A Short ACCOUNT, Or STATE of Mr. Sheridans CASE Before the Late House of Commons, In a LETTER to J. T. LONDON, Printed for J. Hindmarsh at the Bull in Cornhill, A short Account or State of Mr. Sheridan's Case before the late House of Commons, in a Letter to J. T. SIR, SOME Years since, I sent you a long Letter under the Title of J. L. relating to an affair, wherein Mr. S. was deeply concerned; this gave you so much satisfaction, that I have thence sufficient encouragement to venture another; especially considering his vindication is much more necessary in the present instance, and that you are still his Friend, and the person to whom of all Men living he is perhaps the best known. Under that Character you were mentioned in the Copy of a Letter carried among other of his Papers to the House of Commons, writ in his favour to a great Minister by the late E. of Or. for whom living, and for whose memory, both your Gr. and he had, and ever must have, a just value and veneration. You will find you may still own this Gentleman without blushing, and to show you were not deceived in the opinion of his Integrity, I have taken the pains, for your sake, as well as for his, whose Friend I own myself, to gather up, and convey to you, the History and occasion, that has made him as publicly known in this, as he was before in another Kingdom. I promise you an impartial Relation, and by it you will see, that Envy and Malice, where with he has been long assaulted, have to little purpose spit their Venom. You are not to learn the cause of his coming for England in June, 1677. nor knowing his temper, to wonder that havi●● received some favours from his R. H. gratitude obliged him to an acknowledgement, and honour and generosity to make and avow it in the time of that great Prince's adversity, whom he found by the unsteady course of Humane affairs, and the craft and malice of designing Men, fallen from being the People's greatest Favourite into their highest Displeasure. Soon after, when the D. in obedience to his Royal Brother's commands went into a temporary Exile, which however otherwise uneasy, was cheerfully undergone by him, who al-always resigned his own, to the will of his Prince: Your Friend having little to hinder, laid hold of that opportunity, followed him to Brussels, and there spending most of the time he was abroad, expressed his Obligations and Duty in the best manner he was able. This, and his openly owning himself devoted to his R. H's interest, while consistent with Loyalty, gave occasion to his Adversaries, whom envy had increased, to vent their Spleen, and endeavour to sully his Reputation, of all things to him most dear, by many false Insinuations, and indeed Diabolical Inventions, hoping thereby to disable him from rivalling them in any future pretention. He is not ignorant of the Authors, nor the train, who the better to compass their honest Design, hatched by one, that Mole-like, works under ground, and he thinks in the dark, they resolved at once his ruin, by rendering him odious to the Public, to the Country, to the King, and to the Court; and therefore he was no sooner brought before the House of Commons, than he was represented to his Sovereign, as one that had spoken ill of His Majesty, and to the wonder of himself and others, this was first whispered to, and after suggested by, a great Lord, to whom Mr. S. owns himself obliged for several favours. and in particular for a very kind recommendatory Letter some Years since to Mr. Secretary Coven— But that which makes his surprise the greater, is, his not being able to find, on his part, any cause for the change of this Noble-man's greatly valued good opinion, of which he hoped ●●mself still possessed, because certain he never disobliged his Lordship, and defies any Man to make out that in word or action, he ever spoke or did irreverently or disloyally of the King, whose Service, you know, no man has more zealously promoted, nor less ineffectually, according to his Station and Power. However, in the height of his-misfortune, when to all he did not appear guiltless, he had the happiness to have a Gentleman of Honour and Quality (who by the recommendation of our deceased, and never to be forgotten noble Friend, several Years ago, took him into his particular favour and acquaintance) publicly to assert his Integrity, his Service, and his Loyalty. An Act of Friendship, he is bound by all the ties of Gratitude, ever to remember and acknowledge; few Men in this Age having the courage, or the honesty, to own any Man in adversity, or to defend innocence, when endeavoured to be run down by faction, n●ise, and tumult. The ground of this Discourse in public at the King's Dinner, was the Copy of a Letter found among Mr. S' Papers, which plainly appears to have come from another, but not to him, to whom had it been directed, he could not be therefore criminal, it being in no Man's Power to prevent any Post-Letter. And yet give me leave to say, that ingenuity and good nature may easily and very naturally make a candid interpretation of this Paper; wherein what ever Injury was contained, they are mostly, if not only, guilty, who since the seizing Mr. S' Writings, have sent Copies of it to all the Coffe-houses of London. But to give you the Story from the beginning, you are to understand, that the first week the Parliament met, Mr. S. was told by a Person of Honour, that he was designed to be brought into Trouble: This was overheard from several, among whom were some Members then looking on at Mrs. C. standing in the Pillory, whereupon he was advised to withdraw: Receiving the same account from many others, and yet confident in his Innocence, he resolved not to stir. Every day he was alarmed afresh, and told of great inquiries made after his Actions, and himself censured for a Papist, a Coleman, and a Jesuit. At length one Peter Norris makes complaint of his being Imprisoned at Daver by Mr. Secretary Jenkin's order. Mr. Secretary said, as I am informed, what he did was not unknown to the King and Council. Upon this occasion Mr. S. was named and a Committee appointed to examine the matter. Mr. S. appears, and acknowledges, he had given a description of Peter Norris to Mr. Secretary about the latter end of May last, and acquainted him that he was told, this Man knew as much of the bottom of the Plot, as any in England, and was gone into France to fetch over a Priest supposed equally knowing. 'Tis not necessary to entertain you withal the questions, very foreign to this matter, by some of the Committee put to Mr. S. 