen of * I presume it should be the twenty-ninth.

I confess and declare, that as it is laid in the charge, about a fortnight after the cause was ended, it being a suit for a great inheritance, there were gold buttons about the value of 50%. as is mentioned in the charge, presented unto me, as I remember, by Sir Thomas Perrot and the party himself.

To the fourth article of the charge, namely, " In a cause between the lady Wharton, and the coheirs of Sir Francis Willoughby, he received of the lady Wharton three hundred and ten pounds:"

I confess and declare, that I did receive of the lady Wharton, at two several times, as I remember, in gold, 2007, and 100 pieces; and this was certainly pendente lite but yet I have a vehement suspicion that there was some shuffling between Mr. Shute and the register in entering some orders, which afterwards I did distaste.

:

To the fifth article of the charge, namely, " In Sir Thomas Monk's cause he received from Sir Thomas Monk, by the hands of Sir Henry Holmes, 110. but this was three-quarters of a year after the suit was ended:"

I confess it to be true, that I received 100 pieces; but it was long after the suit ended, as is contained in the charge.

To the sixth article of the charge, namely, " In the cause between Sir John Trevor and Ascue, he received on the part of Sir John Trevor 100%."

I confess and declare, that I received at new year's tide 100l. from Sir John Trevor; and, because it came as a new year's gift, I neglected to inquire whether the cause was ended or depending; but since I find, that though the cause was then dismissed to a trial at law, yet the equity is reserved, so as it was in that kind pendente lite.

To the seventh article of the charge, namely, "In the cause between Holman and Young, he received of Young 100l. after the decree made for him:" I confess and declare, that, as I remember, a good while after the cause ended, I received 100l. either by Mr. Toby Matthew, or from Young himself; but whereas I have understood that there was some money given by Holman to my servant Hatcher, to that certainly I was never made privy.

To the eighth article of the charge," In the cause between Fisher and Wrenham, the lord chancellor, after the decree passed, received a suit of hangings worth one hundred and threescore pounds and better, which Fisher gave him by advice of Mr. Shute :"

I confess and declare, that some time after the decree passed, I being at that time upon remove to York-house, I did receive a suit of hangings of the value, I think, mentioned in the charge, by Mr. Shute, as from Sir Edward Fisher, towards the furnishing of my house, as some others, that were no ways suitors, did present me with the like about that time.

To the ninth article of the charge, "In the cause between Kennedy and Vanlore, he received a rich cabinet from Kennedy, prized at 8001."

I confess and declare, that such a cabinet was

value; and that I said to him that brought it, that I came to view it, and not to receive it; and gave commandment that it should be carried back; and was offended when I heard it was not and some year and half after, as I remember, Sir John Kennedy having all that time refused to take it away, as I am told by my servants, I was petitioned by one Pinkney that it might be delivered to him, for that he stood engaged for the money that Sir John Kennedy paid for it: and thereupon Sir John Kennedy wrote a letter to my servant Sherborne, with his own hand, desiring I would not do him that disgrace, as to return that gift back, much less to put it into a wrong hand: and so it remains yet ready to be returned to whom your lordships shall appoint.

To the tenth article of the charge, namely, “He borrowed of Vanlore 1000. upon his own bond at one time, and the like sum at another time, upon his lordship's own bill, subscribed by Mr. Hunt his man:"

I confess and declare, that I borrowed the money in the article set down, and that this is a true debt; and I remember well that I wrote a letter from Kew, about a twelvemonth since, to a friend about the king; wherein I desired, that whereas I owed Peter Vanlore 20007. his Majesty would be pleased to grant me so much out of his fine, set upon him in the star-chamber.

To the eleventh article of the charge, namely, "He received of Richard Scott 2001. after his cause was decreed, but upon a precedent promise; all which was transacted by Mr. Shute:"

I confess and declare, that some fortnight after, as I remember, that the decree passed, I received 2007. as from Mr. Scott, by Mr. Shute: but precedent promise or transaction by Mr. Shute, certain I am, I knew of none.

To the twelfth article of the charge, namely, "He received in the same cause, on the part of Sir John Lenthall, 100%.”

I confess and declare, that some months after, as I remember, that the decree passed, I received 100. by my servant Sherborne, as from Sir John Lenthall, who was not in the adverse party to Scott, but a third person, relieved by the same decree, in the suit of one Power.

To the thirteenth article of the charge, namely, "He received of Mr. Worth 100/. in respect of the cause between him and Sir Arthur Mainwaring:"

I confess and declare, that this cause being a cause for inheritance of good value, was ended by my arbitrament, and consent of parties, and so a decree passed of course; and some months after the cause was ended, the 100%. mentioned in the said article, was delivered to me by my servant Hunt.

