SIR THOMAS MORE.
13
Then died one Master Weston [1]treasurer of the Exchequer, whose office, after his death, the king of his own offer, without any asking, freely gave unto Sir Thomas More.
In the fourteenth year of his grace's reign there was a parliament holden, whereof Sir Thomas More was chosen speaker. Who being very loath to take this room upon him, made an oration, not now extant, to the king's highness for his discharge thereof. Whereunto when the king would not consent, he spoke unto his grace in form following.
"Sith, I perceive, most redoubted sovereign, that it standeth not with your pleasure to reform this election, and cause it to be changed, but
- ↑ Quum antea Regi tantum esset a consilijs, nuper nec ambiens, nec expetens, ultroneo favore Principis humanissimi et eques auratus factus est, et munus habet apud Britannos cum honorificum imprimis tum etiam Salarij non penitendi quod appellatur a Thesauris.
Est quod Moro gratuleris. Nam Rex hunc nec ambientem nec flagitantem munere magnifico honestavit, addito Salario nequaquam penitendo. Est enim Principi suo a Thesauris.—Erasmi Epist.
Sir Thomas himself thus enumerates his Promotions: 'When, says he, I was firste of the Kinge's Counsaile, and after his under Treasurer, and in the time while I was Chauncellour of the Duchy of Lancaster.'—English Works, p. 868, col. 1.
Whilst he was Under Treasurer of the Exchequer His friend Cuthbert Tonstall dedicated to him his book De Arte supputandi, for which he gives him the following reason: 'Cui—aptiora hæc quam tibi esse possunt, qui totus in supputationibus excutiendis, occupatus in Regni ærario post Præfectum primas tenes?'
