THE Most Humble Remonstrances PRESENTED  
To the Honourable the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the HOUSE of COMMONS, in Parliament Assembled.  
1. COncerning the Proofs, whereby the French Gentlemen Commissioners, appointed for the Distribution of the Charity bestowed upon the Poor French Protestants that are come for Refuge into England; may be convinced, that in their Hands, there are still remaining great Sums of Money, arising from the said Charity, and a Revenue more than sufficient for all the Poor Refuges Maintenance.  
2. Concerning the Means, whereby all the aforesaid great Sums of Money may be discovered, and the aforesaid French Gentlemen Commissioners compelled to give an exact account of them, which compelling (if it please God) shall be, as a triumphing Sword Cutting, with one Blow, the Gordian Knot of the said French Commissioners.  
3. Concerning the Motives, that may induce the aforesaid Honourable House of Commons to use the aforesaid means; which Motives are the Concerns of the King and State in general, and in particular of all the Poor amongst the said Refuges.  
By John Chabbert Minister and Refuge.  
You the Honourable House of Commons are entreated by the aforesaid John Chabbert, to approve, that he may now declare to your Honours, the love he hath and ever had for Justice and Truth; and on the contrary, how he abhorreth Injustice, Cheating Tricks, and Lies: But in a particular manner, how much he longs for the advantage and prosperity of the King, State, and Church of England, not only for the Publicks, but also for the Private's sake; as he longs also for the satisfaction of the English Poor, as well as of them which are amongst the Refuges; and that in making bold humbly to show, by particulars, all the Contents of the three Heads contained in the Title of his Undertaking.  
To keep the order set in the said Title; the aforesaid John Chabbert beginning with the aforesaid Proofs humbly showeth,  
1. That the aforesaid French Commissioners have received great Sums of Money, upon three several Letters Patrents heretofore granted by Royal Authority, for the aforesaid Poor Refuges sake; especially upon the first and second Letters Patents, the first granted in the Year 1686. and the second granted in the Year 1688. That after that the said two Letters Patents were effectually published, and the Tenor of the same declared unto the Nation, in all and every Church and Chapel in the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, etc. The whole Nation was touched with so deep a sense and tender Commiseration of the Calamities and woeful Sufferings of the said Poor Refuges, in the cause of their Religion, and of the urgent necessity, which so many of them were lying under, that, not only, all the Nobility, Gentry, and every Rich Man, of whatever Degree and Character soever he was; But even the greatest part of all the Tradesmen and Servants, as every body knows, did so generously and cheerfully contribute, by their extraordinary and large Charities, to the subsistence of the said 〈◊〉 amongst the Refuges; and that from those generous, free, and large Charitable Contributions, which have been made for the relief of the said poor Refuges, it must needs be inferred, that great Sums of Money were then Collected.  
2. That the aforesaid French Commissioners and the Ministers, and Churchwardens, or Elders, as they call them, of the French Church in the Savoy, or of the Waloon Church in the City of London, have received great Sums of Money, from the large Charities of particular Collections, often bestowed, by a great many Charitable Persons, upon the aforesaid Poor Refuges behalf, from the beginning of the Year 1685. to this very day of the Year 1696. Since that time a great number of Poor Refuges have been seen in England.  
3. That the aforesaid French Commissioners, Ministers, and Churchwardens of the aforesaid two Churches, very often, and at least, during the space of Ten Years, have received great Sums of Money, arising from a great many Legacies, the most part of them made by some English pious Persons, and some of them by some French, to be distributed in a very short time, after their Decease to the said Poor Refuges: But that it is to be feared, the said French Commissioners, have distributed nothing of the most part of the said Legacies, or at least, but the use, or interest of some of them, to the said Poor Refuges; so that, when this third Proof, as well as the second before is duly reflected upon; it plainly appears by the said two Proofs, that they must needs have in their own, or others Hands a great Fund of Money for the 〈◊〉 support of the poor Refuges.  
4. That the aforesaid French Commissioners, by their own Confession, and as every body knows, have received, during the space of many Years 〈◊〉 Twelve Thousand Pounds per annum, bestowed liberally, cheerfully and charitably, by His excellent Majesty our gracious King William, upon the said Poor Refuges, to relieve them in their urgent necessities, and comfort them in their troubles. That it is most certain, that upon the said Royal Bounty, the said French Commissioners, during the space of the many Years aforesaid, were able to supply all the wants of the said Poor Refuges, if they had very well managed the said Twelve Thousand Pounds per Annum, or if they had not kept back some of them, or put them into Bankers Hands, or employed some of them in Trading and Traffic.  
5. That the aforesaid French Commissioners were publicly Accused, by some of the said French Refuges, Poor Gentlemen, Ministers and others, for having embezzled, or misemployed a considerable Sum of the aforesaid Twelve Thousand Pounds Per Annum: And that the said French Commissioners have done their utmost endeavours to secure themselves from the said Accusation, or rather, that their Accusers should be silent, and desist from their Accusation; And for all that, the said French Commissioners have let neither the Public, nor their Accusers know their Innocence, in all its Circumstances; and in keeping the Formalities of Justice, although they were bound so to do for the securing of their own Reputation.  
6. That the aforesaid French Commissioners, have received some considerable Sums of Money, by the way of many Subscriptions and private Collections, made in the City of London and its Suburbs, for the aforesaid French Refuges Poor, yet for all that, it doth not appear, that, at least, the greatest part of the aforesaid French Refuges Poor, was the more relieved, by the said French Commissioners, than they were before the said Subscriptions and private Collections.  
