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Expected to have word with the money as promised. Wants to send that money to London to his creditor and to send him double consideration for forbearance until the 1st Nov. at which time the writer is to pay £500 without fail. Writes to desire his correspondent to be careful of him and to request him to write to Mr Herbert and the rest to make this payment ready as soon as they may before their last day of payment that he may have all ready to bring with him to London to discharge himself with credit. Draft.

William Maurice is sorry to hear of the course taken, against all good order, by his cousin Mr William Gruffydd. Either the justices were far to blame, or he and his company were far too rash. If the interpreter played false in not informing the justices of the truth, and then telling Gruffydd another tale, the latter should have conferred with the justices and settled on the best course. For the bailiffs of Pwllheli (William Maurice sent for Cadwaladr Owen, being one of them) do excuse themselves. William Maurice wishes he had been at home to have the ship and 'them' safe. Gruffydd says he used violent means for the apprehension so that they might be spoiled if enemies; if friends, he would have let them go again in their cock-boat after the ship. Writes so that his correspondent may know what defects Pwllheli men found in Gruffydd's proceeding. Will dissuade the coroner for Pwllheli and the county from intermeddling in the Lord Admiral's jurisdiction. Suggests that a course be followed which was done for the like chance which last happened. Procedure outlined. Business re the appointment of an Admiralty Registrar. Draft.

It was William Maurice's hope to peruse a copy of the letter which ... to the Rev. Father the Bishop of St David's touching the po[int] ... in question in the parliament. The subject of this letter William Maurice hardly liked. It allows diverse authorities for the proof not only of the convenience and justice thereof, but also of His Majesty's prerogative royal [if it so please] to finish the same. But his gracious clemency and mildness desires it rather [and therefore most convenient to effect it so] by general assent and consent of his true and faithful subjects. 'Your diligence in your collection with your choise of persone sufficient to sett ffoorth in parliament a cause, as you terme it, of so highe proporcion and consequence deserve the comendacion and doth manifest your grete reedinge of many auctorities and your good memorye which I will not prayse as it oght least you would judge mee to fflatter, for my cheefest purpose at this time is rather to expostulate with you for your unkinde (I maye well terme it) detraction of your owne contrey and countreymen ... I meane the prediction or prophesye of coronoge vabann, and heerin I will rejoine a littell with you sensiblye on that pointe and stand uppone the maxime of all our prophesyes which is that out of the Bryttishe line shold desende one that sholde restore the kingdoom of Brittaine to the pristine estate. This did Kadwalader, the last kinge of the Brittaines, prophesye at his departure. Thence cometh all our propheticall predictions and oracles. And though coronog vabann was the principal mark of him that would come of the British line, what reason or likelihood can there be that Henry VI (a mere Englishman, and moreover, a stem of the vile enemy of the Britons, his grandfather Henry IV) should be meant or imagined (though he like many others might have been crowned in the cradle) ... It is not so that 'our' nation first came to court in ... [the time] ... of Owen Tudor'. For though he happened to find favour in court with the queen mother of Henry VI, yet 'our' other countryman of the same name of Owen was a great favourite at the court of Richard II, which was the cause of his rebellion against the usurper, Henry IV. His great attempt, 'thoghe with a harde seccesse as many times the like doo', deserved greater commendation for holding out against a king fifteen years than the other for holding favour of a great queen. William Maurice will say no more, what he has said being sufficient to disprove 'bothe those your resones touchinge coronog vaban. The other unkinde glance or rather nipping of our country beirdd (who are muche more beeholdinge to Lucane, a stranger, for his good reporte) than to you theire owne [country]man ...' ... What learning most of them have the writer himself has not the learning to judge ... Compares the golden times of Homer, Virgil and Ovid ... with the verses made to Alexander only by Chorillus, the blind poet ... So now in this brazen world there are many Cherilli and few Homers or the like. Asks his cousin to remember that 'fowle is fowel that files his owne nest'. Exhorts him to show his skill and learning to speak the best of his own country, and to let strangers inveigh against 'us', who will not spare. And if he cannot find it in his heart to do it 'lende mee some of your skill to my goodwill and I will doo it'. Damaged; parts missing. Draft.

