A LETTER TO A Country-gentleman: Setting forth the CAUSE OF THE Decay and Ruin of Trade. To which is annexed A LIST of the NAMES of some Gentlemen who were Members of the Last Parliament, and now are (or lately were) in Public Employments.  
LONDON: Printed, and are to be sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster. 1698.   

A LETTER TO A Country-gentleman, etc.  
SIR,  
YOurs I Received, bearing Date the 3d of the last Month, by which I find you seem to be much afflicted to see the Trade of the Nation Ruined, and your Native Country brought into so great Calamity as now it is; and desire me to give you some account, if possible, How, and by what means, all these Evils have been brought upon the whole Kingdom, which I shall endeavour to do, in as brief a manner as I can, and in order to it shall relate to you some public Transactions in relation to the Late War, and then leave you and all Rational Men to Judge who it is has been the Grand Instruments of bringing all these Evils upon us.  
For the Situation of our Country and the Constitution of our Government, we have always been esteemed the Happiest Nation in Europe: And no People in the Universe ever enjoyed a longer series of Peace and Plenty than we have done. Yet during the time of the Late War, we have seen the Trade of the Nation (some Ages araising) almost totally ruined; and a general Poverty and Distress brought upon the whole Kingdom, and that in the Reign even of the best of Princes.  
Trade has ever been the Universal Mistress of Mankind, Courted and Carrest by all Civilised Nations, many Bloody Wars having been carried on by those that have been Rivals for her favour, for she never fails to bestow unvaluable Blessings upon her admirers, being always attended with Riches, Honour, Power, and all other Earthly Blessings.  
Those Nations that obtained her favour, and have not had the Wisdom and Prudence to retain her, we see have grown Weak and Depiseable, and Lain exposed a Prey to other Nations, which appears to be the present Case of Spain.  
Our Forefathers enjoyed a large share of her favour, which they carefully handed down to us, but we like unthrifty and undutiful Children have been so far from following their Footsteps, that we have been (as appears by our Actions) great Enemies to Trade, and used all manner of Violence to make her fly the Nation, wherein she had long Cohabited with us, and seemed unwilling to depart, till our continual Acts of Violence were such as they grew insupportable; So that she has now taken her flight into the Neighbouring Nations, Viz. Holland 
* The Dutch having grown Rich by the Late War, and improved themselves 8 Millions; they are a wise People and (among themselves) strict observers of Justice, never suffering any to grow great out of the Ruins of the Public; as Sir William Temple well observes in his Memoirs, and which is the true cause of the flourishing condition of their State.  and Ireland, by whom she is highly Carrest, and not like to return in haste; and unless she do return, we can expect no other than to be a Miserable People (Land itself having a dependence upon Trade, and Rises or Falls as that ebbs or flows).  
But before we can expect that, it's necessary to be known what way and means it was we took to make her desert us; Unless we do so, we can never expect her Return; for she is Coy and Nice, and will not bear the least Affront, but cleave to those who treat her best.  
The first ill usage Trade appears to have met withal from us, was at the breaking out of the Late War. Ever since all manner of Persons, Things or Matters, that have had relation to, or were interessed in Trade, have been evil treated by those whose immediate Duty it was to have encouraged and protected them.  
It's well known our Ships (under God) are our greatest Security and the Glory of our Isle, and the Sailors our Myrmidons, whom we ought to cherish as the Apple of our Eye; yet all the time of the Late War, they were most barbarously treated, even as if they had not been of the Race of Mankind, but a sort of Vermin fit to be rooted out; for what by their evil treatment on board Ship, and frequent turning over without Pay, the unjust pricking them Run, and being harassed with the uncertainty of Payments, many thousands of these poor Wretches and their Families have been destroyed, and great Numbers constrained to leave their Native Country, and betake themselves to Foreign Service, or (which is worse) turn Pirates.  
This evil treatment of the poor Sailors, though in itself highly Wicked, seems to have been one of the Least of the Crimes committed in the Government, tending to the destruction of Trade 
* For the first five years of the War it appears we were seldom free from an Embargo upon Shipping; few or no Ships were allowad to sail till they got Protections and Permits, to the great Charge of the Merchants, and damage to Trade in general; as Little Care was taken to protect our Shipping, not any one person having been so much as appointed to examine Sea-Commanders Journals, all the time of the Late War; but they were left to their own Genius to act and do as they pleased; and thus by the Lords of the Admiralty's, and Commissioners of the Navys Wise Conduct, and Prudent Management of Affairs, we Lost above 100 Ships of War, with many Hundreds of Merchantmen, to the great Honour of the Nation. ; for it appears there was Articles brought into the House of Peers (the Highest Court of Judicature in the Nation against the Lords of the Admiralty, the Commissioners of the Navy, and the Commissioners for the Sick and Wounded Seamen, by one Mr. Crosfield, in the year 1694.  
Upon which their Lordships Examined divers Witnesses at the Bar of the House, and were very Zealous in the Matter; but it seems the Articles were drawn out of the House by the Commissioners for stating the Public Accounts, who never proceeded therein, though their Lordships issued out two successive Orders for them so to do; but for your better satisfaction, and that Posterity may see the Wickedness of the Age, I here give you a true Copy of those Articles, and which are as followeth:  
