MY LORD

I have spoke with Colonel Ingoldsby who tells me that he hath an order (but not of his own procuring) whereby Mr Trafford and he are joined in the seeing so many loads of wood laid out for such a use. If there be anything against your Honour’s privileges he desires your pardon, being himself the least concerned in it. But I since met casually with one who had formerly attended your Honour about something con­cerning wallwood, and purposely taking occasion to ask what he knew concerning such a business, he told me he believes it to be a trick of Sir Henry Mildmay, and that the order is obscurely got from Drury House and reported to be his Highnesses: this week he will tell me more of it. However I shall take care that no lops be taken away, nor trees till your Honour have a particular accompt of the authority they pretend to act by, which I am informed is very unwarrantable.

I have sent this week fifty yards of bays as good as can be bought for that use, though of the same price, as the rest was. The house through the speaker’s¹ indisposition is adjourned till Monday. Mr Feake (who with Sir H. Vane are lately set at liberty) the last Sunday fell a preaching out of a window towards the Street, protesting he as little knew how he came out as for what he was cast into prison, and when (after many extravagancies) the city Marshall from my Lord Mayor would have silenced him, he replied, that that Spirit which warranted him to speak was above Mr Protector’s command, and therefore much more Mr Mayor’s.