| Content Description | Copy of opinion of Sir John Broderick, 16 Jan. 1704/5; says that he has consulted the letters patent of King Charles II of May 1678 in which an office of clerk of signett was granted to him at such time when a vacancy may occur; believes that granting this ministerial office to Mr Cooke is 'good in law' and that the secretaries should admit Cooke and administer the oath of office to him.
Copy of letter from C. Hedges, Whitehall, London, to the Attorney General [Sir Edward Northey] and the Solicitor General [Simon Harcourt, later 1st Viscount Harcourt], 11 Jan. 1704/5; says that since the death of Sir John Nicholas, Mr Cooke has presented him with a patent 'under the Great Seal' which entitles him to the now vacant position; asks that they consider the legality of such a claim and whether he is obliged to administer the oath to Mr Cooke.
Copy of letter from Sir Edward Northey and Simon Harcourt [later 1st Viscount Harcourt], 26 Jan. 1704/5; says that they have consulted the relevant letters patent and found that they are 'good in law'; states that Mr Cooke's claim to the office of clerk of the signett is valid.
List of 'Precedents of offices etc. granted in reversion, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth [I] from the 28th to ye 37th year thereof', n.d. [c.Jan. 1704/5]
List of 'Precedents of Reversions of the Signett and other offices granted in the reign of King James the First', n.d. [c.Jan. 1704/5]
List of 'Precedents of Reversions of the Signett and Privy Seale in the reign of K[ing] Charles the 1st', n.d. [c.Jan. 1704/5]
Old Style dating on document. |