t they contained
matter unfit to be divulged. He was found guilty, and sentenced to a
fine of ten thousand marks and imprisonment during the queen's pleasure,
by judges who at the same time expressed a high opinion both of his
abilities and his integrity, and who certainly regarded his offence as
nothing more than an error of judgement or want of due caution.
Elizabeth ordered a copy of his sentence to be immediately transmitted
to the king of Scots, as triumphant evidence of that perfect innocence
in the tragical _accident_ of his mother's death, of which she had
already made solemn protestation. James complied so far with obvious
motives of policy as to accept her excuses without much inquiry; but
impartial posterity will not be disposed to dismiss so easily an
important and curious investigation which it possesses abundant means of
pursuing. The record of Burleigh's examination is still extant, and so
likewise is Davison's apology; a piece which was composed by himself at
the time and addressed to Walsingham, who could best judge of its
accuracy; and which after being communicated to Camden, who has inserted
an extract from it in his Annals, has at length been found entire among
the original papers of sir Amias Paulet. From this authentic source we
derive the following very extraordinary particulars.

It was by the lord-admiral that the queen first sent a message to
Davison requiring him to bring the warrant for her signature; after
subscribing it, she asked him if he were not heartily sorry it were
done? to which he replied by a moderate and cautious approval of the
act. She bade him tell the chancellor when he carried the warrant to be
sealed, that he must "use it as secretly as might be." She then signed
other papers which he had brought; dispatching them all "with the best
disposition and willingness that could be." Afterwards she recurred to
the subject; mentioned that she had delayed the act so long that the
world might see "that she had not been violently or maliciously drawn
unto it;" but that she had all along perceived the necessity of it to
her own security. She then said, that she would have it done as secretly
as might be, and not in the open court or green of the castle, but in
the hall. Just as Davison was gathering up his papers to depart, "she
fell into some complaint of sir Amias Paulet and others that might have
eased her of this burthen;" and she desired that he would yet "deal with
secretary Wals