eign of Elizabeth.
Mr. Laurence Hyde proposed a bill, entitled, An act for the explanation
of the common law in certain cases of letters patent. Mr. Spicer said,
"This bill may touch the prerogative royal, which, as I learned the last
parliament, is so transcendent, that the------of the subject may not
aspire thereunto. Far be it therefore from me that the state and
prerogative royal of the prince should be tied by me, or by the act of
any other subject." Mr. Francis Bacon said, "As to the prerogative royal
of the prince, for my own part, I ever allowed of it; and it is such as
I hope will never be discussed. The queen, as she is our sovereign, hath
both an enlarging and restraining power. For by her prerogative she
may set at liberty things restrained by statute, law, or otherwise;
and secondly, by her prerogative she may restrain things which be at
liberty. For the first, she may grant a 'non obstante' contrary to the
penal laws. With regard to monopolies and such like cases, the case hath
ever been to humble ourselves onto her majesty, and by petition desire
to have our grievances remedied, especially when the remedy touched
her so nigh in point of prerogative. I say, and I say it again, that we
ought not to deal, to judge or meddle with her majesty's prerogative. I
wish, therefore, every man to be careful of this business." Dr. Bennet
said, "He that goeth about to debate her majesty's prerogative had need
to walk warily." Mr. Laurence Hyde said, "For the bill itself, I made
it, and I think I understand it; and far be it from this heart of mine
to think, this tongue to speak, or this hand to write any thing either
in prejudice or derogation of her majesty's prerogative royal and the
state." "Mr. Speaker," quoth Serjeant Harris, "for aught I see, the
house moveth to have this bill in the nature of a petition. It must then
begin with more humiliation. And truly, sir, the bill is good of itself,
but the penning of it is somewhat out of course." Mr. Montague said,
"The matter is good and honest, and I like this manner of proceeding by
bill well enough in this matter. The grievances are great, and I would
only unto you thus much, that the last parliament we proceeded by way
of petition, which had no successful effect." Mr. Francis More said, "I
know the queen's prerogative is a thing curious to be dealt withal; yet
all grievances are not comparable. I cannot utter with my tongue, or
conceive with my heart, the great grievan