To the fourteenth article of the charge, namely, "He received of Sir Ralph Hansbye, having a cause depending before him, 500/."

I confess and declare, that there were two decrees, one as I remember for the inheritance, and the other for the goods and chattels, but all upon one bill: and some good time after the first decree, and before the second, the said 500/. was delivered unto me by

To the fifteenth article of the charge, namely, "William Compton being to have an extent for a debt of 1200. the lord chancellor stayed it, and wrote his letter, upon which, part of the debt was paid presently, and part at a future day; the lord chancellor hereupon sends to borrow 500l. and because Compton was to pay 400l. to one Huxley, his lordship requires Huxley to forbear six months; and thereupon obtains the money from Compton: the money being unpaid, suit grows between Huxley and Compton in chancery, where his lordship decrees Compton to pay Huxley the debt, with damage and costs, when it was in his own hands:"

I do declare that in my conscience the stay of the extent was just, being an extremity against a nobleman, by whom Compton could be no loser; the money was plainly borrowed of Compton upon bond with interest, and the message to Huxley was only to entreat him to give Compton a longer day, and in no sort to make me a debtor or responsible to Huxley; and therefore, though I was not ready to pay Compton his money, as I would have been glad to have done, save only 100l. which is paid, I could not deny justice to Huxley in as ample manner as if nothing had been between Compton and I; but if Compton hath been damnified in my respect, I am to consider it to Compton.

To the sixteenth article of the charge, namely, "In the cause between Sir William Bronker and Awbrey, the lord chancellor received from Awbrey 1001"

I do confess and declare, that the money was given and received, but the manner of it I leave to the witnesses.

To the seventeenth article of the charge, namely, "In the lord Montague's cause, he received from the lord Montague 600 or 7001. and more was to be paid at the ending of the cause:"

favours from me; and this was, as I verily think, before any suit begun: the ring was certainly received pendente lite; and though it were at new year's tide, it was too great a value for a new year's gift; though, as I take it, nothing near the value mentioned in the article.

To the twentieth article of the charge, namely, "That he took of Peacoke 100l. without interest, security, or time of payment :"

I confess and declare, that I received of Mr. Peacoke 100l. at Dorset-house, at my first coming to the seal, as a present; at which time no suit was begun; and at the summer after, I sent my then servant Lister to Mr. Rolfe, my good friend and neighbour at St. Albans, to use his means with Mr. Peacoke, who was accounted a moneyed man, for the borrowing of 500l. and after by my servant Hatcher for borrowing of 500/. more, which Mr. Rolfe procured; and told me at both times, it should be without interest, script, or note, and that I should take my own time for payment of it.

To the twenty-first article of the charge, namely, “In the cause between Smithwicke and Wiche, he received from Smithwicke 2001. which was repaid:"

I confess and declare, that my servant Hunt did, upon his account, being my receiver of the fines upon original writs, charge himself with 2001. formerly received of Smithwicke; which, after that I had understood the nature of it, I ordered him to repay, and to defalke it out of his accounts.

To the two and twentieth article of the charge, namely, "In the cause of Sir Henry Ruswell, he received money from Ruswell, but it is not certain how much :"

I confess and declare, that I received money from my servant Hunt, as from Mr. Ruswell, in a purse; and whereas the sum in the article being indefinite, I confess [it] to be 300 or 400/. and it was about some months after the cause was decreed: in which decree I was assisted by two of the judges.

To the twenty-third article of the charge, namely, In the cause of Mr. Barker, the lord chancellor received from Barker 7001."

I confess and declare, that the sum mentioned in the article was received from Mr. Barker some time after the decree past.

To the twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth articles of the charge, namely, The twenty-fourth, "There being a reference from his Majesty to his lordship of a business between the grocers and the apothecaries, the lord chancellor received of the grocers 2001." The twenty-fifth article, "In the same cause, he received of the apothecaries, that stood with the grocers, a taster of gold worth between 400 and 500l. and a present of ambergrease." And the twenty-sixth article, "He received of a new company of apothecaries, that stood against the grocers, 100%."

To these I confess and declare, that the several sums from the three parties were received; and for that it was no judicial business, but a concord of composition between the parties, and that as I thought all had received good, and they were all

three common purses, I thought it the less matter to receive that which they voluntarily presented; for if I had taken it in the nature of a corrupt bribe, I knew it could not be concealed, because it must needs be put to account to the three several companies.

