_To my maistre, John Paston the yonger, be this delyvered._
[Sidenote: 1462]
Sere, I have receyved your lettre, wherin I undrestand that my maistre
desired that my maistre your brother myght have the gidyng and
governaunce of the _Barge of Yermouthe_. As to that, and men of
Yermouthe had knowen my maistre entend a fornyght a goo, he had ben swer
of it, but nough it is so that Debenham hathe a comyscion of the Kyng
expressed oonly for that schip named in hes comyscion; and he hathe ben
here at Yermouthe, and spoken with the balyffs and with the owners of
the seide schip, and takyn suche a direccion that they may graunted it
ne man but hym. And moreover he hathe endented with the owners of the
schip what daye it schulbe redy as well vetaylled as manned; and also he
hathe brought downe letters from my Lord Tresorer to all priours and
gentlemen in this contre to helpe hym and assiste hym to vetayle and
manne the seide schip, and hes men is here dayle, and gothe abought and
gathereth whete, malt, money, and what so ever any man woll geve, &c.
The blissed Trinyte preserve you. Wreten at Castre, the Friday next
aftre I receyved your lettre.
Item, is talked here that my maistre your brother and Debenham were at
words at London, and that Debenham shuld have streken hym, had nought
Howard a’ beene, &c., wherof I am ryght sory, &c. Neverthelesse I trust
to God all schul be weell.
Your servaunt,