splitting of freeholds, wherein a new oath is impos'd, without an exception for them (who will take none), that will take away their votes in elections. Tho' they are an odd sort of people, yet having done nothing to forfeit the indulgence given them, I doe not see why it should be taken away. They talk noe more of a master of the horse then if there was to be none. Some will have it the D. of Somerset is to have it again. My wishes are for another Lord, whose Lady I hear talks of going over to him, which I should rejoyce at for it is pity there should be soe long a separation. My Lady Portland would never forgive me, should I omit her humble thanks for your Lordship having express'd your- self surpris'd at the rigour of the sentence against her, to one Mr. Van Leer. She is inform'd it may have a good effect at the revision, to make the Judges more carefull in not persisting in soe crying an injustice, as to make her children's estate lyable to Mr. Puvenvoirdes pretentions upon my Lord Port- land in England, which they have nothing to doe with if they were never soe well grounded. I wish your Lordship hath patience to come to this part of my letter, which will not be necessary to convince you how much I am, &c.
[Peter Wentworth.]
London, May 9, 17 12. Dear Brother,
At Wills coffee house I had some conversation with our Yorkshire Captain [Cecil], who told me as a secreet what he said the D. of Argile told him t'other day — that Lord
T had been with him to excuse his not being master of
the horse, and that the Queen had sign'd a warrant for puting it into commission. His Grace took him short, and said he need make no excuses for a disappointment of what he had
never ask't; and the Lord T the day he went there
had told several he was going to make the Duke of Argile easie, he gave him assurances of nothing but in general that the Queen had a great regard for him, and shou'd be glad of some other opportunity of obliging him. Then our Captain
u
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