The Clerk reads a Paper, requiring the King to give a positive and final Answer by way of confession or denial of the Charge.
King. Sir, I say again to you, so that I might give satisfaction to the People of England of the clearness of my Proceedings, not by way of answer, not in this way; but to satisfy them, that I have done nothing against that trust that hath been committed to me, I would do it: but to acknowledg a new Court against their Privilege, to alter the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, Sir, you must excuse me.
Lord President. Sir, This is the third time that you have publickly disowned this Court, and put an affront upon it; how far you have preserved the Privileges of the People, your Actions have spoke it: and truly, Sir, Mens Intentions ought to be known by their Actions, you have written your meaning in bloody Characters throughout the whole Kingdom; but, Sir, you understand the pleasure of the Court.—Clerk, record the Default.—And Gentlemen you that took charge of the Prisoner, take him back again.
King. I will say this one word more to you; if it were my own particular, I would not say any more, nor interrupt you.
Lord President. Sir, you have heard the pleasure of the Court, and you are (notwithstanding you will not understand it) to find that you are before a Court of Justice.
Then the King went forth with his Guard to Sir Robert Cotton’s House, where he lay the last Night and this; and the Court adjourned till the next day.
Wednesday, January 24.
The House this day only met and adjourned.
This day it was expected the High Court of Justice would have met in Westminster-Hall about 10 of the Clock; but at the time appointed one of the Ushers, by Direction of the Court, (then sitting in the Painted Chamber,) gave notice to the People there assembled, That in regard the Court was then upon the examination of Witnesses in relation to present affairs in the Painted Chamber, they could not sit there, but to appear upon further Summons.