The manuscripts from whence the annexed documents have been selected, are now in the possession of his Grace the Duke of Beaufort; and the Editor would be wanting in justice to another distinguished member of the same noble family, did he omit to acknowledge the great kindness which he has received from Lord Granville Somerset, who has materially assisted the Editor in illustrating the labours of his very ingenious ancestor.
Glamorgan
I heerewth send you the rest of my dispatches for Ireland, whether I praye hasten, time beeing most considerable. I am sensible of the dangers yu will undergoe, and ye greate trouble and expences you must be at, not being able to assiste yw who have already spent aboue a Million of Crowns in my service, neither can I saye more then I well remembr to have spoke and written to you that allready words could not expresse your merits nor my gratitude: and that next to my wife and children I was most bound to take care of you. whereof I have besides others particularly assured yor Cosin Biron as a person deare unto you. What I can further thinke at this pn̄t is to send yw the Blue Ribben, and a Warrant for the Title of Duke of Somerset both wch accept and make vse of at your discretion, and if you should deferre ye publishing of either for a whyle to avoyde envye, and my being importuned by others yet I promise yor Antiquitie for ye one and your Pattent for ye other shall beare Date with the Warrants. And rest assured, if God should crosse me wth your miscarrying I will treate your Sonne as myne owne, and that yu labour for a deare freind as well as a thankefull Master when tyme shall afforde meanes to acknowledge, how much I am
Yor most assured reall constant
and thankfull freind
Charles R.
Oxford Feb. 12, 1644.
Oxford this seconde of January 1644 Severall Heades whereupon you our Right trusty and right welbeloved Cosen Edward Earle of Glamorgan may securely proceede in execution of our Commands.
First you may ingage yr estate, interest and creditt that we will most really and punctually performe any our promises to the Irish, and as it is necessary to conclude a Peace suddainely, soe whatsoever shall be consented unto by our Lieutenant the Marquis of Ormond, We will dye a thousand deaths rather than disannull or breake it, and if vpon necessity any thing be to be condescended unto, and yet the Lord Marquis not willing to be seene therein, as not fitt for us at the present publickely to owne, doe you endeavour to supply the same.
If for the encouragement of the Lord Marquis of Ormond you see it needefull to have the Guarter sent him, or any further favour demonstrated from vs vnto him, we will cause the same to be performed.