frauds, and totally discouraged the discovery of embezzled stores, to the great waste of the publick treasure.

Artic. 5. That it has been a long practice in the navy, to make out false tickets and powers, suspending and delaying the poor sailors in their just payments, to the general discouragement of them, and starving their families.

The commissioners of the post-office appear to have as much contributed towards the ruin of their country, as any persons living, having all along supported their officers in all their evil actions, as corresponding with known Papists, and others disaffected to the government, stopping the king's mail, breaking open persons of quality's letters, all along countenancing and supporting a smuggling trade, by bringing in the mail, and otherways vast quantities of Flanders lace *, &c. Being resolved, it seems, to make as plentiful an harvest as they could, so long as the war lasted. Withal, they were not wanting to use all indirect means to ruin such of their officers, or others, that detected the crimes.

All these matters relating to the foregoing articles, and the commissioners of the post-office, were long since published in print, by divers hands, wherein a more large and ample account has been given of them; and they were dedicated and presented to our late representatives in Parliament, who took no more notice thereof, than if these things had been acted and done in the great Mogul's country.

Moreover, there appears to have been laid before our late representatives many other matters of the greatest importance :

First, in reference to the Toulon squadron getting into Brest: it having been declared by the house, the government had timely notice given, whereby the said fleet might have been intercepted.

Secondly, in relation to the Mint, it did appear to the house, the moneyers in the Tower had committed foul crimes, and that several dyes had been conveyed away for coining false money abroad.

Thirdly, in reference to the disbanded troopers, that served in Ireland and Flanders, who, by their petition, appear to have been most barbarously treated, contrary to his majesty's express commands.

Fourthly, in reference to the evil actions of the commissioners of the Victualling-office.

Fifthly, in relation to the twenty-seven sail of victuallers being taken by the Dunkirkers; the house having declared, the lords of the Admiralty had timely notice given them, whereby they might have prevented their falling into the enemies hands.

These, with a multitude of other matters, that lay before the

• Indeed, these gentlemen have since been very instrumental in causing a late act to be made, the better to prevent the bringing in foreign bone-lace; as likewise have been the lords of the Admiralty, and commissioners of the navy, in procuring an act to prevent the embezzlement, and stealing his majesty's naval stores; and therein they have done wisely, when the steed is stolen, to shut the stable-door.

house, were dropped by our late representatives, who took no manner of care to do the people justice: Indeed, the house appeared very zealous in the prosecution of Mr. Duncomb, who, as they alledged, wronged the king, of about three-hundred and sixty pounds, by the false endorsement of exchequer bills; though, at the same time, it plainly appeared, the king and kingdom had been wronged, by means of the treasury, † to the value of twenty thousand pounds, in relation to exchequer bills. Yet, all they did, therein, was to take care how to wash them white; and, while the war was on foot, our late representatives seemed to be very zealous for an act to be made against the buying and selling of employments; but, when once we had obtained an honourable peace, they soon dropped the matter, as conceiving the people then better able to bear their pack, than they were before. There is a matter, wherein it appears, the king has been wronged several thousand pounds, that was designed to have been laid before the late House of Commons; but the gentleman, who intended to have done it, was dissuaded from doing it, by a member of the house, who plainly told him, of all their members, they could not make above a hundred, or a hundred and ten at most, in the whole house, that seemed to have any regard to the welfare of the nation: Saying, one had one employment, another another, touch one and touch all, and said they did and would support one another;§ and so by all means advised him to decline it. Now I conceive, it is obvious, by what means, and by whom, the trade of the nation has been brought to so low an ebb, and so many publick debts contracted, by the consequence of which, many thousands of honest industrious families, in London, &c. are reduced to extreme poverty, at the same time, not knowing the true cause from whence their evils have risen. These things are very harsh to flesh and blood, when we consider how all our calamity appears to have been brought upon us, by those very persons, in whose hands we entrusted our lives, liberties, and estates.

