[We have seen (p. 321) that by the Court of Star-chamber, on 7th June, 1601, John Daniell was sentenced to imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of £3000. The subsequent petition is from this individual, who complained that his property had been so dealt with, that the fine, instead of being paid in three years, would not be discharged in thirty years, while nothing was allowed him for the maintenance of himself, his wife, and children.] Indorsed "The homble petition of Jhon Daniell," and by Lord Ellesmere, "2 Februarij, 1602." To the right honorable Sir Thomas Egerton, knyght, Lord The humble petytion of John Danyell, prysoner in the Fleete. LYKE as I have reason to hould my selfe very unfortunate in receyving soe heavie a censure in the Starre Chamber, soe have I greate cause to certyffie your Lordship, that I esteeme my selfe more unfortunate in that I could neyther have the agryment mayde with the Lo. Treasurer performed, nor any part of my estate as yt was extended, nor remedie in the Starre Chamber agaynst those that have hyndered her Maties spedie payment bie embeaseling, purloynyng, deteyning, or undervaluying all my estate, to the prejudyce of her Highnes and our undoing. For yf our estate had been well used, the whole fyne of 3000li myght have ben payd before thende of three yeares, as I have often informed your Lordship. But now such corruption hath ben used, that the sayd fyne will hardlie be answered before the end of xxx yeares, during which tyme I have nothing leaft to mayntayne mee, my wyffe and chyldren, unlesse your Lordship wilbe pleased to take some good course for our releefe. Wherfore, and for that her Matie hath referred these matters to your Honors consyderation, my humble suyte ys that your Lordship wilbe pleased to sett downe in what manner you will proceede for the redresse of these wronges, that some releefe may be yealded to us, that are lyke to perysh in a contrey where justyce and Chrystian relygyon ys soe much esteemed; which I humbley referre to your Lordships honorable regard, and I will dalie pray to God for the encrease of your Lordships helth, honor, and happynes. JOHN DANIELL'S IMPRISONMENT. [This is a representation of a similar nature to the Lords of the Privy Council. It has no date.] Indorsed, "The humble petytion of John Danyell, prysoner in the Fleete." To the right honorable the Lords and others of her Maties The humble Petecyon of John Danyell, prysoner in the WHERE yt hath pleased her Matie, owt of her Highnes pryncelie comyseration of my dystressed estate, to referre my longe and lamentable suyte in the behalfe of my selfe, my wyffe and chyldren, unto the grave consyderation of the right honorable the Lord Keeper, who, together with your Honors, ys acquynted, not onlie with the due courses I have taken for her Maties satysfaction and our releefe, but alsoe with the crosses that have hyndered my spedie payment of my fyne, and provysyon of our mayntenance. Good my Lords, I most humblie beseech your Honors to consyder how harde a thinge yt ys for a gentleman of my late abilitie to be depryved of all his estate in lands, leases and personages, goods, debtes and specyalties, and now having nothing leaft neyther to answere her Matie, nor succor my selfe, my wyffe and chyldren, wherbie her Highnes is not onlie deceyved of her spedie payement, but alsoe I am in danger to perysh by ymprysonment. Therfore I most humble beseech your Honors to grante mee my libertie, to the end I may dyspose my selfe for satysfaction of her Highnes fyne and mayntenance of my selfe, my wyffe and chyldren, who are all in extreme necessitie. So shall wee pray, as wee are bounde, for the encrease of your Lo. helth, honor, and happynesse. LORD ELLESMERE TO SIR T. CHALONER. ކ [Before the death of Queen Elizabeth Sir Thomas Chaloner had been sent to Scotland by Sir Robert Cecill, and soon acquired the good opinion of King James, whom he accompanied during his whole journey from Edinburgh to London. It appears by the indorsement of the ensuing draught of a letter (entirely in the handwriting of Lord Ellesmere,) that it was dated the 12th April, on which day, according to Stowe, James I. was at Newcastle, not reaching York until the 16th of April. Arthur Wilson informs us that the Lord Keeper did not meet the King until he reached Theobalds.] Indorsed by Lord Ellesmere, 12° Apilis, 1603. The draught of my letter to Sir Tho. Chaloner." SIR. I understande by my frende Mr. John Davyes, and by my kynsman Capten Tho. Dutton, the ho. and kynde favors yt hath pleased you to doe for me to my moost gracious soveraigne, which I acknowledge my selfe the more bounden to receive from you with my moost hartie and inwarde thankefulnes, for that it hath proceded out of your owne mere love and ingenuous disposition, without any foregoinge merite on my parte,-a vertue fitte for a gentleman of your sort and willingnes, but in this age (fœcundo culpæ seculo), exceding rare, and in very [verity?] scarce to be founde. That which I can yelde you for yt is the sincere and true affection of an honest frende. Yf I have bene taxed of hautenes, insolencye or pryde in my place (as I partely hear relation), I hope it is by theym that have not learned to speake well, and against this poyson I have two precious antidotes: 1. The religious wissdome, royall justice and princelye vertues of the King my soveraigne, which wyll soon disperse such foggye mystes. 2. The innocencye and cleernes of myne owne conscience, which is more then mille testes. I must confesse that, in the place of justice which I have helde, I was never so servile as to regarde parasites, calumniators and sycophantes, but alwayes contemned them, and therfore have often fealte the malice of theyr thoughtes and the venym of their tonges. I have learned no waye but the kingis hyghe waye, and travelling in that, the better to guyde me I have fastened myne eyes on this marke, Judicem nec de obtinendo jure orari oportet, nec de injuria exorari. Yf this have offended any, I will never excuse yt, for I take [it] to be incident to the place by severe examynyng of manie mens actions to offende many, and so to be hatefull to many, but those alwayes of the worst sorte, agaynst whom I wyll say no more but with Ecclesiasticus, Beatus qui tectus est a lingua nequam (Eccles. ca. 28). You must never accompte me a babbler, that when I have begonne can not make an ende beare with me; I handle this argument but seldome, and now wyll close uppe these lines with my prayers that his |