CLXXII. Francis Smith. A Letter to Sir Edwin Sandys
June 9, 1621
Ferrar Papers
Document in Magdalene College, Cambridge. Autograph Letter, Signed, with Seal
List of Records No. 250
Ho: Sr. It comes to my knowledge That yow were pleased to mention mee
this day at Southampton house; whereby I am at once made sensible of
yor true native worth; & my owne error in not applying my Self more
seasonably vnto yow. But (Sr) I hope not to seem altogether inexcusable
to yor Goodness therein, If yow please to take into considerac̃on first that
I was a meer Stranger vnto yow, and next That I tooke vpon mee the
liberty to thinke That the modest offer of my Service herein to yor
worthiness & the rest, (wthout mediac̃on of others, or any vnseemly—
importunity) would (at once) haue bin effectuall, & acceptable; & imbraced,
wth all favor, and benignity. And if it may be soe? I pray yow Sr give
mee leave to assure yow in the word & vertue of a gentleman, that I shall
wholly devote my Self not onely to discharge §p̱forme§ whatsoever is
given mee in charge wth that fidelity & syncerity, wch becometh one who
owes & knowes his duty; but also to apply my Self to all other Industries,
wch may advance yor great, & gratious designes, (I hope not wthout
p̳sp̱ous success on my p̱te, & condigne—acknowledgment on yors. Besides,
S
r it may seem good vnto yo
w truly to apprehend, that my presence there
& p̱swasion here may prove no small inducement to drawe thither into
yo
r powers & S
9vicℯ the p̱sons & fortunes of many able, active & well
quallifyed men; if (p̱haps) that Place & policy of yo
r Governement may
yet admitt such? Howsoever yo
r y worthiness may in yo
r owne p̱ticular
ever freely serve yo
r self of
Yor thankfull freind to doe yow Service.
Fr: Smith.
Junii 9o 1621mo.
[Indorsed by Sir Edwin Sandys:] Mr Francis Smith 9. Junii: 1621
[Addressed by self:] To my honourable freind Sr Edwin Sandes Knight at
his house nere to Aldersgate theis.