W(illiam Lloyd, Bishop of St) Asaph to Sir Robert Owen at Porkington,
- Clenennau letters and papers 960.
- File
- [pre-1698].
Dear and honoured friend. Hopes Owen will come to St Asaph, not as a stranger, but to stay with him as long as he can find how to bestow his time in this country. Would not have him come until Lent is over unless Owen has a mind to do penance with the Bishop. As to the school at Oswestry the writer is willing to do what Owen desires as soon as he has opportunity - that is as soon as he can find a living for Mr Evans which he is fit for and will accept. These conditions are put in because Wrexham is now in the Bishop's hands; but Evans is, the Bishop belives, so wise that he would not accept it if it were offered to him; so if he did accept it the Bishop would not consider him wise enough to be fit for it. He has nothing to say for Mr Owen who has almost worn out the Bishop's patience, which when he has quite done the Bishop will handle him in his own way - 'that is I shall do the part of a poor British Bishop which is all I can pretend to'. The Bishop is far from assuming papal power to dispense with men for not keeping their oaths, as he is afraid that those who have sworn to do justice allow Mr Owen and such as he is to live in open breach of law without punishment. Sir Robert Owen the writer knows will not suffer it when he has time to look after him. But Sir Robert will do well to warn before striking, like a Christian and a gentleman. If he can prefer Mr Evans he will think of none other for the school until Mr Gr., mentioned by Sir Robert, has refused it.