To the twenty-seventh article of the charge, namely, "He took of the French merchants 10007. to constrain the vintners of London to take from them 1500 tuns of wine; to accomplish which, he used very indirect means, by colour of his office and authority, without bill or suit depending, terrifying the vintners by threats, and by imprisonments of their persons, to buy wines whereof they had no need, nor use, at higher rates than they were vendible:" I do confess and declare, that Sir Thomas Smith did deal with me in behalf of the French Company; informing me, that the vintners by combination would not take off their wines at any reasonable prices; that it would destroy their trade, and stay their voyage for that year; and that it was a fair business, and concerned the state; and he doubted not but I should receive thanks from the king, and honour by it; and that they would gratify me with a thousand pounds for my travail in it: whereupon I treated between them by way of persuasion; and to prevent any compulsory suit, propounding such a price as the vintners might be gainers 67. in a tun as it was then maintained unto me. And after the merchants petitioning to the king, and his Majesty recommending this business unto me, as a business that concerns his customs and the navy, I dealt more earnestly and peremptorily in it; and, as I think, restrained in the messenger's hand for a day or two some that were the most stiff; and afterwards the merchants presented me with 1000l. out of their common purse, and acknowledging themselves that I had kept them from a kind of ruin, and still maintaining to me, that the vintners, if they were not insatiably minded, had a very competent gain: this is the merits of the cause, as it there appears to me.

To the twenty-eighth article of the charge, namely, "The lord chancellor hath given way to great exactions by his servants, both in respect of private seals, and otherwise for sealing of injunctions: " I confess it was a great fault of neglect in me that I looked no better to my servants.

THIS declaration I have made to your lordships, with a sincere mind, humbly craving that if there should be any mistake, your lordships would impute it to want of memory, and not to any desire of mine to obscure truth, or palliate any thing; for I do now again confess, that in the points charged upon me, though they should be taken, as myself declared them, there is a great deal of corruption and neglect, for which I am heartily sorry, and submit myself to the judgment, grace, and mercy of the

court.

For extenuation I will use none concerning the matters themselves; only it may please your lordships, out of your nobleness, to cast your eyes of compassion upon my person and estate. I was never noted for any avaricious man; and the apostle saith,

that "covetousness is the root of all evil." I hope also that your lordships do rather find me in a state of grace, for that in all these particulars there are few or none that are not almost two years old; whereas those that have a habit of corruption do commonly wax worse: so that it hath pleased God to prepare me by precedent degrees of amendment to my present penitency; and for my estate, it is so mean and poor, as my care is now chiefly to satisfy my debts.

And so fearing I have troubled your lordships too long, I shall conclude with an humble suit unto you, that if your lordships proceed to sentence, your sentence may not be heavy to my ruin, but gracious and mixt with mercy; and not only so, but that you would be noble intercessors for me to his Majesty likewise for his grace and favour.

Your lordships' humble servant and suppliant,
FR. ST. ALBAN, CANC.

THE lords having heard this confession and submission read, these lords undernamed, namely, the earl of Pembroke, lord chamberlain; the earl of Arundel, the earl of Southampton, the bishop of Durham, the bishop of Winchester, the bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, the lord Wentworth, the lord Cromwell, the lord Sheffield, the lord North, the lord Chandos, the lord Hunsdon, were sent to him the said lord chancellor, and showed him the said confession, and told him, that the lords do conceive it to be an ingenuous and full confession: and demanded of him, whether it be his own hand that is subscribed to the same, and whether he will stand to it or no; unto which the said lord chancellor answered, namely,

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My lords, it is my act, my hand, my heart: I beseech your lordships to be merciful to a broken reed."

The which answer being reported to the house, it was agreed by the house, to move his Majesty to sequester the seal; and the lords entreated the prince's Highness, that he would be pleased to move the king: whereunto his Highness condescended; and the same lords, which went to take the acknowledgment of the lord chancellor's hand, were appointed to attend the prince to the king, with some other lords added: and his Majesty did not only sequester the seal, but awarded a new commission unto the lord chief justice to execute the place of the chancellor or lord keeper.

PARLIAMENT. dat. primo Maii, and on Wednesday the second of May the said commission being read, their lordships agreed to proceed to sentence the lord chancellor to-morrow morning; wherefore the gentleman usher, and serjeant at arms, attendants on the upper house, were commanded to go and summon him the said lord chancellor to appear in person before their lordships to-morrow morning by nine of the clock; and the said serjeant was commanded to take his mace with him, and to show it unto his lordship at the said summons: but they found him sick in bed, and being summoned, he an