The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-11-23
THE GREAT CHARTER.

Strange Manner In 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 to cut up
for measures; and the story, whether
true or not, may make US thankful for
the happy chances which have pre-
served some of our most valuable ma
tional documents. No doubt, many Of
the highest interest have been de-
stroyed; but some, such as Domesday
Book still survive; and when we think
OF the perils from neglect and from
active violent enmity. their survival is
= matter for wonder and thankfulness.
The Articles OF the Great Charter of
King John is another fortunate sur
vivor; and one or two Great Charters
themselves exist which have q fair
claim to be called originals.
The Great Charter. it will be remem-
bered. was agreed to by King John on
the 10Th of June, 1915, at Runnymede.
1t was. in truth. not an act Of Parlia-
mont or statue, but treaty between
the. King and his subjects, and was
framed upon series of forty-nine ar
ticles drawn up by the Barons and pre-
sented to the King. There were con-
sequently two separate documents; one.
THE Articles OF the Great Charter Of
Liberties" and the other, The Great
Charter" ITSELF Neither were signed
by either the King or the Barons. Both
were sealed 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 to have sealed the articles.
The original articles are in the Brit
ish Museum, and fac-simile of them
is exhibited to the public. They are
written in Latin, on parchment ten
inches and three-quarters broad, and
twenty-one inches and a half long,
including the fold for receiving the
label. TO the label, the Great Seal Of
King John is still appendant; but un-
fortunately, the whole document has
been greatly damaged.
It's history is very obscure. At an
early date it was probably deposited at
Lambeth. and it apparently remained
there till 1915. At the end Of the seven
teenth century it was in the possession
OF Gilbert Burnet. Bishop of Salisbury.
and he gives. in the History OF his Own
Time, the following account Of the man.
ner in which he came by it When the
impeachment Of Archbishop Laud was
brought to the bar OF the Lords, ''he.
experimenting how it would end, sent
over Warner. Bishop Of Rochester,
with the keys of his closet and cabinet,
that he might destroy or put out of the
way all papers that might either hurt
himself or anybody else. He was at
that work for three hours. till. upon
Laud's being committed to the Black
Rod, messenger went over to seal up
his closet. who came after all was re-
moved. Among the writings he took
away, it is believed the original Magma
Carta passed by King John in the mead
near Staines was one. This was found
among Warmers papers by his execu-
tor; and that descended to his son and
executor, Colonel Lee. who gave it to
me. So it is now in my hands; and 1t
came very fairly to me-" For this con-
veyance of it We have nothing but con-
lecture. As Burnet had been allowed
to search all the public records, Lord
Dartmouth suggests that the above &C
count was intended to allay any suspi-
picion that he had obtained SO valuable
a document in less justifable man
ner.-Chambers' Journal.