James I on union

An extract from notes from the King’s speech in Parliament on the Union, 2 May 1607 (catalogue ref: (SP 14/27f.37).

 In this source James’ I attempt to influence the House is clear as he gives his opinions.

Transcript

A brief [summary] of his Majesty’s speech to the Parliament the second day of May 1607:

My Lords and you gentlemen of the lower house, the material cause which I sent for you was to expand myself in a speech I lately made unto you. The chief comfort I had was that I hoped I had sown seed in good ground, for it was received with reverence & applause, I pray God my hope be not delivered and that it may be proven and that it lighted [fell] not in sandy ground, or stony, whereby it be choked, neglected, or diverted from growth, but may receive that harvest I wish. I may justly say it appeared by all symptoms that the most part resolved as I wished, I sent not for you because I doubt, but because I would facilitate your proceedings in regard of diverse interpretations made of my speech. I thought best to declare, and interpret myself, for euis est interpretarre, euuis est propenete [the person who proposes the matter is the one who should explain it]. What I will say shall consist of 3 points. 1. to interpret my meaning in my late speech; 2. to answer objections made amongst you; 3. to deliver my opinion what course I wish to be taken by you. For the first, all applauded the late speech but when you came to it, some rewrought [worked again] upon stubble, others upon gold, I come to burn the stubble and to preserve the gold because I wished a perfect Union, some of you propound that to yourselves, to have presently a perfect Union, and no other Course….

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