Page:Essays of Francis Bacon 1908 Scott.djvu/58

Rh Lords were puzzled by Bacon's change of front, from demanding particulars to a general confession of guilt, when as yet the charges had neither been read in full committee, nor formally laid before the accused Lord Chancellor. The Earl of Southampton, whom Bacon had assisted in condemning to death with Essex, voiced the opinion of the peers when he said,—"He is charged by the Commons with corruption; and no word of confession of any corruption in his submission. It stands with the justice and honour of this House not to proceed without the parties' particular confession; or to have the parties hear the charge, and we to hear the parties' answer."

The Lords voted to spare the Lord Chancellor the indignity of being brought to the bar to be confronted with the charges, but they sent him a "collection of corruptions," with the message that they expected "his answer to the same with all convenient expedition." Bacon replied, April 30, with a full confession. It reads in part,—

"To the Right Honorable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in the High Court of Parliament Assembled.

"The Confession and Humble Submission of me, Lord Chancellor:—

"Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into my own conscience, and calling my memory to account so far as I am able, I do plainly and ingenuously confess that I am guilty of corruption, and do renounce all defence." Rh