7. That the aforesaid French Commissioners, doubtless, have received, and do still receive, a great many private Charities of particular Persons, for the maintenance of many Charity-houses, which Charity-houses imperceptibly and cunningly have been set up, by the same Commissioners in the Suburbs of the aforesaid City of London, many Years ago, upon four accounts.  
1. To procure, as many Charities as could be possible, and to move all the charitable Persons, who live in the said City of London, and other Cities and Towns of this Kingdom, to put into their hands, all the Charities they had designed for all the Poor amongst the Refuges, which are ashamed to beg, and which were never partakers of the said Charities, bestowed upon the said Charity-houses, although they may be in great want.  
2. To have a Lawful Cause, at least, in appearance, to beg either themselves, or move their Friends and Creatures so to do, every where, and of every Person, whosoever they believed to be the most favourable to their Charity-houses.  
3. To have a pretence, continually to declare openly, as they have done already, that they had received but very few private Charities for the support of their Charity-houses, and that they were obliged sometimes, to turn out many of the said Poor Refuges from the said Charity-houses, and to deprive many more of the Soup or Broth distributed therein, or to maintain them both with a Fund designed for paying of the Pensions to the French Poor Gentlemen, Ministers, and other Persons of what Age soever, and of both Sexes; the Pensions, of some of which said Persons, the said French Commissioners lessened upon several occasions; although the said French Commissioners were persuaded, that before they had lessened the said Pensions of the said Poor Gentlemen, Ministers, and other Refuges, the said Pensions were not sufficient for their maintenance. And besides, although the said French Commissioners were persuaded, that the said Poor Gentlemen, Ministers, and other Refuges, cannot live by any other means.  
4. To cast a mist before the whole English Nation's Eyes, and to hid from the Public, the said most considerable Fund, they have in their Hands, arising from the aforesaid very large Charities, they have received for the said French Refuges Poor's support, and for no other use whatsoever.  
8. That the aforesaid French Commissioners have saved very much of the aforesaid large Charities, they have received, by the aforesaid several ways: And that the said French Commissioners, Ministers, and Churchwardens of the French Church in the Savoy, and Walloon-Church in the City of London, have saved very much of the aforesaid great Sums of Money, by six ways, well known, to the greatest part of the French Refuges.  
1. In keeping some of the said French Refuges, lying then under a great necessity, from the least Relief, which the tender hearted, and generous English Nation had afforded to them, as well as to the rest of the Refuges, who were then, or are still relieved, by which means some of the said French Commissioners, as themselves, together with all the Refuges know very well, were very near receiving an affront from some of those said necessitous Refuges, yet kept notwithstanding from the said Relief. Moreover, by this means a great many of the same Refuges, Poor and Helpless Creatures, were dispersed all over England, and went a Begging up and down the said Kingdom.  
2. In giving once for all to some others of the said Refuges a little Money, nay, and to some of the same more than to others, not according to every one's Desert or Necessities, but according to their own Will and Pleasure, against all Equity and Reason.  
3. In giving to the smallest Number of the said Poor Refuges a little Pension, and that sometimes only, for a little while, to those who have no Friends amongst them, or a powerful Protector who hath the Right to Command them: As for example, a Yearly Pension of Seven Pounds, allowed to the Ministers then under Fifty years of Age, during the space, at least, of one Year and a half, is an evident Proof of the said little Pension, as well 56 l. 18 s. that every one of the said Ministers have received of the Royal Charity for their own and their Families Subsistance, during the space of Nine years, as may be seen in a printed Paper delivered unto the King's Majesty, the last 〈◊〉 January, by all the poor Ministers Refuges.  
4. In paying the Pension, as usually they have paid it to the aforesaid Poor Refuges; sometimes Five, sometimes Six, Seven, Eight, Nine; nay and sometimes even Ten Months, after the Time appointed for the Payment of the said Pension, instead of paying it Quarterly, and even before hand; as it was in their Power so to do, having ever had, since their Commission a sufficient Fund for that purpose, whatever Asseverations they have made, to make the Public, and the said Poor Refuges believe the contrary. And the said French Commissioners, in paying Quarterly the said Pension, would have saved the said Refuges from being so Poor, and a great many Troubles and Tears.  
5. In utterly debarring the said Poor Refuges from their own Pension, during the space of about Two Years, unjustly pretending, they had no Fund at all to pay it them; wherefore, many of the said helpless Refuges, have contracted many Debts that they cannot pay off, without an Extraordinary Relief.  
6. By the Decease of a great many of the said Poor Refuges, of all Ages whatsoever, of both Sexes, and of all Characters: That by these Six Ways and Means, the said French Commissioners undoubtedly have saved very much of the said very large Charitys they have received for the said French Refuges Support. But nevertheless, the said first Five Ways are Unlawful, and against the Rules of the Holy Gospel; seeing by the said Five Ways, a great many Poor Refuges, have been brought to Poverty, to Hunger, and to Divers Temptations, and many of them have sunk under them, as may easily be proved, by a great many Eye-Witnesses; and that the said French Commissioners themselves, every where have Published, and often Declared to the Supreme Powers, that the said Refugees have lain under great Poverty and Sufferings; the said French Commissioners, making a show of being troubled at the said Poor Refuges Calamities.  
