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of the 20th of December ever afterwards, nor did the committee ever care for meeting, which is the argument for what hath been allready hinted, that the booke was but a pretence.
Nevertheless, since the wiser head laboures to make vertue of necessityes, tis believed that the designe of some afterwards was really to have such a booke, whereby they might gett the Parliament blindfold to confirme their owne and friends irregular possessions, and yett clapp in a plausible proviso that the Act should not extend to confirme the distributions made to any Commissioner imployed in that way, with such other wards and springs to be in the locke as might only keep the Dr out of establishment.
Which designe, when they saw the Dr chosen in two places, vizt, in England for one, to be of the then Parliament, fayled, for fear he might sitt when the members of Ireland were kept out, that other legg of the booke became allsoe lame, and the whole body of the designe tumbled to the ground as above said.
Notwithstanding all this, the Doctor, not trusting to what reason and justice might doe against the cry of many in a Parliament like to be very factiouse, endeavoured, before he went thither, or proceeded much further in the accompt of distributions, to make an even reckoning with the State and army for what ever concerned himselfe, vizt, nakedly to sett before them what and how much land he held, and uppon what termes, and withall to demand from them what he yett conceived to bee his due.
In order whereunto hee applyed himselfe to those persons who, by the Councills of the 6th of Ffebruary, recited in the 14th chapter hereof, were particularly appointed to answer his desires, by the following addresse:
to vincent gookin, surveyor-generall, and major miles symner, esqrs., commissioners for setting forth lands to the army.
The humble Adress and Demand of Dr William Petty.
Whereas his Highness Councill for the affaires of Ireland, and the Lord Deputy and Councill, have, by their severall orders remaining with you, given me leave to be satisfyed 11059li, or neer thereabouts, in debts due for arreares incurred for souldiers service in Ireland since June, 1649, part thereof being for the use of Mrs. Carey and her children; and whereas their said Lordshipps intended the said lycence as a meanes to repaire the loss of the opportunityes to
