LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. 407 



ing, being the 8th of this present, together with the 

 interrogatory included, which his majesty hath 

 framed, not only with a great deal of judgment what 

 to interrogate, but in a wise and apt order ; for I 

 do find that the degrees of questions are of great 

 efficacy in examination. I received also notice and 

 direction by your letter, that Sir Robert Cotton 

 was first thoroughly to be examined ; which indeed 

 was a thing most necessary to begin with ; and that 

 for that purpose Sir John Digby was to inform my 

 lord chancellor of such points, as he conceived to be 

 material; and that I likewise should take a full 

 account for my lord chief justice of all Sir Robert 

 Cotton s precedent examinations. It was my part 

 then to take care, that that, which his majesty had 

 so well directed and expressed, should be accord 

 ingly performed without loss of time. For which 

 purpose, having soon after the receipt of your letter 

 received a letter from my lord chancellor, that he 

 appointed Sir John Digby to be with him at two of 

 the clock in the afternoon, as this day, and required 

 my presence, I spent the mean time, being this fore 

 noon, in receiving the precedent examinations of 

 Sir Robert Cotton from my lord chief justice, and 

 perusing of them ; and accordingly attended my 

 lord chancellor at the hour appointed, where I found 

 Sir John Digby. 



At this meeting it was the endeavour of my lord 

 chancellor and myself to take such light from Sir 

 John Digby, as might evidence first the examination 

 of Sir Robert Cotton ; and then to the many exa- 



