The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-09-27
THE GREAT CHARTER.
strange Manner Ia which Originals ot
the Documents Were Preserved.

| strange Manner la which Originals of
the Documents Were Preserved.
In that amusing book, the Curiosities
OF Literature, D'Israeli describes how
Sir Robert Cotton found his tailor hold
ing In his hand an original Magma
/ Carta. which he was about 10 cut up
Tor measures; and the story, whether
! true or not, may make us thankful for
tho happy chances which have pre-
served some Of our most valuable ma
tiOnal documents. No doubt, many OF
tho highest interest have been de-
stroyed but some, such as DOmesday
Book still survive; and when we think
Of the pcrils from neglect and from
active violent cnmity, their survival Is
a matter for wonder and thankfulness.
Tho Articles OF the Great Charter Of
King John Is another fortunate sur
yivor; and one or two Great Charters
themselves exist which have IA fair
claim 10 bc called originals.
Tho Great Charter. IL will be remem-
berod. was agreed 10 by King John on
tho 18th Of June, 1918, at RunnYmedo.
IL was, In truth, not an act OF Parlia-
mcnt or statue, but "A treaty between
the King and his subjects, and was
framed upon a series Of fOrtY-nine ar
ticlcs drawn up by the BarOns and pre-
sontcd 20 the King. There were con-
sequcntly two separate documents; one,
."Thc Articles OF the Great Charter Of
Libcrtics;' and the other, The Grcat
Charter" itself Neither were signed
by either the King or the Barons Both
wore scaled with the Great Seal OF
King John; and there Is some evidence
that the Great Charter was sealed by
some Of the Barons; but the Barons do
not appear 20 have sealed the articles.
The original articles are in the Brit
ish Museum, and "a fac-simile Of them
Is exhibited TO tho public. They are
written In Latin, on parchment ten
inches and thrcc-quartcrs broad, aud
.twcnty-one inches and half long,
including the fold for receiving tho
label 10 the label, tho Great Seal OF
King John is still appendant; but, un-
fortunately, the whole document has
boon greatly damaged
lts history Is worry obscure. Al an
early date it was probably deposited at
Lambeth, and it apparently remained
thcrc til lGi5. At the end Of the seven
tocnth century it was in the possession
OF Gilbert Burnct, Bishop Of Salisbury,
and nc gives in the History Of his Own
Time, the following account OF the man
ncr In which nc came by it. When tho
impeachment Of Archbishop Laud was
brought TO tho bar Of the Lords, "he,
npprchonding h4w it would end, sent
over Warner, Bishop Of Rochester,
with tho keys Of his closet aud cabinet,
that he might destroy or put out OF tho
way all papers that might either hurt
himself or anybody clso. is was at
that work for three hours, TIL, upon
Laud's being committed TO the Black
Rod, II messenger went over To sonl up
his closet, who camo after all was re-
moved. Among the writings he took
away, il Is believed the original Magma
Carta passed by King John In tho mead
near Staincs was one. This was found
among Warmers papers by his cxccu-
tor; and that descended TO his son and
executor, Colonel Ice, who gave it TO
me. So IL is now in my hands; aud it
came very fairly to me- For this con
vcyanco Of it we have nothing but con-
lecture. As Burnct had bcen allowed
to search all the public records, Lord
Dartmouth suggests that the above ac-
count was intended TO allay any suspi"
piciou that he had obtained SO valuable
document In II less justiliablo man
nor. Chambers Journal.