MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 109 



pally to be regarded, that because we live in an age wherein 

 no counsel is kept, and that it is true there is some bruit 

 abroad, that the judges of the King s Bench do doubt of 

 the case, that it should not be treason ; that it be given out 

 constantly, and yet as it were a secret, and so a fame to 

 slide, that the doubt was only upon the publication, in that 

 it was never published, for that (if your majesty marketh 

 it) taketh away, or least qualifies the danger of the exam 

 ple ; for that will be no man s case. 



This is all I can do to thridd your majesty s business 

 with a continual and settled care, turning and returning, 

 not with any thing in the world, save only the occasions 

 themselves, and your majesty s good pleasure. 



I had no time to report to your majesty, at your being 

 here, the business referred, touching Mr. John Murray. I 

 find a shrewd ground of a title against your majesty and the 

 patentees of these lands, by the coheir of Thomas, Earl of 

 Northumberland ; for I see a fair deed, I find a reasonable 

 consideration for the making the said deed, being for the 

 advancement of his daughters ; for that all the possessions 

 of the earldom were entailed upon his brother ; I find it 

 was made four years before his rebellion ; and I see some 

 probable cause why it hath slept so long. But Mr. Mur 

 ray s petition speaketh only of the moiety of one of the co 

 heirs, whereunto if your majesty should give way, you 

 might be prejudiced in the other moiety. Therefore if Mr. 

 Murray can get power of the whole, then it may be safe for 

 your majesty to give way to the trial of the right ; when the 

 whole shall be submitted to you. 



Mr. Murray is my dear friend; but I must cut even in 

 these things, and so I know he would himself wish no 

 other. God preserve your majesty. 



Your Majesty s most humble and 



devoted Subject and Servant, 



FR. BACON. 



Feb. the 28, 1614. 



