NOTF. 



NOTE GGG. 



Journal &amp;lt;&amp;gt;/ Proceedings against Lord Bacon. 

 [From a tract, entitled, A Collection of the Proceedings, &.c.] 



15th March, 1620. Sir Robert Philips reports from the committee appointed 

 inquire into abuses in the courts of justice, viz. 1 am commanded from the 

 said committee to render an account of some abuses in the courts of justice, 

 which have been presented unto us. In that which I shall deliver are three 

 parts: 1. The person against whom it is alleged. 2. The matter alleged. 3. 

 The opinion of the committee. 



1. The person against whom it is alleged is no less than the Lord Chancellor ; 

 a man so endued with oil parts both of nature and art, as that I will say no 

 more of him, being not able to say enough. 2. The matter alleged is corrup 

 tion. 3. The persons by whom this is presented to us are two, Awbrey and 

 Egerton. 



Awbrey s petition saith, that he having a cause depending before the Lord 

 Chancellor, and being tired by delays, was advised by some, that are near my 

 lord, to quicken the way by more than ordinary means, viz. by presenting my 

 lord with 100/. The poor gentleman, not able by any means to come to his 

 wished-for port, struck sail at this, and made a shift to get 100/. from the 

 usurer ; and having got it, went with Sir George Hastings and Mr. Jenkins of 

 Gray s Inn ; and being come to my lord s house, they took the money of him, 

 and carried it in to my Lord Chancellor, and came out to him again, saying, 

 My lord was thankful, and assured him of good success in his business. Sir 

 George Hastings acknowledges the giving of advice, and carrying in of money 

 to my lord, and saith, he presented it to my lord as from himself, and not from 

 Awbrey. This is also confirmed by divers letters ; but it wrought not the effect 

 which the gentleman expected ; for notwithstanding this, he was still delayed. 



Egerton sheweth, that he desiring to procure my lord s favour, was persuaded 

 by Sir George Hastings and Sir Richard Young to present my lord with a sum 

 of money. Before this advice, he had given a present of 52/. and odd shillings 

 in plate, as a testimony of his love ; but yet rests doubtful whether before his 

 calling to seal, or since. But now, by mortgaging his estate, he got up 400/. 

 and sends for Sir George Hastings and Sir Richard Young, desires their assist 

 ance in presenting this money, and told them how much it was. They took it 

 and carried it in, and presented it to the Lord Chancellor, as a gratuity from 

 the gentleman, for that my lord (when he was Attorney) stood by him. My 

 lord (as they say) started at it first, saying, It was too much, he would not take 

 it ; but at length was persuaded, because it was for favours past, and took it ; 

 and the gentleman returned him thanks, saying, That their lord said that he did 

 not only enrich him, but laid a tie on him to assist him in all just and lawful 

 business. Sir George Hastings and Sir Richard Young acknowledged the 

 receiving and delivery of the purse, but said they knew not what was in it. 



Then a question was proposed, whether there were any suit depending during 

 those offers, either in the Chancery or Star Chamber ; but there was no certain 

 evidence of it. Thus you see corruption laid to the charge of a judge too, a 

 great judge, nay, to the great keeper of the king s conscience. 



Another point came in by the by, shewing that some indirect means are some 

 times open (I fear too often) to the courts of justice. It concerns no less man 

 than a divine, that is now a bishop, but then called Doctor Field. Mr. Eger 

 ton and he being acquainted, and Mr. Egerton s mind being troubled with the 

 ill success of his business, vented it to this divine, who contrary to his profes 

 sion, took upon him to broke for him in such a manner, as was never prece- 

 dented by any. He made Egerton to acknowledge a recognizance of 10,000/. 

 with a defeasance, that if my Lord Chancellor did decree it for him, 6000/. was 

 to be distributed amongst those honourable persons that did solicit it for him ; 



VOL. xv. 22 



