26 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



consilium nobis impensuri circa ardua regni. Whereby it 

 should seem that princes came to parliament, not only the 

 days of solemnity, when they came without writ, but also 

 on the days of sitting. And if it should be so, then the 

 Prince may vote, and likewise may be of a committee of 

 the upper-house, and consequently may be of a conference 

 with the lower-house, and the like. 



This might have been made more manifest as to the pre 

 sence and acts of the Prince in days of sitting, if through 

 the negligence of officers, the journal-books of the upper- 

 house of parliament, before the reign of King Henry VIII. 

 were not all missing. 



All which we thought it appertained to our care to look 

 through, and faithfully to represent to his majesty. And 

 having agreed secrecy amongst ourselves, and enjoined it 

 to the inferior officers, we humbly desire to know his 

 majesty s pleasure, whether he will silence the question 

 altogether, or make use of it for his service, or refer it to 

 his council, or what other course he will be pleased to take 

 according to his great wisdom and good pleasure. 



This we have dispatched the sooner, because the writs of 

 summons must have forty days distance from the first days 

 of the parliament. And for the other parts of our accounts, 

 his majesty shall hear from us, by the grace of God, within 

 few days. Evermore praying for his majesty s prosperity, 

 and wishing your lordship much happiness, 



Your Lordship s to be commanded, 

 FR. VERULAM, Cane. HENRY HOBARTE, 

 H. MONTAGU, RAN. CREW. 



EDW. COKE, 

 York House, Nov. 21st, 1620. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 



My very good Lord, 



We have, these two days past, made report to the board of 

 our parliament committee, upon relation whereof, for some 

 things we provide, for some things we arm. 



The King, by my Lord Treasurer s signification, did 

 wisely put it upon a consult, whether the patents which 

 we mentioned in our joint letters, were at this time to be 

 removed, by act of council before parliament. I opined 

 (but yet somewhat like Ovid s mistress that strove, but yet 

 as one that would be overcome) that yes. My reasons : 



That men would go better and faster to the main errand. 



