THE COPY OF HIS majesties LETTER, SENT ON TVESDAY THE 26. OF june 1604: signifying his highness pleasure to the Commons House of Parliament, in the matter of Subsidy.  
AT LONDON Imprinted, and are to be sold in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Swan. 1604.   

THE COPY OF HIS majesties LETTER, SENT ON TVESDAY, THE 26. OF JUNE 1604. signifying his highness pleasure to the Commons House of Parliament, in the matter of Subsidy.  
Having been informed, that within the space of these eight or ten days past, there hath been divers times speeches made in the Lower House of our Commons for a Subsidy to be at this time granted unto us, we have thought it convenient that ye should in our name acquaint the House with the sincere truth of our meaning in that matter, to the end that they being at a point in that question, may with the greater expedition conclude such special things as are necessary to be done before the ending of this so longsome Session of Parliament.  
It is true that ever before and a certain space after the sitting down of this Parliament, we were constantly resolved neither to think, nor in case it had been offered unto us, any ways to have accepted a Subsidy at this time: For as in our first speech to this whole Parliament, we declared how unwilling we should ever be to be a burden to our people; so thought we it an unfit time, at our first Parliament, after our so happy and peaceable entry in this kingdom with so great and general an applause, for having a Subsidy raised upon them, notwithstanding of our present great necessity, and that through the occasion of divers great expenses, whereunto we were driven at our first entry here. But after the assembling of this Parliament, we were so often dealt with and informed by divers members of that House, that were otherwise strangers to our affairs, that it was a thing both honourable and reasonable, that a Subsidy should be granted unto us; that both our necessity required it, and the people in their love were ready to offer it unto us; That it was ever the form of all Kings of England to have a Subsidy given them at the very first assembling of their first Parliament: That as it was honourable for us to receive it, (being an earnest penny of the people's love toward us) so would it be a thing nothing prejudicial nor hurtful for them to yield unto; and that there was enough in that House that were striving amongst themselves, who should be the first propounder thereof, as at the last we were moved to be contented that some should prove the Houses mind in it. Only in this point were we careful that in case it were propounded and put to a question, it should receive no public refusal, which could not but be dishonourable unto us, especially in the sight of all the strangers that are now here. But having now with time more narrowly examined both the custom in the like cases at the first Parliaments of our predecessors here; as likewise that the last Term's payment of the old great Subsidy is not yet come; so as a double burden shall appear to be laid upon the people, and yet our commodity never a hair the nearer: We have hereupon concluded with ourself to resort to our former determination, and therefore is it our express will that ye shall in our name signify to our said House of Commons, that we desire them at this time not to meddle any further with that question, assuring them in the word of a King, that we will be so far from taking it unkindly their not offering it unto us at this first Session of this our first Parliament, as by the contrary we will only interpret it to proceed from the care they have that our people should not have any occasion of distaste of us offered unto them at this time, for the reasons above mentioned: assuring ourself that the said House will in the own time be careful to see our state supplied by such means, as may be most convenient for our weal, and least hurtful to our Subjects, wherein we remit ourself to their discreet considerations in the due time.  
James R.