150 - 22 Aug. To John Bramhall, bishop of Derry

Summary

Salutem in Christo.

My very good Lord.

I am very glad to heare, that the Papers which Sir Henry Martin drew Concerning the Apportioning of Intestates Goodes, came safe to your hands. And I thinke, it wilbe good Service to have it Recorded there; But for whatsoever is Personall, leave it out as it please your selfe. Yet let me tell you, the old man Sir Henry was so full of indignation at the Manner of usage exprest in your Lordships Letters to mee that he had written this Paper very sharply; and soe you would have seene, had not I gone it over, and dash’d those Passages out, which must needes have beene offensive. And if you being neerer the Busynes think fitt to leave out any more, doe it on Gods Name.

I have receaved from you the Copie of the Agreement betweene my [Lord] of Cork and the Bishop of Waterford. ‘Tis a Treaty I thinke very happily ended to the greate advancement of that Sea. And I purpose (God willing) in the next returne of my Letters to my Lord Deputy to give him thankes amongst many other things for this Particular. And you may be sure, that wheresoever any assistance of myne shall be thought usefull, it shalbe most ready upon the least Call for it.

Concerning the Arch-Bishoprick of Dublyn I thanke you for the Paper, which you call your first fruites. And if you goe on in that way, when you come to Greater Tenants, it must needes make a very faire Improvement to that Sea also. The Church there never knew such a tyme; and therefore I pray, make your Hay apace while the Sunne shines.

If your Lordship come over at Michaelmas, ‘tis a blustring tyme of the yeare, and God preserve you at sea. But if we get you safe on land, we shall by Gods Grace keepe you safe enough from any Rocks of the Star-Chamber. And I shall be heartily glad to see you, that I may give you thank[s for] all your Care and Paynes aboute that Church, and for your particular kinde[nes] and respects to mee.