15 - 1 Dec. To William Smyth, warden of Wadham College Oxford

Summary

Sir.

I receaved your letters by Mr Subwarden and Mr Huish: and accordinge to the desire of yourselfe and the fellows I have considered of the draught which you sent mee for the supply of your statute of absence. I caused your statute and draught to bee compar’d together, and the authoritie which I had as Visitor to bee considered of the Lawyers that I might bee sure not to err against law, whiles I was busy to mend statute. According to to [sic] their advice and with very littell difference from the Coppie you sent, I have drawne up an addition to your Statute, put it under seale, and sent it downe by this bearer; and I should ever pray that it may bee effectuall to keepe off the Scandall and the daunger which was growinge upon that worthy foundation. I have forborne to put any date to the instrument because the Colledge seale is not to it. And I thinke it fitter to date it at the latter seale, which I pray doe, and my authoritie and consent shall goe with it, of which these my letters may bee witnesse. At the same time I pray draugh another Instrument by this, and put it under your Colledge Seale, and send it up to mee at some oportunity, that it may lie by mee, and bee reddy for mee, yf any doubt should hereafter arise (which god forbid) concerninge it. I pray remember my love to the fellows, with thanks boeth to you and them for your respecte to mee. Soe wisheinge you and them all peace att home in the Colledge, and all successe abroade in the Church, I leave you to the grace of god, and shall ever rest

your loveinge frend

Guil: Bathon: et Welle:

Westminster December 1. 1626.

To the right worshipfull my very worthy frend Doctor Smith Warden of Wadham College in Oxford these delivered.