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some speedy course taken for to preserve the timber, lead, glasse, and wainscott,by taking them downe att his lordship’s cost, they will be all spoyled and brookento peeces. I pray see if you can get an order from the committee to stay theproceedings till we can take course to preserve those things for his lordship’s use:the workemen doe not looke to save any of the materiels, but take the readyestcourse to throw downe the wall; which they will doe inward, upon the floores andsealing, as well as outward, upon the ground. I dare say his lordship had betterhave given 150/i. then these fifteen men should have done this dayes worke.Good sir, let me intreat your paines to come over as shortly as possiblye you can.In mean time my best care shall not be awanting: I have sent you a copy of theworkmen’s warrant. This, in great hast, from

“ ‘ Your assured true friend,

“ ‘ To serve yow,

“ ‘ WM. PLAXTON.

“ ‘ His lordship had better take down the castle att his owne charge, then sufferthe spoyle that will be done by the countryemen.’

“ Direction.

“ * For his very friend Mr. MarmadukePrickett, these with speede.

Leave this letter at Mr. James Black-beards, next the Minster Gates; andI desire it may be delivered as soon aspossible may be.’

“ II. A Letter to Mr. Potter, at Northumberland House.

“ ‘ Sir,—Yours I received, and since I writt my last, on the same daye thecommissioners sett on workmen to pull downe and deface-that stately structure.They fell upon the Constable’s Tower, and hath with much violence pursued thework on Thursday and Ffryday. Their agents wold showe noe care in preserveingeany of the materialls, but pitched of the stones from the battlements to the ground,and the chymneys that stood upon the lead, downe to the leades, which madebreaches through the roofe where they fell. All the battelements to the roofe, on theffront of the castle, (excepting the high tower over the gate,) are bett downe. Whatmaterialls could bee sav’d, Mr. Plaxton did sett on some tenants to take awaye, andlaye in the barne. Believe it, sir, his lordship hath sustained very deepe losses in hishouse. I conceive 2000L will not repaire the ruynes there ; but I hope their work isat an end ; for this day the Major and Mr. Plaxton are sett forward to attend

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