THE EARL OF ESSEX. 289 



was fit. All which propositions before mentioned 

 being to the utmost of my lord s own askings, 

 and of that height and greatness, might really and 

 demonstratively express and intimate unto him, be 

 sides his particular knowledge which he had, as a 

 counsellor of estate, of the means both of her ma 

 jesty and this kingdom, that he was not to expect 

 to have the commandment of 16,000 foot and 1,300 

 horse, as an appurtenance to his lieutenancy of Ire 

 land, which was impossible to be maintained ; but 

 contrariwise, that in truth of intention he was de 

 signed as general for one great action and expedi 

 tion, unio which the rest of his authority was but 

 accessary and accommodate. 



It was delivered further, that in the authority of 

 his commission, which was more ample in many 

 points than any former lieutenant had been vested 

 with, there were many direct and evident marks of 

 his designation to the northern action, as principally 

 a clause whereby et merum arbitrium belli et pacis&quot; 

 was reposed in his sole trust and discretion, whereas 

 all the lieutenants were ever tied unto the peremp 

 tory assistance and admonition of a certain number 

 of voices of the council of Ireland. The occasion of 

 which clause so passed to my lord, doth notably dis 

 close and point unto the precise trust committed to 

 my lord for the northern journey ; for when his 

 commission was drawn at first according to former 

 precedents, and on the other side my lord insisted 

 strongly to have this new and &quot; prima facie&quot; vast 

 and exorbitant authority, he used this argument ; 

 VOL. vi. u 