'tis enough to tell you that he truly, though perhaps not satisfactorily, answered all, attended their pleasures a whole week, was thrice before them, once with Dr. D. from whom as News he publicly had the story, and after, the Description, as the Dr. himself openly confessed. I know not whether it be necessary to acquaint you, that whatever account the Dr. had, Mr. S' was not exact as to Norris' bringing the Priest into England; for it appeared at the Committee by Papers taken with Norris at landing, that he was to Conduct him to Amsterdam, to Sr. W. W. then there, and that he had pretended to be sent by Dr. T. in conjunction with the E. of Sh. and another Noble Peer, that the Priest had been dead above 8 Months, before he began his Journey; a Journey undertaken upon as good an account and sure information, as that of a Justice of Peace of Westminsler, who rid Post 100 Miles to bring alive from the Country Beddingfield the Jesuit, Buried 12 Months before out of the Gatehouse. It happened the evening of that Day Mr. S. was Commanded to attend the Committee, I was in Company with several Persons, of Quality, when news was sent that the E. of P. was carried to the Tower, and Mr. S. to the Gatehouse, who in half an hour after came in himself, and guessed the Person, and concluded what the other could not deny, that the story was from one that wished it had been true, not out of Malice to Mr. S. beyond his name a Stranger, but to a very great Person. After Mr. S' first Examination, he received by the Penny-post two Letters in unknown hands, without any name, the one directed to his Lodging, the other to the Royal Coffee-house; the one in Friendship to three Persons of Honour, his acquaintance, named in the Letter, advising him to fly, if he did not resolve to discover, as to him at least impossibilities against the D. the other was more Terrible, tho' both mixed with threats and promimises, and in this place for receiving his answer, and after for meeting appointed. But these he looked upon as bugbears, fit only to work upon Children and Cowards. Having produced the Dr. who was his Author, he looked upon himself acquitted from any further trouble, yet some angry Persons, displeased a hole was not found in his Coat, offered wagers he would be laid by the Heels in ten days, of which, by two very great Persons, notice was given him, with advice to retire, at the Tria! of my Lord Stafford; but resolved to encounter the worst could happen, he utterly rejected the Motion. On Thursday, December 9 He sound it was no longer a jest, for it was then ordered that Mr. S.'s and D. D's Papers should be seized, and themselves brought in Custody of the Sergeant at Arms to the Bar of the house. In pursuance of this, some Members were sent to their Lodgings between 12 and 1, who coming to Mr. S. 's were told he was abroad; they meeting one of his Servants, sent for him, who finding his Master at the Coffee-house, acquainted him that Four of the House of Commons whom he knew not, stayed for him; he goes to 'em immediately. They after a diligent search for his Papers, spoke of his being sent for by a Messenger. He answered, that was unnecessary to one that was ready to wait on them to their house, whither as he was going, they met their Officer, and took him into the Coach. Mr. S. not long after being called to the Bar; was asked whether a Paper then showed him was his Writing: He answered it was not, then two lines at the bottom of Norris' description were shown, which he acknowledged. After some other questions he was Commanded to withdraw, and a Committee ordered to see the Sergeant search his pockets. But to prevent that trouble, Mr. S. had delivered them all his Papers, so that nothing could be found save a purse of Gold, out of which in order to be searched for Papers, more Guinnies were said to be tumbled, than it could possibly contain. But excepting your Friend's fortune, every Molehill relating to him was reputed a Mountain, and no doubt many were big with expectations what he should bring forth, who was said to have several Colemans in his belly; and therefore perhaps it was, that the Sergeant sent him to Lodge at a Midwives', where being laid, in spite of all art and labour, the long hoped for conceived great issue, upon delivery, was found dwindled to a Mouse. Parturiunt montes— He was 4 or 5 times at the Bar that day, and as often the next; his story being matter of fact, was found to agree exactly with the Doctor's, who was not seldomer examined, and though no crime was objected, nor any information made, yet was he confined a close Prisoner, and the Messenger told, if he suffered his escape, his own Life would be in danger: an opinion, that cannot be sufficiently admired by those who consider, that, had he any apprehension of guilt, he might with ease have avoided that days fury. The worthy Coll. M. whom you knew in Ireland by the Title of Capt. came in to accuse Mr. S. but of a Circumstance, that if true, could not amount to a Crime. Yet this seemed so great, that the Gent. could hardly bring it out in Mr. S.'s. presence, whatever he had done before, uttering then his words so like a Mouse in a Cheese, that the Speaker was forced twice to command the raising his Voice. After Mr. S. was committed, great and narrow Inquiries and Endeavours were made to find or make him more obnoxious; but in vain: His Innocence was his security from peril, tho' not from charge and trouble. Among others, Doctor Tongue's Son in Newgate was examined, whom Mr. S. never saw, having industriously avoided all that were or stood related to the King's Evidence. The Servant-maid of his Lodgging was sent for, not only to the Bar, but to Coffeehouses and Taverns, promised and encouraged, threatened and advised; but alas, she could not answer expectations. Even a little young Girl of about Eleven years old, not above Ten days his Acquaintance, was very strictly Catechised, concerning his Discourse and Conversation about the Parliament. Sure, these persons believed him Master of none, or of much less understanding, than they have since reported him. But on Saturday following Dr. D. who confessed himself a R. C. was without Fees (tho' he was soreed to pay them) or Petition, discharged. Mr. S. hearing of this, writes a long Letter to an honourable Member of the Committee, praying his Lordship to represent to the House what he thought most material. On Monday his Lordship by an Order of the House was allowed to see Mr. S. and bring him a Letter opened by the Speaker, relating to a particular concern of another, from whence mighty Discoveries were expected, but they came to nothing. By this Member he prayed to have liberty to speak for himself the next day, but hearing nothing from him, he wrote to the Speaker on Tuesday, entreating he might appear before them, and not suffer under Arbitrary power so much dreaded from others. Hereupon Mr. Speaker was pleased on Wednesday the 15th, to have him sent for; being called in, he was told, if he had any Discovery to make, the House was ready to receive it. To this he replied, That as to the Plot, he could have none, but he had another relating to himself; viz. To know what was his Crime, and who his Accusers, and that he might according to the Laws of the Land, answer for himself. To this was said, They knew his Parts were not much short of the Person's he succeeded, and that he must not think to impose upon so great and wise an Assembly, by studied Words and Speeches. Mr. S. replied, If he could, he would not endeavour by any Rhetorical flourishes to deceive them with Falsehoods; That he designed nothing but Truth very plainly worded; That he hoped their Justice would give him leave to vindicate himself, and show the unreasonableness of running down a Man upon general Sarmises and malicious Reports, or of concluding him guilty, before he was Herd or Convicted. Hereupon he was ordered to withdraw, and after some short Debate called in, and allowed the Favour he desired; but with Caution, not to be tedious. Being thus permitted, he began the following Speech, out of which he omitted very little, and is the same in Substance with what he writ in several Letters to Members of the Committee appointed for his Examination; viz. The Lord Aunesley, Sir R. Clayton, and Sir Rovel. Gwin. The Speech of Mr. Tho. Sheridan, after his Examination before the late House of Commons, On Wednesday the 15th. of December, 1680. 