AN ANSWER TO THE SECOND LETTER▪ FROM LEGORN: BEING AN ACCOUNT Of some further Discovery of a Continued Plot ABOARD THE Ship VANHERRING.  
SIR,  
YOurs, Dated Decemb. 10. 1679. came safe to my Hands; I have seriously considered the Account you gave of the Captain and the whole Ships Company, and do believe it a True and Ingenuous Account of Matters relating to all Parties concerned: I have discoursed with many about the Relation, and find them exceedingly pleased that there is such a Discovery; but are likewise greatly grieved and perplexed to understand the Danger that the Christian Captain and his Ships Company are in, by reason of the Mahometan Lieutenant, and his Devilish Crew, in Confederacy with the wicked Algerines.  
Sir, The more your Letter is read, the better it is understood; so that now the Generality of People can read it roundly, quite through without, stumbling at a word in it. I do assure you, it hath filled the City with general Fears and Consternation of mind to admiration, and that which hath greatly furthered the knowledge of this Matter, is, that somebody hath gotten a Copy of your Letter, and Printed it; but I believe this will not issue in your Captains nor your Disadvantage. I fi●d no other use made of it by the Generality of Christians, but to be concerned about the Welfare of your Captain, Ship, Goods, and all the Christian Sailors on Board.  
And now, Sir, I will give you a particular answer to your Letter.  
I. as to the Captain, here are Multitudes of good Christians in these parts, are persuaded they know him well, and speak well of him; as a Gentlemam Nobly Descended from a Father of great Renown; greatly beloved in his own and other Nations; and that the Captain (as to his nature) is of a sweet Temper and Dispositions; But that he is apt to be misled by some of those that he hath advanced; who seek more their own private advantage, than his public welfare, which some concluded was the great failure of his Noble Father; and therefore 'tis hearty desired, that the Captain would be pleased timely to consider it for his own present and future good. Sir, I do assure you, that your Captain is greatly beloved, and Highly Honoured in our Country; because he always professed himself a Christian, and it is generally hoped he will continue so to the end.  
II. As to the Conspiracy of the Mahometans to take away the Captain's Life, and enslave all the Christians-Sailors, and make prize of the Ship and Goods▪  
Sir, This is heavy and Heart-breaking Tidings to all those that love the Captain and the Sailors; But there is a great deal of Joy and Satisfaction in the timely Discovery of this Hellish Design (by those that were privy to it: as for the Lieutenant whom you say is a Mahometan, he is well known in our Country; and many do say that he is nearly related to the Captain, which is the cause things go on no better; Nevertheless he is far short of being beloved and honoured as the Captain is, because he is a Mahometan and liveth in hopes of being Captain hereafter, which is not at all pleasing to the Christians here; because then in all probability the Ship and goods will be made a Prize, and the christian-Sailors made Slaves, or slain (if they change not their Relgion) which God prevent.  
III. As to your Honest Boatswain, that was murdered for taking the Confession and Discovery of the Conspiracy. The first Tidings of it amazed all true Christians; because he was a good Christian himself and a great Lover of his Captain; he was well known in this City to be a Gentleman of faithfulness, courage, and of a sweet Disposition; I do assure you here hath been very great mourning for him among the Christians, and his Name will be had in everlasting Esteem; he being made a Sacrifice for all the honest Sailors aboard the Ship. The Mahometans being ready, if opportunity presented to act the second part to the same Tune upon other worthy Sailors aboard: but for our comfort, we hear from other hands, that the Captain hath now a Boatswain no ways inferior (in Faithfulness, Diligence and Industry) to the former; and that he is a Gentleman of great Courage, and unspotted Integrity; and very faithful to the Captain and to all the Ships Company that are Christians: constantly seizing guilty Mahometans. The God of Heaven preserve him from the Inhuman Villainy his Predecessor met with.  