Ar. 1. That the present Commissioners for Sick and Wounded Seamen, and Exchanging Prisoners at War, depending on the Admiralty) not regarding Instructions, or the Good of the Government, have committed gross Ennormities; as Holding or Conniving at an unlawful Correspondence with the French, and Wronging both the King and Subject in their Accounts, with other great Miscarriages: All which has been about a Year since laid in Writing before the Secretary of State by one Mr. Baston, and by the King's Command examined before the Lords of the Admiralty, etc. And it will appear, that the said Commission has been very injurious to the poor Sailors in particular, and very detrimental to the Government in general.  
Ar. 2. That the Lords of the Admiralty, and Commissioners of the Navy, have acted contrary to the Public Good, by countenancing, supporting, and preferring Criminals; and on the contrary, persecuting the Discoverers, and turning just Men out of their Offices.  
Ar. 3. That their Lordships have had great Discoveries laid before them of Embezlements, and other great Frauds committed in the King's Yards, attended with Forgery and Perjury.  
Ar. 4. That it is manifest some of the Commissioners of the Navy have in that Office advanced themselves from Salaries of 30l. per Annum to vast Estates, having passed great Frauds, and totally discouraged the Discovery of embezled Stores, to the great waste of the Public Treasure.  
Ar. 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 Qualities Letters, all along Countenancing and Supporting a smugling Trade, by bringing in the Mail, and other ways vast quantities of Flanders Lace, 
* Indeed these Gentlemen have since been very Instrumental in causing a Late Act to be made, the better to prevent the bringing in Foreign Bonelace; as likewise have been the Lords of the Admiralty, and Commissioners of the Navy, in procuring an Act to prevent the Embezlement, and stealing his Majesty's Naval-Stores; and therein they have done wisely, When the Steed's stolen to shut the Stable-door.  etc. 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 Moguls Country.  
Moreover there appears to have been laid before our Late Representatives, many other matters of the greatest Importance. 1 st. In reference to the Touloun Squadron getting into Breast. It having been declared by the House, the Government had timely notice given whereby the said Fleet might have been intercepted. 2dly. In Relation to the Mint, it did appear to the House the Monyers in the Tower had committed foul Crimes, and that several Die had been Conveyed away for Coining false Money abroad. 3dly. 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. 4thly. In reference to the Evil Actions of the Commissioners of the Victualling Office. 5thly. In relation to the 27 Sail of Victuallers being taken by the Dunkirk, the House having declared, the Lords of the Admiralty had timely notice given them, whereby they might have prevented their falling into the Enemy's hand.  
These with a Multitude of other matters that lay before the House, were dropped by our Late Representatives, who took no manner of Care to do the People Justice 
* 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 is plain was not done all the time of the late War. ; Indeed the House appeared vety zealous in the prosecution of Mr. Duncomb, who (as they alleged) wronged the King of about 360 l. 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 
† The Public Treasure in all Ages and Nations has ever been accounted as Sacred as the King's Person, and those that have been found to purloyn, waste, or misspend 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 then can any man have that Lays open Public 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 Public Peace and Tranquillity not being Long to be maintained by any other means than a due Administration of Justice. , to the value of 20000 l. 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 
* Vide England's Calamities discovered, sold by— Fox in Westminster-Hall, etc.  than they were before. There's 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 100, or 110 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; 
* Those Gentlemen that have been in Public Employments, have had great opportunity to Execute their Malice against them that Detected or Publicly 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 oteers through grief and want; and who may all truly be said to have died Martyrs for their Country.  and so by all means advised him to decline it. Now I conceive it's obvious by what means, and by whom the Trade of the Nation has been brought to so Low an Ebb, and so many Public Debts Contracted, by the Consequence of which many Thousands of Honest Industrious Families in London, etc. 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 would have done, the Sons of Zurviah were too strong for him, no wonder then if we see our Prince 
* 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.  under the same Circumstance, who has had so many Sons of Zurviah 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's 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 Choosing 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 Gentlemen 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 Choosing Gentlemen of good Estates to be their Representatives, as have not been in any (or long since declined) Public 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 
* It's 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. , Public Leaks being not to be stopped by the hands that made them.  
It's 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 liable, and in greater danger of being Ruined by the Falsehood 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 them that were in Public 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 over-top 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.  
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 16th. 98. Your most Humble Servant, G. W.   

