No. 36.

Extract from letter from Sir Richard Gresham to Thomas Cromwell, lord Privy Seal, touching the purchase of certain houses in Lombard Street belonging to Sir George Monoux, Alderman of the City of London, for the purpose of a site for an Exchange. Dated 25 July [1538].

Brit. Mus. MS. Cotton, Otho E x, fo. 45.

* * * The Last yere I shewyd yo^r goode lordeshipe a Platte that was drawen howte for to make a goodely Bursse In Lombert strete for merchaunts to Repayer unto I doo suppose yt wyll coste ij m^[-l]l and more wyche shalbe very beautyful * * and allsoo for the honor ow^r soveragne * * ther ys serteyn howssys in the sayd * * longyn to Sir George Monnocks and excepte * * maye purchesse them the sayd Bursse can [not] be made Wherefor yt maye please yo^r good lordshipe [to] move the kynges highnes to have his most gracious letty^rs [di]rectyd to the sayd Sir George Wyllynge and allsoo [co]maundynge hym to cawsse the sayd howssys to be [so]led to the Mayer and Comminaltye of the City of London for suche prices as he dyd purches them for and that he fawte not but to accomplyshe hys gracious commaundement the Letty^r must be sharply made for he ys of noo jentyll nature and that he shale gyffee Further credens to the mayer I wyll delyver the Letty^r and handyll hym the best I can, and yf I maye obtayngne to have the sayde howyssys I dought not but to gather oon m^ll towarde the buildynge or I departe howte of myn office ther shale lacke noo goode wylle In me. And thus o^r lorde preserve yo^r goode lordshippe in prosperous helthe long to contynew. At London the xxv daye Juylly.