iv You tell us the Captain called a Council together; and that the first Discoverer had a fair-hearing before them; though he had been affronted by some Principal Officers before: and the Conspiracy was plainly discovered; and that there was a Confederacy between the Mahometans and the Algerines: the Purser and five other Mahometan Rogues that had some command in the Ship were seized and put into the Hold: Doubtless the Counsel are greatly concerned, to find out and prosecute the Conspirators; the Discoverers having so frequently declared, that there was a Positive and cursed Design against the Captain's Life: And that the Ships Company Inevitably had been exposed to slavery and Mahometan bondage, if they would not readily renounce their Religion: we likewise here that the Counsel of Officers have the greatest part of their Estates embarked aboard the Ship; and if so doubtless they and their Posterity will unavoidably be exposed to utter ruin. Sir, we are exceeding glad to here that so many of the Conspirators, especially that the Purser is found out and secured, who hath so grossly abused and cheated the Captain, and the whole Ships Company, by Embezzling and wasting so much of the Ships Store committed to his Trust. We are likewise Informed that it was a difficult thing to seize him, because he cunningly hid himself in or about the great ; and at last presuming upon the Captain's clemency, and understanding that the Bill was like to be found against him; and what Goods he had aboard the Ship (which was very great) like to be Confiscated, he Impudently came out of his hole and surrendered himself, and was immediately b● Order of the Chief Officers clapped in the hold; and we are all big Bellied till we here that he is brought public upon the Deck to receive condign punishment for his unpardonable Villainies.  
V You acquaint us with a Discovery relating to the Murder of the worthy Boatswain: And that some of the Murderers have had the Sentence of Justice Executed upon them, being Hang▪ d up at the Main Mast; it is good News: and and asserts the truth of the Old English Proverb, (Murder will out) and we are hereby Encouraged to hope that what is Concealed will in a short time be Revealed, and Discovered. You tell us he was Trappanned into the Mahometan  and there Murdered: whereas from other hands we understand: That it was one of the Chiefest Cabins in the Ship: Particularly belonging to the Captain's Lady.  
VI You tell us that whilst the Counsel was warm in searching into this Damnable Design: And making Provision for the safety of the Captain and Ships Company, they were unexpectedly Broken up: And this had been done Divers times: Sir, this greatly amazeth all Sincere Christians that here of it: Especially because we understand from other hands, that two great Counsels have b●en quite Dissolved: And the third have not been suffered to sit, since they were chosen: However we cannot but take good notice of that particular wherein you tell us, the Wiser sort believe the Captain is Real: because of his constant Professing himself a Christian Neither will it be for his Interest to be otherwise, and that he cannot expect a Better Command in the Ship. Besides he hath in the absence of the great Counsel stuck several Orders on the Main Mast: Commanding all Mahometans to departed by such a Day, 10. Spaces from the Chiefest Cabins: And also Encouragaing by Rewards, such as should make further Discoveries, and Apprehend such as were Guilty. We cannot but acknowledge that these things do fairly lead to Charitable Conclusions of the Captains Proceed: But the Consideration of the Horrible Design against the Captain's Life; the Ship and Cargo withal the Christian Soldiers and Sailors, together with the great Expectation of the Mahometans, that the Lieutenant shall come to be Captain and likewise that the Algerines are in Confederacy with the Mahometans, these things Considered do put all true Christians that Love the Captain at their Wit's end: Because he suffers not the great Counsel to sit, notwithstanding the Generality, still hope the best as to the Captains Proceed: But their hopes are mingled with many, and great fears: Because the Captain hath manifested his Averseness, that the Counsel should Exclude the Lieutenant from Succeeding in his place. And to Establish a Christian as his Successor: As also that the Purser being Accused of many High Crimes, and Misdemeanours by the great Counsel: Instead of being brought to a fair Trial, the Captain hath manifested a Willingness rather to Pardon him. It is also admired that the five great Conspirators should lie so long in the hold: And not be brought to a Trial before the great Counsel: It's generally Concluded that the Mahometan Lieutenant, and the Steers man of the Pinnace wherein he now Sails, together with the Algerin Lady: Who is so much in the Captain's Affections (and Acquainted with his Cabinet Counsels): are the chief cause of these things.  