Owen could not expect any other success about Harlech when he heard Lord Jeffreys was engaged for another. Jeffreys's interest is too great this time for any ordinary man to contend against. This morning when the King came into the House of Lords he acquainted the House by the Lord Keeper that at about 6 o'clock that morning he had received by an express a letter from the Mayor of Lyme telling him that on the 11th inst. in the evening, a ship of 30 guns had appeared before Lyme together with a 'catch' of 100 tons and a fly-boat of 200. There was no suspicion of them at first: but after awhile five boat loads of men put off from the off-side of the ship, who being covered by the cob - as they call their high land by the haven - came up the back way into the town when they were revealed to be the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Gray with about 150 men. The Mayor knew his danger for the town is full of fanatics. The Mayor immediately fled to Honyton, 11 miles off, from where he wrote to the King. Two officers of the Custom House of Lyme have made oath to the King that they have seen the Duke and Lord Gray. A declaration of loyalty to the King has been presented by the Lords at the banqueting house. The Commons made a similar vote adding the epithet 'the ungratefull traytor James, Duke of Monmouth'. This mad attempt of these infatuated rebels is the less surprising, for they heard since the beginning of the month that the Duke had left the Texel on the last day of May, and ever since the King has been providing for him and taking those into custody who were likely to side with him. The Duke of Albemarle reports from Devonshire that he is within 15 miles of Lyme and has about 4,000 men with him. They hope to engage the rebels before Saturday night. Then the Duke who now styles himself Protector of the Protestant Religion and Laws will have much ado to protect himself out of the kingdom if the King has any frigates - as apparently he has with Sir Roger Strickland on that coast. There have been many Whig libels about the town last night and the night before which show that some were privy to that which now appears. The Earl of Argyle and his party continue in the Isle of Bute where they are besieged by the King's frigate, and they will have much ado to get from there.

Dear and honoured friend. Hopes Owen will come to St Asaph, not as a stranger, but to stay with him as long as he can find how to bestow his time in this country. Would not have him come until Lent is over unless Owen has a mind to do penance with the Bishop. As to the school at Oswestry the writer is willing to do what Owen desires as soon as he has opportunity - that is as soon as he can find a living for Mr Evans which he is fit for and will accept. These conditions are put in because Wrexham is now in the Bishop's hands; but Evans is, the Bishop belives, so wise that he would not accept it if it were offered to him; so if he did accept it the Bishop would not consider him wise enough to be fit for it. He has nothing to say for Mr Owen who has almost worn out the Bishop's patience, which when he has quite done the Bishop will handle him in his own way - 'that is I shall do the part of a poor British Bishop which is all I can pretend to'. The Bishop is far from assuming papal power to dispense with men for not keeping their oaths, as he is afraid that those who have sworn to do justice allow Mr Owen and such as he is to live in open breach of law without punishment. Sir Robert Owen the writer knows will not suffer it when he has time to look after him. But Sir Robert will do well to warn before striking, like a Christian and a gentleman. If he can prefer Mr Evans he will think of none other for the school until Mr Gr., mentioned by Sir Robert, has refused it.

Owen has asked him whether he can with a good conscience take the oath required of him on the occasion of a treaty of marriage since matters of conscience properly belong to men of the Bishop's function ... Thinks it is not safe to take such an oath, for Owen may be ensnared with it before he is aware. The writer has not many debts himself but believes they are more than he can call to mind. But if Owen is put to swear - as near as he can tell - how much will pay his debts, he may without danger of sin take such an oath with that limitation, always provided that the oath is administered by one with authority to do it. So much for the conscientious part: as to the prudence of taking such an oath the writer cannot judge without knowing more of the circumstances. The same thing that in some circumstances may be stark naught, in others may happen to be very advisable. It were an odd thing to bid a merchant throw his goods into the sea, and yet it would be the most prudent thing that he could do in case of storm. Is Owen desperately in love and cannot endure to live without this lady? And is she not to be obtained without such an oath? If this be the case the Bishop need not tell Owen what to do. But in all the cases he has known - and he has been at pretty many treaties of marriage - he has never known such an oath required in his life. He has never heard such a thing mentioned. But if the Bishop were to advise any friends about to treat with another, he would wish them to consider well before they made such an oath a condition of marriage. For as the world now goes there are few young men who would take it without chewing. And what would the advantage be to her upon whose account it was required? ... It would never secure any woman from a bad husband, though it might hinder her from a good one. Wishes that those Owen treats with knew him as well as the writer does, and then they would not insist on the oath.

