Part 69

"Your Lordship's most obliged servant, "SAMUEL WILSON. "London, this 15th July, 1654."

I ordered a Henley barge to take in the deal boards from the ship, and to carry them to Fawley Court, which was done; and there I made use of them for new flooring my hall and for wainscoting of it. They were extraordinary good boards, and those of the floor were about two inches thick. There they are, and there may they long continue, for the use of me and my children; and may they put us in mind to bless God for his goodness to me in that voyage, and in my safe return to that place, and of all his preservations and mercies to me and my company!

I returned order to my brother Wilson, to be careful of receiving my money from the Commissioners of the Customs.

July 16, 1654.

I had some conference with Major G. Disborough, one of the Commissioners for the Ordnance, about his buying for the State the copper which the Queen of Sweden gave me, and I brought over from thence, being two hundred and fifty ship-pound. I desired that some merchants might look upon it, who had experience in that commodity; and what they should agree to be a reasonable price for it, I should be content to take it; and so we concluded.

July 17, 1654.

My brother Wilson gave me this account touching my moneys and copper:--

"For the Right Honourable the Lord Commissioner Whitelocke, these; at Chelsea.

"London, the 17th July, 1654.

"May it please your Lordship,

"I sent this morning to receive your moneys at the Custom-house, and they say there is no more due to your Lordship than L750 for three terms, as is expressed in the receipt enclosed, which they have made. I would not receive it until I knew your pleasure, which, if this sum doth agree with what is your due, you may please to put your name to the enclosed receipt from them, and it will be paid in the morning. The order also I send back, that you may please to take off your name from it and send it again by the bearer.

"In the morning we shall work upon the ship, and I shall wait on the Committee at Whitehall, for the custom and excise of the copper to be free, which will come to L240. I hope I shall prevail, and shall always remain

"Your Lordship's humble servant, "SAMUEL WILSON."

There was a mistake by the Commissioners of the Customs about my money, which I rectified, and had the L1000 paid to my brother Wilson for my use. Touching the copper, I at length contracted with Major G. Disborough, who bought it for the Protector, and gave me L2500 for it, which was justly paid unto me; and the copper was employed to make brass ordnance for the ships, and was excellent good, and no ill bargain.

I received a letter from Mr. Henry Elsing, late Clerk of the Parliament, and the best clerk in my judgement that ever I knew, to take the sense of the House and put it in apt terms. He was an excellent scholar,--had the Italian, French, and Latin languages; a very honest and ingenious man, and fitter for much better employment than to be Clerk of the Parliament. He was my faithful and kind friend, and I owe very much of affection and gratitude to the memory of this worthy gentleman. He was in great and deserved favour of the House of Commons, and gave over his place because he would not meddle in the business about the trial of the King. He often invited Mr. Selden and me together to his house to dinner, where we had great cheer, and greater learning in excellent discourse, whereof himself bore a chief part. I was the more frequent with him, being godfather to one of his sons, and Mr. Selden the other godfather, which brought us two the oftener together to his house, to see our godson; and even in such meetings as these I gained very much of knowledge from the most learned and rational discourses of Mr. Selden.

FOOTNOTES:

THE END.

JOHN EDWARD TAYLOR, PRINTER, LITTLE QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS.

{Transcriber's notes.

1 Original reads "of our father"; changed to "of your father".

2 Original reads "more prejudical to Sweden"; changed to "more prejudicial to Sweden".

3 Original reads "contrabrand goods"; changed to "contraband goods".

4 "Sunnandag" not italicised in original.

5 Original reads "Grave Eric's requst"; changed to "Grave Eric's request".

6 Original reads "unto the Prinee"; changed to "unto the Prince".

7 Original reads "and and that"; changed to "and that".

8 Original reads "Whitleocke"; changed to "Whitelocke".

9 Original reads "bacon and other provison"; changed to "bacon and other provision".