9 That the aforesaid French Commissioners, have very much increased the said Sums, arising from the very large Charitys aforementioned, and they have increased the said Sums, either by all their following ways or by others, such as these are.  
1. Either in putting a good part of the said Sums into a Bankers Hands, since the beginning of their Commission, till this time.  
2. Or in employing another part of the said Sums, in Trading, making the best of it by Sea and Land; either in this, or in Foreign Country's.  
3. Or in erecting some Manufactures, to help off with another part of the said Sums, coming from the aforesaid very large Charity's, bestowed upon the said Poor Refuges; or in employing it in some sort of Commodities, that are the most a la mode, and do take the best.  
10. That Mr. Daillon a French Minister Refuge, now one of the best Friends, that the said French Commissioners may have, cannot deny; but that formerly, he undertook to oblige the same Gentlemen, French Commissioners, to give an Account of all the Sums of Money, or a part of them, arising from the Large General and Particular Charity's, upon all the Poor amongst the Refuges; which said Sums, came all into the Hands of the said French Commissioners, from the beginning of the Year 1696. Seeing that Undertaking was known by the Public. I mean, by the most part of the French Refuges. And that the said Mr. Daillon, undoubtedly, hath not forgotten; that on July the 10th, 1696. He Writ a Letter against the French Commissioners, to the Meeting of French Ministers sitting then, in the French Church, at Hungerford-Market, against the said French Commissioners; by which said Letter, he plainly shown, that the said Erench Commissioners, were making the best of the Money, accrueing from the Charity's, bestowed to the said Poor, amongst the Refuges; either by putting it out into the Goldsmiths, or Bankers Hands; or in Trading with it by Sea; and that only for themselves. And that the same Commissioners did pay, by the said Money, accrueing from the said Charity's, all their own Servants, their Salary, etc. Again, that the said Mr. Daillon, durst not make Oath, that he hath not said and done, what is aforementioned. Now if he had so bad a Conscience, he would be Convicted of Perjury, by many Eye-Witnesses, who particularly knew his Undertaking, against the French Commissioners; and who heard the Contents of the said Letter, when it was Read before the said French Ministers met together; in whose Meeting, was Precedent, Mr. Betoule, an Ancient Minister, amongst the Refuges, one of the best Friends of the said French Commissioners, who kept the said Letter, and who is now dead.  
11. That the aforesaid French Commissioners, would not part with their Commission, and leave the Sole Care of the said Refuges Poor's Maintenance, to the City of London, or to the Clergy of the said City, who would have taken the said Care upon themselves. That it is a Convincing Proof, that the said French Commissioners feared thereby, that the great Sums of Money, they have in their Hands, should be discovered, and in such a Case, they feared the losing forever, the Administration of the said great Sums, and withal, the hope of being the Owners of them probably, not remembering, that the aforesaid Sums, coming from Bountiful Charity's, bestowed upon the said Resuges Poor, are a Devoted and Holy Thing, committed to their Trust; and that they in Conscience, are bound to give a strict Account of it, to God and Man, both in this World, and in the World to come, whatsoever they may think, say, or do about it.  
12. That, assoon, as the French Commissioners, shall be Commanded by You the Honourable House of Commons; either openly to Confess, that they have in their own Hands, the said great Sums, or to show the contrary, by the Justifying Papers, Writings, and Deeds, etc. If the said French Commissioners, do not perform, whatever they are commanded. Moreover, if by the said Papers, Writings, and Deeds, etc. It doth not appear clearly, that the said French Commissioners, have distributed, (not to the Rich French Refuges) but only to the Poor, all the said Sums, accrueing from all the aforesaid Charity's and Legacies. Moreover, if instead of justifying themselves thereby, the said French Commissioners, rather make this Objection: That they could not give an exact Account of the said Sums, seeing that a great many Refuges, of both Sexes, cannot Write, and besides, they have not set down all the Relieved Refuges Names. It must be inferred from thence; that the said French Commissioners, Ministers, and Churchwardens, of the aforesaid two Churches, have not acted Faithfully, and Righteously, but that they acted against their own Conscience, to Desraud the said Poor Refuges, of the greatest part of the said Charity's, and to deceive the Lords Commissioners; by whom, all their said Accounts were to be Examined. And that therefore, it is certain, they have still in their Hands, the aforesaid great Sums, whereof they must be forced, to give a particular and exact Account.  
13. That if it may please You, the Honourable House of Commons, to examine all the Proofs, given before, there is no doubt, but it will be plainly seen, that there must needs be remaining in the said French Commissioners Hands, a very considerable Fund, accrueing from the said General and Particular large Charity's, often bestowed. That there is left a very considerable Fund, accrueing from the good Husbandry, and from the said great Sums of Money, whereof the said French Commissioners have made use. Again, if it may please You, the Honourable House so Commons, after Your Honours have examined, all the said Evidences, to proceed against the said French Commissioners, and against the Ministers and Churchwardens of the aforesaid two Churches, to force them to confess, either that they have the said Fund in their own Hands, or that they have put it into other men's Hands, or to Convict them of the same, by other more easy and demonstrative, better and shorter Ways and Means, if such ones may be found. The aforesaid John Chabbert, shall make bold still, Humbly to show Your Honours, all these following Means, which he believeth the most proper for his Project. He therefore showeth,  
1. That if it may please You, the Honourable House of Commons, to take notice of all the aforesaid Sums of Money, arising from the said Charity's, bestowed upon the said Poor Refuges, which said Sums, and Charitys, are come to the said French Commissioners Hands, or to the said Ministers and Churchwardens of the aforesaid two Churches Hands, from the beginning of the Year 1681. to this very Day of this Month of the Year, 1696. And again, if it may please You, the Honourable House of Commons, to order the said French Commissioners, Ministers, and Church Wardens, etc. Presently to prepare themselves to give an exact Account, by Particulars, of all the said Sums, come to their Hands, from the beginning of the said Year, 1685. to this very day of the said Year, 1696. The said French Commissioners, will not dare to Disobey Your Honour's Command. This first Means, therefore, must needs be put into Practice. That the Public, and the said Poor Refuges may hope, that the said French Commissioners, Ministers, and Churchwardens of the said to Churches, will be infallibly convinced, that they have in their own Hands, or in those of their Friends, a great Fund, and more than sufficient, to maintain the said Poor Refuges.  
