What ‘lands’ all these of Oliver’s are, in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Hampshire, no Biographer now knows. Portions of the Parliamentary Grants above alluded to; perhaps ‘Purchases by Debentures,’ some of them. Soldiers could seldom get their Pay in money; with their ‘Debentures’ they had to purchase Forfeited Lands;—a somewhat uncertain investment of an uncertain currency.
The Mr. Robinson mentioned in this Letter is a pious Preacher at Southampton.[1] ‘My two little Wenches’ are Mary and Frances: Mary aged now near twelve; Frances ten.[2]
“FOR MY NOBLE FRIEND COLONEL RICHARD NORTON: THESE”
Dear Norton,—I could not in my last give you a perfect account of what passed between me and Mr. Mayor; because we were to have a conclusion of our speed that morning after I wrote my Letter to you.[3] Which we had; and having had a full view of one another’s minds, we parted with this: That both would consider with our relations, and according to satisfactions given there, acquaint one another with our minds.
I cannot tell better how to do, “in order” to give or receive satisfaction, than by you; who, as I remember, in your last, said That, if things did stick between us, you would use your endeavour towards a close.
The things insisted upon were these, as I take it: Mr. Mayor desired 400l. per annum of inheritance, lying in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, to be presently settled[4] and to be for maintenance; wherein I desired to be advised by my Wife. I offered the Land in Hampshire for present maintenance; which I dare say, with copses and ordinary fells[5], will be, communibus annis, 500l. per annum: and besides “this,” 500l. per annum in Tenants’ hands holding but for one life; and about 300l.
