WILLIAMS S OPPOSITION. cccxciii 



He had scarcely retired to Gorhambury, in the summer Henry 7. 

 of 1621, when he commenced his history of Henry the 

 Seventh. 



too cunning for me. He passed his fine (whereby he hath deceived his 

 creditors) ten days before he presented his pardon to the seal. So as now, 

 in his pardon, I find his parliament fine excepted, which he hath before the 

 sealing of the same obtained and procured. And whether the house of 

 parliament will not hold themselves mocked and derided with such an 

 exception, I leave to your lordship s wisdom. These two grants are oppo 

 site and contradictory, in this point, the one to the other. 



After 2 and 3, he thus proceeds : 



4. I will not meddle or touch upon those mistakings which may fall 

 between the parliament and his majesty, or the misinterpretation that 

 enemies may make hereof to your lordship s prejudice, because I see, in his 

 majesty s great wisdom, these are not regarded. Only I could have wished 

 the pardon had been referred to the council-board, and so passed. I have 

 now discharged myself of those poor scruples, which, in respect only to his 

 majesty s service and your lordship s honour, have wrought this short stay 

 of my Lord of St. Alban s pardon. Whatsoever your lordship shall now 

 direct, I will most readily (craving pardon for this not undutiful boldness) 

 put in execution. Because some speech may fall of this day s speech, 

 which I had occasion to make in the Common Pleas, where a bishop was 

 never seen sitting there these seventy years, I have presumed to inclose a 

 copy thereof because it was a very short one. 



Your lordship shall not need to take that great pains, which your lord 

 ship, to my inexpressible comfort, hath so often done in writing. What 

 command soever your lordship shall impose upon me, as touching this 

 pardon, your lordship s expression to Mr. Packer, or the bearer shall deliver 

 it sufficiently. God from heaven continue the showering and heaping of 

 his blessings upon your lordship, &c. Oct. 27, 1621. 



To the Lord St. Alban. 



My honourable Lord, 1 have delivered your lordship s letter of thanks 

 to his majesty, who accepted it very graciously, and will be glad to see 

 your book, which you promised to send very shortly, as soon as it cometh. 

 I send your lordship his majesty s warrant for your pardon, as you desired 

 it ; but am sorry that, in the current of my service to your lordship, there 

 should be the least stop of any thing. Your lordship s faithful servant, 



October, 1621. G. BUCKINGHAM. 



Grant of pardon to the Viscount St. Alban, under the privy seal. 



A special pardon granted unto Francis, Viscount St. Alban, for all 

 felonies done and committed against the common laws and statutes of this 



