Sir William to Lady Petty.
'Do not, my dearest, too much despise the enclosed to our boys.—We have Acts of Parliament for a reward to the Survey; authentic accompts of our Wearys in Kerry; the hands of Lord Halifax, D. of Ormond, and Ld Rochester, for the revenue; and the laws of God and Nature for the shipping. Meethinks your gossips should instead of silver spoons, help their gossoons upon these matters. Oh! God how many Offices, Rewards and Titles, have been bestowed these last hundred years for lesse merit. You may show the enclosed letter, (not to every body), but where it may do noe harme, if noe good. Meethinks these 4 cows should yield some milk this next summer, to make butter for the present, and cheese for the next age. Gods will be done and lett me be satisfied with the "conscienscia rerum gestarum" and expect noe more.'
Enclosure.
'Deare Children,—Your father from his Infancy tryed many ways to raise an Estate for you and a faire name in the world; and among the rest he did in the year 1655 measure Ireland, viz. as much line, in 13 months, as would compasse the globe of earth neare six times about: of all which many records and Books, confirmed by two Acts of Parliament, doe remaine.
'He hath suffered a loss stated by the King's Auditor (in concernments of Kerry above all other the King's subjects) about 20 thousand pounds, by the folly and malice of flatterers.
'He hath propounded a demonstrable way of advancing the King's Revenue about 10,000 pounds per ann: with the benefit, ease, and accomodation of all his subjects in Ireland; tho' not yet embraced.
'He hath made so many modells and experiments on shipping within two and twenty years, and at 1,500l. expense of his owne money and 3,500l. of other friends, and has begotten the enclosed opinion concerning shipping.