A LIST of the NAMES of some Gentlemen who were Members of the Last Parliament, and now are (or lately were) in Public Employment or Trust.  

A.  
SIR Edw. Askew, Knt. Commissioner of the Prizes, for Grimsby, Lincolnshire.  
Sir Mat. Andrews, Kt. Gent. of the King's Bedchamber, and Mr. of Trinity-House, Shafton, Dorsetshire.  
Math. Aylmer, Esq a Flag-Officer in the Fleet, Dover, Cinqueport.   

B  
The Honourable Peregrine Berty, Vice-Chamberlain, Boston, Linc.  
The Honourable Hugh Boscawen, Governor of St. Maws Castle, etc. County of Cornwall.  
Will. Blaithwait, Esq Secretary of War, one of the Council of Trade, and one of the Clerks of the Council, Bath, Summer.  
Nath. Bond, the King's Sergeant at Law, Dorchester.  
Will. Bridges, Esq Secretary to the Commissioners for Paper and Parchment, Liscard, Cornwall.  
John Burrard, Esq Governor of Hurst- Castle, Limington, Southampton.  
John Burington, Esq Commissioner of the Victualling, Oakhampton, Devon.  
Tho. Blofield, Esq Receiver Gen. of the Excise for the County of Norfolk, Norwich.  
The Honourable George Booth, Esq late Commissioner of the Customs, Bostney, Cornwall.  
The Honourable Ch. Bertie, Esq Treasurer of the Office of the Ordnance, Stanford, Lincoln's.   

C  
The Right Honourable Lord Coningsby, late Lord Justice of Ireland, Lemster, Hereford's.  
John Conyers, Esq one of his Majesty's Council at Law, East-Grimsted, Snssex.  
Sir Robert Clayton, Kt. late one of the Commissioners of the Customs, London.  
Edw. Clark, Esq Commissioner of the Excise, Taunton, Sommersets.  
The Honourable John Lord Cuts, Baron Gouram, Governor of the Isle of Wight, and Colonel of Foot, Cambridgshire.  
Sir Robert Cotton, Kt. Post-Master-General, Newport, Isle of Wight.  
Will. Culliford, Esq Surveyor General of his Majesty's Customs, Corfe-Castle, Dorsetshire.  
Will. Coward, Esq King's Sergeant at Law, Wells, Somersets.  
William Cooper, Esq King's Council, Hertford.   

C  
Edw. Dummer, Esq Surveyor of the Navy, Arundel, Sussex.  
Tho. Done, Esq Auditor of the Impressed of the Exchequer.  
Tho. Door, Esq Lieut. Col. to Col. gibson's Regiment, Limington, Southampton.  
Sir Robert Dashwood, Kt. and Bar. Commissioner of the Excise, Banbury, Oxfordshire.  
Sir Ralph Delaval, late a Flag-Officer in the Fleet, Great Bedmin, Wilts.   

E  
Sir Stephen Evans, Kt. Commissioner of the Excise, and Commissioner for Wine Licences, Bridgport, Dorsetshire.  
Tho. Earl, Esq Major Gen of the Army, Governor of Portsmouth, and Col. of two Regiments of Foot, Warhaw, Dorsetshire.   

F  
Sir Stephen Fox, Kt. Lord of the Treasury, Westminster.  
Sir Tho. Felton, Bar. Master of his Maj. Household, Orford, Suffolk.  
Sir Will. Forrister, one of the Commissioners of the Greencloth, Nortdumberland.  
Will. Farrer, Esq one of the King's Council, Bedford.  
The Right Honourable Viscount Fitzharding, a Teller in the Exchequer, Windsor, Berkshire.  
Sir Tho. Frankland, Bar. Post Master General, Heydon, Yorkshire.  
The Right Honourable Lord Fairfax, Col. of a Regiment of Dragoons, York.  
Char. Fox, Esq Paymaster to the Army, Cricklade, Wiltshire.   

G  
Sir Henry Goodrick, Lieut. Gen. of the Ordnance, Burrow Brig, York.  
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.  
The Honourable Ralph Grace, Esq Auditor of the Exchequer, Barwick.  
Sir Bevil Granvil, Governor of Pendennis-Castle, and Col. of Foot, Fowey, Cornwall.  
John Gibson, Esq Col. of a Regiment of Foot, and Deputy-Governour of Portsmouth, Portsmouth.   

