me and mine, and
many others that have dependence on me. But God gives and takes, and
is able to restore; His help I trust in, and shall still desire the
continuance of your Lordship's undoubted favours, whose health and
happiness I shall ever pray for, who am,

"My Lord,
"Your Lordship's most faithful servant,
"JOHN WYLDE.
"_Hampstead, 12th July, 1654._"

This gentleman was very laborious in the service of the Parliament, and
stiff for them, and had sustained great losses and hatred by adhering in
all matters to them. He was learned in his profession, but of more
reading than depth of judgement; and I never heard of any injustice or
incivility of him. The Parliament made him Lord Chief Baron of the
Exchequer, which place he executed with diligence and justice; yet upon
the alteration made by Cromwell, when he assumed the Protectorship, in
the nomination of officers he left out Mr. Sergeant Wylde from being
Chief Baron or any other employment,--a usual reward, in such times, for
the best services. He entreated me to move the Protector on his behalf,
which I did, but to no effect, the Protector having a dislike of the
Sergeant, but the ground thereof I could not learn.

[SN: Whitelocke's influence in Oxfordshire.]

Most places were full of trouble about their elections of Parliament men.
I had recommended my son James to some of my friends in Oxfordshire, for
one of the knights for that county, myself being chosen for the city of
Oxford and for the borough of Bedford, and one of the knights for Bucks.
I had at this time such an interest in Oxfordshire, that upon my account
my son James was chosen for one of their knights for the Parliament, as
appears by this letter to me:--

"_For the Right Honourable his dear Father the Lord Commissioner
Whitelocke, at Chelsea, these. Haste, haste._

"Dear Sir,

"I held it my duty, upon the instant of the conclusion of the
elections at this place, to acquaint you that I am chosen one of the
knights for the county in the next Parliament. I am told that the
number of voices might justly have given the first place to me; but
I freely resigned it to Lieutenant-General Fleetwood, not suffering
it to be brought to trial by the poll, which many of the country
desired. The persons elected are Lieutenant-General Fleetwood