Letter from Samuel Hey (President of Magdalene College) to the Hon. Sir John Griffin Griffin (Visitor) informing him of the sudden death of the Master Barton Wallop at Wallop and therefore the Mastership was vacant.
Letter from Samuel Hey (President of Magdalene College) to the Hon. Sir John Griffin Griffin (Visitor) explaining how he worked out the income of the Mastership which Sir John had requested in his letter [see MCAD/1/1/29]
He also says that he and the Fellows were not acquainted with Mr Peckard, but should he accept the Mastership they would endeavour to do everything in their power to make it as agreeable as possible. As Mr Peckard was not acquainted with the ways of the University he might find some trifling inconveniences at first. If Mr Peckard wished to see the College and Lodge or had any questions about the College before making his decision then he [Mr Hey] would assist.
Letter from the Hon. Sir John Griffin Griffin (Visitor) to Samuel Hey (President of Magdalene College)
Transcript
Sir,
I return you many thanks for your obliging attention in regard to poor Mr Wallop's death; who seems to have died from neglect of himself having been very unwell at times with faintings & violent oppressions upon his stomach without applying for relief.
If not too much trouble I shall esteem it a favour if you could give me a rough sketch of the profits & emoluments of the Master of Magdalen, how they arise & how they become due & at what period [see MACD/1/1/27].
When I inform you that I have offered the Mastership to my very old & amiable friend Mr Peckard I do it out of respect to your situation in the College, & to the character you have maintained in that office & I do assure you that you are the first person to whom i have conveyed my intentions. If Mr Peckard should accept, which I trust he will, yourself & the College will have a very worthy & ingenious gentleman to live with & whom other qualities will I am sure endear him to you all.
I cold have wished indeed on this occasion that Mr P. had been a Cambridge man but I trust every liberal mind will overlook this when put in competition with the rights due to a sincere & uninterrupted friendship of above thirty years standing.
I am etc etc etc etc