Catalogue description WILLIAM YONGE to [MONTAGU ?] EARL OF LINDSEY, at Ricott.

--Not to flatter nor to cry peccavi, both which I hate, I pray you to give me leave to state the truth. My difference with your brother was about a piece. " Them whom I received it of, I gave it again, that was of the Countess and himself, for they went halves the one with the other. It may be he will say the piece was not good. I say so too, and under favour I am clear of this opinion, that they which brought it in ought to take it again. ... Pray, my Lord, ask Colonel Washington and he will inform your Lordship more of the truth. I know what he saith you will believe, because he is known to be homme de bien et digne de joy." On my return to Milton, your brother sent me a letter, but knowing it contained the piece, I sent it back unopened. Two hours later, being in bed, I was told a gentleman desired to speak with me, whereupon I bid the maid light a candle and desire him to come up. Then your son, Mr. Peregrine, came in with a letter for me from his uncle, desiring me to give him a written answer. I called for pen ink and paper, and such as the maid found, she brought me. The paper was coarse, the pen was naught, thus the letter was ill-written, which was all the affront given him. Next morning, waiting for your lordship, according to promise, and my grey hounds kept empty on purpose to show what they could do, coming to wait on the Duke [of Bucks ?] and your Lordship, I met with your brother, Col. Washington, your son, and some of your servants. They told me that your Lordship and the Duke were a coming, but they had a desire to hunt a hare first. Then your brother spake to me concerning the piece, declaring that I was to give him 16 shillings. " I said, Sir, I will be judged by my Lord, Mr. Wray or Col. Washington or whom you please except Mr. Peregrine, for it is not fitting, as I conceive, for any man to be his own judge. ... Upon that, having given him no occasion of offence, as Mr. Peregrine knoweth, he gives me the switch, I a naked man, and gallopeth away to Col. Washington and the rest of the company. Now my Lord, had he asked me to have fought with him, if I had refused it I had deserved the switch, or had I given him the lie or any affront there had been some colour for it. Then I did tell your son, Mr. Peregrine, and I vowed I would give it him again, or a pistol, and so I bid him tell him, and if he had not been your Lordship's brother, it had gone worse with him, for the bastinado without cause deserves the pistol. When I had told your Lordship what I had done and the cause, you struck me, and your brother gave the first affront, and you said I was--(let it pass). I am glad you did not strike me again, and so I rid away to prevent a mischief, but henceforth I vow, whosoever gives me the cudgel, I will give him a pistol home with him, au pis aller. It may be your brother had heard of a drunken business at Whitefield, and therefore he thought I would not fight, but the gentleman hath given me satisfaction, as it is well known. My Lord, it is well known that Will Young dares to fight, it is upon record, the more is my grief. This I say, and speak from my heart, that I did ever honour and love your Lordship, the Countess and your family as much as any poor neighbour you have, and if my life would have done you or any of yours any service, you might have commanded it. My Lord, you know a younger brother's reputation is his being. If your Lordship will be a just judge, you must hear both parties, and not condemn the one before you hear the other."

* Lord Willoughby's mother, Martha, Countess of Lindsey, was daughter of Sir William Cockayne.