We find king David complained he could not do the justice he

Sad it is to consider, how all complaints of abuses done in the government have been stifled, for want of a committee of grievances, according to our ancient laws and customs, to be sitting, during the session of parliament, to hear the grievances of the people; which, it is plain, was not done all the time of the late war.

+ The publick treasure, in all ages and nations, has ever been accounted as sacred as the king's person; and those that have been found to purloin, waste, or mispend the same, have been severely chastised; and if it must be acknowledged, as every man will do, who is not a professed atheist, we are obliged by the dictates of nature, and that holy religion we profess, to do all such acts as tend to the good and benefit of mankind in general. What ground of fear can any man have, that lays open publick crimes, in order to their being examined in a judicial manner? And, if the law, which favours and countenances the act, shall not be able to protect him, little reason can any man have to flatter himself of being secure, the publick peace and tranquillity not being long to be maintained by any other means, than a due administration of justice.

Vide England's Calamities discovered, sold by Fox, in Westminister-hall,

&c. Those gentlemen, that have been in publick employments, have had great opportunity to execute their malice against them that detected or publickly laid open their crimes, and have not been wanting to use all arts and means whereby to bring them to ruin; by which means, several honest ingenuous gentlemen have died through grief, and many others through grief and want; and who may all truly be said to have died martyrs for their country.

would have done, the sons of Zerviah were too strong for him; no wonder then, if we see our prince* under the same circumstance, who has had so many sons of Zerviah to deal withal, who were sensible of the great interest, they and their friends had in the several corporations, and how they were able thereby to support one another in whatever they should act or do, and put it out of the power of any, even the king himself, to call them to an account for their actions. It is evident, ours is a mixed government, wherein the people have a large share; and if we will not act our part, in reference to the chusing of members of parliament, great pity it is we should ever be relieved, but remain as we are.

By this, we may see what a great duty there lies upon all genlemen that live in, or near any corporation and the principal inhabitants thereof, to inform the meaner sort of people therein (who, in most corporations, have votes) the absolute necessity there is of chusing gentlemen of good estates to be their representatives, as have not been in any (or long since declined) publick employment, during the late war, there being no other means possible, whereby to make them sensible of these past miscarriages, or we to have such members, as will be able to rectify them, and do the king and kingdom justice; † publick leaks being not to be stopped by the hands that made them.

It is sufficient to make any Englishman blush, to consider how strenuously our forefathers withstood those who made a breach of the law, and how indifferent and careless we appear to have been therein, ever since the late happy revolution, not at all considering, how mankind are generally more tiable, and in greater danger of being ruined by the falshood and treachery of friends, than open enemies; and that those who lay the foundation of great estates, for the most part, raise themselves by fraud, oppression, and injustice. And how in all ages they that were in publick employments, or ambitious of honour and preferment, likewise generally have been found too ready to abuse their prince's ear, and trample the laws under their feet.

We may see by the bishop of Salisbury's pastoral letter, burnt by the common hangman, what sycophants these sort of men are, who care not what evils they bring upon the rest of mankind, so they may but advance themselves; and weeds commonly are apt to grow so fast, as to overtop the corn.

Thus, sir, have I given you a short relation of such matters of fact, which plainly appear, as I conceive, to have been the true cause, all the blood and treasure spent in the late war, for want of justice, in a manner has been lost, like water spilt on the ground.

• Whatever Englishman duly considers, how great and glorious the actions of his majesty have been, and to what hazard he exposed his royal person for our sakes, and the great things he has done for us, cannot but be moved with grief and anger, to see how unfaithful, in his absence, he has been served, and his people oppressed. + It is hoped the citizens of London and Westminster, who correspond with all parts of the kingdom, will be so just to themselves, their king and country, as forthwith to send this and other things of the like nature, to the several corporations; for it will be as they make their choice, we may conclude, we shall be either happy or miserable.

Our trade being in great measure ruined, and the nation miserably plunged in debt, and in danger of being involved in a new war, about the succession of Spain, in which (according to the present circumstance, and management of affairs) we are in no condition to engage: So, you may see the fatal consequence that attends the actions of men, when they leave the paths of virtue, and go along with the multitude to do evil. I am, Sir, his majesty's faithful subject, a true lover of my country, and

London, July

16, 1698.

