Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/104

 Excellency, I shall make it apeare that I designed the election of Doctor Petty, without offering in the least to prejudice his Lordships honour, or thuart his purpose, unless against Dr. Petty, which I confess I should have done, and did, and doe hope I have not done amisse in it. I know my Lord I have not bin in my Lord Broghill's favour these many yeares. Hee now tels the people but what I knew before: that hee is my enemy. I beseech your Lordship to suspend your judgment of this difference till you heare mee speake for my selfe, who am

'My Lord

'Your Lordships obedient and

faythfull servant

'

Having been elected for two places, Dr. Petty had to choose between them, and selected West Looe. Meanwhile, Sir Hierome had been elected for Woodstock, and at once sounded the note of attack.

Dr. Petty went to Westminster armed with a letter from the Lord Deputy to Secretary Thurloe. 'The bearer,' Henry Cromwell wrote, 'hath been my Secretary and Clerk of the Council, and is one whom I have known to be an honest and ingenious man. He is like to fall into some trouble from some who envy him. I desire you to be acquainted with him, and to assist him whenever he shall reasonably desire it. Great endeavours have been used to beget prejudices against him, but when you shall speak with him, he will appear otherwise.'

On March 24, 1659, Sir Hierome in his place in the House had already impeached Dr. Petty. 'I open,' he said, 'the highest charge against a member of this House that ever