2. That, if it may please You, the Honourable House of Commons, to choose such a Number of English Gentlemen, as Your Honours shall please, such as shall be, all of an Exemplary Goodness, and Piety, Gentlemen, who love Justice, and suffer not themselves to be corrupted with Bribes, Gentlemen, who are mindful of the Public Concerns, and of those of the Poor's. And if it may please Your Honers, to appoint for Commissioners, such deserving Gentlemen, to examine the Accounts, that must be given, by Particulars, and the Acquittances, Catalogues, and other Papers, that must be brought to them, by the said French Commissioners, Ministers, and Churchwardens of the said two Churches. Undoubtedly, this second means will be very useful, to find out the aforesaid great Fund, accrueing from the aforesaid large Charitty's bestowed for the said Poor Refuges Maintenance.  
3. That, if it may please You, the Honourable House of Commons; to Order Mr. Daillon, Mr. G●mmarc, Mr. Baron, and Mr. Forent French Ministers Refuges, to appear in their own Persons, before the aforesaid Honourable Commissioners; and order the said four Ministers Refuges, to deliver to them, their Memories and other Papers, they have, making mention of all, or of some part of the Sums of Money, accrueing from the aforesaid Charity's, and whereby it plainly, or but darkly appears, that the said French Commissioenrs, Ministers, and Church Wardens of the said two Churches, have Maliciously, and Unrighteously managed, the said great Sums of Money, and alienated some of them, or at least, deprived the said Poor Resuges, of them. And again, if it may please Your Honours, to make the said Poor Ministers Refuges, Swear, and Declare by word of Mouth, before the said Honourable Commissioners, whatever they know of the said great Sums of Money, accrueing from the aforesaid Charities and Legacies, and whatever may be fit and proper any way to Convict the said French Commissioners, and the said Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches of having in their Hands the aforesaid great Fund, arising from the said Charities and Legacies.  
4. That, if it may please you, The Honourable House of Commons, to oblige the same French Commissioners, Ministers, and Churchwardens of the said two Churches, to give up their Accounts, and presently to produce, before the aforesaid Honourable Commissioners, all the Acquittances, all the Catalogues, and other Papers, wherein are written the Names of all the aforesaid Poor Refuges, who received any thing of the said great Sums, put into the Hands of the said French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens, to be distributed to all the said Poor amongst the Refuges, from the beginning of the Year 1685 to this very Day 26 of this Month not 6 of this Year 1696. It will plainly appear by this fourth means, that the said French Commissioners, etc. have still in their Hands a great Fund, and more than sufficient, for the support of the Poor amongst the Refuges.  
5. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, not to give Ear to any kind of Reason, whereby the aforesaid French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches, either can, nor dare pretend to dispense themselves from giving an Account of the aforesaid great Sums; But rather, if it may please your Honours to shut your Ears to any that can, or may, be spoken in the said French Commissioners, Ministers, etc. behalf, till the same have given in, and justified all their Accounts before the aforesaid Honourable Commissioner. 'Tis certain, that by this fifth means, the said French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches will be put to a nonplus, and forced to confess, that they have a very considerable Fund, accrueing from the aforesaid great Sums, and large Charities and Legacies, in spite of the best endeavours they have used, to make all the supreme Powers of this Kingdom, together with the Public, believe, that they never had a Fund, that, at least, would be sufficient for the said Poor Refuges maintenance, as it can be proved, by the troublesome Petitions oftentimes presented to the said supreme Powers, by the said French Commissioners.  
6. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, after the aforesaid French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches Accounts had been given up, and the aforesaid Acquittances, the aforesaid Catalogue, and other Papers, wherein the Names of all the Poor Relieved Refuges are written down, examined by the aforesaid Honourable Commissioners: If, I say, it may please your Honours, to Summon in, to appear before the said Honourable Commissioners, all the said French Refuges, whose Name, or Hand may be seen in the said Acquittances, Catalogues, and other Papers; that the said Honourable Commissioners may take notice, if it be true, that all the said Poor Refuges, have been so much, and so often relieved, and after that manner as is said by the said French Commissioners, and the said Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches: It will appear by this sixth means, that there is still a great Fund remaining in the said French Commissioners Hands, and in the Hands of such; who are favourers of their Party.  
7. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons to make the same French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the aforesaid two Churches, Swear to every thing they shall say as true, for their Justification, or for denying all the aforesaid Fund, or a part of it; And to make them Swear besides, to all the circumstances of every thing, that they had said, and will say. That the said French Commissioners, Ministers, etc. seeing they are followed so close, by this seventh means, without doubt, will confess, that they have still in their own Hands, or in the Hands of others, at least, a good part of the said Fund, fearing to be declared perjured and utterly ruined in their Reputation, if they should be Convicted of perjury, as might befall them, if they had so bad a Conscience, whatsoever mental Refervations they may use.  
8. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, First to command to seize unawares, not only, all the aforesaid Acquittances, Catalogues and other Papers, but even all the Contracts and other Papers, wherein all the aforesaid great Sums of Money, or a part thereof may be mentioned; which said Acquittances, Catalogues, Contracts and other Papers, may be found, either in the Consistorial Chambers, or other places of the aforesaid two Churches; or in each House, Chamber, Closet, or other places of the said French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches, especially in the Houses, Chambers, Closets, and other places belonging to Sir John Chardin, Mr. Lecoc, Mr. Blancard, Mr. Lafoy Sale Monginot, Mr. Renu Both, Mr. Frontin, Mr. Louvigny, Mr. Dugas, Mr. Braguier Secretary, Mr. Satur, Brocas, Lamote, Primrose, and Piosett, which said Gentlemen were all formerly, or still are, the chief of the said French Commissioners, or some of the greatest favourers of their Party: In all probability, by this eighth means, the aforesaid great Fund will be more easily discovered, in Case the said Gentlemen have not been forewarned of it, as they have been of several things contained in these humble Remonstrances.  
6. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, to Command Mr. Canche, formerly Sir John Chardin's Secretary; Mr. Gallissard now Mr. Blancard's Secretary, and all other the said former French Commissioners, or present Secretaries, to appear in Person before the aforesaid Honourable Commissioners, and and being put to their Oath declare whatever they may know about all the Sums of Money that are in the French Commissioners Hands, and belong to the said Poor Refuges, that they know off: There is no doubt but the aforesaid Discovery of the aforesaid great Fund, will be made very speedily by this ninth means.  
10. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, to order all the Bankers and Merchants, both English and French, which are in the City of London, or in the Suburbs thereof, and in all other Trading Towns of this Kingdom, to reveal before the aforesaid Honourable Commissioners, all the Sums of Money given to them, or others, that they know off, by the said French Commissioners, or by the said Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches, or by their Agents: This tenth means certainly will produce a wonderful good Effect, in Relation to the aforesaid Discovery of the aforesaid Fund.  
11. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, to publish, that every Person or Persons who will Discover and Reveal any Sums, either great or small of the aforesaid Fund, arising from the aforesaid Charities and Legacies, bestowed upon the aforesaid Poor amongst the Refuges, and put into the said French Commissioners Hands, etc. shall Receive such a Sum of Money as your Honours shall please to allot to such a Person, or Persons, for his or for their Discovery and Revealing of such a Sum of the aforesaid Fund: This eleventh means will be one of the most Effectual ones, whereby the said great Fund will be found out.  
12. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, to Reward every Person or Persons, who through his or their great Care, and strict search, shall have discovered, and evidently, proved that that said French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches, have upon the said great Fund settled in the aforesaid City of London, or in some other Towns of this Kingdom, any Manufactures, or given some part of the said Fund to any Shopkeepers to make the best of it, or made any other use of it: This twelfth means also seems a very fit expedient to make appear that the said French Commissioners, and the said Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches, have still the said great Fund in their own Hands, or in the Hands of other Men.  
13. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, to Force the said French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches, presently to give, to the aforesaid Honourable Commissioners, an exact Catalogue of all the French Refuges who have received something of the said Charities; which said Refuges went from England, or are Dead, or employed in the said England; precisely telling when the said Poor Refuges went from England, or when they Died, or where employed in the said Kingdom, or at least, telling how long it is since the said Poor Refuges were not Relieved at all: You, the Honourable House of Commons, by this thirteenth means will be sure, that the said French Commissioners, etc. have not always well discharged their Duty, nor their Commission; And besides, they have in their Hands a considerable Fund, coming from the aforesaid Charities, bestowed upon the Poor French Refuges.  
14. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, to Order some French Refuges that came from several parts of France, of whatever Degree and Character they may be, presently to appear before the aforesaid Honourable Commissioners, and candidly Declare that they Know, or do not Know, all the aforesaid French Refuges, to whom the said French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches, say they have given something of the aforesaid Charities: To Order again, all the said French Refuges that came from several parts of France, of whatever Degree and Character, freely to Declare, they Know, or do not Know the said Poor Refuges, to whom the said French Commissioners, pretend to be sure, they have given some Relief, are gone out of England, or are Dead, or have been employed in the said Kingdom, at the same time told by the said French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches: And to Order moreover, that the said French Refuges, who came from several parts of France, of whatever Degree and character they may be, to make with all speed, a more strict inquiry about the said Poor Refuges, departed out of England, or Dead, or employed in the said Kingdom; and about what time when they departed from England, and when they Died, or where employed in the said Kingdom: And to make also a strict inquiry about the said Fund, and all things that concerns it: And to Order them to make a true Relation of all those premises, to the aforesaid Honourable Commissioners: This fourteenth means will be a Touchstone to try Truth, or Untruth, that hath been, or shall be told, by the said French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens in their Answer, and will show, as all other means  may do, a great Fund, come from the aforesaid Charities, into the Hands of the said French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches.  
15. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, to let the Public understand, it is a very material Thing, that every Person or Persons, of what Degree or Character soever, he or they may be, who bestowed any private Charities, and paid any Legacies to the said French Commissioners, or to the said Ministers and Churchwardens of the said two Churches should declare, some ways or other, what Sums of Money their said private Charities and Legacies did amount to, when and to whom the same were bestowed and paid: That this fifteenth means wonderfully will Force the said French Commissioners, Ministers, etc. to give an account of a good part of the aforesaid great Sums; And to convince even the same French Commissioners, Ministers and Churchwardens, etc. to have in their Hands a greater Fund than is necessary for the aforesaid Poor Refuges Maintenance.  
16. That if it may please You the Honourable House of Commons, to know, who are the Tellers of all the Sums, gathered upon the aforesaid three Briefs, and received by the aforesaid French Commissioners, and to command, the said Tellers of the said Sums of Money, to declare and show by all necessary circumstances, how many Sums they have told, and when, and to whom of the said French Commissioners, they have told the said Sums. Again, if it may please You the Honourable House of Commons, to understand more particularly, all the Sums of Money, gathered upon the said three Briefs, and call the chief Receivers to an account for the same. That this sixteenth means, will wonderfully serve for the discovery of the aforesaid Fund, and will source the said French Commissioners, to give a more strict account of it.  
17. That, if it may please You the Honourable House of Commons, to order all the aforesaid French Commissioners, to give up an exact account of the Fifteen Thousand Pounds lately granted by your Honours, to the aforesaid Poor, which are amongst the Refuges, forthwith to deliver to the aforesaid Honourable Commissioners, all the Catalogues of Ministers, Gentlemen, Burgesses, and other Poor, which are amongst the French Refuges, to whom the said Fifteen Thousand Pounds, have been, or shall be distributed. And to order, at the same time, all the said Poor amongst the Refuges, who shall be, or can be in this City, or its Suburbs, to appear in Person, every one, according to his Quality and Character, before the Honourable Commissioners, and all those, of the same Refuges who shall be in the Country presently to write a Letter, to the same Honourable Commissioners: That by that means, it may clearly appear, whither the said Catalogues are exact, or no. Again to order every one, in particular, of the said Poor amongst the Refuges, to declare, to the said Honourable Commissioners, the number of the Persons of his Family, his employments, or the way he hath to maintain himself and his Family, his Rents, or his Wants, his Age, his Infirmities, and those of his Family. And to order, that all in general, should declare, upon their Conscience and charitably, what they know, concerning the Sums of Money, or Revenues, what concerning the Poverty and Wants of others which are, or should be more or less relieved; That by that way it may clearly appear, whether the said French Commissioners, (the most cunning men, amongst the Refuges) have wronged some of the Poor Refuges, or no, in some thing, or other. And moreover, if the said French Commissioners are found guilty of any wrong, to order, that all of them, appear, before your Honours, together with all those, who had been wronged; That the same French Commissioners may be convinced for ever, before your Honours, that they have acted unrighteously. That you the Honourable House of Commons wonderfully will perceive, by this seventeenth means, whether, upon this occasion, the said French Commissioners, have rather followed the maxims of the World, than the Evangelical Rules; and whether they have not acted, according to the King's Will, and your Honour's intent, or no.  
18. That, if it may please you, the Honourable House of Commons, to use all the foregoing means, or some others like those, or some others better than those, and to second them with all your Honour's power; it will certainly come to pass, that all the said Poor amongst the Refuges, will be in a way of living contentedly, all their life-time, and by their Demands and Petitions, will trouble no more the Supreme Powers of this Kingdom, neither the Nation, publicly, nor privately: So that the said John Chabbert, hoping he may see in a short time, the said Poor Refuges, in a better condition, and the said Supreme Powers, the Church and the Kingdom of England, will reap many advantages from the better condition, wherein the said Poor amongst the Refuges, will be, God willing; He shall make bold still, to propose to your Honours, these following Motives, and humbly showeth.  
1. That the Discovery of the aforesaid Fund, concerns very much the King, upon three several Accounts; 1. Upon His Sacred Person, 2. Upon His Revenues, 3. Upon His Armies.  
1. Upon the King's Sacred Person, who by the said Discovery of the said Fund, happily, and for ever, will be delivered from a great many troublesome Petitions, that oftentimes may be presented to His Majesty, by the said French Commissioners, under Colour of a great Poverty of a great many French Refuges, as was done heretofore, which Poverty, without doubt, the said French Commissioners, very Maliciously, Barbarously, Covetously and Proudly occasioned, and do still occasion. And again, the King's Sacred Person, by the said Discovery of the said Fund, hereafter will be free from the Care, that His Majesty hath taken, so Tenderly and Piously to Relieve the Poor which were, and still are, amongst the French Refuges in their urgent necessities, for which Poor the French Commissioners were continually a Begging; But to whom after they received the said Relief from His Majesty, and from this generous Nation, publicly and privately, the said French Commissioners have given but a very small matter, in comparison of the aforesaid great Sums, come to their Hands, causing them to live in Poverty, to have always a need to Beg for the said Poor amongst the Refuges, and by that unlawful way, increase the aforesaid Fund (I do not know for what;) And all those shall be proved, by the Discovery of the said Fund.  
