208 - 16 Dec. To the dean and chapter of Exeter

Summary

Salutem in Christo

After my hearty Commendations

I have received your letters of December 7^th and by which I perceave that you have brought your busenes to some conclusion. And I pray God it may be finall and a settlement of peace amongst you; which I have much laboured for and should at last be glad to find.

For the two Conditions, which Mr Helyar insisted upon you may seeme to have given full satisfaction to the first, by allowing him and his that proportion of fyne by your Act, which belong's unto him. But yet I must needes say you fall short in this; For you give him being a verie aged man noe other security for his ninth part, but a Chapter Act; which a new deane should God send one before the bargaine be Compleat, is not bound to stand to; but upon repayment of soe much money as is received may alter the bargaine, and leave Mr Helyars heire or Executor (if the old man dy there while) without that which now iustly belongs unto him. In this behalfe he hath written unto me very ernestly And in my iudgment his desire is not uniust. Namely that he may have that part which belongs unto him presently paid him or at least security given him for it to be paid him within five or six moneths. And for the avoyding of clamour and that you may the more freely proceed in this great busenesse of all your leases I would give you Counsell to see Mr Helyars ninth part paid within the tyme and in the way he desires; for by this meanes you shall quiett the busenes. And the thing desired (what er’e it may seeme) is noe great matter. For of the summe which is to be paid at our Lady day he is to have his ninth part, as alsoe of that which is to be paid at Michaelmas. And these two make upp his share of the moity of eight thousand pounds.