"_For my ever-honoured friend the Lord Whitelocke, these humbly._
"My Lord,
"Hearing that it is absolutely in your power to dispose of the time
of the Assizes, and an unexpected accident being fallen out, which,
will make them extremely prejudicial to us if they begin so soon, my
humble suit to your Lordship is to defer them till, etc. This
favour, as it will be an extraordinary great one, so it will lay a
suitable obligation upon,
"My Lord, your most humble servant,
"MARGARET PRATT."
I could not gratify this lady's desire, being not yet sworn a
Commissioner of the Great Seal; but I returned her a civil answer and
excuse; and I have inserted the more letters, that you may see the style
and compliments of divers persons, and note their change upon the change
of times.
_July 12, 1654._
[SN: A more formal letter.]