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LETTER CLXXXIX. A Letter from the most Reverend William Laud Arch-bishop of Canterbury, to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh. (Book 189)
Salutem in Christo.
My very good Lord;
I Have been put to no small pains, considering my other Occasions, to read over, and in a manner to study the several Letters and other Papers, which have been sent and come to my hands, some from your Grace, some from the Provost and Fellows that join with him; some from Pheasant and the other Party; and some from the Lords Justices, and Council there to the Lord Deputy, and from his Lordship to me; and all of them about the late unhappy difference fallen between the Visitors of the Colledg near Dub∣lin, and the Provost. The more carefully I have read over these Papers, the more (I clearly confess to your Grace) I am troubled at the Business, and could heartily wish some friendly way were thought on there, to prevent a formal and legal Decision by me. Of which yet seeing so little hope as I do, I have taken all the pains which I can, preparatory to a final Sentence: For I have very carefully, and with all indifferency, drawn a brief History of the Fact, and the whole Proceedings, with relation in the Margent to every several Paper that hath come to my hands. A Copy of this Brief, together with all the several Papers to which it relates, I have sent to my Lord Depu∣ty, and desired him to shew it to your Grace, and all the other Parties whom it concerns: to this end, that if your Lordship and they agree upon the Fact, I may have it returned unto me, and go on to my Decision. But if you agree not upon the Fact, as I have set it down, that then you may there set∣tle any Difference, and agree upon it, that no one whom it concerns, may say I had not a right state of the Question before me. When this is done, I shall go on to do my Duty with Justice to all Parties, as far as I can appre∣hend the Cause, and as far as my learned Counsel here shall be able to advise me. But I cannot but still wish, and that very heartily, that my Decision may be prevented by the care and wisdom of my Lord Deputy, and the moderate and prudent respects of the Parties interessed, which I presume your Grace will further: For it appears very ill to his Majesty, (who was of necessity to be made acquainted with the Business, because the Censure of the Provost, if he deserve it, is referr'd to himself) and must needs appear so to all wise Men, both here and there, that such a Difference concerning young Men newly started up from Boys, should cause so great a disturbance among grave and wise Men, as this hath done. And 'tis somewhat too that the Romanists which swarm in those Parts, have such an occasion as this Difference, to please themselves withal. My Hopes are great in your Grace's Moderation; but if all fail, I shall make a binding Decision so soon as ever the state of the Business is sent me back. So wishing your Grace all Health and Happiness, I leave you to God's blessed Protection, and rest,
Your Grace's very loving Friend, and Brother, W. Cant.
Croidon, Oct. 18. 1636.