Your most humble servant,

G. W.

A List of the Gentlemen who were Members of the last Parliament, and now are, or lately were, in publick Employment or Trust.

A.

Sir Edward Askew, knt. commissioner of the prizes, for Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Sir Matthew Andrews, knt. gentleman of the king's bed-chamber, and master of Trinity-house, Shafton, Dorsetshire.

Matthew Aylmer, esq. a flag officer in the fleet, Dover, Cinque

Port.

B.

The honourable Peregrine Bertie, vice-chamberlain, Boston, Lincolnshire.

The honourable Hugh Boscawen, governor of St. Maw's castle, &c. county of Cornwall.

William Blaithwait, esq. secretary of war, one of the council of trade, and one of the clerks of the council, Bath, Somersetshire. Nathaniel Bond, the king's serjeant at law, Dorchester.

William Bridges, esq. secretary to the commissioners for paper and parchment, Liscard, Cornwall.

John Burrard, esq. governor of Hurst castle, Lymington, South

ampton.

John Burrington, esq. commissioner of the victualling, Oakhampton, Devonshire.

Thomas Blofield, esq. receiver-general of the excise for the county of Norfolk, Norwich.

The honourable George Booth, esq. late commissioner of the customs, Bosiney, Cornwall.

The honourable Charles Bertie, esq. treasurer of the office of the ordnance, Stamford, Lincolnshire.

C.

The right honourable lord Coningsby, late lord justice of Ireland, Leominster, Herefordshire.

John Conyers, esq. one of his majesty's council at law, EastGrimstead, Sussex.

Sir Robert Clayton, knt. late one of the commissioners of the customs, London.

Edward Clark, esq. commissioner of the excise, Taunton, Somersetshire.

The honourable John lord Cuts, baron Gouram, governor of the isle of Wight, and colonel of foot, Cambridgeshire.

Sir Robert Cotton, knt. post-master-general, Newport, isle of Wight.

William Culliford, esq. surveyor-general of his majesty's customs, Corfe-castle, Dorsetshire.

William Coward, esq. king's serjeant at law, Wells, Somersetshire.

William Cowper, esq. king's council, Hertford.

D.

Edward Dummer, esq. surveyor of the navy, Arundel, Sussex. Thomas Done, esq. auditor of the imprest of the exchequer. Thomas Dore, esq. lieutenant-colonel to col. Gibson's regiment, Lymington, Southampton.

Sir Robert Dashwood, knt. and bart. commissioner of the excise, Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Sir Ralph Delaval, late a flag officer in the fleet, Great Bedwin, Wilts.

E.

Sir Stephen Evans, knt. commissioner of the excise, and commissioner for wine licenses, Bridgeport, Dorsetshire.

Thomas Earle, esq. major-general of the army, governor of Portsmouth, and colonel of two regiments of foot, Warham, Dorsetshire.

F.

Sir Stephen Fox, knt. lord of the treasury, Westminster.

Sir Thomas Felton, bart. master of his majesty's houshold, Orford, Suffolk.

Sir William Forrester, one of the commissioners of the greencloth, Northumberland.

William Farrer, esq. one of the king's council, Bedford.

The right honourable viscount Fitzharding, a teller in the exchequer, Windsor, Berkshire,

Sir Thomas Frankland, bart. post-master-general, Heydon, Yorkshire.

The right honourable lord Fairfax, colonel of a regiment of dragoons, York.

Charles Fox, esq. paymaster to the army, Cricklade, Wiltshire.
G.

Sir Henry Goodrick, lieutenant-general of the ordnance, Burrowbridge, Yorkshire.

John Gauntlet, esq. clerk of the signet, Wilton, Wilts.

Charles Godolphin, esq. commissioner of the customs, Helston, Cornwall.

Sir Rowland Gwyn, late treasurer of the king's chamber, Tiverton, Devonshire.

Francis Gardner, esq. an employ in the mint at Norwich, Norwich.