VII. You tell us that the Surgeons Mate was likewise accused for Designing to Poison the Captain, and that he was Acquitted upon his Trial. We do likewise understand that the generality of Persons that were present at the Trial, were well satisfied that he was really Guilty; and that it plainly appeared, by the Evidence given in for the Captain (except to those that quitted him being about the number of Thirteen): It's reported that a Legion of shining Gods greatly Influenced his Acquittal: Hour it seems, he durst not abide on Board in the Captain's Presence, but is fled to the Algerines for his Security.  
VIII. You tell us, that great endeavours have been used to corrupt some of the chief Discoverers by false accusations, and to invalidate the strength of their Evidence, and that a new Conspiracy hath been hatched against the Christians, endeavouring to make them culpable of the same intended mischief against the Captain, as the Mahometans were guilty of: we cannot but greatly wonder that the Captain should in the least adhere to such improbable informations, it being evidenced only by a new-listed Seaman, who was greatly in favour with the Lieutenant, and one of his own Gang. But in this, we rejoice that this Sham-Plot fell into the hands of the wise and faithful Mid-ship-man; who hath behaved himself in the Discovery of it to the satisfaction of the Captain and all the Christian Sailors.  
IX. You tell us that several Merchants that had great concerns aboard the Ship, did humbly address to the Captain for the sitting of the great Counsel; and that the Captain did make it manifest he did not rejoice in their request. You tell us the honest Sailors were about such an Address, but the Captain had showed his dislike of it by ordering a Placaet to be fixed on the main Mast, which discouraged many of them. But we are informed from other hands that a great number of them ventured to present it in a very humble manner by some of the chief men; but the Captain manifested that he was displeased with it. What to think of these things people are generally at a loss: However some are willing to persuade themselves that the Captain doth this in wisdom to try the Courage and Faithfulness of his Ships company, in endeavouring to maintain their own Rights and Privileges; knowing well that if they will not look after their own Happiness, 'tis very unlikely they should be concerned about his; and 'tis verily believed if at last he should grant their desires, they would leap for Joy; as when the Noble Captain came first Aboard; and cry out, God bless the Captain, one and all, one and all; we will live and die with him, we will live and die for him.  
X. Now Sir, to Conclude, I do assure you that the People here generally (though they are hearty sorry to hear of the danger that attends the Captain and Ships Company:) yet they are exceeding glad that the Ship is so stout a Ship, & so well manned with Persons of Integrity and Courage: 'tis Hearty wished that you may have sufficiency of Ammunition against the time of need, when you may be forced to Dispute the cause with the Algerines and Mahometans, that so you may preserve your Captain, and not be Enslaved by the Mahometan Lieutenant; we do further hearty wish you may have found and courageous Christians for all sorts of Officers, especially those of the Order of the Golden Chain, that they may not be Mongrels nor Mahometans, because the Forecastle and Mainmast is committed to their charge; which if they suffer the one to be Boarded, and the other to be cut off, the Ship would be utterly Disabled, forasmuch, as it is well known, that the Saving or Betraying of the Ship doth depend on the Faithfulness or Unfaithfulness of the Officers. But we are glad to hear that the Lord of that Noble Order, and few of his Brethren have Approved themselves Faithful and Courageous for the Welfare of the Captain, and Ships Company. We hear there is a very Rare Bird in the Captains own , that sings most Pleasantly, but since this Conspiracy, he hath changed his Note, and we are in Doubt, what tune he will Sing next, whether for the Christians or the Mahometans: But this we leave to Time to discover. Thus with a Thousand thanks for your Letter, hoping you will as kindly accept of this Answer, from your Friend and Cordial Lover of your Christian Captain.  
PHILOPATRIAE Dated at the City of Loyalty, in the Kingdom of True Christianity, where the People Pray for the Weal and Happiness of your Captain and whole Ships Company. January 21. 1680.  
FINIS.