4 



Francis, fifth Duhe of Somerset, 



them ; and in case you find any neglect to acquaint His Maty, or me with it. 

 Besides the misfortune of losing so hopefull a young Lord, the damages that 

 arise to the Family are very important, and though it should be forgotten in 

 Genoua, it will not he so in England. And the King is obliged not onely in 

 justice, but by many of the important considerations to shew his resentment. 

 And therefore you are to be very vigilant to observe all the steps are made in 

 this prosecucion, and be sure to shew your own activity in it, and you shall want 

 no encouragement or protection from hence. This is what I have to say to you 

 upon this matter, and I doubt not of your care and industry in this particular 

 that is of so great concerne. I am with all reality, 



" Sr. 



"Yr. most affectionate humble Servant, 

 "H.C." 



" To Mr Legatt, 



Consul at Genoua." 



The matter appears to have slumbered for three months. 



Mr. Legatt, to the Hon. Hildebr and Aldington, Turin, lA4h Sept., 1678. 

 " Sib, 



" I should have returned answer to yr. most obliging letter 31 past the 

 last ordinary, had ought then innovated here in the Duke's business of moment? 

 I am now to tell you that the 10th instant they had a Great Councill here, who 

 gave full power and authority to the Collegio, wh. is the Duke and Senate, to passe 

 sentence on the Murtherers in the nature they shall think fitt. But this morning 

 I was privately informed by one who knows very well how this affair goes at 

 pallace, that one of the two pallace senators, or Duos di casa, should say the proces 

 must be begun again ab integro : wh. if soe, must certainly be with a designe 

 to blame the good Duke, and favour, if not acquit the murtherers ; so you will do 

 well to give Sr. John Ernly notice thereof this very post, and to wish him to 

 acquaint his Majesty hereof, and to moove Him in Privy Councill to write a most 

 resenting letter to this Duke and Senate in this business, and presse them without 

 further delay to passe sentence on the 2 Brothers Botti the assassins as I now 

 desire Mr. Secretary Coventry may be done whom I now acquaint with the 

 premises : also what I have allready insinuated here, that, t'is there expected 

 sentence of death be not only past on the murtherers, but that their dwelling- 

 house be rased to the ground and a Tallie put on their heads. And you will do 

 well to write as much to Sr. J ohn Ernly, that this State's Consul be not only briskely 

 told as much by him as also by Mr. Secretary Coventry, but likewise that His 

 Maty gives this Duke and Senate to understand in his Letter such is His Maty's 

 expectation. I shall in the interim not fayle to presse this Duke and 2 Pallace 

 Senators to dispatch the proces and sentence ; and I shall desire a Coppy thereof 

 to send for England, holding it necessary in severall respects ; and I doubt not 

 but you will see I be reimbursed for charges thereof. I shall not need to make 

 any apology for myselfe that this business mooves thus slowly you having been 

 an eyewitness of the delays they give me, and the many voyages I have made to 

 the Pallace herein. If my life lay on it I can doe no more then I doe in it, having 



