therefore he would doe well to prove it. The other answer'd nothing.
I was sorry I could not be at Councell last Tuesday, where the articles of peace were read and ratified. My Lord Cholmley is since that turned out, and soe is Sir Richard Temple. To morrow at two oclock is appointed to present the address.
April 2^, 1713.
It is with great satisfaction that I hear of My Lady Strafford's arriving safely in Holland. The next good news I hope to hear, is that you are coming over together, for I reckon you must doe nothing hereafter apart.
I endeavoured to wait upon My Lady before she went, but doe not wonder in the hurry she was in, that I did not find her. I was alsoe very sory that I miss'd of Captain Powell when he call'd upon me. We are impatient here for the ratifications of the peace, as if it was not already concluded and anything left to doe besides formalities. The house of Lords hath had little to doe besides reading the report from the Commissioners of accounts. One of the most remarkable things in it, is My Lord Wharton's taking a thousand pounds for his recommendation to Lord Godolphin for a Custom house place, which he flatly deny'd the truth of last Wed- nesday in full house, tho' sworn by the man who gave it ; and as I am inform'd, it is one of the best actions his Lordship ever did, for it seems he hath a sister in very low circumstances, with a daughter wholly unprovided, who brought him this man, and he gave ;^200 of the money to his sister, and put out the ;^8oo for the daughter.
The house of commons hath pleas'd a great part of the nation with taking two shillings off the land, and were unanimous in it, both parties striving to get the credit, and the rest of the money is to be rais'd without a lottery (one of our late grievances) by granting a longer term to the Bank, and some other advantage to the African Company. There goes an odd story of Mrs. Dormer, whom you may better know by the name of Die Kirk that a footman of hers pre-
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