AN ANSWER Returned to the Letter from Legorn, BY A MERCHANT concerned in the SHIP.  
Honest Ralph,  
I Received yours, and having so considerable a Cargo a-board the endangered Vessel, communicated the sad news to most of the Part-owners, who are all not a little surprised, and 'tis believed most of the Christian World must be amazed to hear of such a desperate Conspiracy, which bids defiance to all the ancient maxims of policy; for a Plot once discovered, was ever heretofore looked upon as prevented and defeated: But This it seems bears up and increases, like some very foul-stomack, that converts weak and languid Medicines into nourishment for the Disease. For besides the account given by you, we since understand from other hands, That this Hellish Contrivance hath along time been fomented by the Mahometan Faction; That the Algerines under-pretence of Traffic and Amity have maintained several Spies a-board amongst you, and afforded large Pensions to some eminent Officers to debauch them from their duty; particularly the Purser, who from a private Tarpaulin, in few months raised himself to incredible favour with the Captain, and a prodigious estate, hath been a most treacherous Villain, and by ill management much wasted the Provisions and Stores of the Ship; and though he be at present confined to the Gun-room, yet pretends an Acquittance of all miscarriages under the Captain's hand, and 'tis feared hath left too great an influence behind him: Besides, we hear that there are two pernicious Passengers a-board that lie in the great , the one, an Algerine Woman, that sometimes pretends herself a kind of Sultaness, but is in truth the spurious issue of a base Musleman, and imagined to be an Enchantress, for that the spirit of infatuation is her constant familiar. This Hag, 'tis said, devours more Provisions in a day than would serve the whole Ships Crew a month; the other a Renegado, formerly Steersman of a Pinnace, in which 'tis said, the Lieutenant sails at present; these are supposed to be great Remora's to the Assembling of the general Council of Officers, being assisted with a Chians of Algiers, who seconds their destructive counsels.  
But notwithstanding all this, and the apprehensions you justly are in of danger, yet we hope the worst is past; for we have stated the whole Case to our Judg-Advocate, and consulted several Learned Civilians, well skilled in the Laws of Oleroon, and usages of the Seas, entreating their Best advice in this important Affair; from whom we have received the following Instructions, which I think fit to acquaint you with, that they may be communicated to the honest Sailors.  
Before all things, 'tis advised, That notwithstanding all discouragements and jealousies, you continue steadfast in your obedience to the Captain, and by no means suffer yourselves by indiscreet zeal, or frightful amusements, to be hurried into any undutiful behaviour or mutiny; harken not to any malicious whispers, either of the Mahometans, Algerines, or Mungril-Christians, whose only design is to raise disturbances, and make you accessary (if they could) to the Captains just severities. 'Tis well known, that when formerly he traveled the Mahometan Regions, he bravely maintained the Christian Faith, and would not suffer himself to be seduced by any temptations of the Infidels; his Father likewise died a Martyr for the true Religion, and nothing but the most mischievous malice, can imagine that he can be prevailed with now to connive at their impious Idolatries: you know how great an Interest he hath in the Ship more than any, and that those that endeavour to betray you, aim likewise at his life. Let this consideration secure your fears, and persuade you to wait with patience; though to some overheated spirits he seem not so violent in prosecuting the Conspirators, yet the necessary care and zeal he hath already shown, demonstrates the sincerity of his intentions. Remember, when our great Masters followers were so rash as to call for fire from heaven, he told them they knew not what spirit they were of. Your Captain's great Command furnishes him with better means from the forecastle 〈◊〉 foresee impendent dangers; and no doubt when he finds affairs brought to a crisis, will strike home, and redeem the delay by the severity of the Blow.  
2. It will yet not be inconvenient, That by all due and lawful means all the faithful Sailors should in an humble manner address and make application to the Captain; To remonstrate their dangers, and possess him with a right apprehension of things; it being part of their duty by their solemn vow when first they entered into the service, to discover to him all private Conspiracies that shall fall within the verge of their knowledge. For 'tis not impossible that some of the grand Conspirators or their Confederates may so besiege his ears; and misrepresent the state of affairs, and the true end of the Loyal Seamens applications, that without such repeated Instances and Importunities, he may mistake his Friends for his Enemies, which is the greatest misfortune that can befall any Commander.  
3. As for the Algerines you mention, they are known to be the general pest of Christendom, the common Enemies of mankind, neither good Christians nor yet true Mahometans; a sort of Fantastic Mongrels, who within these few years under a most Christian name have spilt more Christian Blood than was shed in the Ten primitive Persecutions. And though 'tis true they pretend to embrace and advance the Koran, yet indeed they value it no further than 'tis subservient to their Secular Interest; so that the Mufti himself is afraid of them, and all his petty Hodgsa's (or inferior Priests) are forced to truckle (as much as their own wooden-shooed Peasants, the most sneaking slaves in Europe) to their absolute Tyranny. Nor is there any regard to be made of their most solemn Vows or Alliances. Some years since they entered into a confederacy offensive and defensive, first with the Republic of Boggland, against the mighty Monarch of Oteana. After that, shifting sides with the Oteanian Monarch, against the Bogglandeas; but truly served neither, only bubbled both, advanced their own Grandeur, increased the number of their Galleys, and learned their slaves more dextrously to handle their Oars, and manage Navigation as well in the Mediterranean as the Narrow Seas. How many Christian Temples have they since demolished! How many Piracies have they committed! How m●●y Leagues have they violated! How many affronts have they offered! Yet still ●…se mischievous Apes in some countries' pass for Birds of ●●●●…ice: 'Tis these Villains that understand occasion the disturbances in your Ship, and abet the Conspirators; but had our Captain briskly fallen upon them three or four years ago in their harbours, he might most probably have fired these Nests of Hornets, and prevented the general mischief that now threatens the Christians from their overgrown Grandeur. We therefore advise you most seriously, That you entertain no Treaty or Correspondence with these perfidious Ragamuffins. The time was when half your number would not only have baffled them at Sea, but routed them at Land, and planted St. George's Ensigns on the tops of the highest Towers in Algiers. Courage I know is not yet wanting; nor shall, I hope, Conduct be lacking. We have a brave able Commander, though now under a cloud (the Sun you know may be eclipsed, but emerges, as to more admiring eyes, so with greater lustre) that has given signal proofs of his Abilities, and made the Rascallions at once admire (though they durst not imitate) his Valour for them, and dread if ever it should be employed against them. Be it He, or be it who else that the Captain shall please (according to his Commission) to order to manage Affairs, and carry on the War against these pestilent Encroachers, we do not question but in short time to have a good account of that Expedition. I shall not enlarge at present, intending to give you a fuller Account of my thoughts by the next. I remain,  
Yours, L. F.