Chapter V

Sickness of Witherings and his reported death--Philip Burlamachi applies for Witherings' office 161

Divisions in the kingdom 163

Proposed opening of post letters 164

Burlamachi's services to the King's party 165

Fight for the possession of a post letter 166

A proposed duel over the seizing of post horses 169

Packet boat employed between Whitehaven and Dublin--Witherings' office sequestered 173

Attacks upon Witherings 175

Nature of charges made against him 177

The Secretaries of State try to undo Witherings--Witherings imprisoned--Assigns an interest in his place to the Earl of Warwick 179

Committee of the House of Commons to consider question of the Posts--Deliverance in favour of Witherings as regards the Foreign Letter Office 181

Deliverance respecting the Inland Posts 182

Decision against Witherings, Coke, and Windebank, in regard to imprisonment of carriers 183

Rough treatment of Witherings 185

Earl of Warwick urges ejection of Burlamachi 186