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I hope it will be admitted as practiseable and sufficient, since it hath been actually and without exception practised, by setting out of the lands thereby.
10thly. The fforces disbanded in September, 1655, have now been above twelve moneths in posession of their lands: in all which time noe man hath complained of more then one error which hath deserved redresse.
11thly. Your Lordshipps imploying me againe is, I hope, as full and reall an acknowledgement of my works sufficiency as I can desire, though, perhapps, not soe formall as is necessary.
12thly. And notwithstanding there should bee many errors and defects in the said worke, yet indulgence and connivance can never better become any service then this, which, being thought a seaven yeares worke, was finished in one, notwithstanding the greatest hindrances and oppositions that ever attended any of the like nature.
- 2dly. I humbly desire that my security may bee released in March next, or thereaboutes.
1st. Because, allthough I am to answer such complaints as shall bee made within twelvemoneth after possession, which is not yet given universally, yett it was allwayes intended that downe admeasurement and possession should goe together; but the said downe admeasurement was all furnished by March last, and therefore by the intention of my articles I am to bee released in March next.
2dly. The time which is yet like to remaine betweene that of possession and March next, being neer four moneths, is long enough to find out any fault, where there are soe many thousand to seeke it, and such as will spare noe paines to find it; neither was soe long a time as twelve moneths pitched uppon as necessary for that purpose, but by way of provision for those hindrances and delayes which have since appeared.
3dly. If I am not to be then released, I am bound ad infinitum, that is ad impossibile, which can not bee understood; ffor if any one of the many thousands with whome I have to deale shall either be hindered in or neglect his possession, I and my security must remaine bound untill twelve moneths after that unlimitted delay, which I hope was never intended.
4thly. I have, for doeing the publicke service, and for that only, made my selfe many enemyes, who at one time or other, if the conclusion of my business