2. Upon the Account of the King's Revenues, some whereof, bestowed upon the said Poor amongst the Refuges, during the space of many Years, will be hereafter spared for ever, by means of the said Discovery, of the said Fund, fit to maintain all the said Poor, all their Life time.  
3. Upon the Account of the King's Armies, whereinto, by the means of the said Discovery, of the said Fund, many French Gentlemen, both young, or, at least, Stout, and not being past bearing Arms, to whom, without doubt, the said French Commissioners, have formerly allowed, and do still allow, very good yearly Pensions, as clearly will be seen by means of the said Discovery, of the said Fund, will be foreced to choose to go into the Armies, if a good part of their said Pensions, as it must be taken away from them, which said part of the said Pensions, in all appearance, causeth the said young and stout French Gentlemen Refuges to forbear taking up Arms, by that means, the young and stout French Gentlemen Refuges, not only do not serve the King nor the State at all; But even are burdensome to both. Again, the said young and stout French Gentlemen Refuges, unhappily to spend their time, either in Idleness, or in Divertisement, in Playing, sometimes in Slandering and Evil-speaking, or in some kind of Riot and Debauchery. Moreover to which said Armies, many of the French Refuges of whatever Degree, will also be easily induced to choose to go, if some part of the product of the said Fund, when it shall be discovered, be bestowed to maintain well all their Life time the Officers and Soldiers, who have been, or hereafter shall be maimed in the King's Service, in the said Armies.  
2. That the said Discovery of the aforesaid Fund very much concerns this State of England, in general and particular.  
1. In general, because the said State, in general, by the said Discovery of the said Fund, every Year, not only may save a considerable Sum of Money, Charitably and Piously granted to the said Poor amongst the Refuges, by your Honours; But also, may employ the said Sum in paying some of the Taxes, laid upon the People, and granted to the King for the maintenance of his Armies by Sea and Land, and by this, or other means, ease all the People.  
2. In particular, because many Persons, Members of the said State of England, having been very often Solicited, either by the troublesome Demands of the said French Commissioners, or by the earnest Requests of the said Poor themselves, to spare something for them, and the said Persons, thereby moved to spare something for the said Poor Refuges hereafter will be no more obliged to spare any thing for them, when the said Fund shall be discovered, whereof the product, undoubtedly, will be sufficient continually to maintain all the said Poor Refuges,  
3. That the Discovery of the aforesaid Fund, which is in the French Commissioners Hands, concerns very much the Church of the aforesaid State, in general and particular.  
1. In general, because 'tis certain, by the Discovery of the said Fund, the whole Body of the Church of England will be partaker of the Prerogatives, Conveniencies and Benefits, which without doubt will be granted to the Inhabitants of some Hamlets, Villages and little Towns in the said State of England, which said Inhabitants have no means to keep a Minister Resident in their Hamlet, etc. when some French Ministers, Refuges who are already, or may be in time, very well acquainted with the English Tongue, shall be granted to the said Inhabitants of the said Hamlets, etc. which said French Ministers, all their Life time, will be maintained with the product of the aforesaid Fund, in exercising their Ministry in the said Hamlets, Villages and Little Towns, under the aforesaid Church of England Discipline.  
2. In particular, because the aforesaid Inhabitants, of the Hamlets, etc. the Church of England's Members, which have no means to keep a Minister Resident in the said Hamlets, etc. by the aforesaid Discovery of the great Fund, will take possession of one of the greatest Advantages in this World; if some French Ministers, Refuges, maintained by the product of the aforesaid Fund, are granted to the Inhabitants of the said Hamlets, etc. by the Discovery of the said Fund, and the conveniency to enjoy the Ministry of some French Ministers, making their Residence in the said Hamlets, etc. and being maintained with the product of the said Fund, will have no more the trouble to be exposed to many grievous mischances.  
1. Often to be exposed, to be a long while, without they can make their Children be Christened, and sometimes to see them die, before they can be Baptised, for want of convenient time of doing it.  
2. Upon many occasions, to be exposed, to the having no comfort, when they are lying Sick, sometimes when they are dying, and at a great many other opportunities, whereof the Comforts and Prayers, said by a Minister are of great importance.  
3. To be exposed, to a great many fatigues, especially in the Winter time, when publicly to call upon God, and be instructed about their Religion, or to make their Children be Christened, or to desire the Prayers of the holy Congregations, for their sick Persons, the said Inhabitants of the aforesaid Hamlets, Villages, and little Towns, must go to other Towns and Places from their Habitations, one, two, three, nay, and sometimes four Miles, and sometimes farther, when it reins, snows, freezeth, and the wind bloweth very hard, which said Toils may dishearten oftentimes the said Inhabitants of the said Hamlets, etc. and keep them from their public Christian Duty.  
4. That the aforesaid Discovery of the aforesaid Fund, particularly concerns very much, many French Ministers, Refuges, which were not in Orders in France; but which have received Holy Orders, from the Hands of the Right Reverend Fathers in God, and Lords, Bishops of the Holy Church of England; because the said Ministers, having now no settlement at all, or having but an inconstant one, shall have one, or one durable, upon the account of the said Discovery of the said Fund, a part of the product whereof, must, according to the Rules of Justice, be bestowed upon the said Ministers, as well as upon all other Ministers, Refuges maintenance, which were admitted into Orders in France, seeing that the said French Ministers, Refuges, who have received Holy Orders from the Hands of the said Right Reverend Fathers in God, and Lords, Bishops of the said Holy Church of England, at least, are Ministers and Refuges, by as good a Title, as all the said other French Ministers admitted into Orders in France can have, especially when the said Ministers, admitted into Holy Orders in England, by God's Assistance, and that of the supreme Powers of this Kingdom, and Heads of the said Holy Church of England approbation, will be settled in the said Hamlets, Villages and little Towns, whereof the Inhabitants cannot maintain a Minister, to exercise their Holy Ministry, and reside there all their Life-time.  