'tIs, I confess Sir, a great Misfortune to fall under the Displeasure of the Honourable House of Commons, it is a Burden, no Man, tho' never so great, is able to bear; It cannot then be a wonder, if so inconsiderable a Person, and of so little strength as I, should stoop under the weight; Not that I fear any Danger to my Person, but grieve for the wounds it gives my Reputation, which I have always valued above my life, and that it might be preserved spotless, I have ever made it my study to keep a good Conscience, void of Offence, towards God, and towards Man; And Therefore I little expected to be brought as a Criminal to This Bar, or any Tribunal. But I am convinced, Innocence is no security against the Darts of Envy or Malice, and that he who will hazard his Body or his Soul, may take away the Life and Fame of any one at pleasure; 'tis to men of such principles I own my present Trouble: I do not say this to reflect upon any Member of this Great and Honourable Assembly. My Evil is from without Doors, and I know the Authors, and the Contrivance, so well, that, if it were convenient, I could name them, and trace the whole Chain, Link by Link, to the first, hammered by Prejudice, and particular Interest. I do not wonder that, in the present Circumstances, you should have one Ear open to all reports that any way relate to the public, this is due to your Station, and to your Prudence; And because Justice and your Honour require it, I as little doubt your reserving the other Ear for the Pleas and Defence, of the Accused, or that you will Condemn any Man unheard. Upon this assurance it is, that I am bold to beg, with all due respect and reverence, that I may have liberty to speak for myself without interruption. If you are pleased to grant me this favour, I will use it as fully and briefly as I can, for your satisfaction and my own vindication. I have been represented (I hope without offence I may say, traduced, for so I can make it appear) for a person of no Fortune, a Papist, a second Coleman, and what is more ridiculous, tho' not more false, a Jesuit and the Duke's Confessor. In clearing myself from these Aspersions, I must be forc'd, to say something, which nothing but necessity, that either has none, or breaks all Laws, can excuse from vanity. As that I was born a Gentleman, of one of the Ancientest Families, and related to many Considerable, in Ireland; in one County there is a Castle, and a large Demean, and in another a greater tract of Land for several Miles together, yet known by our Name. I need not say who was the head or chief, 'tis too much that my Grandfather was the last that enjoyed the Estate, and that my Father, left an Orphan in the beginning of King Jame's Reign, soon found himself dispossessed, and exposed to the World, that whole County, with five others in Ulster, being entirely escheated to the Crown. My Parents Protestants, my Mother a Gentlewoman of England of good Fortune, a Foster, who for my Father's sake, quitted her Country and her Relations, both famed for honesty, for their Loyalty and Sufferings in the late Rebellion, when my Father scaped twice narrowly with his Life, and at last was forced to fly, for relieving and protecting both the Fortunes and Persons of very many English. To my Birth I had a suitable Education; I have some slender pretence to Letters, am not altogether a Stranger to the Civil-law, nor the Laws of England, the means intended for my Livelihood. But, without my seeking or knowledge, some Friends procured for me the Collectorship of the Customs of Cork, and the management of most of the Inland Revenue of that County: This Employment, and the Accidents attending it, together with that of the East-India Prizes, and others in the last War with Holland, put into Kinsale, enabled me to bring for my own proportion of Advance-money, for the present Revenue-Farm of Ireland, 9532 l. as appears upon Record in the Chancery of England; and being by a Brother of mine, than here, without my privity or desire, engaged in this undertaking, and a stranger to all the Partnership, excepting one, June last was three years I sold my Interest for 4000 l. profit This Money I employed in Corporation and Church-Leases, in Mortgages, and other Securities, at 10 l. per cent. the Interest of that Kingdom. And after this account, if I have no visible real Estate, I hope no man can doubt but that I may live independently, tho' besides, I happen to be a younger Brother, so far from bein●● prejudice, that it's possible to prove my advantage, being designed the Heir of two elder Brothers, who neither have, nor are like to have any Children. The Bills of Exchange, drawn, and remitted to and from Ireland, by Sir John Frederick and Company, Mr. D. Arthur, and other known Merchants, will show my proper Fond, and no Man's Bounty, supported my Expenses; and therefore, because I can with great Truth, I do the more freely declare, That I neither have, nor ever had any Relation to the Duke or Duchess of York, as a Servant or Dependant, a Sallary-man or Pensioner, and was so far from succeeding Mr. Coleman, that his Employment never entered into my Thoughts, taken up with Affairs of a far different nature. My Journey to Flanders was no way criminal, and in a great measure the effect of curiosity, having before seen very little of that Country, Holland, or Germany; and as I went not with the Duke, so my return in his Train was purely accident. For my Religion, as I was born of Protestant Parents, so I was all along bred a Member of the Church of England, and (by the Grace of God) will live and die in this Profession; for it is not so much owing to the chance of Education, as to my choice, being satisfied by Reason, by Scripture, and the Laws of my Country, no inconsiderable Argument, that of all, it is the most purely Christian. Since I was seventeen years of Age I have gone duly to Church, and several times in every Year received the Sacrament; I did so twice while in Fianders, as Dr. Lake and Dr. Doughty (the Duke's Chaplains) and others can witness; and I have done so six times since my return thence; there are in this Honourable House that can testify some part of this Truth. I have taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy eleven times, am ready to submit to all further injunctions of Law in matters of Religion, have in Disputes encountered, though unwillingly, with many of the several Orders abroad, remained unshaken in my Principles; This at Ghent, putting a Jesuit (more zealous than the rest) into great Passion, made him pronounce me obstinate, and declare, He could sooner bring over ten of the most rigid fanatics of England, than hope to make me a Proselyte. Now if all this be not sufficient to wipe off the imputation of Popery, I confess I am to seek for a clefence. Among other 'tis objected, That by my Interest in his R. H. I got my Brother made a Bishop, in opposition to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and contrary to Merit. To this I answer, That my Brother has been as much, and as injuriously, though not so publicly, defamed as I; that he came off with Honour; that a peek between two great Lords of that Kingdom, and one of the greatest of this, did not only prevent his being sooner promoted, but was the occasion of his being bespattered with many falsehoods and calumnies; that few in Ireland deserve it better; that what he enjoys, he obtained not in opposition to, though without the recommendation of, the chief Governor, nor by the mediation of the Duke, but of a great Minister, in the presence of my Lord Bishop of London, from the King's immediate Grace openly shown in Council, and with a particular mark of His Royal Favour. I hope 'tis no Crime to honour and revere the Duke as he is a Prince, or if a private Man to love and value his innate Worth and Qualities; or to have said, as it is reported, (I wish nothing else had been with less Truth) That I would hazard my Life and Fortune to do him any lawful and just Service: If it be a Crime, as