Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/103

 Thursday before, that I was with my Lord Broghill, who in meane time wrote about 2 dozen of letters to Corke to engage them for ffoulkes, and had appointed particular agents to consult with every free man in the citty, which they did at the law offices and other such like eminent places. All this while I was not thought of, but when I came to be thus opposed, such a distraction grew that grieved mee. His Lordship upon this alarme came soe frighted to Corke, that hee prevented mee in shewing him how I intended his Lordship noe harme in it; and that his speaking but one word to the Kinsale and Bandon people, to have quieted mee of my engagment to stand for Corke and Youghall, had absolutely removed mee out of his way, who was as much afrayd of going to the Parliament as his Lordship was of my ellection. His Lordship as soone as hee came to Corke, and the solemnityes of his coming performed, went to the Court and there rayled upon mee and magnified his owne services. Wheather his Lordship did himselfe any good in it or mee hurt, others more indifferent to judge will ere long informe your Lordship.

'Upon the coming of the Bandon and Kinsale people to Corke, I desired them for quietness sake to free me from my engagment, which they, (unspeakably kind to mee in everything) granted, and thereupon I signified soe much to the citty: all which notwithstanding, I assure your Lordship that in the towne hall at the election of Lieut. Col. ffoulkes, his Lordship had with him but one alderman upon the bench and one in the crowd, and not above 30 of 400 freeholders in the citty at the election, but his Lordships owne people cryed up Lieut. Col. ffoulkes. And I doe profess to your Lordship that I did not in all that time by myselfe or any other in the least measure interpose in the election, or speake to one person on my behalfe, though his Lordship doubting mee, sent to their owne lodgings, for more than 100 of the freeholders, man by man, and engaged some: others refused. Thus much I have presumed to aquaint your Excellency, because I know his Lordship will endeavour to prejudice mee. There are many particular passages in the carrying on this business, by which when I have the honour to waite on your