5. That the aforesaid Discovery of the aforesaid Fund, concerns very much, many particular English Ministers, and that upon two Accounts.  
1. Because hereafter, when all the French Ministers Refuges shall be no longer in this World, or in England, the Inhabitants of the aforesaid Hamlets, Villages, and Little Towns, who cannot maintain a Minister, wherein the aforesaid Minister's Refuges, and exercised their Ministry, for a yearly allowance, taken out of the said Fund, hereafter, for ever may enjoy the privilege of having, either an English Minister, or a Minister, come from French Parents, born in England, to whom allowance taken out of the product of the aforesaid Fund, being granted; because there is not any part of a Civil Law, more just than that which prescribes, that, if the Done deceaseth before his giver, the Gift must be given again to the said giver: So that, than the aforesaid French Ministers, and all other French People fled for Refuge into England, who are here the Dones, being deceased, or being no more looked upon, as surviving all his Dones, after that, they may bestow their Beneficence upon whomsoever they please.  
2. Because it being possible, that the aforesaid Fund every day might be increased, if the said Fund was put into the hands of some laborious, diligent, and ingenious Persons, who besides, may be very zealous for the Protestant Religion in general, and in particular, for the Holy Church of England's Interests. In time, God willing, some English Ministers, maintained with some part of the aforesaid product, taken from the said increased Fund, may be granted to the Inhabitants of all the Hamlets, Villages, and little Towns of the aforesaid State of England, who for want of competent means to maintain a Minister Resident in their said Hamlets, etc. may have one, and in all likelihood could never have had any, but by the aforesaid ways.  
6. That, the aforesaid Discovery of the aforesaid Fund, concerns very much, all the Poor amongst the French Refuges; but especially, all the Poor maimed Soldiers, all the Old Poor Persons, all the Grave, Modest Widows, all the Poor Orphans, all the Infirm and Weak Persons, and all the Poor Persons of whatsoever Age, Degree, and Rank they may be off, if by their own means, they cannot maintain themselves, neither their Families; and that upon five Arguments.  
1. Because, by the Discovery, of the aforesaid Fund, Moore Revenue than is requisite, for all the said Poor amongst the Refuges, will be found out.  
2. Because, without doubt, to some of the said Poor Refuges, a durable, instead of an inconstant allowance, will be granted, and to some others, a competent one too.  
3. Because, those of the said Refuges, who never can obtain, either any allowance at all, or but a competent one, from the aforesaid French Commissioners, which being inexorable, upon every occasion, have protested sometimes, they had no Fund at all, and sometimes that they had one, but very small and scanty, scarce capable to supply all the said Poor Refuges, with any relief, or but even with a competent relief: And all that very ambiguously, and by way of amphilology.  
4. Because by the said Discovery of the said Fund, it will appear, that the said French Commissioners, have allowed, and do allow great Pensions, to many of the aforesaid Refuges of both Sexes, which will come to be, either utterly, or partly deprived of the said great Pensions. They will come to be deprived of them. 1. Utterly, if the said Refuges are convinced, to have other competent Revenues besides, for their Maintenance, or some means, whereby, it is clearly demonstrated, that they may supply all their own wants, or especially, if it appears, that the said Refuges, of both Sexes, have spent, or doth still spend, a good part of their Pensions in Luxury, both of  and Diet, in Playing, and in any excess, or if it appears, that the said great Pensions cause the said Refuges, to live in Idleness and misspending their time, and they become unprofitable Members to the Public, and to the Private: The said Refuges, will come, but in part to be deprived of the said great Pensions, if they can prove they want relief: So that the said Refuges being utterly, or in part deprived of the great Pensions, as occasion serves, and as it shall be thought fit, the aforesaid Poor Refuges, may be more relieved, than they were before the said Discovery of the said Fund.  
5. Because, by the Discovery of the aforesaid Fund, well managed and improved, many Poor Persons, of both Sexes, who want employment, and look for some, to maintain themselves and their distressed Families, may be put upon Business, and in a way of living with their Families.  
6. That the Discovery, of the aforesaid great Fund, concerns very much the English Poor; Because the aforesaid French Poor Refuges, Living upon the product of the aforesaid Fund, found out; and so being no more relieved by the Persons of Quality, and Rich People of this Kingdom, the said English Poor will Receive some Charities a great deal more from the said Persons of Quality, and Rich People. And moreover, that all English, as well as French Poor, may be put upon Business and live with their Families, upon the account of the said great Fund, well managed, and several ways increased; Is what the aforesaid John Chabbert hearty wisheth to the said English and French Poor, and continually offers up his Vows to the Omnipotent God; that it may please His Wise Providence to prosper his undertaking, for His Eternal Glory; For the Furtherance and Strengthening of the Kingdom of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ; For the Immortal Memory of the Honourable House of Commons; For all good People's Edification; And for all the aforesaid French Commissioners, etc. Conviction, Shame and Confusion, So be it.  Hîc opus hîc Labor est, sed Labyrinthus non est. 
FINIS.