Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ...of the Countess, and the original shewn to the Peers. See State Trials. 1 'Archceologia, ' vol. xli. Gondomar's letter printed by Mr. Gardiner in the ' Archicologia, ' Vo!, xli. 4 The Judges of the King's Bench to the King, 18 Oct. S. t. Dom. James I. VOL. V. P So far the inquiry had been conducted with zeal, diligence, and discretion by all parties. The King had entrusted it to Commissioners unexceptionable in character and position, and given theua full liberty of action. The Commissioners in dealing with it had followed the order prescribed by law, which required that the principal should be convicted before the accessary were tried, and regarded as principal not the man who contrives and procures, but the man who executes the deed. And though the evidence implicated the Somersets only as accessaries, there can be no doubt that it fully justified the Commissioners in placing them under restraint in the meantime, that they might be forthcoming, if the principals were found guilty, to answer for their own part in the transaction. But the next proceeding, in which Coke acted on his own judgment without consulting the other members of the Commission, waa not so judicious. The case against Veston, who was accused of actually administering the poison, was now supposed to be complete; and on the 19th of October he was brought up for trial. In order that the trial might proceed according to law, it was necessary that he should " put himself upon his country." This he refused to do. In that case (strange to say) the law had then only one weapon by which it could enforce its own authority. It could order him to be put under physical pressure till he either consented or died. The nature of which alternative--the peine forte et dure--having...
