FURTHER CHARGES. CCCXX111 



preserve his honour ; his wish that the parliament should 

 adjourn to the 10th of April; and his assurance that the 

 complaints against the Lord Chancellor should be carefully 

 examined before a committee of six peers and twelve 

 commoners ; a proposal not very acceptable to Sir Edward 

 Coke, who thought it might defeat the parliamentary 

 proceedings which he was so anxious to prosecute, (a) 



On the 20th, the Commons proceeded to the examination 

 of witnesses, and a further complaint was preferred in the 

 cause of Wharton and Willougby, by the Lady Wharton, 

 against whom the Chancellor had decided. It appeared 

 that the presents were made openly at two several times, 

 with the knowledge and in the presence of witnesses, (b) 



(a) Mr. Secretary Calvert brings a message from the King, that this 

 parliament hath sat a long time, and Easter is near come, and it is fit there 

 should be a cessation for a time, yet the King will appoint no time, but 

 leaves it to yourselves. But for the beginning again, he thinks the 10th of 

 April a fit time, but will appoint none; only he would have you take care 

 that there be no impediment in the subsidies. The King also took notice 

 of the complaints against the Lord Chancellor, for which he was sorry ; for 

 it hath always been his care to have placed the best, but no man can pre 

 vent such accidents. But his comfort was, that the house was careful to 

 preserve his honour. And his majesty thought not fit to have the occasions 

 hang long in suspense, therefore would not have any thing to hinder it; 

 but for the furtherance thereof, he proposed a commission of six of the 

 higher house, and twelve of the lower house to examine upon oath. This 

 proposition, if we liked it well, he would send the like to the Lords ; and 

 this he thought might be done during this cessation ; and though he hoped 

 the Chancellor was free, yet if he should be found guilty, he doubted not 

 but you would do him justice. 



Sir Edward Coke said, we should take heed the commission did not 

 hinder the manner of onr parliamentary proceedings. 



The answer returned to the King was, rendering thanks for the first part 

 of his gracious message ; and for the second, we direct that the like message 

 may be sent to the Lords, for there being so good a concurrence betwixt 

 us, we may have conference with them about it. Then adjourned. See 

 note G G G. 



(6) Journals. The Lady Wharton having a cause depending in Chan 

 cery, many orders were made in it ; amongst the rest, there was an order 



