My Lord

I was to have waited on Your Grace on Thursday last (the only day I was upp in London that you could have leisured in town) to have informed Your Grace on how your Council stood, But had the misfortune to find you just gone to Kensington; and being obliged to set out for the Country next day, so therefore take the liberty to trouble Your Grace to this letter.

Master Kingston (to whom this cause stands referred) is very Gouty and infirm, And as Mr Hammond gives all the delay and vexation he can in every Article, things have not been so much dispatch’d as I wish they had. However the whole charge is gone thro’ and Hamond hath been examined upon Interrogations as far as the Master would permit, A report is preparing and will be ready by next term; But as Hamond cavils at every thing (it is hard to say why being visibly against his interest) it may for ought I know take up the whole term in sorting and ‘till that is done the Cause cannot come again before the Court for a finall decree.

I wish some trick is nor deigned by Hamond as to the Court Rolls as it is much for Your Graces interest to have entire. He at first said the rolls had been made upp while old Mr Clack was Steward but that Mr Askham and his father had made them up after Clacks death and demanded 50 Guineas before he would release them, Which Hamond refusing to comply with, was forced to make Askham a party to the Bill, But shortly after Hamonds solicitor said Hamond had compounded Askham so paid 30 Guineas and got all the Rolls for which Hamond had promised to send you, and ordered Askham might be struck out of the Bill, to which he glad to save any opposition, consented. Hamond for a long time delayed sending them, his solicitor upon my complaining of it protested Askham had delivered no Rolls but above 100 years old. Upon which I wrote to Askham as to it. Who asserted that Hamond owed him above 100 Guineas but that he could get no more than 25 and for that had delivered the Rolls and everything after in his power. In order to see the truth of this I again demanded those Rolls but then (contrary to what he had always done) He insisted on the order in writing of the Trustees or would not deliver them. Upon which I got such an order signed by Mr Cust and sent it to be signed by Mr Day and not hearing in four days I sent again, and was answered that Mr Day had received my letter and had wrote into the Country at it, the meaning of which I do not understand, and so the matter rests.

I hope this finds Your Grace in perfect health and that all your Noble family enjoy the same. I am with great respect

Your Graces

Most obedient and faithful
Humble servant
John Forster