96 
rN: ca 
- 
Odfervations on the late continuance 
of the a of Torture in Great Bri- 
tain; éy George Chalmers, Ef; 
Jrom Archexologia, vol. x. 
Prefumed to think, that what- 
ever had a tendency to trace the 
modes of our government, or to 
mark the improvement of our free- 
dom, would not be deemed by you 
altogether unworthy of your learned 
curiocfity. Ande I] was thus induced 
to communicate to you a copy cfa 
warrant of the privy council, as late 
as 1620, for «ing torture ona perfon, 
who was fufpetted cf tieafon; which, 
as a link conneéting former praétice 
with fubfequent diffuetude, may be 
regarded as an initructive docu- 
ment. 
The following is an authentic 
copy from the record: 
« To the Lientenant of the 
« Tower of London. 
« Whereas Samuel Peacock was 
« heretofore committed prifoner to 
«* the Marfhalfea, and that now it is 
~ « thought fit upen vehement fui- 
« picion of high treafon againft his 
«« majefty’s facred perfon to remove 
« him thence, and to Commit him 
“to the Tower; thefe fhall be 
« therefore to will and require you 
“to repair to the prifon of the 
«* Marthalfea, and there to receive 
« from the keeper of that heufe the 
“ perfon of the faid Samuel Pea- 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 179 © | 
UE T LE See 
“ cock, and him fafely to convey 
“under your. cuftody unto the 
« Tower of London, where you are 
“ to keep him clofe prifoner until — 
« further order, And whereas we — 
« have thought-meet to nominate 
« and appoint Sir Henry Montagu, 
« Knt, Lord Chief Juttice of the 
« King’s Bench, Sir Thomas Co- 
« ventry, Knt. his Majefly’s Soli- — 
« citor General, and yourfelf, to 
“ examine the faid Peacock, for the — 
“ better difcovery of the truth of 
«* this treafon; this fhall be like- 
“ wite to authorize you, or any | 
“ two of you, whereof yourfelf to 
« be one, to examine the faid Pea- 
“ cock from time to time, and to 
« put him, as there fhall be caufe, 
« for the better manifeftation of the — 
«<« truth, to the torture, either of the 
«© manacies, or the rack; for which © 
* this dhali be your warrant. And © 
« fo, &e. The rgth of February, © 
. pOEO." 
Allow me to fubjoin a few ob- 
fervations. The Lieutenant of the — 
‘Tower, who was thus entrufted, was 
Sir Allen Apiley. The privy.coun- 7 
fellors, who direéted that meafure; 
and figned that warrant, were the — 
lord chancellor Bacon, the earl of — 
Worceiter, who was then lord a 
privy feal, the earl of Arundell, ~ 
the lord Carew, lord Digby, Mn ~ 
Secretary Naunton, and Sir Edward 7 
Coke, who, after he had ceafed to — 
be 
