'July 17, 1686.—I said in mine of the 13th instant, that after I had with £13,060, and £4000, bought my Irish lands, built Lothbury, and marryed my sister, I had at the King's restoration £3,200 left. Then you have had the Debtor: now the creditor side.1. My troubles with Zanchy, the Rump, and the Army, 1659.2. The 49 mens siege of my Limerick concernments, and Sir A. Brodrick, 1661-2.3. The Court of Clayms and Innocents, 1663.4. The great double bottom, 1664. The Plague, 1665. Ld Ranelagh and Fire of London, 1666.5. Warrs with Ld Kingston 1667, 68, 69, 70, 71 & 2, when W. Fenton died.6. The rebuilding of London; years value; Iron works, and Fisheryes defray, within the said year and 1672.7. Reducement of quit rent and Sir G. Carteret 1673 and 4.8. Sir James Shean and partners; and Kerry, 1675, 76 & 77.9. Kerry custodium & imprint, from 1678 to 82.10. More mischief about the same and stopping the law to 1685.11. The fright of 1685 and 1686, with faylure of Rents.12. Strange wrongs from paupers set up on purpose to plague me.
'Now to what my said £3,200, anno 1660, is shrunk to ann: 1686, I leave to consideration. Think also of my 53 chests of papers containing an epitome of my services and sufferings; my Bookes and survey, and Copperplates, with the accurate and authentic History thereof and the first distributions; what I might have gotten without the least meddling with Irish estates, as from first letters; how little I have gotten by religion and factions; how I have been industriously opprest and supprest 27 years; was never the Toole or Turnshovell to any person or party; never convicted to have wronged either private persons or public interests—but have gotten all, as I did the first 1s., 4s. 6d., 24s. and 4l.—Dear Cousin adieu.—When I am dead pick me out an epitaph out of these 3 letters, and let my children be ashamed of it, if they dare; but out-doe it. What anatomy I have made of myself, I am able to make also of my enemies. I have herein followed the advice which Sir P. Pett heretofore gave: viz. That at the country feasts every man (when he was near drunk but not quite drunk) should disclose to the company the real cause of
