The letter on behalf of Joseph Smyth of Marlborough, Wiltshire, 24 March 1662
Gentlemen
There was formerly a Letter written to yow by some of vs concerning Captaine Smyth that his penc[i]on might haue bin Continued to him wee thought then wee had giuen yow reasons sufficient for doeing the Same, but he being not in a Condic[i]on at that tyme to retire into the Countrey with it himselfe, but intrusted a Gentleman to doe it for him, who failed him, and Soe his Letter took noe Effect. But now wee once more desire that this may for reasons more fully appearing in Lett[e]rs & Certificates from Persons of quality, Some wee shall here mention. He did in the tyme of the warrs, protect many of the Kings friends from being plundered, Engaged for some, releived others, and done many remarkable passages seruices for the King and his party, by opposing the late Protector and his party, being imprisoned by them, threatned with the Losse of his Life for appearing for some which were Imprisoned Concerning the businesse of S[i]r Georg Booth these with many others already hinted to yow, Wee make noe question but this o[u]r Lett[e]r will be prevalent w[i]th yow for the Continuance of his penc[i]on to him, he hauing litle or Nothing left wherwith to Support himselfe and family, In soe doeing yow will Much oblige
Yo[u]r Loving friends
<Westminster>
<24 March 1661>
J[ohn] Seymaure
Walter St John
Edw[ard] Hungerford
Henry Bayntun
T[homas] Seymour
Ashley
Alexander Popham
Geo[rge] Lowe
D[uke] Stonehouse
Will[iam] Ducket