The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 56
Here is a new phasis of the Wedding-treaty; which, as seems, ‘doth now a little stick.’ Prudent Mr. Mayor insists on his advantages; nor is the Lieutenant-General behindhand. What ‘lands’ all these of Oliver’s are, in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Hampshire, no Biographer now knows. Portions of the Parliamentary Grants above alluded to; perhaps ‘Purchases by Debentures,’ some of them. Soldiers could seldom get their Pay in money; with their ‘Debentures’ they had to purchase Forfeited Lands;—a somewhat uncertain investment of an uncertain currency.
The Mr. Robinson mentioned in this Letter is a pious Preacher at Southampton.[1] ‘My two little Wenches’ are Mary and Frances: Mary aged now near twelve; Frances ten.[2]
“FOR MY NOBLE FRIEND COLONEL RICHARD NORTON: THESE”
Dear Norton,—I could not in my last give you a perfect account of what passed between me and Mr. Mayor; because we were to have a conclusion of our speed that morning after I wrote my Letter to you.[3] Which we had; and having had a full view of one another’s minds, we parted with this: That both would consider with our relations, and according to satisfactions given there, acquaint one another with our minds.
I cannot tell better how to do, “in order” to give or receive satisfaction, than by you; who, as I remember, in your last, said That, if things did stick between us, you would use your endeavour towards a close.
The things insisted upon were these, as I take it: Mr. Mayor desired 400l. per annum of inheritance, lying in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, to be presently settled[4] and to be for maintenance; wherein I desired to be advised by my Wife. I offered the Land in Hampshire for present maintenance; which I dare say, with copses and ordinary fells[5], will be, communibus annis, 500l. per annum: and besides “this,” 500l. per annum in Tenants’ hands holding but for one life; and about 300l. per annum, some for two lives, some for three lives.—But as to this, if the latter offer be not liked of, I shall be willing a farther conference be held in “regard to” the first.
In point of jointure I shall give satisfaction. And as to the settlement of lands given me by the Parliament, satisfaction to be given in like manner, according as we discoursed. “And” in what else was demanded of me, I am willing, so far as I remember any demand was, to give satisfaction. Only, I having been informed by Mr. Robinson that Mr. Mayor did, upon a former match, offer to settle the Manor wherein he lived, and to give 2,000l. in money, I did insist upon that; and do desire it may not be with difficulty. The money I shall need Sor my two little Wenches; and thereby I shall free my Son from being charged with them. Mr. Mayor parts with nothing at present but that money; except the board “of the young Pair,” which I should not be unwilling to give them, to enjoy the comfort of their society;—which it’s reason he smart for, if he will rob me altogether of them.
Truly the land to be settled,—both what the Parliament gives me, and my own,—is very little less than 8,000l. per annum, all things considered, if I be rightly informed. And a Lawyer of Lincoln’s Inn, having searched all the Marquis of Worcester’s writings, which were taken at Ragland and sent for by the Parliament, and this Gentleman appointed by the Committee to search the said writings,—assures me there is no scruple concerning the title. And it so fell out that this Gentleman who searched was my own Lawyer, a very godly able man, and my dear friend; which I reckon no small mercy. He is also possessed of the writings for me.[6]
I thought fit to give you this account; desiring you to make such use of it as God shall direct you. and I doubt not but you will do the part of a friend between two friends. I account myself one; and I have heard you say Mr. Mayor was entirely so to you. What the good pleasure of God is, I shall wait; there alone is rest. Present my service to your Lady, to Mr. Mayor, etc. I rest, your affectionate servant,
“P.S” I desire you to carry this business with all privacy. I beseech you to do so, as you love me. Let me entreat you not to lose a day herein, that I may know Mr. Mayor’s mind; for I think I may be at leisure for a week to attend this business, to give and take satisfaction; from which perhaps I may be shut up afterwards by employment.[7] I know thou art an idle fellow: but prithee neglect me not now; delay may be very inconvenient to me: I much rely upon you. Let me hear from you in two or three days. I confess the principal consideration as to me, is the absolute settlement “by Mr. Mayor” of the Manor where he lives; which he would not do but conditionally, in case they have a son, and but 8,0001. in case they have no son. But as to this, I hope farther reason may work him to more.[8]
Of ‘my two little Wenches,’ Mary, we may repeat, became Lady Fauconberg; Frances was wedded to the Honourable Mr. Rich, then to Sir John Russell. Elizabeth and Bridget are already Mrs. Claypole and Mrs. Ireton. Elizabeth, the younger, was first married. They were all married very young; Elizabeth, at her wedding, was little turned of sixteen.