What he sends Owen may give him a few moments' diversion. It is said to be what was spoken by the gentlemen herein named in opposition to the Earl of Portland's grant. Asks for a line to be sent to him at the Crown and Harrow in Chancery Lane. Attached are a number of statements made by Sir William Williams, Sir Roger Puleston, and Mr Rob Price, before the Lords of the Treasury on Friday 10th May 1695, objecting to a proposed grant of the Lordships of Denbigh, Bromfield and Yale to the Earl of Portland.
Has shown Owen's letter of no date to Mr Neale who answers that in proportion to what agreement shall be made with the Bishop of Bangor he will agree for Owen's mine, but so great a rent for any one mine before it be tried cannot be given ... Owen is to reduce his terms and proposals into writing. Asks a favour for Sir Philip Lloyd's daughter. Colonel Edward Lloyd left no will that can be heard of in England or Holland and yet designed all his estate to Sir Philip's youngest daughter and told many so. Does Owen recollect having heard him say anything as to whose hands the will was in in England or Holland? Mr Holmes knows nothing. Another difficulty is that the Dutch pretend to dispose of the estate and to have the cognizance of the cause because not only Colonel Edward Lloyd but his father also and his grandfather, the writer thinks, were born in Holland. The parish register of the place they were supposed to have been born in in Montgomeryshire says nothing. Some 'living registry' or some relation who may have some letters or papers are the likeliest to have some account of the matter. The grandfather whose name the writer thinks was Broghwell is supposed to have left England about 1625: his son - the father of Colonel Edward and Sir Philip - is said to have died at about 28 or 30 years of age. Begs Owen to let him have what information he can give. PS Wishes Owen and his Lady much joy on the birth of a son which God has sent them as an additional strength to their family. Parliament is prorogued to September 17th.
The writer had Bennett taken into custody yesterday and remained with the bailiffs the greater part of the day which happened to be a 'sitting day'. Bennett is discharged of his employment and one Rycroft is come in his room. Bennett's wife is in London since Saturday and no doubt she has gone up on her husband's account ... The family at Porkington are well. Mr Guild is so far out of order that the writer almost despairs of his recovery ... Wishes he could hear that the duty on paper, etc., was laid aside. Humble service to Mr Kinaston and Mr Mitton.
Mr Marshall mightily complains about the fine Owen promised to pay. The writer knows not what excuse to make, Mr Edward Owen having written that the £100 was paid. Owen's cause against Mrs Annwyl was heard yesterday at the Rolls. It is decreed that she is to seal a lease to Owen. Mr justice Hooks was her counsel. There is no news except that the Act of Parliament has put a stop to their proceedings, it being so intricate that the judges are at a stand in the interpretation thereof.
Since his last letter he has obtained Lord Arran's speech to the nobility of Scotland which he has thought worthy of Owen's knowledge and so encloses a copy (attached No. 1077a). The printing of all pamphlets is forbidden. They have a discourse flying about - he knows not if it is true - as if the King had sent a proclamation to forbid the meeting of the approaching intended convention. It is also discoursed as if many lords both spiritual and temporal are dissatisfied with the present posture of things and some of them very great ones too, viz the Dukes of Beaufort and Newcastle, the Marquis of Halifax and the Earl of Nottingham, etc. The Earls of Peterborough and Salisbury are very well and merry in the Tower. But the Lord Chancellor is exceedingly ill of the stone - his old tormenting malady. The French have over-run Freezland and Zealand, it is strongly reported, and Breda, etc., also taken; and they commit great and lamentable outrages where they meet with opposition. God preserve the royal Princess from their fury. The Prince of Orange is sickly and some say longs to be going home. The City of London have sent him £200,000 - some say more - upon the revenue of excise and customs to be repaid with common interest in three months' time. Attached on a separate sheet but bearing no date: Prays Owen to keep this as a secret sub rosa. The States of Holland are said to remonstrate their distresses to the King of England praying the King's aid. The Prince of Orange received several expresses of late: he reads and burns them. The King's coaches are said to be sent to Lord Dartmouth to bring him honourably to London. The soldiers begin to cry they want their King. The States of Holland offer to conduct the royal Princess honourably to the King, her father, if the King shall think it fit.
On the writer's return from Bangor an injunction from the Court of Wards was shown him on behalf of Mr Maurice Wynne against the gentlewoman who pretends to be his wife. It is the King's express command to the writer to see the decrees of his courts executed as far as possible. Therefore he could not deny an order on that behalf, and particularly since the tenants - who have nothing to do in the business - complain that they were utterly undone and disabled from paying any mises by reason of Hooks's vigorous proceedings. Moreover the writer desired Mr Wynne and his friends that some fair end might be made between him and the gentlewoman so that the King's service might not be disturbed. Since the writer's coming away, Hookes - whose authority Byron cannot understand having no commission from either of the Princes or from himself - has with great contempt and mutinous speeches disobeyed the writer's orders 'wherein I assure myself you will not support him'. Therefore desires Owen to commit Hookes to safe custody till he gives, satisfaction for his contempt, for if such petty companions take upon themselves to disobey orders the writer knows not to what purpose he is there. As for Mr Wynne and his pretended wife, the writer wishes some end to be made between them by arbitration of friends, and that in the meantime his order may be observed. PS Hookes being shown the writer's order swore a deep oath he would not obey it.
