NOTE 4 F. 



In the Harleian MS. No. 5202, entitled Proceedings against the Earl of 

 Essex, 1600, the following speeches of Mr. F. Bacon occur : 



Then Mr. Baconne speake to this effecte. I expected not, quothe hee, that 

 the matter of deffence should have bine excused. Therefore I must elatt my 

 speache for that I intended, to rebell in deffence is matter not had of morther to 

 defend is lawfull, but in this cause to doe all that was donne that day, and to 

 goe about to blanche I cannot allowe, I speake not to simple men, I speake to 

 them that cane draw prooffe out of the matter ; the thinges themselves is known 

 by boockes, by experience, and by common lawe, that noe unlawful intend- 

 mentes bent against the prynce, but that is an alteringe of government, as the 

 phrease is in Scotland, they goe by noe meanes but by particulars enimies. My 

 lord, I cannot assemble your proceedings to bee more aptly then that of Passis- 

 sortus of Athens, who lanched himselfe, to the intent that by the sightes of his 

 bleedinge woundes, the people might belive he was sett upon, your lordshipe 

 gave out that your lyffe was sought by my Lo. Cobham and Sir VV. Ralighe, 

 and came in shuche a shewe of religion, that mens eies weare not able to 

 behould the dept of it throughe shuche a mist. But your imprisoninge of the 

 lordes of the councell, what refference had that face to my Lo. Cobham or the 

 rest 1 you alledge the matter against to bee resoulved vpon a sudon, when you 

 were 3 monthes in a deliberation. Oh, my lord, destren with your selfe, and 

 stripe you of all excuses the persons whom you shot att, yf you righly vnder- 

 stand are your best frendes. 



Then the E. of Essex interrupted him and sead that the speache of Mr. Ba 

 conne gaue him occation to speake for himselfe ; for, saithe hee, Mr. Baconne 

 beinge a dailie courtier, and havinge free access to her majestie, vndertooke to 

 goe to the Queene in my behalfe, and did write a letter most artificially, which 

 was subscribed with my name, also another letter was drawne by him to ocation 

 that letter with others that should come from his brother, Mr. Anthony Bacone, 

 bothe which he shewed the Q. Gosnall and he brought me bothe the letters, 

 and in my letter hee did plead for me feelingly against thous enimies, and 

 poynted them out as particularly as was possible. 



Here Mr. Baconne answeared that thees degressions weare not ffit, nether 

 would be suffered, but that the honorable parties of assemblys weare great, yet 

 hee spent more tyme to make him a servant for her majestie then ever he 

 desarued, and for any thinge contayned in the letters, they would not blushe at 

 the clearest light. 



But, saith the Earle, lett it be judged indifferently whether I have cause of 

 greefe or not, when I was informed by thous of good credit, that a honorable 

 gentelman and a wise councellor did with teare lament the courses that weare 

 talkinge, besides of that I speake in London, that the infant was entyteled the 

 succession. I had reason for it, for it was tould me that Mr. Secretary should 

 say it to one of his fellow councelors, that the infantes tytle, &c. &c. 

 ***** 



Then Mr. Baconne speake to thes effecte. I double the veriatie of the 

 matter and the degressions haue seuered the judgmentes of the lordes, and 

 therefore I hould it necessary to trye the judges opinions ; that donne, hee pro 

 ceeded to this effecte : nowe putt the case the E. of Essex s intent were as you 

 would have it beleued, to goe as a spectakell to her majestie, yet shall there 

 petitions be armed petitions, which all was losse of libertie to the prynce, nether 

 is it a nyce poynt of law, as my lord of South, would haue it, that condemes 

 them of treason, even common sence to consult, to executt, to rune and gether 

 a nomber in there dublettes and hosse, armed with weapons, what can bee the 

 cause 1 Warned by my Lo. Kep. by a harowld, and yet presist, will any simple 

 man take this lese then treason. 



The E. of Essex replyed, that if he had purposed any thinge against any 

 other than honeste fore his privat enimies, hee would not have shewed with soe 

 small a company. 



Mr. Baconne answeared, that not the company that you carried with you that 

 you trusted in, but the assistment hoped for in the city. The Guies thrust 



