CHIEF JUSTICE COKE. 345 



He therefore thinketh it too long and uncertain a 

 delay, to keep the bench so long void from a chief 

 justice. Secondly, although his majesty did use the 

 councils advice in dealing with the chief justice upon 

 his other misdemeanors; yet he would be loth to 

 lessen his prerogative, in making the council judges, 

 whether he should be turned out of his place or no, 

 if the case should so require. Thirdly, for that my 

 lord Coke hath sought means to kiss his majesty s 

 hands, and withal to acquaint him with some things 

 of great importance to his service ; he holdeth it not 

 fit to admit him to his presence, before these points 

 be determined, because that would be a grant of his 

 pardon before he had his trial. And if those things, 

 wherewith he is to acquaint his majesty, be of such 

 consequence, it would be dangerous and prejudicial 

 to his majesty, to delay him too long. Notwith 

 standing, if you shall advise of any other reasons to 

 the contrary, his majesty would have you, with all 

 the speed you can, to send them unto him ; and in 

 the mean time to keep back his majesty s letter, 

 which is herein sent unto you, from my lord Coke s 

 knowledge, until you receive his majesty s further 

 direction for your proceeding in his business. 



And so I rest, 

 your ever assured friend at command, 



Theobald s, GEORGE VlLLIERS. 



the 3d of October, 1616. 



To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Bacon, Knight, 

 His Majesty s Attorney-General, and of his most 

 honourable privy council. 



