behalf of the Commons of England,
exhibit and give in to this court a Charge of High Treason, and
other High Crimes, against the prisoner at the bar whereof I do
accuse him in the name of the People of England; and the Charge
was read unto him, and his Answer required. My lord, He was not
then pleased to give an Answer, but instead of answering, did
there dispute the Authority of this high Court. My humble motion
to this high Court in behalf of the kingdom of England is, That
the prisoner may be directed to make a positive Answer, either
by way of confession, or negation; which if he shall refuse to
do, that the matter of the Charge may be taken _pro confesso_,
and the Court may proceed according to justice.

LORD PRESIDENT--Sir, You may remember at the last Court you were
told the occasion of your being brought hither, and you heard a
Charge read against you, containing a Charge of High Treason and
other high crimes against this realm of England: you heard
likewise, that it was prayed in the behalf of the People, that
you should give an Answer to that Charge, that thereupon such
proceedings might be had, as should be agreeable to justice. You
were then pleased to make some scruples concerning the authority
of this Court, and knew not by what authority you were brought
hither; you did divers times propound your questions, and were
as often answered. That it was by authority of the Commons of
England assembled in parliament, that did think fit to call you
to account for those high and capital Misdemeanours wherewith
you were then charged. Since that the Court hath taken into
consideration what you then said; they are fully satisfied with
their own authority, and they hold it fit you should stand
satisfied with it too; and they do require it, that you do give
a positive and particular Answer to this Charge that is
exhibited against you; they do expect you should either confess
or deny it; if you deny, it is offered in the behalf of the
kingdom to be made good against you; their authority they do
avow to the whole world, that the whole kingdom are to rest
satisfied in, and you are to rest satisfied with it. And
therefore you are to lose no more time, but to give a positive
Answer thereunto.

KING--When I was here last, it is very true, I made that
question; truly if it w