King. I do not know how a King may be a Delinquent, by any Law that ever I heard of: all Men (Delinquents or what you will) let me tell you they may put in Demurrers against any Proceeding as legal; and I do demand that, and demand to be heard with my Reasons; if you deny that, you deny Reason.
Lord President. Sir, you have offered something to the Court, I shall speak something to you, the Sense of the Court: Sir, neither you nor any Man are permitted to dispute that point, you are concluded, you may not demur to the Jurisdiction of the Court: if you do, I must let you know they overrule your Demurrer; they sit here by the Authority of the Commons of England, and all your Predecessors and you are responsible to them.
King. I deny that, shew me one Precedent.
Lord President. Sir, you ought not to interrupt while the Court is speaking to you: This Point is not to be debated by you, neither will the Court permit you to do it; if you offer it by way of demur to the Jurisdiction of the Court, they have considered of their Jurisdiction, they do affirm their own Jurisdiction.
King. I say, Sir, by your favour, That the Commons of England was never a Court of Judicature; I would know how they came to be so.
Lord President. Sir, you are not to be permitted to go on in that speech, and these Discourses.
Then the Clerk of the Court read as follows:
Charles Stuart King of England, You have been accused on the behalf of the People of England, of High Treason, and other high Crimes; the Court have determined, that you ought to answer the same.
King. I will answer the same so soon as I know by what Authority you do this.
Lord President. If this be all that you will say, then Gentlemen you that brought the Prisoner hither, take charge of him back again.