Letter 0423

[fol. 266] Sir, I rec’d yours of the 28th and am very sorry the RS whose welfare I so much desire should be any way prejudiced by my means, but really tis rather my fate than fault and they may in some sense thank themselves for choosing a person in all respects so very unfitt to serve them which I foresaw and earnestly desired them to pitch upon one more capable, and hope they will now see their Error, I being obliged to live so far out of Town that if I were in other respects as […] I am not, able to perform my duty that alone were sufficient to render me [‘uncapable’ crossed out and ‘unfitt’ written above] for the honour they have donn me. Sir it is no small uneasiness that I am forced to give you so much trouble, and may justly blush when I see you that I should shrinke my neck from that burden which should at least by halfe born by me, and must submitt to what you will please to inflict having scarce faith to ask a pardon. I know not certainly when I shall come to Town but when I do I will not fail to kiss your hand. As for the Keys of the Papers, I never had Mr Halleys key which possibly he has left with Dr Hook if not Mr Hunts will open his press. I have no late Papers in my Custody and do not remember to have seen those you mention of Mr Coopers I suppose they are in Mr Halleys press I gave the Keys of the other Presses a great while since to my Br Pitfield if I much mistake not for you as for the Transactions I am ashamed yet must own I cannot looke after the Printing of them at this distance – these Sir are the Crimes of Your real friend & humble servant.