71 - 24 Oct. To Richard Astley, warden of All Souls College Oxford

Summary

Salutem in Christo

After my harty Commendations etc.

I am informed that there is one place voyd by the Death of Mr Master, and that another will be voyd at this your Election. I am likewise given to understand that there is a very good Inclination in your self and the Fellowes to chuse Sir Croft of Jesus Colledge into that place which is voyd by death. And I thinke there is an intendment for a younger Sonne of my Lord Keeper, who much desyre's to be a Civill Lawyer, to succeed in the place of Mr Shelden. Now you know that Mr Shelden holde's the place of a Divyne, and soe must he in ordinary course that succeeds him, but the place which is voyde by death, is a Lawyers place. All that I shall desyre of your self and the Fellowes is but this, that when it comes near the Election, and that it is resolved among you and them whom to chuse, you would be pleasd to chuse young Mr Coventry into the Lawyers place, and Sir Croft into the Divynes. My Lord Keeper doth much desire this Accommodation and soe doe I for him.

Since I have this occasion of wryting to you, I will not forget to thanke you for the kynd Letters which I receyved from that Body to wellcome me into the place which I now beare. But your Love made you heape a great deale too much honour upon me, for I profess sadly I hold my self farr short of the least Degree of Comparison to your worthy Founder. The Church now affoarde's me not means to doe that which my hart is upon, were all thinges else answerable. But enough of this. I hope you and the Company will not deny me this my first and easy Suit. Soe with remembrance of my love I leave you all to the Grace of God and rest

Your very lovinge Freind and Visitour.

W: Cant:

Lambeth October 24. 1633.

To the Right Worshipfull my very worthy Freind, Dr Ashley, Warden of All: Soules Colledge in Oxford.