378 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



thought it would be of moment to give an 

 account of these words which the Archbishop 

 had used in the House of Lords, as before 

 recited. But because it was not so decent to 

 do it without his permission, M. de la Mothe 

 desired Dr. Atterbury to propose his design to 

 him, and desire his pleasure therein. The doctor 

 did so, giving the words as above cited, and 

 the Archbishop answered him thus. 



" May 31, 1704. 



" Good Mr. Archdeacon, 



" I had the favour of your's by the 

 last post^ and I thank you for it. I must own, 

 that I did in the House of Lords, when the 

 debate was about the bill of occasional confor- 

 mity, express myself to the same purpose as 

 you have set down in your letter. And truly, 

 I spoke my hearty sense, and if what I said was 

 published to all the world, I should not retract 

 it. But if my consent be asked about the pub- 

 lishing of it, I must needs say (for reasons you 

 very well know), that I cannot readily give it. 

 And therefore I shall take it kindly of M. de 

 la Mothe, if he mention not my name at all 

 upon this occasion. 



** I am, &c. 



'* Jo. Ebor." 



