rm since my coming home.

"_For the Right Honourable the Lord Commissioner Whitelocke, these;
Chelsea._

"May it please your Lordship,

"This morning I waited on the Commissioners of the Customs with your
Lordship's letter, who expressed much readiness to answer your
expectation about the Customs of the copper and deal boards, had it
been in their power, their commission not exceeding a bill of store
for forty shillings. But I am to wait on the Commissioners at
Whitehall for regulating the Customs, on Tuesday morning (who sit
not till then); they have power to grant the custom thereof, and
carrying the letter from your Lordship, I question not but will take
effect, and so they have acquainted me; which letter I send
enclosed, that you may please in the superscription to add to the
word Commissioners, 'for regulating, etc.,' which then will be fit
to present to the said committee. In the meantime I have procured an
order to go to work upon the small vessel, which cannot well be done
until you are pleased to send word what shall be done with the
deals, they being uppermost. If the barge be not ready, if you think
fit, I will hire a lighter and load her therewith, which may convey
them to Queenhithe or Chelsea, otherwise it will be less charge for
a barge to take them in from the ship; your Lordship's pleasure
shall be observed in all.

"I acquainted the Commissioners of the Customs of an order your
Lordship had for L1000, which they acquainted me should be paid as
soon as brought to them; since which I have received it from Mr.
Earle, which I also send enclosed, that you may please to put your
name underneath it, that so receipt may be made over it after their
form, and on Monday it will be paid.

"My humble service to my Lady, I beseech you, present. I shall await
your Lordship's answer, and ever remain

"Your Lordship's most obliged servant,
"SAMUEL WILSON.
"_London, this 15th July, 1654._"

I ordered a Henley barge to take in the deal boards from the ship, and to
carry them to Fawley Court, which was done; and there I made use of them
for new flooring my hall and for wainscoting of it. They were
extraordinary good boards, and those of the floor were about two inches
thick. There they are, and there may they long continue,