Dictionary of National Biography Volume 11 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 Excerpt: ...June. Warlike speeches had been delivered, and a declaration of the readiness of the commons to support the king had been agreed to amid wild enthusiasm. The solemnity of the occasion moved every one. And before the motion of adjournment was put, ' Sir Edward Cooke, one of the king's privy council, with tears in his eyes, standing up, said the prayer (which is in the Common Prayer-boolt) for the king and his issue, adding only to it. "and defend them from their cruel enemies "' (ib. ii. 174). He shared fully in the popular feeling against Spain; and when the house met again later in the year, he surpassed every one in the violence of his language. In a speech which recalls the prosecution of the gunpowder plotters he declared that there never came hither anything from Spain that did not either damage us or endeavour it. Among his other speeches of interest may "be mentioned one on the scarcity of money-'; Feb.) He enumerated seven causes: 1) the turning of money into plate; (2) the use of gold foBa in gilding; (8) the undervalue of silver; (4) the East India Company, who intercept' the dollars and other moneys that would otherwise come into the kingdom, and bring in for it nothing but toys and trifles;' (5) the excess of imports over exports; (6) 'the French merchants for wine -arry forth 80,000/. per annum, and bring in nothing but wines and lace and such like trifles; (7) the patent for gold and silver lace and thread, which wastes our bullion and coin, and hinders the bringing of it into the kingdom (tft. i. 96; Par1. Hist. i. 1194). The impeachment of Bacon took place in the same year; and Coke, who was member of the committee of investigation, was, along with Digges, Phillips, and Noy, entrusted with the drawing up of the charges. It...