I can no ways apprehend of the Brother of my King, while publicly prayed for in all the Churches of the three Kingdoms, I confess myself guilty; But I am not so wedded to his Interests, as to espouse or pursue them, if he can have any such, contrary to the Duty I own, and ever will pay, my Sovereign, my Country, my Religion, and my God. And I do here most solemnly protest, as I hope for Heaven, if I knew him in any instance a Conspirator or a Traitor, I would not only detest, but endeavour to bring him to public Justice; and if ever he can be proved a Criminal of this nature, I will have no more respect nor regard, but less, for him, than I would for any common Offender. And therefore, without the hopes of Reward, or the fears of Punishment, I cleclare in the presence of the Almighty, if I knew any part of the Papish-Plot, or the Persons concerned in't, I would long since have revealed the whole Contrivance: But none in their senses can believe, that a known Protestant could be made privy to such a Conspiracy; to which, if necessary, might be added, that I was in a Country remote from that, where the Design is said to be hatched. I own myself of so extensive a Charity, as to love the persons of all honest Men, notwithstanding their differing from me in opinion, about the Modes and Circumstances of Religion, and to be for Liberty of Conscience, when consistent with the safety of the state, to all quiet and peaceable Dissenters; But when 'tis urged and made use of to other ends, or as a Cloak for Rebellion or Treachery, I abominate all such Indulgence. But I will no longer dwell on this Subject, than to mind you of Colonel Mansel's mistake or forgetfulness, when he informs this Honourable House, That in or about July 1678. I dined at his Treat for a Germane Lord, in or der to a Design of his upon a Foreign Command, and that 2 or 3 days after, Ishoued advise him against it, telling him the Duke would very soon have occasion for such Officers. First, I do say, to have said so was no Crime; But I easily see through this Artifice, 'tis to serve as an argument, that I understood somewhat of the Plot, of which I am as ignorant as any man living, beyond what I have since learned from the Prints and public Fame. In the next place, I do utterly deny I ever said the words, because I do not know the Duke had any such Design, and am certain I cannot invent. Besides, by many circumstances, needless here to mention, that Dinner was after the Courts return from Windsor, and consequently after the breaking forth of the Plot. I desire the Gentleman would recollect himself; at that time he was very great and intimate with a Roman Catholic, H. N. from whom if he heard not the words, as I am not apt to imagine, I am confident he dreamed them. He cannot be ignorant that I knew why he was disbanded in Ireland, etc. and that I always declined, not only as having no Interest, but as unwilling for other reasons, to introduce him to the Duke, as he often pressed; and therefore he made his application to others, but with as ill success. And now give me leave, I beseech you, Mr. Speaker, to answer an Objection, that I should have prescribed a way how the King should live without Parliaments: I am so far from entertaining such a thought, that I ever esteemed the Constitutions of England by King, Lords and Commons, the happiest kind of Government in the world; and if the discourse called, The Rise and Tower of Parliaments, etc. be mine, of which many will have me the Author, the reading it, would be of this a sufficient Confutation: In that, Parliaments are magnified, their power rather enlarged than lessened, and their frequent meetings recommended as most convenient. In a word, whatever Character my Adversaries have given of me, I am not a Protestant in Masquerade, I can neither Lie nor Dissemble, I am really what I profess, and as the word is commonly taken, no lover of Arbitrary Government, in any single or complicated Body. As to the Letter subscribed by Fitz James, I do sincerely protest I have no Acquaintance with any of the Name, nor ever saw the Hand before, nor the intended Messenger C. who not finding me, left it with the Maid-Servant: But in this there is nothing Criminal, As to the Computations, they are a Transcript from a Paper of Sir Peter Petts, containing the number of Conformists, Non-conformists, and Papists, throughout England, taken by the Bishop's order, in or about the time of the General Indalgence, and by him produced presently after the Plot, upon the talk that there were fifty thousand Papists, able to bear Arms, within Temple-Bar and about Westminster; a number near double to what, at the taking this survey, they were found, Men, Women and Children, in the whole Kingdom. For the Copy of my Cousin Wilsons writing, I confess it the only thing I endeavoured to evade, having ingenuously, and without reserve answered all other questions. That individual Paper I never saw before the preceding night, when meeting it in the Drawer of my Bedchamber, (always open, whether I am at home or abroad) I laid it uppermost with purpose of enquiring how he came by it, and whether he knew the Author; but not seeing him till next day in presence of the Members sent to search my Lodgings, I could not ask him, and was surprised to have so Indiscreet and Reflective a Paper found in his hand, and among mine. 'Tis true, that about three weeks before, I found another of the same Contents, in an old crabbed hand, to me unknown; which after I had read, and concluded it might possibly be left by some of my Acquaintance in their Visits, and being unable to guests at the person, not knowing how long it had lain there, being dated above a Month before, I immediately threw it into the Fire. Yet in this Paper, which has made so great a noise, there is neither Felony nor Treason; and being the Act of another, and never by me published, having neither Sub, nor Super, Scription, nor Writ to, nor from me, nor Copied by my order, cannot, I presume, be a Libel, nor I hope imputed to me, to whom it came perfectly by Accident: If it were lawful to speak one's guesses from the Contents, it should seem to have come from a Learned Gentleman, one of your own Members, then in the Country, skilled in the Spanish Tongue, to which both my Cousin and I are perfect strangers; nor was either of us out of London then, or for some time before. If I could as well hit upon the Person, as his Quality, I would give a more satisfactory account of this matter; and I hope this Honourable Assembly will the sooner credit me, when they reflect, that upon seeing another Paper of my Kinsman's writing, I would not by a Lie deny this to be his hand. As for my writing to Mr. Gadbury, I refer myself to the Letter in Sir William Waller's hands: I have told you the accidental occasion; I desired from him, (whose Acquaintance I knew large, even among the Members of that Parliament) the most material of public News; I neither asked for Schemes or Figures, I have ever laughed at the idle and ridiculous Art of Judicial Astrology, invented, at least practised, to impose upon, and pick the Pockets of the Ignorant and the Credulous. And now as to the Cause of my Commitment: The story Dr. D. told me as News, of Peter Norris his knowing as much of the Plot as any man in England, his going, or being gone into France to fetch a Priest to be a Witness, I can only say, as near as I remember, I gave the same account to Mr. Secretary; not as an Informer, but as News; for not being looked upon as such, I was not desired to Swear, nor could I to a hear-say. In this I call Heaven to witness I had no Sinister design, but an Honest intention