290 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



not possible to be counterfeited, and to be sworn by Adams, 

 and so oft by himself formerly confessed and admitted, 

 could not mend his case before any jury in the world, but 

 rather aggravateth it by his notorious impudency and false 

 hood, and will make him more odious. He never deceived 

 me j for when others had hopes of discovery, and thought 

 time well spent that way, I told your majesty, pereuntibus 

 mille Jigura; and that he now did but turn himself into 

 divers shapes, to save or delay his punishment. And, 

 therefore, submitting myself to your majesty s high wisdom, 

 I think myself bound in conscience to put your majesty 

 in remembrance, whether Sir John Sydenham^ shall be 

 detained upon this man s impeaching, in whom there is no 

 truth. Notwithstanding that farther inquiry be made of 

 this other Peacham, and that information and light be taken 

 from Mr. Poulet f and his servants, I hold it, as things are, 

 necessary. God preserve your majesty. 



Your Majesty s most humble and 



devoted Subject and Servant, 



March 12, 1614. F R . BACON. 



To Mr. Murray.^ 

 Good Mr. Murray, 



According to his majesty s pleasure by you signified to 

 me, we have attended my Lord Chancellor, my Lord Trea- 

 surer,|| and Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer,^ concerning 

 Sir Gilbert Houghton s patent stayed at the seal ; and we 

 have acquainted them with the grounds and state of the 

 suit, to justify them that it was just and beneficial to his 

 majesty. And for any thing we could perceive by any 

 objection or reply they made, we left them in good opinion 

 of the same, with this, that because my Lord Chancellor 

 (by the advice, as it seemeth, of the other two) had ac 

 quainted the council-table, for so many as were then present, 

 with that suit amongst others, they thought fit to stay till 

 his majesty s coming to town, being at hand, to understand 



* He had been confronted, about the end of February or beginning of March, 

 1614-5, with Mr. Peacham, about certain speeches which had formerly passed 

 between them. MS. letter of Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, from 

 London, March 2, 1614-5. 



t John Poulet, Esq. knight of the shire for the county of Somerset in the 

 parliament which met April 5, 1614. He was created Lord Poulet of Henton 

 St. George, June 23, 1627. 



| Harl. MSS. vol. 6986. Ellesmere. 



|j Thomas Howard, earl of Suffolk. 



If Sir Fulk Grevile advanced to that post October 1, 1614, in the room of 

 Sir Julius Caesar, made Master of the Rolls. 



