266 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



The first is of the corans, to restore the imposition of five 

 shillings and sixpence, laid in the late queen s time, and 

 drawn down unduly, to serve private turns, to three shillings 

 and four pence, which will amount to above three thousand 

 pounds yearly increase. 



The other is of the tobacco, for which there is offered 

 two thousand pounds increase yearly, to begin at Mi 

 chaelmas next, as it now is, and three thousand pounds 

 increase if the plantations of tobacco here within land be 

 restrained. 



I approve, in mine own judgment, both propositions, 

 with these cautions : That for the first, the farmers of the 

 corans do, by instrument under their seal, relinquish to the 

 king all their claim thereto, by any general words of their 

 patent. And for the second, that the bargain be concluded 

 and made before the proclamation go forth ; wherein, per 

 haps, there will occur some doubt in law, because it res- 

 traineth the subject in the employment of his freehold at 

 his liberty. But being so many ways pro bono publico I 

 think it good enough. 



His majesty may therefore be pleased to write his letter 

 to the commissioners of the treasury, signifying his majesty s 

 pleasure directly in both points, to have them done, and 

 leaving to us the consideration de modo. God ever prosper 

 you. I rest your Lordship s most obliged Friend 



November 22, 1619. and f ^ Servant, 



FR. VERULAM, Cane. 

 To the King. 

 May it please your most excellent Majesty, 



According to your commandment, we met together yes 

 terday at Whitehall, and there consulted what course were 

 fittest to be taken now in this business of your majesty s 

 attorney general, both for the satisfying your own honour, 

 as also for calling in the late exorbitant charter of the city ; 

 which are the two ends, as we conceive, that your majesty 

 proposed unto yourself. 



To effect both which, we humbly presume to present thus 

 much unto your majesty as our opinion. First, That an 

 information be put into the Star-chamber, as we formerly 

 advised, against your attorney as delinquent, against the 

 mayor, &c. as interested, and against the recorder also 

 mixedly with some touch of charge. 



That the submission by letter offered by Mr. Attorney 

 is no way satisfactory for your majesty s honour, but is to 

 be of record by way of answer, and deduced to more parti 

 culars. 



That any submission or surrender of the patents by the 