H  
The Honourable Sir Robert Howard, Kt. Auditor of the Exchequer, Castle-rising, Norfolk.  
Henry Haveningham, Lieut. of the Band of Pensioners, Dunwich, Suffolk.  
Robert Henly, Esq Commissioner of Customs, Lime Regis, Dorsetshire.  
Tho. Howard, Esq a Teller of the Exchequer; Bleching in Surry.  
Sir Joseph Herne, Patentee for Copper Halfpences, and Trustee for circulating Exchequer-Bills, Dartmouth, Devon.  
Sir John Hawles, Kt. Solicitor Gen. Wilton, Wiltshire.  
Sir Henry Hobart, Bar. Commissioner of Customs, County of Norfolk.  
James Herbert, Esq Treasurer of the Prize-Office, Alesbury, Bucks.  
Simon Hartcourt, Esq Secondary in the Crown-Office, Abington, Barks.   

I  
Sir Henry Johnson, Kt. a great Builder of Ships for the King, by Contract, Aldborough, Suffolk.  
Sir Jonathan Jenings, Commissioner of the Prize-Office, Ripon, Yorkshire.   

K  
James Kendal, Esq Lord of the Admiralty, Port-Pighom, alias West Lo, Cornwall.  
John Knight, Esq late Auditor of the first Fruit, Weysmouth, Dorsetshire.  
Sir Tho. Littleton, Bar. Lord of the Treasury, New Woodstock, Oxford's.  
James Lowther, Esq Clerk of the Stores of the Tower,, Carlisle, Cumberland.  
Will. Lounds, Esq Secretary to the Lords of th' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sury, Seaford, Cinqueport  
Sir John Lowther, Bar. for many years past Lord of the Admiralty, Cumberland.  
Ch. Montague, Esq Chancellor of the Exchenger Under-Treasurer of the same, one of the Lords of the Treasury, etc. Westminster.  
Sir Tho. Mompesson, Kt. one of the Commissioners of the Privy-Seal, in the absence of the Earl of Fembrook, New Sarum, Wilts.  
John Methwin, Esq Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Devizes, Wilts.  
Chr. Montague, Esq Commissioner for Paper and Parchment, Northampton.  
Sir Chr. Musgrave, Bar. Master of the Robes to QUEEN'S Dawager, Appleby, Westmoreland.  
Tho. Neale, Esq Master of the Mint, and Groom-Porter, Lurgeshall, Wilts.  
Foot Onslow, Esq Commissioner of the Excise, Guildford, Surry.  
Ch. Osbourn, Esq Lieut. Governor of Hull, Hull, Yorks.  
Tho. Pitt, Esq Master in Chancery, Old Sarum, Wilts.  
Tho. Pelham, Esq Lord of the Treasury, Le●vi●, Sussex.  
The Honourable Henry Priestman. Esq Lord of the Admiralty, Shorum, Sussex.  
Th. Papillon, Esq Commissioner of the Victualling, Lond.  
The Right Hon. Lord Edw. Russel, Treasurer of the Chamber, County of Bedford.  
Sir Rob. Rich, Lord of the Admiralty; Dunwich, Suffolk.  
The Right Hon. Lord Rob. Russel, Clerk of the Pipe, Tavistock, Devons.  
The Right Hon. Rich Lord R●●elagh, Paymaster Gen. to the Army, and Governor of Chelsey-Colledg, Chich●st●r, Sussex.  
The Right Hon. John Smith, Esq Lord of the Treasury, Andover, South●mpton.  
G. Sayer, Esq Lieut. of the Yeoman of the Guards. Canterb.  
Sir Cloudsly Shovel, Admiral of the Blue Commis. of the Navy, and Col. of a Marine Regiment, Rochester, K●nt.  
James Slone, Secretary to the Chief Justice in Eyre, Thetford, Norf.  
The Hon. James Stanley, Esq Groom of the King's Bed Chamber, Secretary to the Household, and Col of Foot, County of Lancaster.  
Sir W. Trumhall, Kt. late Principal Secretary of State, Oxford-Vniversity.  
Sir Tho. Trevor, Kt. Attorney Gen. Plimton, Devon.  
John Taylor, Esq, Book-keeper to the Treasurer of the Navy, and Usher of the Receipt of Exch. Sandwich; Kent.  
Charles Trelawney, Esq▪ a Major Gen. in the Army, and Col. of a Redgement of Foot, Eastlow, Cornwall.  
Henry Trelawney, Esq a Col. in the Army, Eastlow, Corn.  
Jo. Thurbarne, Esq King's Serj. at Law, Sand Kent.  
The Right Hon. J. Vernon, Esq. Principal Secretary of State, Penryn Cornwall.  
Sir Jo. Williamson Keeper of the Records of State, Rochester, Kent.  
Sir W. Wogan, one of the King's Serj. at Law, Haverford-West, Wales.  
Rich. Wooll●ston, Esq. Receiver Gen. for the County of Hertford, Whit-Church, Southam.  
The Honourable Good Wharton, Esq Lord of the Admiralty, Cocker-mouth, Cumber.  
Edm. Webb, Esq. Gent. Usher to the Prince of Denmark, Crickl●de, Wilts,   
etc.