The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 13/From William King (St Mary Hall) to Jonathan Swift - 1
FROM DR. KING.
I ARRIVED here yesterday, and I am now ready to obey your commands. I hope you are come to a positive resolution concerning the history. You need not hesitate about the dates, or the references which are to be made to any publick papers; for I can supply them without the least trouble. As well as I remember, there is but one of those publick pieces, which you determined should be inserted at length; I mean sir Thomas Hanmer's representation; this I have now by me. If you incline to publish the two tracts as an appendix to the history, you will be pleased to see if the character given of the earl of Oxford in the pamphlet of 1715 agrees with the character given of the same person in the history. Perhaps on a review, you may think proper to leave one of them quite out. You have (I think) barely mentioned the attempt of Guiscard, and the quarrel between Rechteren and Mesnager. But as these are facts which are probably now forgot or unknown, it would not be amiss if they were related at large in the notes; which may be done from the gazettes, or any other newspapers of those times. This is all I have to offer to your consideration; and you see here are no objections which ought to retard the publication of this valuable work one moment. I will only now add, that if you intend this history should be published from the original manuscript, it must be done while you are living: and if you continue in the same mind to intrust me with the execution of your orders, I will perform them faithfully. This I would do, although I did not owe you a thousand obligations, which I shall ever acknowledge. I am, with the greatest truth, sir, your most humble and most obedient servant,