of having the full Truth brought to Light: Nor do I know, nor have I any reason to believe, that Mr. Secretary's after proceed were from any other principle. Upon my telling him the Name of Norris, and his saying he had never before heard it, and commanding me to send the Doctor to him, or the others Description; As soon as I met with the Doctor, which was several days after this Discourse; and he as not knowing Mr. Secretary, resusing to go, I desired from him the Description, which sometime after he brought me, I gave or sent to Mr. Secretary, for I cannot tell whether. But of this I am certain, that all I knew of the Affair, was from the Doctor only; and that I never communicated it to any, but Mr. Secretary, and that by what I writ under the Description, appears to be near a Month after Norris his departure, and consequently could not be designed to stop his Journey, or prevent the Priests coming over, or obstruct the fuller discovery of the Plot, which no man living desires more than myself, believing it the Interest of every honest Subject and Protestant, (out of which number I cannot be excluded) to have all in't, from the highest to the lowest punished according to merit; and that tranquillity it has so long disturbed, resettled in the Kingdom: And now I hope none of the Members of this Honourable House can imagine I could be guilty of so Horrid a Crime, as having any knowledge of the Priests being poisoned, as is suspected, or given out he might be. I am so ignorant of this, or any part of the Conspiracy, that I do not so much despise, as decline, because not needing it, the generous offer of Mr. Speaker, or other Members Intercession for my Pardon: Lacknowledge, as I ought the Favour with all fitting respect; but I thank God, I am so Innocent, that I dare, as now I do, challenge the whole World, to make out one partisular, where in Word or Action, in the whole course of my life, I have done or spoken falsely, or unjustly; and yet no man ever suffered more Calumnies without any cause, or the least shadow of Truth, beyond the witty malice of those, whose Eyes are blinded, and Consciences seared by Envy and Intetest, who from pretended Friends are become my real Adversaries, contrary to Reason and Justice. But surther, none can believe I could keep any dangerous Correspondence, when it's well known that for these three years and a half all my Letters were not otherwise Directed, than for me at the Reyal Coffee-house. Besides it appeared at the Committee by Norris his own Papers, that this Priest Dowdall, (whose Name I never heard before,) died september haft was twelve month, eight months before I heard there was such a man in the World as Norris, and at a time when I was in another Country. And since you have thought fit to acquit Dr. D. who was my Author and Principal, and who owned himself a Roman Catholic, I hope you will not think it equal, that I a known sincere Protestant, and but an Accessary, should stand Committed, and Committed after such a manner, as neither Felon nor Traitor, not only Accused, but Convicted, could suffer a closer Confinement. And here, Mr. Speaker, I entreat your leave to ask Pardon, if at the Committee my Behaviour has offended any of the Members of this Honourable House, and to say, whatever heat I expressed, was the effect of Passion, to which I was moved, by hearing several of them in public, as at Locketts, and other Eating and Coffe-Houses, had called me Papist, and a second Coleman, with other Aspersions I could not bear without Resentment: To this was added my being commanded a Messenger for Dr. D. (an Office beneath me,) and wherein I could not expect to be sucoesful, not knowing whether he would appear without Compulsion. I hope it will not be accounted an unexpiable Crime for a Gentleman of more Years and Discretion, than I can pretend to, to show himself disturbed at a conceived Indignity or Affront; and in hopes it may not be accounted so heinous, I do once more with all due Submission beg Pardon. There is one thing more I cannot without trouble touch upon, the Reflections the Written Votes, very different from the Printed, bring upon my Reputation. In those 'tis said, it appears that I have succeeded Mr. Coleman, than which there never was a more groundless, false, or malicious invention: And also that I questioned your Authority, and said your Proceed looked like the late Rebellion. However Sir William Roberts came to make the Report, my words were to Sir John Morton in another Room, and to him I appeal, whether they were not thus. Upon his advising that I should far the better, if I freely showed my Papers, I told him I would not hid one, nor dispute their Power, though I had heard others did; and that the Seizing Closets and Writings, was not only Illegal, but looked upon as one of the Causes of the last Rebellion; thereupon he wished I had not said the Words: I replied, I meant no harm by those Objections, and notwithstanding my mentioning them, they should find in me a readiness to obey, and an entire submission; and added, if they were offensive, I unsaid them, and asked his Pardon, as I now humbly do from the whole House, if I am thought herein to have offended: And to do Sir John Justice, he was pleased to promise he would take no notice of the Discourse, unless commanded; to whom with the rest of the Committee I refer myself, whether of my own accord I was not going along with them, when I met your Messenger. If I had been guilty of any Crime, I had not only Warning, but Threats and Advices to fly many days, some Weeks before, when I was told by Letters from unknown hands, and by several persons of Honour and Quality, that I was designed to be brought into trouble; I need not in this place say, for what reason. And here I cannot by the way but take notice of a Report made by Justice Warc●p at this Bar, and spread at Coffe-Houses; that he should have Searched Mr. Sheridans Lodgings, and there found only a parcel of Popish Books, whereas he never was in mine, but at Mr. Brunetly's House, an Italian Merchant, whose Books chose must have been; and therefore I hope this was some Clarks, rather than his mistake. And now Once no Man can be placed beyond the reach of Malice, and the Devices of the Wicked, and that I happen to be brought hither as a supposed Criminal, I am extremely pleased I have the good fortune to meet with so wise and equil Judges, as compose this August and Honourable Assembly; where I am so far from sears, that I do not doubt, but upon an exact Scrutiny, and an Impartial Examination, my having been so infinitely, and so wrongfully exposed to the public, will be so far from gratifying my Adversaries unjust desires, that they will not only be defeated, but myself greatly advantaged; and therefore I leave my Cause at the Footstool of your Justice, and willingly submit to your Pleasure and Determinations, praying no other favour, than what I am sure you would grant without ask; your full Consideration of the whole Matter, your speedy Condemnation or Acquittal, as I shall be found Guilty or Innocent. The next Day after his Speech, Mr. Sheridan was freed from his Close Restraint, and his Confinement made more Tolerable, by the Liberty of Conversing with whom he pleased: A Committee was appointed to examine, whether the Paper found lose in his Chamber, were of his Own, or Nephew's Writing; though sor it, as a Breach of Privilege, the L●st had been Committed Five Days before. Where, by the way, it may seem odd, That Copying a Letter without Divulging it, because therein a Member of the House was reflected on, should be a Crime deserving so severe a Treatment, as the Commitment of a