=Source.=--Rushworth, _Historical Collections_. Vol. i., p. 53. The Commons now assembled in Parliament, being justly occasioned thereunto, concerning sundry Liberties, Franchises, and Privileges of Parliament, amongst others here mentioned, do make this Protestation following: That the Liberties, Franchises, Privileges, and Jurisdictions of Parliament are the ancient and undoubted Birthright and Inheritance of the subjects of England; and that the arduous and urgent affairs concerning the King, State and Defence of the Realm, and of the Church of England, and the maintenance and making of Laws, and redress of mischiefs and grievances which daily happen within this Realm, are proper subjects and matter of Counsel and Debate in Parliament; and that in the handling and proceeding of those businesses, every Member of the House of Parliament hath, and of right ought to have, freedom of speech to propound, treat, reason, and bring to conclusion the same. And that the Commons in Parliament have like liberty and freedom to treat of these matters in such order as in their judgments shall seem fittest. And that every member of the said House hath like freedom from all Impeachment, Imprisonment, and Molestation (otherwise than by Censure of the House itself) for or concerning any speaking, reasoning, or declaring of matters touching the Parliament, or Parliament-business. And that if any of the said members be complained of and questioned for anything done or said in Parliament, the same is to be showed to the King by the advice and assent of all the commons assembled in Parliament, before the King give credence to any private information. _His Majesty did this present day in full assembly of his Council and in the presence of the Judges, declare the said Protestation to be invalid, annulled, void, and of no effect. And did further manu sua propria take the said Protestation out of the Journal Book of the Clerk of the Commons House of Parliament._ THE LORD TREASURER'S DIFFICULTIES (1621). =Source.=--Goodman, _The Court of King James I._ Vol. ii., p. 207. London: Richard Bentley, 1839. _L. Cranfield to the Duke of Buckingham._ RIGHT NOBLE AND MY MOST HONOURED LORD, This bearer, Sir William Russell, hath lately done his Majesty good service by lending money towards the discharge of the ships that come from Argier, whereof I pray your Lordship to take notice and to thank him. The more I look into the King's estate, the greater cause I have to be troubled, considering the work I have to do, which is not to reform one particular, as in the household, navy, wardrobe, etc.; but every particular, as well of his Majesty's receipts as payments, hath been carried with so much disadvantage to the King, as until your Lordship see it you will not believe any men should be so careless and unfaithful.