Has spoken to Robert Wynne about the millstones. Answered that if any man would have had them it would have been William Wynne. But Wynne must not trust to have those stones. After all their kindness and advice Robert Wynne says that he means to have a mill of his own that will stand as long as any mill in Merioneth. That satisfied the writer for he knows R. W.'s humours. Knows that his brother-in-law will provide himself with a mill long before R. W.'s mill be up.
The bearer brings warrants for the summoning of musters in the three commotes of Lleyn. Sir William Maurice to be asked to subscribe to them. Has left blanks for the time and place so that Sir William may consider when his leisure will best serve. Thinks Thursday or Friday in Whitsun week would be a good time at Llannor or Pwllheli. PS Hopes Brynkir and Maurice will stay at Bodvel the night before the musters.
Has conferred with his cousin, Mr Robert Morgan, and his son about the 10/- money and they are both ready to conclude the agreement which Wynne agreed upon. Desires him to appoint a day and place of meeting to seal the assurance. Commendations to his nephew, his niece, William's bed-fellow, little Robin, Morris, and little Ellis, and desires his mother not to beat Robin and let her not spare Morris, for the writer knows she will spare him.
Understands that there is a suit depending before the Council of the Marches in which her uncle, William ap Howel ap Owen, solicits touching the 'edifieing' of Llanstyndwy bridge and Y Bont Fechan in Eifionydd. Since she hears that Sir William will be there then, her request is that he will further and favour the business for her sake. Thanks him for her kind token.
Noble Sir. The writer is with the Denbigh and Flintshire forces on their way towards Ruthin by command of Lord Byron who has received intelligence of the enemy's resolution to assault the royalist quarters at Northop where Verney and his men have been resting the night before. Prince Maurice is certainly at Shrewsbury and is resolved to march with all expedition to relieve these parts; therefore Lord Byron has strictly enjoined Verney not to engage the enemy until 'the prince be advanced to us' and has commanded him, if he hears of Sir John's approach, to give Sir John notice which way to march. It is believed that Brereton's chief design is to disperse 'these forces' before the prince can come to join with them.
Business matters. They begin to be in a ferment about elections though the writs be not yet out. Owen's Mercury will tell him what news there is stirring. 'I hope you do not amuse yourselves in the country about anything like Hogen-Mogen-invasion: old England will swim when somebody is sunk.'.
Sends the enclosed though he imagines that Owen will have had it from other hands: the sting in the tail of it makes the writer think that they may see Owen there sooner than he designed. Does not think that there are 100 here in all. Personal matters.
Has received Owen's letter. It was some comfort to an unfortunate man to know a generous friend who will own one kicked out of Court: but why he knows not. He finds even the newspapers silent on the point. He is conscious of no ill and so dare look anyone in the face. He admits that he was cautioned some two months ago against the person who was searched for at Nanhoron - by Owen himself he takes it - and the writer believes that person did Wynne's business at the instigation of his friend. The writer is less useful to his friend by it.
Since the routing of his comrade for having written and spoken something he ought not, a caution has been given to them all not to do the like, so that he has not of late troubled Owen with any of his scripts. Supposes that Mr Green is now with Owen. Business re Nant estate.
He has been to Newgate and finds that L. Lloyd is committed for a misdemeanour. The prosecution seems malicious if all he said is true. Mr Bulkeley is ready to do him what kindness he can. Mr Roger Lloyd is out of town. The sessions begin next Wednesday. The writer has been to Sir Richard Levet's to complain that Lloyd was shackled with irons for a misdemeanour. Is glad that Owen got home well.
Has received two letters from Owen dated the 14th and 17th. References to a double match which this winter may bring to a conclusion. So they are like to lose Owen this winter, but his reasons for absence would avail anywhere ... It is hard to answer Owen's query in the second letter. Most people there talk at random and take their aims from the newspapers. Some would have the miscarriage examined into in the first place; others the accounts of all the 22 millions already given; a third sort of a more public spirit would have some more millions first given since the delay of giving last year did no good to the common cause. How 4 or 5 million more may be raised - in case it be given - is yet in nubibus. Land must do if all Neale's projects fail; he and those who eat and drink gratis without paying either poulterer or butcher will be for what they call home-excise which miscarried last session but by few voices. Though Harbord who pretended to be master of North Holland economy be now gone yet others will push on the project, but the country gentlemen and some others have each their objection against it. But if they go upon the money in the first place all will be carried as desired, there being a large majority for the Court that will attend. Is sorry for Mr Rowlands's loss. Has heard nothing of the drover.
Personal matters ... Now that the hurry of Parliament is over there will be a little more time for punctual correspondence. Lord Bulkeley, the Bishop of Bangor, Mr Bulkeley and Mr Devereux went hence this morning and all others are a packing away as fast as they can. The writer and his wife wish Owen and his Lady all joy in their son Arthur. The King thinks of going next Wednesday. They have talked much of changes in the Court and the Commons but none has yet been made.
