1621.] THE KING AND THE COMMONS. 231 



whisperers and tale-bearers do misinform his Majesty, 

 and so animate him to the prejudice of the House. 

 This afternoon they are to have a Conference with the 

 Lords, where it is thought the Lord Digby will relate 

 to them somewhat touching the Palatinate, and how 

 matters stand there since his coming hence." * 



James, in a letter to the Speaker, admonished him 

 for allowing those " fiery spirits to meddle with matters 

 far beyond their capacity, and intrenching upon the 

 prerogative." He enjoined him not to allow any 

 further meddling with State mysteries. He justified 

 his action in committing Sir Edward Sandys, M.P., for 

 " misdemeanors in Parliament," and considered himself 

 free to punish any such, and that he would continue to 

 punish all insolence in Parliament. But the faithful 

 Commons did not feel the force of this wisdom, although 

 some of them thanked God they lived under so benign 

 a prince, and promised to be good and dutiful subjects 

 for the future, f His Majesty was graciously pleased 

 to return to London soon after, when he was amazed 

 to find that, on the eve of the Christmas recess, his 

 faithful Commons had entered the following protesta- 

 tion on their Journals : " Whereas the liberties and 

 jurisdictions of Parliament are the ancient and un- 

 doubted birthright and inheritance of the subjects of 

 England, that arduous and urgent affairs concerning 

 the king, the State, and defence of the realm and the 

 Church of England, the making and maintenance of 

 laws, and the redress of grievances, are proper subjects 



* Chamberlain to Carleton, London, December 15, 162 1. 

 t State Papers, Dom., vol. cxxvi., passim. 



