“In like manner did I not stick upon having this Commission inrolled or assented unto by his Council, nor indeed the seal to be put upon it in an ordinary manner, but as Mr. Endymion Porter[L] and I could perform it, with rollers and no screw-press. “One thing I beseech your Lordship to observe, that though I had power by it to erect a mint any where, and to dispose of his Majesty’s revenues and delinquents’ estates, yet I never did either to the value of a farthing, notwithstanding my own necessities, acknowledging that the intention of those powers given me, was to make use of them when the armies should be afoot; which design being broken by my commitment in Ireland, I made no use of those powers; and consequently, repaying now whatever was disbursed by any for patents of honour, as now I am contented to do, it will evidently appear that nothing hath stuck to my fingers, in order to benefit or self-interest; which I humbly submit to his Majesty’s princely consideration, and the management of my concerns therein to your Lordship’s grave judgment, and to the care of me, which your Lordship was pleased to own was recommended unto you by the late King, my most gracious Master, of glorious memory: And the continuance thereof is most humbly implored and begged by me, who am really and freely at your Lordship’s disposal, first, in order to his Majesty’s service, and next to the approving myself, “My Lord, “Your Lordship’s most really affectionate, “and most humble servant, “WORCESTER. “June, 11th, 1660.” Within a fortnight after writing this letter, no doubt encouraged by the Lord Chancellor’s reception of it, he petitioned the Crown as follows:--[M] “TO HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, &c. “The most humble petition of Edward Somerset, Earl and Marquis of Worcester, &c. “Sheweth,--That your Petitioner’s father and himself, having in ready money expended incomparably more for the service of the Crown than any subject of England, for which your Petitioner is possessed of sundry promises of extraordinary reward and satisfaction, as well under the Great Seal of England, as likewise voluntarily under his late Majesty the King, your Majesty’s father of blessed memory, his own handwriting and private signet set down in a most gracious ample and kind manner, it being all that in those necessitous times his Majesty, your Petitioner’s most graciously obliging master, could afford or be rationally demanded from him, yet in these perhaps may not be so fit to be ratified, lest they should draw upon your Petitioner the envy of others, and prove prejudicial to your Majesty.