Catalogue description LEONARD BAWTREE to ROBERT, LORD WILLOUGHBY.

--Having received a message by Mr. Hanum of your Lordship's desire "either of mine or some other of our presence" at Lincoln on Thursday next, at a meeting about the fosse, I have acquainted the rest of the Commissioners hereabouts (being assembled about matters of sewers), and by them am entreated to make our excuses and present our opinions and desire touching the matter. First, for our not coming, on Thursday is our sessions of the peace at Spalding, and Saturday at Boston, where we have divers business concerning our part of the country. " As touching the cutting and opening of the fosse, being a matter of great consequence, of benefit and profit (as is pretended) to the movers and followers of it, but of apparent peril and danger to us and others, if great care be not had in provision to avoid it; far be it from us in a matter of other men's benefit either to hinder or neglect it, not coming with our hurt and prejudice ; but in regard of our and other men's danger, we desire that if it be a matter yet in consideration and not concluded, an equal number of commissioners of each part might be chosen by the parties, and those, according to the true proceedings of the sewers, to make their view and therein to hear all reasons and objections that may any way be made, and so to make such determination as may neither hurt the one nor hinder the other. So shall every one rest satisfied with that shall be done, otherwise not, as we conceive it.

" This [is] not the first attempt that hath been made by men of great wisdom, understanding, authority and respect in their country, and yet given over; which shows the difficulty either of danger or possibility of good, worthy to be well and indifferently examined to every party's satisfaction. If it be already resolved, then it is in vain to travail in it, and overlate calling our coming can do us no good ; yet if time and our business had not hindered, being very willing and ready to understand our own dangers or freedom from it, we would have attended your honours."