Encloses copies of letters received that morning, and a letter from his master [John Wynn], saying that he has received the original letters for Merionethshire and has heard that the Caernarfonshire letters are coming, of which he wished William Lloide go to inform Richard Vaughan and William Mores. Since speed is required of the commissioners, in this service, John Wynn thought that William Lloide, in his master's name, should join with William Mores and Richard Vaughan, as they did the last time, to arrange to rate and levy a sum of money in the county. But William Lloide did not know how many men are to be levied from the county, and has sent a messenger to John Wynn to find out; upon receipt of the answer, will come to Richard Vaughan and William Mores to do as requested. Meanwhile sends by his cousin Thomas Hughes, the bearer, copies of the Merionethshire letters so that Richard Vaughan and William Mores know of the service and may have men pressed in churches tomorrow, if they wish. Thus they and their men from the upper end may meet at Caernarvon a week to-day with John Wynn and the justices of the lower end and the men may be mustered together and sent, and the indentures made. If Richard Vaughan and William Mores have already received the Caernarfonshire letters, they, of the upper end, may send John Wynn copies and meet, agree on a sum of money and have it levied. John Wynn and the justices of the lower end, on receipt of Richard Vaughan and William Mores's letters or copies thereof, may likewise meet and settle on a suitable sum for equipping their half of the men. Is commanded by John Wynn's letters to have men pressed in the commotes of Isgwyrfai and [Arllechwedd] Uchaf, and means to go to arrange with the constables for the performance thereof. Intends to return tomorrow night; by then is sure to have heard from John Wynn. Would also like to hear of Richard Vaughan and William Mores's decision and asks them to let him know so that he can inform his master whether either of them has received the original letters. The time is too short for them and John Wynn to wait to hear from each other. Richard Vaughan and William Mores, upon receipt of the letters, should put them into execution. Postscript: An estimate of the costs 'to sett out' 25 men for the service, made by William Lloide:. Money to be sent to the Exchequer to equip the men, at a. Rate of £3.10.0 a man. £87.10.0. Press money and 'the waste thereof'. 20S. Conduct money at the rate the last men had, for. 6 Days' march. £5. Conductor's fee. £10. Taking the money to London. £10. Extraordinary charges and waste in the collecting and. 20S. to make up the defect of the last and for the. Indenture and discharge at Chester. £16.10.0. Total. £130. If fifty men go from the county, the sum should be doubled. Has sent a similar estimate to his master, whose opinion William Mores shall hear and who would be glad to know William Mores's.

Has received William Morris's letter and is glad that William Morris has agreed with William Lewys's cousin John Owen and that the marriage is to proceed. William Lewys and his wife must be excused from coming to it because William Lewys's trunk has not arrived, otherwise they would willingly have come. As for the ship, advises William Morris not to trouble the county but to take as much as is in sight; thinks Sir Richard Bulkeley has taken the guns and some masts. William Morris shall know the truth thereof soon; time is short and William Morris cannot tell him now. ? Has not been with her since William Morris was there and cannot give him any more information. William Lewys's wife will send Edward ap Ieuan. Excuses himself for not coming and wishes to be excused to Mr Brinckir and his aunt Mrs Brinckir.

Mr Ieuan Evans's son and brother have sealed a bond to the writer for the payment of £42.8.0 at St Andrew's next. The writer's cousin Griffith Lloyd is to pay the writer 16s. use, and to content Mr Evans 48s. as Mr Evans says, being in all £3.4.0, the use of £40 for a year, and to give Mr Evans a general discharge, as he says it was not fit for the writer to cause Mr Evans to enter into a bond to the writer for use past before the sealing of the bond. PS If the recipient does not finish a full agreement between them, the writer must deliver the bond back again to Mr Evans and rely upon Mr Griffith Lloyd's bond. Therefore the recipient should make a full conclusion between them and send the writer a note that they are fully agreed and concluded under both their hands.

Asks him to peruse the enclosed letter, and all business set aside to go in all haste to Lewis Anwyl to comfort him. There have none other they can trouble. Lewis should put his whole trust in God. He is to desire Lewis when he writes to London to cause some messenger to see in the office of pleas in the Exchequer that Mable's matter may be so continued that it fail not to come to trial at the next assizes in Shropshire. Wiliam Roberts, Mr Cotton's man, deals in it. Prays him again to make haste to Vaynol.

