230 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



To the Lord Viscount Villiers. 

 My very good Lord, 



Now that the king hath received my opinion, with the 

 judge s opinion unto whom it was referred, touching the 

 proposition for Inns in point of law ; it resteth that it be 

 moulded and carried in that sort, as it may pass with best 

 contentment and conveniency. Wherein I that ever love 

 good company, as I was joined with others in the legal 

 point, so I desire not to be alone in the direction touching 

 the conveniency. And therefore I send your lordship a 

 form of warrant for the king s signature, whereby the 

 framing of the business and that which belongeth to it 

 may be referred to myself with Serjeant Montague and 

 Serjeant Finch; and though Montague should change his 

 place, that alteration hurteth not the business, but rather 

 helpeth it. And because the inquiry and survey touching 

 Inns, will require much attendance and charge, and the 

 making of the licenses, I shall think fit (when that ques 

 tion cometh to me) to be to the justice of assize, and not to 

 those that follow this business : therefore his majesty may 

 be pleased to consider what proportion or dividend shall 

 be allotted to Mr. Mompesson, and those that shall follow 

 it at their own charge, which useth in like cases to be 

 a fifth. So I ever rest 



Your lordship s true and most devoted Servant, 



Nov. 13, 1616. FR. BACON. 



To the Lord Viscount Villiers. 

 My very good Lord, 



I think his majesty was not only well advised, but well 

 inspired, to give order for this same wicked child of Cain, 

 Bertram, to be examined before he was further proceeded 

 with. And I for my part, before I had received his ma 

 jesty s pleasure by my Lord Chamberlain, went thus far; 

 that I had appointed him to be further examined, and also 

 had taken order with Mr. Solicitor that he should be pro 

 vided to make some declaration at his trial, in some solemn 

 fashion, and not to let such a strange murder pass as if it 

 had been but a horsestealing. 



But upon his majesty s pleasure signified, I forthwith 

 caused the trial to be stayed, and examined the party ac 

 cording to his majesty s questions ; and also sent for the 

 principal counsel in the cause, whereupon Sir John Tyndal s 

 report was grounded, to discern the justice or iniquity of 

 the said report as his majesty likewise commanded. 



I send therefore the case of Bertram truly stated and 



