LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITATIO. 125 



that it was our duty to pursue your majesty s directions ; 

 and it were not amiss for his lordship to leave his brethren 

 to their own answers, it was so concluded ; and his 

 lordship did desire, that I might confer with himself; 

 and Mr. Serjeant Montague was named to speak 

 with Justice Crooke; Mr. Serjeant Crew with Justice 

 Houghten ; and Mr. Solicitor with Justice Dodderidge. 

 This done, I took my fellows aside, and advised that they 

 should presently speak with the three judges, before I 

 could speak with my Lord Cooke for doubt of infusion ; 

 and that they should not in any case make any doubt to the 

 judges, as if they mistrusted, they would not deliver any 

 opinion apart, but speak resolutely to them, and only make 

 their coming to be, to know what time they would appoint 

 to be attended with the papers. This sorted not amiss ; for 

 Mr. Solicitor came to me this evening and related to me, 

 that he had found Judge Dodderidge very ready to give 

 opinion in secret; and fell upon the same reason, which 

 upon your majesty s first letter I had used to my Lord Cooke 

 at the council table; which was, that every judge was bound 

 expressly by his oath to give your majesty counsel when he 

 was called ; and whether he should do it jointly or severally, 

 that rested in your majesty s good pleasure as you would 

 require it. And though the ordinary course was to assem 

 ble them, yet there might intervene cases, wherein the 

 other course was more convenient. The like answer made 

 Justice Crook, Justice Houghton who is a soft man, seemed 

 desirous first to confer; alleging, that the other three 

 judges had all served the crown before they were judges, 

 but that he had not been much acquainted with business of 

 this nature. 



We purpose therefore, forthwith, they shall be made ac 

 quainted with the papers ; and if that could be done, as sudden 

 ly as this was, I should make small doubt of their opinions ; 

 And howsoever,! hope, force of law and precedent, will bind 



