THE GREAT CONTRACT 13
were proper subjects for parliamentary inquiry. Accordingly
a discussion of unusual length and gravity ensued, In the course
of which the issue was fairly stated by a legal antiquary, William
Hakcwill: "The question now in debate amongst us is, whether
his Majesty may, by his prerogative royall, without assent of
parliament, at his own will and pleasure, lay a new charge or
imposition upon merchandises, to be brought into, or out of
this kingdomc of England, and enforce merchants to pay the
same?'1 The same speaker, in an exhaustive examination of
precedents, made out a good case against the right of the Crown
to levy new customs for revenue purposes, and the general feel-
ing of the house was clearly with him. Therefore Salisbury
once more tried to arrange a compromise, and eventually suc-
ceeded in inducing the commons to offer ^3oo,ooo.2 In a
memorial the commons stated the concessions they expected
from the king in return for the increased revenue he would
receive. Purveyance, wardship, and other feudal relics were to
be abolished (except aids, restricted in amount to ,£23,000), and
possession of an estate for sixty years was to be a sufficient title
against the king and his heirs. Four English counties now sub-
ject to the jurisdiction of the council of Wales were henceforth
to be exempt therefrom,3
In his answer, delivered just before the prorogation, James
took up other grievances as well as those mentioned above. He
dealt at some length with various alleged ecclesiastical abuses,
but, although his tone was conciliatory, he refused to promise
more than that he would examine each point carefully and
frame such remedies as his princely wisdom suggested. However
adroitly he might contrive his answer to the commons' petitions,
his feeling obviously was that ecclesiastical questions were no
fit subjects for parliamentary interference, and that he meant
jealously to safeguard his supremacy* Similarly, in touching
upon the proposed restriction of the council of Wales, he would
only promise to consider the matter.4 In other words his atti-
tude was that the commons after bringing grievances to his
notice should thenceforth be content to leave their redress to him,
When parliament reassembled, the commons began to dis-
cuss the king's answer to their memorial, and it soon became evi-
dent that there was every intention to insist on a more definite
1 Mate Trials, iL 407. * Commons' Journal^ I 451,
3 Awtfr' Journals, ii. Gfto^g* 4 Ibid,, pp. 658-60,