Folios 175-176. Letter from Mr [?Robert] Wood at St James's. 'I am sorry for what...

Folios 175-176. Letter from Mr [?Robert] Wood at St James's. 'I am sorry for what you say of Chewtons' voyage to Smyrna and shall be impatient to hear what becomes of him but [?Thomas] Shadwell's going surprises me much and I hope he has thought better of it as it is both his father's wishes and mine he should continue with you. When I hear further from you I shall do what I can to replace him if you want one in his room. I wish much to contribute towards keeping up your spirits in the cursed disagreeable situation in which you are. Lord Weymouth has this morning spoke to the King, who thinks you will be entitled to a retreat when all is over, in some hope or another, which it is hoped the next summer may effect. I am directed to tell you so; but as I should be glad you had an official letter on that head, written by the King's command to remain in the office upon record, I shall postpone it till I hear from you, and shall only tell you at present that a sinecure place or pension of £1,000 was mentioned. If you have any thing particular to suggest, let me have it, that I may fall in with your ideas as much as I can. I hope you'll approve my idea of pledging the Royal promise as far as a formal letter can do it and as far as I am permitted, that you may have something to produce should we be gone though I think we shall meet the next winter's Parliament and squabble as usual through the Sessions. I am most sincerely yours. You know my scrawl'. Endorsed 'Mr Wood, June 15, 1770. Answered ye 2 August 1770'.