Young Gentleman of the Temple; who, Though he owned it his Hand, and declared he Transcribed it for his own Use, as a thing Pleasing and Witty in the Style and Composition, was yet notwithstanding, commanded (in their Presence) to Write Three or Four Lines; which he did with that Speed, that they could not but be satisfied he did not Counterfeit. Some Malicious Persons will have it, that his Crime was, his Relation to Mr. Sheridan. At this Committee, both the Uncle, and the Nephew were treated, first Civilly, and after Roughly enough; the One threatened with the Pillory etc. the Other with an intended Report to the House, of his being a very dangerous Person. To which he replied, That he was sorry such an Opinion was taken up, without any Ground; that he could not prevent their Pleasure; only desired, They would do. as they would be done unto; and consider, that he was as true a Protestant, as any in the Church of; England; and as Honest a Man, as any in the Kingdom; that he Defied the disproving of either of those Two Truths; and if such Men were Dangerous, none were otherwise, but Fools and Knaves. But was the Cause, 'tis observable, that this Report was never made, tho' the Committee Sat Thursday the Sixteenth of December. After this, he was often told by several Persons, That they heard, his Name would be inserted amongst the Papists, in the designed Bill of Banishment: An Artifice too weak to srighten one of less Courage, who could not but be assured, so unreasonable a Clause was unlikely to pass the whole House of Commons; or, if it should, it would not the King and Lords; the Great Conservers of Justice, and the Supreme Tribunal of England. Having stood Committed Eifteen Days, at great and excessive Charges, and after all Inquiries and Searches, nothing Criminal being found against him; he was by some Friends, as well Members as others, together with his Cousin, that they might not seem Stubborn, prevailed upon to Petition for their Releasement; but to no purpose, some angry Members opposing the Reading of their Petitions. I am confident, this could not be the Sense, because not agreeable to the Justice, tho' perhaps to the Orders and Rules, of the whole House; yet thereupon they were laid aside. Mr. Sheridan, having now too much Cause to conclude, he was not like to be Released during that Session, since it was not in his Power to answer the Expectations or Desires of some Persons, resolved to seek his Remedy by a Habeas Corpus, upon a Statute lately made, to prevent Illegal and Arbitrary Imprisonments; from which, if he could not be freed, he hoped from the Twelve Judges, and the Chancellor, if refused, to recover Six Thousand Five Hundred pounds' Penalty, to Support and Ease his Expense. But the Dread of the House of Commons would not suffer any of the many Counsellors or Solicitors he consulted, to intermeddle in the Matter. Nevertheless, he was not discouraged, but of himself pursued it, tho' without Precedent, and contrary to the Advice of most of his Friends. I am loath to tell you, how very Nicely, some say Fearfully; the Judges proceeded in this Affair; most desiring further time, and after avoiding being spoken with, unwilling to Deny, and not daring to Grant. But I were Unjust, if I did not let you know, that some wanted not courage; as my Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas Jones, Sir Job Charleton; and Sir Richard Weston, who as obliged by Law and Conscience, his Oath, and a late Statute, to his immortal Honour, at the first word granting the Writ, made further Application to the others, unnecessary. Sir William Dolben, and Baron Gregory, were out of Town, or unconsulted. Of the rest I will say no more at present; only tell you, Mr. Sheridan is advised to bring his Action against several, particularly against Sir Francis North, and Judge Raymond: The last of these two thinking fit to ask the Commons advice, in this particular instance of doing that justice to a Subject, which all Judges are sworn neither to Deny nor Delay. An Act of an extraordinary Nature, and without Precedent, for a Judge to expect Directions in the Execution of his Trust, from the House of Commons, who are no Court of Judicature; and who, if the Case had been dubious, as here himself confessed it was not, ought rather to apply himself to the rest of the Judges, to His Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council, or to the House of Lords; the last Resort of Appeals in the Kingdom. I will pass by this Judge's Servants denying his being within, and sending (as I am informed) for Sir Thomas Stringar, a Justice of the Peace, to examine the Gentleman that Solicited Mr. Sheridan's Business, and the Witnesses, whether they were Protestants, and would take the Oaths of Allegiance, etc. which they, being Members of the Church of England, offered to do, to his great disappointment. At length, after Twelve Days struggling with Difficulties, not only with the Judges, but with inferior Officers; the Sergeant at Arms was served with the Habeas Corpus, who therewith acquaints the House: They, after three days Debate, and thrice reading over the Statute, finding all so plain, could not but leave the Sergeant in Obedience to the Writ, to carry his Prisoner before the Judge; who appearing with Mr. Sheridan, the Baron took the Names of three substantial Persons, by him produced for Bail; declaring he would send to the Speaker and Attorney-General, and if on Monday following (the utmost time allowed by the Act) nothing more appeared against the Prisoner, he should then between three and four a Clock receive the benefit of his Habeas Corpus. But the Prorogation in the Morning prevented the Execution of the Baron's intentions, and set Mr. Sheridan and his Kinsman Wilson at liberty, after almost five Weeks expensive Confinement; who, in all probability, had lain in Custody during that Session, how long soever, if a Habeas Corpus had not been then procured: Upon which, after Mr. Sheridan had been discharged, his Kinsman expected likewise his Releasement; there being no hopes his Petition would be read since so often opposed by Mr. C. though Mr. Godolphin, upon whose account he is said to have been committed sent word he was sorry he should on his score be so great a Sufferer; and promised, upon any others Motion, to see and that for his Liberty: Of which, many of that House thought he had done nothing worthy the Forfeiture. And because you have heard by the written Votes, that it did not appear to Baron Weston, that Mr. Sheridan was committed by the House of Commons, when he granted the Writ, you have here subjoined a true Copy of his Petition, and Warrant thereunto annexed, and delivered to the Baron. To Sir Richard Weston, Knight, One of the Barons of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer. The Humble Petition or Request of Thomas Sheridan, Shewrth, THat Your Petitioner was on the Ninth of December last, Committed by one and the same Warrant, and upon the same Account, with Dr. D. (who was Released within Two Days after) into the Custody of the Sergeant at Arms, attending the House of Commons. That Your Petitioner humbly conceives he ought to be Bailed, neither Felony, nor Treason, nor any other Crime, nor Breach of Privilege, being laid to his Charge; as by the Copy of the Warrant of his Commitment here-unto annexed, does appear. He therefore Humbly prays, to have His Majesties Writ of Habeas Corpus, according to the Statute made Tricesfimo Primo of the now KING. And Your Petitioner shall Pray, etc. The Copy of the WARRANT. By Virtue of an Order of the Commons of England, Assembled in Parliament, this Day made, Thrse are to Will