igo THE CECILS
before appreciated the value of the gift, said it was too much, and made the favourite be contented with less than half." 1
One of Salisbury's first proceedings as Treasurer was to impose duties to the amount of 70,000, without the sanction of Parliament. At the same time he lessened the duties on articles of general consumption, such as currants, sugar, and tobacco. In addition to this, by severe economies, by sale of Crown lands, and by enforcing every payment to which the King could lay claim, the debt was reduced in two years to 300,000 More, how- ever, was still required, and Salisbury therefore endeavoured to raise money by what is known as the " Great Contract." He asked the Commons for a supply of 600,000 to discharge the King's debts and for other outstanding expenses, and for a permanent support of 200,000 a year. In return for this, he promised, on behalf of the King, to remit certain burdensome prerogatives of the Crown, especially those connected with feudal tenures, wardships and purveyance. Prolonged negotiations followed, during which Salisbury, as the mouthpiece of James, continually shifted his ground. The Treasurer was supported throughout by the Lords. As Sir Roger Aston wrote, " The little beagle hath run about and brought the rest of the great hounds to a perfect tune." z But as the King continually raised his demands, the Commons, influenced by the growing opposition
1 Wilson's Life and Reign of James I., p. 61.
- July 24th, 1610 (Cal. S. P. Dom.).
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