The Hartlib Papers

Worthie Sir

Your Letter of May 17^th: I received May 30^th: at my returne out of Staffordshire (having beene there about 14: daies) together with the Packet of Books: according the next day I applyed my selfe to deliuer them according to direction: & so haue done saue only to the Gouernours of Magdalen: Merton. & New College who are not yet retourned from London: so soone as I heare of their returne I shall waite on them with the Books: And whereas some consideration might be expected from them towards charg of Printing, I assure you I received not any thing from any of them (more or lesse) but a returne of thanks with remembrance of respects & loue for your selfe: And more particulerly the Principall of Iesus College (Dr: Roberts) desired mee to present his service & respects with thanks vnto you: for saith hee Mr Hartlib is one of our Corporation in the late Augmentations granted to vs. Mr Wallis also hath another who also presents his Loue &c: the rest you are pleased to leaue to me dispose, for which (& all other fauours) I returne most humble thanks to you: I spake with Mr Robinson [word deleted] since his returne & he said his purpose was to haue waited on you, but multitude of businesse & shortnesse of time prevented him: He tells me he hath put off but seaven a peece of your Books as yet: & will be ready to account with you for them & the rest [left margin:] when, & how you please to intimate. Being amongst my freinds of late in Staffordshire, & Derbyshire, I informed my selfe more particulerly of my Relation to the late Col: Ireton; [letter deleted] my Mother & Aunt yet living, <told me> that their father, & his father were Brothers, so he & they first Cosins. I hope my suite will not be lesse successfull if the same be

I was further credibly informed that his hignesse hath expressed his redinesse and resolution to shew fauour to any of the Iretons, [letter deleted] or <any> related to them for his late sonne in Law's sake: for saith my freind hee hath good reason so [letter deleted] to doe Col: Ireton being so neere to his hignesse <not only> by Marriag of his daughter, but also as his right hand all the time of the late Wars, assisting his hignesse not only in all Warlike Affaires, but also in drawing, & composing most of those things that were printed & published vpon occasions. I know his hignesse hath bestowed many Offices & places, even vpon strangers; I suppose it may not be altogeather in vaine for my selfe to looke after one which may be of some advantage, I could in some sort attend it, & yet proceede with my Designe of Planting also. And although there be none at present, if a freind of myne could but procure a promise of the next, or hereafter, I would wait for it.

Sir I am [2 letters deleted] bould with you as my very worthie freind & leaue these things to your consideration not doubting but in convenient time you will please to signifie the result of your thoughts [left margin:]

vnto.               Your already much engaged Servant.

                         Ra: Austen

     Iune: 2^d: 1654.

          For the worshipfull

           Samuel Hartlib

            Esqr: at his house

            over against the

           Angell Court

          neere Charing Crosse

                    London