AND finding, that notwithstanding all this care taken by Vs for their satisfaction, & that Our thrice reiterated pressing them to husband well the shortnesse of time, in doing good businesse fit for a Parliament, Wee were so farre from preuailing with them, as to all those three admonitions of Ours, which are here related, First, by Our message deliuered by Our Secretary; Next, by Our conclusion of Our Answere to their Petition; And lastly, by the conclusion of Our explanation sent to Our Secretarie, We neither got answere, nor obedience; Yet the continuall care Wee had that this meeting should not dissolue without some fruit for the publike good of Our Subiects, made Vs addresse another Letter to the Speaker in these words.
MAster Speaker, Whereas at the humble suit of Our house of Commons Wee condescended to make this meeting a Seßion before Christmas, to which purpose We gaue them time vntill Saturday next, in case they would seriously applie themselues to that end; & likewise since, out of Our Grace, and to take away al mistakings, by Our Letters directed to Our Secretarie, Wee were pleased so fully and clearely to explane Our selues in the point of maintaining all lawfull Priuiledges to Our said House, which since Wee cannot heare hath had the wished effect, in making them spend this short time in preparing things most necessary for a Seßion, Wee haue thought good once more clearely by this to impart Our minde vnto them; which is, that in respect of the expectation after this so long a meeting in Parliament, as also that the generalitie, for the most part, rather iudge things by the outward effects then enter into the causes of them, Wee haue an earnest desire to make this a Seßion, to the end that our good and louing Subjects may haue some taste, aswell of Our Grace and goodnesse towards them by our free Pardon, and good Lawes to be passed, as they haue had, both by the great, and vnusuall examples of Iustice since this meeting, and the so many eases and comforts giuen vnto them by Proclamatiō: And therfore calling to minde, that the paßing of the Subsidie, an Acte for continuance of Statutes, and the Pardon, are the three most preßing businesses to be effected before the end of the Seßion, Wee wish them, that, as Wee haue giuen order for the Pardon to goe on with all expedition, so they presently goe in hand with the Acte for continuance of Statutes. As for the Subsidie, though time presseth much, yet if they finde it may not now conueniently be done, we will not make that any way an impediment to the good which Wee desire our people should feele by making this a Seßion. Thus much We thought good to giue them to vnderstand, and withall to assure them, that if they shall not applie themselues instantly to prepare the aforesaid things for Our Royall Assent against Saturday next, Wee will without expecting any further answere from them, construe by their slackenesse, that they desire not a Session; and in such case We must giue a larger time for their returning homeward, to such of both Houses as are to goe into their Countreys to keepe hospitalitie among their neighbours in this time of Recesse.
Giuen at our Court at Theobalds, the 17. day of December, 1621.
To Our trustie and welbeloued, Sir Thomas Richardson, Knight, Speaker of Our Commons House of Parliament.