_Extract of a Letter from Wm. Bickford, Esq., to the Rev. Mr. Amory of
Taunton, dated Dunsland, March_ 7, 1731.
[MS. Addit., Brit. Mus., 4309, fol. 358.]
I cannot forbear acquainting you of a very curious passage in relation
to Charles the Second's Restoration. Sir Wm. Morrice, who was one of
the Secretaries of State soon after, was the person who chiefly
transacted that affair with Monk, so that all the papers in order to it
were sent him, both from King Charles and Lord Clarendon. Just after
the thing was finished, Lord Clarendon got more than 200 of these
Letters and other papers from Morrice under pretence of finishing his
History, and which were never returned. Lord Somers, when he was
chancellor, told Morrice's Grandson that if he would file a Bill in
Chancery, he would endeavour to get them; but young Morrice having
deserted the Whig Interest, was {8} prevailed upon to let it drop. This
I know to be fact, for I had it not only from the last-mentioned
Gentleman, but others of that family, especially a son of the
Secretaries. As soon as I knew this, I took the first opportunity of
searching the study, and found some very curious Letters, which one
time or other I design to publish together with the account of that
affair. My mother being Niece to the Secretary, hath often heard him
say that Charles the Second was not only very base in not keeping the
least of the many things that he had promised; but by debauching the
Nation, had rendered it fitt for that terrible fellow (meaning the Duke
of York) to ruin us all, and then Monk and him would be remembred to
their Infamy.
(_To be continued._)
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