and Require you to keep in safe Custody the Bodies of Mr. Sheridan, and Mr. D. separately and apart, DURING THE PLEASURE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. And you are not to suffer or admit any Person to them, other than such as shall have Occasion to bring them Necessaries: And for your so doing, this shall be your Warrant. Hereof fail you not, as you will answer the Contrary at your Peril. Given under my Hand the Ninth Day of December, 1680. William Williams, Speaker. To John Topham, Esquire, Sergeant at Arms, etc. It is very obvious, and natural to observe from recounting to you this Case, that the Great Charter of England, or Magna Charta, was little thought of, or that I am much mistaken in its meaning; since nothing is more expressly forbid, than that any Man should be Imprisoned, or Disseized of any part of his Freeheld, Goods, or Chattels (among which, are to be reckoned all things a Man is Law fully possessed of whether Letters, Papers, or other Matters) without due process of Law. Py 25 Edw. 3. c. 4. it was Enacted, That none shall be taken by Petition or Suggestion made to the King, or to his * The Parliament is ●●ne● the King's Great Council. Council, unless it be by Indictment, or Presentment of good and lawful People of the same Neighbourhood, where such Deeds be done in due manner, or by Process made by Writ Original at the Common: Law; and that ●●ne be put out of his Franchise, or , unless he be duly brought in to answer, and forejudged of the same, by the Course of the Law. And 28 Edw. 3. c. 3. it is Ordained, That no Man, of what Estate, or Condition soever he be, shall be put out of his Lands and Tenements, nor taken, nor imprisoned, nor disinherited, without being brought in to Answer by due Process of Law. 42. Edw. 3.6.3. 'tis Decreed; That no Man be put to Answer without Presentment before Justices, or Matter of Record or by due Process, and Writ Original, according to the Old Law of the Land: And if any thing be done to the contrary, it shall be void in Law, and holden for error. Likewise, in the Petition of Right, 3 Car. 1. c. 1. 'tis Complained of by the Commons, as a great Grievance of the Subject, That against the Tenor of the said Statutes, and other the good Laws, and Statutes of this Realm to that end Provided, divers of His Majesty's Subjects have been Imprisoned Without any Cause shown; and when for their Deliverance, they were brought before Justices, by His Majesty's * Which by the by, were not then Denied, though the Laws were not half so full and express, as the late Statute. Writs of Habeas Corpus, there to undergo and receive, as the Court should Order; and their Keepers Commanded to Certify the Cause of their Detainer; no Cause was Certified, but that they were Detained by His Majesty's Special Command. And 37 Edw. 3. c. 18. 'tis Enacted, That though it be Ordained in the Great Charter, that no Man ●e Taken, nor Imprisoned, nor put out of his Free hold, without Process of the Law; nevertheless, divers People make false Suggestions to the King himself, as well for Malice, as otherwise, where the King is often Grieved, and divers of the Realm put in Damage, against the Term of the same Charter: Wherefore it is Ordained, That all they who make such Suggestions, shall be sent with the same Suggestions before the Chancellor, Treasurer, and his Grand Council; and that they find there Surety, to pursue their Suggestions, and incur the same Pain, that the others should have had, if Attainted, in case that his Suggestion be found Evil. Or as it is altered in the following Parliament, 38 Ed. 3. c. 9 It is Assented, that if he that maketh the Complaint, cannot prove his intent against the Defendant, he shall be Commanded to Prison, there to abide till he hath made gree to the Party of his Damages, and of the Slander that he hath Suffered by such Occasion; and after shall make Fine, and Ransom to the King. In the Statute 16 Car. 1. c. 10. 'tis Declared, That the Reasons for putting down the Star-Chamber-Court, was not only founded on their Proceeding contrary to former Statutes; but that it was also an intolerable Burden to the Subject, that the Remedies for all Causes, might be had in the ordinary Courts of Justice; and that it was the means for introducing Arbitrary Government. I say then, if the same things are Exercised, and the Causes remain any where else, they are equally to be Discountenanced, and Explodeed by King and Parliament, and all Freeborn Subjects: And if the King's Officers or Ministers, from the Highest to the Lowest, do any Illegal Act, though by the King's express Command, they themselves become Criminal: it cannot be supposed, that any Officer of any Court whatever, or Power inferior to His Majesties, can have a greater Latitude; but that whoever Executes any unlawful Command to the Prejudice of his Fellow Subject, must be Answerable to the Party aggrieved, and liable to make him Satisfaction; notwithstanding any Illegal Warrant whatsoever. He that Considers the great Charge of One Pound, Six Shillings, and Eight Pence per Diem, Fees to the Sergeant, and his Messenger, besides Diet, and Lodging at Pleasure, will believe no Man ought to Suffer under that Punishment but upon good Grounds, and in conformity to former Laws, without the Accusers giving Security for Prosecution and answering Damages, if the Party prove himself Injured. 'Tis known Maxim in our Laws, that Carcer it add custodiendes, non ad puniendes homines, before Trial or Conviction; which was so far from being Mr. Sheridan's Case, that he was Committed, During Pleasure to a Chargeable Confinement, without Cause Alleged, or any Information upon Oath; which is very Remarkable, if we consider Noris' Case, which was Voted by the same House, that restrained Mr. Sheridan in this manner, Illegal and Arbitrary, because there was neither information upon Oath, nor Crime Specified; and sure, no Man can conclude the Commons may do that against a Subject, which the King cannot, without some Statute, giving the one that Power, which is Denied by all to the other. But, as the King can do no Wrong, though his Officers may; so I am content to admit, if they Challenge the same Privilege, that the House of Commons may be always in the Right, provided they allow, that in the Execution of their Injunctions, some of their Members, and Ministers, may ●●t; though the whole Body may be exempt yet th●se do run the hazard of being called to an Account. I am certain, 'twas in order to Vindicate the Right of the Subject, as well as to retrieve his own Liberty, and free himself from Charge, Mr. Sheridan attempted the Habeas Corpus; a Motion, that no doubt offended some, though not the disinteressed part of the Nation, nothing tending more to the advantage of the People, and the opposition of Arbitrary Power, at least equally to be contended against in the Commons, as in the King, by every free born Subject; who if necessity makes him a Slave, and he have the Liberty to choose, aught and must preser one Master to many. And though it was three several days debated in the House, and that some were of opinion, the Act was not designed in favour of any by them Committed, the contrary was so plain from the Words, that it was never brought to a Vote. And I am informed that one of the most Eminent and Deservedly Leading men of the House, a Manager of my Lord Staffords Trial, Mr. P. advised their proceeding according to Law, in a Case where the Right of the Subject was so Nicely concerned; and which was indeed, or might be, every English-man's, in which present and future Ages were equally interessed, and in which a Vote, not having at all the force of a