to her own degradation and dishonor: that she was
ignorant of the laws and statutes of England; was utterly destitute
of counsel; and could not conceive who were entitled to be called her
peers, or could legally sit as judges on her trial: that though she had
lived in England for many years, she had lived in captivity; and not
having received the protection of the laws, she could not, merely by
her involuntary residence in the country, be supposed to have subjected
herself to their jurisdiction: that, notwithstanding the superiority of
her rank, she was willing to give an account of her conduct before an
English parliament; but could not view these commissioners in any
other light than as men appointed to justify, by some color of legal
proceeding, her condemnation and execution: and that she warned them
to look to their conscience and their character in trying an innocent
person; and to reflect, that these transactions would somewhere be
subject to revisal, and that the theatre of the whole world was much
wider than the kingdom of England.

In return, the commissioners sent a new deputation, informing her, that
her plea, either from her royal dignity or from her imprisonment, could
not be admitted; and that they were empowered to proceed to her trial,
even though she should refuse to answer before them. Burleigh, the
treasurer, and Bromley, the chancellor, employed much reasoning to make
her submit; but the person whose arguments had the chief influence,
was Sir Christopher Hatton, vice-chamberlain. His speech was to this
purpose: "You are accused, madam," said he, "but not condemned, of
having conspired the destruction of our lady and queen anointed. You say
you are a queen; but, in such a crime as this, and such a situation as
yours, the royal dignity itself, neither by the civil or canon law, nor
by the law of nature or of nations, is exempt from judgment. If you be
innocent, you wrong your reputation in avoiding a trial. We have been
present at your protestations of innocence; but Queen Elizabeth thinks
otherwise, and is heartily sorry for the appearances which lie against
you. To examine, therefore, your cause, she has appointed commissioners;
honorable persons, prudent and upright men, who are ready to hear you
with equity, and even with favor, and will rejoice if you can clear
yourself of the imputations which have been thrown upon you. Believe
me, madam, the queen herself will rejoice, who affirmed to me, at my