The writer's son, Evan, continues his suit for Wynne's niece of Tan-y-bwlch, and now she has promised to marry him if Wynne will but say the word. She says she is now growing old and her father is backward in bestowing her. Asks that she be told that the writer will give Evan £300 which will be paid at the rate of £100 a year upon every New Year's Day yearly. If Wynne will give his word, the writer will save him harmless. If she be willing, the best course is for them to go suddenly to Kemes and be married out of hand.

As heretofore William Jones has been spokesman for Mr John Griffith, his brother in law, so now he makes bold to renew the same suit unto William Maurice. Is fully persuaded that, if occasion requires, William Maurice will show kindness and courtesy, and will give good testimony of the continuance of his love for the father, though he be dead, in regarding his son after him. As at first it is kindness to grant, so secondly it is acceptable to have swift performance.

Received William Maurice's letter 'yesternight'; this morning has come to Bangor on business of his own and his cousin Brynkyr, and will spend the day there. On Friday or Saturday a commission is to be executed concerning William Jones, and at the beginning of next week sets out for London. Hopes therefore that William Maurice will not blame him for not coming to Eifionydd. Had time permitted, would have been very willing to end all suits between William Maurice and William Jones's cousin; knows it does not please William Maurice to be in suit, and neither is it to the ease and profit of William Jones's cousin. Will endeavour to end things between them as soon as possible.

William Jones's cousin, Robert ap John ap Humphrey, being also his Worship's kinsman and near neighbour, is prepared to agree with William Maurice and to be at peace and unity with him. William Jones for his part is very willing to further the matter all he can for the love he bears to both of them, and because he is sorry to see any discord between two of his good friends, and is loath to be of counsel 'against Sir William Maurice, the good and well natured knight whom I found always lovinge to me'. But this notwithstanding when he considers the matter more nearly, having had a taste of his cousin's mind and resolution, he draws back again, fearing his good intention will not produce any good effect. His cousin is settled in his opinion of right in the lands. He would rather lose all than accept any treaty offered to the contrary. But to make an exchange for lands of like value (though the lands lie convenient for him) William Jones thinks he will do by mediation. Is William Maurice inclined to that course? If so, William Jones will travel to the lands and his cousin will procure Mr Robert to be there, and William Maurice may employ Sir William Thomas and Mr Hugh Gwyn Pennarth. Day of meeting arranged.

Received William Maurice's letter that day and wrote an answer. Cannot answer William Maurice about the business between him and William Jones's cousin until he sees the letter, but will come for a meeting with William Maurice on Wednesday if he can, or if not, very early on Thursday. William Maurice writes that Sir William Thomas will be with him on Wednesday, William Jones knows him to be good-natured enough to stay a little if William Jones cannot come on Wednesday.

If business had not hindered the writer he would have been in the country during the vacation. He would then have endeavoured to mend the controversy between Sir William and the writer's cousin, Henry. The writer wished the other arbitration to proceed, and if 'they' cannot, he will do it himself upon his return. Has written to his cousin to that purpose. The King of France and his sister are contracted to the Prince of Spain and his sister, and the same was solemnly declared in France on Lady Day. There is an interview arranged in Baion in Galicia between the King of Spain and the Queen of France for a marriage. 'The tyme had beene that Sir William Maurice would have beene glad to have bene attorny for the Kinge of Spayne in such an accion fuit Ilium et ingens gloria troiorum [sic], iam seges ubi Troia fuit. Fo ayth yn llwyd lhe y bu felyn, nid fel yr ayr da ir ayr dyn'. News of a marriage between the Lady Elizabeth and the Count Palatine of the Rhine. Proceedings over precedence between the lords' youngest sons and the knights banneret to be heard before the King. The Council meets at the Lord Treasurer's house where he joins them from his couch. The Lord Warden is to marry the Earl of Duncome's daughter. Remembrances to members of the family.

