Hello, again This is the last for today (Thursday British Summer Time). [C: This should have come first. The story so far: Dramatis Personae: The said F. Leicester is nudging up to Lord Southwell, owner-in-fee of the estates around Castlematrix, Courtmatrix, Killiheen and Ballingarrane. (He also throws in a bit of intimacy with the Archbishop, who whispers behind his hand can you believe?). The good Lord S. himself is feeling slightly vexed because he is doling out goodies to the Palatines and not getting much support from the Commissioners' Paymaster, Accountant and Commissary. I get the feeling our Francis knows the fat is in the fire - his early retirement is imminent. Meanwhile the Palatines soldier on, oblivious to all the theatricals.] ***START HERE*** Letters &c before 1760 4Q-178-3 in Record Office Dublin Francis Leiscester to Edward Southwell (1 of 2) Dublin 26 May 1713 Right Honourable Sir Since my former of the 14th ult. I crave leave to acquaint you, That Mr Manley Postmaster General, and one of the Commissioners of the Palatines, Because he could not save himself of £50 through my labour, has made a shift at last by the condescention of Sir Thomas Southwell, who always promised me the contrary, to divest me of the Post of Secretary and Accountant to the Palatines, which Mr Watkins had resigned to me, and have ordered me to deliver up the Books & Employments, The occasion Thus About 7 months since Mr Smales the former Paymaster running in debt £100 and upwards to Her Majesty & to others, was arrested for £50 debt, and is still in cognito, so that he cannot attend the duty of his post, Mr Manley was bound for that private debt, The Commissioners ordered me to act as Paymaster also which I have done for 7 months past, The salary due for the said office, Mr Manley would have to discharge the aforesaid £50, On a full board, which we have but very seldom, It is denied him, And They say, He that hath done the work, which is myself, ought to have the wages. Several of the Commissioners bid me to take the salary, My Lord Archbishop also under his hand says I ought to be considered for the trouble of that post, which has been excessive, by reason of the settling the imperfect accounts of the former Paymaster with all the Gentlemen in the country and the Palatines in town, &c And because I did and do insist upon it, and Mr Manley thereby not saving himself of the £50 Mr Smales owed him, has taken such an implacable hatred and malice against me as is above mentioned, Ordering me to deliver up the Books and Employments without passing my accounts, there being 40 odd pounds due to me on the Balance. Now If they can give a Foreigner £122 in 6 months time for acting only as a Messenger & Interpreter, of which there is no occasion neither, I know not why such a deference should be paid to a Dutchman more than an Englishman acting in more difficult and higher posts, which I have done to all their satisfactions; How it will be yet I cannot tell, the Commissioners being divided about it. Now, Sir, If, When the Return of the Representation about the Palatines is sent back, you could get me an order to be continued in that post of Secretary & Accountant to the Commissioners, I should be willing to act for such a salary as shall be thought fit for the future, The 40s p.ann. fund being not half the trouble of the fund of £24000, which is now out, And I would take care That Her Majestie's interest should not suffer in some matters which are yet depending, And it should be owned as a particular favour by Right Honourable Sir, Your most humble & most obedient servant FRAN: LEICESTER To the Rt Hon Edward Southwell esq. at Whitehall London ***END HERE*** [More another day, if you're still with me. I have yet to work out how to present the pages with accounts on. Sometimes very revealing.] Bye bye Terry