Henry Crabb Robinson to William Godwin, undated.

Dear Sir

     I have gained the following information which may (if you are able to avail yourself of the source pointed out) be of a more extensive utility than you have anticipated –

     The acts of the Council of State during the Commonwealth, (our privy counsel) were long thought to be lost And have been discoverd only within a few years They consist of many folio volumes And it is presumed contain the appointments of all the high officers of law & government – They are kept in the “State Paper Office” of which Mr Lemon is the Deputy Keeper, but he has no power to shew them to any one. Authority to inspect them must be obtained from one of the three Secretaries of State – As your books are not written with any favorable sentiments toward the Church or Monarchy an application from you to Mr Peel would probably be a fruitful one but your old friend Sir Jas Macintosh calls Mr Canning his Right Honourable [f. 18v] Friend And possibly in this way you may obtain a sight of these documents (among which was found the Milton MSS now printing or to be printed) how valuable they would prove you will feel

     If you cod not yourself get a sight of these papers some friend might –

     I have further to mention that in the Rolls Chapel is the Patent Office where are deposited all the patents of appointments – And here ought to be what you want  But since Beatson has none of them <––> the probability is that they are not to be found there

     I am told that in this office a fee of 6/8d is paid for each search but whether that meant 6/8 for each name sought or for each term or period I cannot tell – he I do not know. Nor can I tell whether these are recorded in order of name or order of time

     If I can I will leave this note with you myself, but I have much to do & only a few hours before my departure

            Your’s truly

                 H. C. Robinson

3 KB Walk

Saty Morning

Text: Abinger Papers, c. 13, fols 18-19, Bodleian Library, Oxford.