John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. Recommends Mr Heath to succeed Mr Powell, deceased, in the living of [Machen]; he was a good preacher, which was a 'rarity' in the country, and he was well able to make provision for a Welsh curate and for Welsh sermons sometimes.
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Commends those persons who have given up their employments, though wonders that they had not done so sooner since it was not in their power to prevent the ruin of the country; as King William was so good a son-in-law that he would be governed by none but King James's friends, it was to be hoped that the pious Church of England, who had first sworn him out of the Kingdom, would, in Irish fashion, swear him in again; there had never been such wickedness or foolishness in Government as now; the oxen sent to Caerleon fair had not been sold; John Hamber[ston] had asked her to enquire of Sir Charles whether it was desirable to send 'raged' colts to the fair to be sold, as the land was over-stocked; she reproves him for the employment of agents to run his affairs, who were likely to betray him either by foolishness or knavery; Sir Charles managed his private affairs 'much at the rate our Governors do the Public'.
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Complains of the insolence of one of their servants, Jno. Robotham; Basset had made an agreement with Rev. Sandys for tithes, the which he was prepared to assign to Sir Charles, and which Hamberstone advised him to accept, as ten Welsh acres of corn had been sown; discusses the report of the amount of the estate left by Sir Thomas Stradling and arrangements to be made to take out administration, but she objects to Perkins as administrator because he was a lawyer, and recommends Tom Basset, as one whom Sir Charles would be able to overrule and who would submit his account half yearly; sale of horses, social gossip and family matters.
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Telling him of her plans to journey home from London,
John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. Reports that many people had been sent to prison, rather on suspicion than accusation, among whom he was informed was the Earl of Rochester; he had heard that the Duke of Beaufort and Sir Dudley North had been sent for, but these men's known care of themselves and their estates was almost a security that they would not adventure them for anybody's sake; the printer of a declaration of the French King has been taken.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. A fleet consisting of 46 English and 30 Dutch warships would soon be repaired and ready for sea again; reference to the enquiry about the conduct of Lord Torrington in the recent naval battle, in which the French had lost one of their great ships, and 5 more were disabled; the French fleet was divided into three squadrons placed at Boulogne, plying eastwards, at the 'Nesse' and at the back of Goodwins; a scheme promoted by wealthy people had been launched to enter into a bond of association to raise 20,000 troops for their Majesties' service; the Earl of Tyrone, Lord Dover, Sir Patrick Trant, the Marquis of Powis, or some of them had promised the King that they would surrender Waterford; it was certain that the King had left Ireland, but Tyrconnell was 'making head' at Limerick; Count Lauzun was in command of the scattered French forces; the Irish had quitted Athlone; King William's forces amount to 25,000; Kilkenny, Sligo and Cavan were in our possession; Ed. Baldwin had been committed to Newgate by warrant of Lord Nottingham.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. Discusses his translation of a French book; mentions that the French fleet had been discovered from the hills at Penzance sailing south-west and it was thought that they were going away.
[Robert Merrett] to Sir Charles Kemeys. States that odds of £100 to £30 were being given that a session of Parliament was to begin on the following Monday, on the strength of the news from Ireland that Limerick, if not yet taken, could not hold out much longer, and the Duke of Devonshire had gone 'down post' to meet the King on his return; preparations were being made for the King's reception; it was a dull Bartholemew fair, as the season was so dirty and the town so empty on account of the war, but there were enough to make a riot, with some killed and more wounded.
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Detailing the plans of her journey to London; she could bring no money with her, having been forced to borrow off Jonson to pay Mr Gunter's interest and servants' wages; returns thanks for His Majesty's gracious speed; supposes that everybody was in mourning, so she need not bring up any coloured coat or white laced lining. Incomplete.
John Humberstone to Sir Charles Kemeys. Giving an account of household expenses and payments to workmen, 5 to 12 Jan.; reference to the illness of the 'little mistress', to the visit of people to Ruperra to see the children, and to the condition of the horses and cattle; they had abandoned the ploughing of the Park by reason of the frost and intend to set to dunging it; the house expenses amount to £2.11.01/4 and the workmen's account to £1.8.7.
Harry Tracy to Arthur French. Asking him to pay to bearer the half year's rent due to him, for which he would allow him 10s. out of it, to save him another journey to Cardiff to fetch it.
William Springett to Sir Charles Kemeys. Giving an account of household expenditure 18 Dec. to end of Jan.; reference to the fact that on the death of Rowland Barkley, having no cattle or household goods, his best was only worth 2s.6, and they had foreborne to take it till they heard from Sir Charles; the household account for the first week amounted to £1.15.8 plus 10 sacks of coal, 3s.4, and for the second week £1.19.111/4 plus 3 sacks of coal, 9d.
William Springett to Lady Mary Kemeys. Approves of the method prescribed by her for drawing up rentals, having columns for present rent, improved rent, duties, term in being, and for what annuities and duties go out of the estate.
W Springett to Lady Mary Kemeys. Discussing accounts of the Wenvoe estate,
Thomas Jo[nes] of Usk to Sir Charles Kemeys. Stating that so rich a cargo did not fall into an enemy's hand.
W. Springett to Sir Charles Kemeys. Sending his account of household expenditure, 26 Feb. to 12 March; business relating to the letting of farms; corn falls in most places, wheat at Cardiff was 5s.2 per bushel, barley (for seed) 3s.2, and oats 15d., with prices at Bristol much the same, if not cheaper; the household account for the first week amounted to £2.2.4, and for the second week £1.19.61/2.
Thomas Bassett to Sir Charles Kemeys. Discussing the purchase of a horse and the prevailing prices; references to the marriage privately of Mr Lewis and to the death of Lewis Morgan; 100 bushels of wheat had been sent to Bristol.
Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Stating that she had bought him a coach mare for £13; reference to the bad news of the loss of the ships; prays God to avert 'what deservedly hangs over this rebellious nation'.
Nicholas Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Refers to successful appeals against an injust assessment made by Sir John Awbery in respect of a tithe barn and by Mr Lewis respecting lands at Cardiff, won against the town; also pleads with him to put some lands in the parish of Llanvaire in repair, so that it could yield an income for their cousin, Lewis Kemeys.