AN ARGUMENT OF SIR FRANCIS BACON, 

 THE KING S SOLICITOR IN THE LOWER HOUSE 



OF PARLIAMENT, PROVING 

 THE KING S RIGHT OF IMPOSITIONS ON 

 MERCHANDISES IMPORTED AND 

 EXPORTED.* 



AND it please you, Mr. Speaker, this question touch 

 ing the right of impositions is very great; extending 

 to the prerogative of the king on the one part, and 

 the liberty of the subject on the other ; and that in a 

 point of profit and value, and not of conceit or fancy. 

 And therefore, as weight in all motions increaseth 

 force, so I do not marvel to see men gather the 

 greatest strength of argument they can to make 

 good their opinions. And so you will give me leave 

 likewise, being strong in mine own persuasion that it 

 is the king s right, to shew my voice as free as my 

 thought. And for my part, I mean to observe the 

 true course to give strength to this cause, which is, 



* This matter mas much debated by the lawyers and gentle 

 men in the parliament 1610, and 1614, &c. and afterwards g-ivea 

 up by the crown in 1641. 