Law, nor the exposition of a Statute, might not only Reflect, but make them Odious to all the World: An advice, which all the People in the Kingdom ought to acknowledge with Gratitude; nothing being more certainly the true Interest of the Nation than to keep all things within their proper Bounds and Channels; the King to continue to Both Houses of Parliament, what the Lords have by Fundamental Constitutions always enjoyed, and the Commons by their constantly renewed Petitions have received from the King's Favour, their accustomed Right, and Privileges; and neither Lords nor Commons to Entrench upon, or offer violation to any of their Sovereign's Prerogatives, which (as the great Coke says) are as much the People's Safety as the King's Honour. And indeed it were highly preposterous that the King, who is the Fountain, Spring and Head of Law and Justice, should be concluded by this act, and the Commons should not, who are the Lowest part in the Legislative Power and who have no manner of pretence to Judicature, nor (by Original Right) even their own Members as is consonant to Reason being all equal, and as such, having no more Power over one another, than Hartford-shire has over Essex, or Oxford over Cambridge, agreeable to that known Maxim in our own, and the Laws of all Nations, Paribus in pares non datur potestas. It plainly appears, that the Punishments of breach of Privilege against any of the Commons, was ordered upon their applications, by the King or Lords, and never any by themselves inflicted before the latter end of King Henry the Eighth's Reign, when the case of Ferrer, because extraordinary, was referred to 'em by the Lords, as you will see in Crompt●n's Jurisdiction of Courts. And at this day 'tis certain, the Commons can force none into the custody of their Sergeant, but in the case of Refractory Persons are under a necessity of begging the King's assistance, as is plain not only from Mr. Stowel's refulal to go along with their Messenger; but likewise from their printed Votes of the 8th of this instant January, concerning Sir John Lloyd, etc. However, since concession or continued usage have given them Power over their own Members, or over others guilty of Breach of Privilege, let them in God's name enjoy it still; but let them not Vote any thing they please a Breach of Privilege, since they are known, and no other than what they ask at the beginning of every Parliament from the King's Grace, and are recorded, as first begged in Henry the Eighth's days by Sir Thomus Moor, than Speaker. To act otherwise, is to set up an Arbitrary Power, never to be endured by any English Man, unless the most despicable of Cowards and Betrayers of his Country-Liberties. For, as the Commons are the Representatives of the Nation, so they are chosen to defend, not invade their own, when out of that station as well as the People's, Privileges. While this Process was on foot, Mr. Sheridan had many Addresses and Advices to Petition a second time; which he not only refused before at the Sergeants instance, but after also at that of others; and that you may be fully satisfied of this Truth, read the following Letter on this occasion to one of the Members, Sir R. C. SIR, HAving been informed, first by the Sergeant of Your House, and after by my old Acquaintance Mr. Fermin, of your Favour towards me, I cannot without Ingratitude but return you my hearty and humble Acknowledgement for so great an Obligation: But having formerly petitioned with great deference and respect to the Honourable House of Commons, otherwise against my own judgement and reason; and that not being read, having no new matter to offer, I will not give you the trouble of a second. I am apt to think, when any Cause is examined, it will be found amongst the hardest. Dr. D. a confessed Papist, and Author of the Story, being discharged without Fees or Petition in two days; and I a known Protestant kept Prisoner twenty five, tho both committed for one and the same Cause, or rather no Cause, none being mentioned in the Warrant; and for eight of those days kept closer than a Felon, or a Traitor. Had my first been disliked for matter of form, I might have preferred another, which now I think would not be proper. Besides my own sufferings, my Cousin likewise taken into Custody for Copying a Paper containing no Criminal, though Reflective matter, as a Breach of Privilege, because 〈◊〉 Member mentioned; and yet four days after, a Committee appointed to examine, whether or no it was his Writing. I hope Sir, when these things, and the Reflections unjustly thrown upon me, are fully considered, I shall have my liberty, for which I will own myself obliged to you, and on all occasions study to approve any self, what I really am, SIR, Your most humble, and very much obliged Servant, T. S. I have industriously avoided in this Narrative, the overtures I have heard were made Mr. S. because not to be mentioned without Reflection on one side, or too much Honour on his. 'tis enough, that he resisted all manner of Temptations, that could betray or discover a Propension to dishonesty or cowardice; and that as he had spoken and given it under his hand, so he would make his Actions justify his words, that he would by all possible means promote the good and service of his King and Country, without making Shipwreck of a good Conscience, and that Reputation, which though clouded for the present, he neither could nor would forfeit. I will add no more, than to English what a wise French man, in such an occasion has Recorded: Si vous jegez surles apparences, vous seriz souvent trumpet: Ce qui paeroist n'est presque jamais la verity. If you wi● not be deceived, judge not according to Appearance, but judge Righteous judgement. He that has lived any time in the World, aught in passing his Censure upon others, to consider whether he himself has never been traduced or heard groundless stories, if he have not, he has had extraordinary good fortune; if he have, he ought to be very slow in giving credit to Reports, which are sometimes raised upon very little, and ofter without any, grounds. This has been notoriously Mr. S'. Case; no man was ever more loudly clamoured against, nor more without cause, as appears, in that after all scrutinies he is found Innocent; insomuch that one may well say. Here has been not only a Great Cry, and a Little, but no Wool; abundance o● Smoak without any Fire. Though his envious Adversaries will have it that his Cunning only protected him, I do not doubt but you will believe the contrary knowing from many years intimate Acquaintance, no man is more free and open has less of craft or sebtilty; and considering his ten pennone has more cause to study to preserve from danger the simplicity o● the Dove by the Wisdom of the Serpent: A Caution, if ever useful, a● this time more particulary necessarily. Through his Sides, 'tis well known, a very great Person was shot at who perhaps will be found Invulnerable. Dog▪ Bark at the Moon in vain Some Spots there may be in that Great and Glorious Body, but ●o● such as can render it useless or in significant to any man of Sense or Reason Conclude then of all men by your own experience. and not upon the Relation of either Friends or Enemles; the first are not more Partial. than the last malicious. I should play the Fool extremely, if I give you Advice, who of all the World has the least need of any; and therefore not having designed this to you, without begging your Pardon, I will take the Liberty without further Apology, abruptly to Subscribe myself what I truly am, My Lord 〈◊〉 Your Grace's with all imaginable Respect and Sincerity, L. C. London, January the 20●●, 1680/1. FINIS.