Legal business. On the advice of Mr Vaughan's counsels the writer yesterday repaired to Mr John Thelwall and found him very courteous. But at the moment Thelwall has been directed by the Lord Keeper to treat with Esq. Roberts about their interests in the judgment obtained in Thelwall's name against Mr Vaughan. Has only this day waited upon Mr Ellis about Owen's queries. Has arranged a meeting between Ellis and others of Mr Vaughan's counsel. Counsel's opinion signed by William Ellis on 17th Nov. appears on the dorse: Sir Francis Russell obtained a decree in chancery in 1649 against John Bodvel, esq., for £500 per annum for the maintenance of his wife, Anne, and her two children. Bodvel resisted and his estates in Caernarvon and Anglesey were sequestrated. In 1656, Mr Vaughan, being then sheriff of Caernarvonshire, by authority of the court, ejected the Lady Elizabeth Bodvel, John's mother, from Bodvel's house, she being in possession of part thereof as her dower, and having goods in the house and cattle upon the land. She was living apart from her husband, Mr Thelwall, and had separate maintenance. Thelwall and his wife then brought an action for battery against Vaughan and the sequestrators in the Common Pleas, and secured £450 damages, and in a further action £1,000 damages for the goods and cattle. The sheriff and sequestrators then exhibited a bill in equity claiming that they acted only in obedience to the order of the court. But the damages are now being disputed between Mr Roberts, administrator for Lady Bodvel, and Mr Thelwall who claims the benefit of the judgment, and suits of equity are proceeding between them for the same. The question is with whom it is most safe for Mr Vaughan to agree while these suits are pending - with Mr Roberts or with Mr Thelwall? And if he agrees with either of them, what security is fit to be taken against the other? Counsel's opinion is that Thelwall has the best title at law, but that Roberts has the better title in equity, and that it is better to agree with Roberts.

Thanks for William Maurice's kind letters. Has written to his cousin Richard Hu[...] enclosing his measure to buy and make him a suit of apparel and asking him if he did not intend to satisfy William Humffrey's request to deliver the letter to William Maurice, who might see to providing William Humffrey's necessities. Believed this rather than fail in his purpose, but as he now sees, is behind unless upon other letters which he has written and sent William Maurice by Hugh ap Harry Caddarne. To prevent the worst, thought it requisite to write to William Maurice fully telling him his mind. Asks William Maurice to procure for him a dozen [?liveries] and cloaks, about 30s. each, a robe for a foot boy and thirteen hats and feathers, with a reasonable day to pay therefor. The purse which William Humffrey sent in William Maurice's trunk is £8 or £9, and is under seal; asks William Maurice to see the money counted himself for William Humffrey had intended to send £10 and cannot remember taking out more than 20s. Sends by the bearer to deliver what he can spare to William Humffrey for buying a suit of apparel for William Humffrey. Expects the suit to be of coloured satin, cut with a 'diamond pincke' all over, with a cloak 'liend befor with vellvett and a fayer lace about of gould and silke and a fayer gould and silver bottom upon the coller hanging dowen further'. Begs William Maurice to have one of his men, or some man of skill, help the bearer to provide all William Humffrey's necessities, according to the note which he has. Asks William Maurice to supply in ready money or credit what the bearer lacks besides the 20 marks in the trunk and what he has; will pay when the drovers come down about All Saints or St Andrew at the furthest, which is 'just half a yeare forbering'. His bidding has wholly emptied his purse. Had to treble what he intended to bestow and as it happened a hundred marks will hardly finish it. Had the weather been such that he might have made it ready against Mr Justice's coming by, would have been well pleased for his charges and toil, which is worse than the charges. Hopes others will have comfort hereafter. Whatever undertaking William Maurice makes for William Humffrey, the latter promises to pay and discharge and to save William Maurice harmless.

Is required by his friend Mr Robert Knowles to commend to John Wynne a servant of Robert Knowles, Robert Gruffith of Caernarfonshire, who finds himself and his few tenants heavily burdened by taxes which his master hoped to redress by William Herbert's mediation. Is sure John Wynne can satisfy Robert Knowles's desire; if he cannot do so without his associate, let him make the request known to Mr Morrys, and William Herbert will be doubly beholden to him. Appended is a note of examination by John Wynn.

Compliments and acknowledgment of Owen's letter. He has also received one other which was so tattered and worn out with carriage that he is still ignorant of the substance of it. He will wait on Owen after Christmas provided he receives word when Owen will be at home, which may be sent by post to Shellrock, the postmaster at Salop. The writer will continue to be dear Robin's friend and servant, etc.