THE MISDEMEANOURS OF A Traitor, and Treasurer, DISCOVERED In the answer of PHILIP FRANCIS, MERCHANT: Late Major of the Borough of Plymouth, in the County of Devon; To the false and scandalous Aspersion, and Accusation of CHARLES VAUGHAN, Gentleman.   printer's device of Jane Coe 
LONDON, Printed by JANE COE. 1644.   

The answer of Philip Francis Merchant late Major of the borough of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, to the false and scandalous aspersion and accusation of Charles Vaughan Gentleman.  
IN July 1643. The said Philip Francis being then Major of Plymouth, and having some jealousy of Sir Alexander Corewes' fidelity, than Governor of the Island near Plymouth, the said Philip presently by his Letters advertized the Parliament thereof, and desired that the said Sir Alexander might be removed from his Command, & (to take from him all cause of jealousy) that Thomas Arondell Esquire, a Member of the house of Commons than Governor of the Fort of Plymouth (wherein he demeaned himself with great honesty and integrity) might likewise be called up with him, to attend the service of the house. And the said Philip not satisfied therewith, by the means and assistance of Captain Richard Evons of Plymouth merchant, who had good interest and acquaintance with Captain john Hancok then a Sergeant, Beniandu, Fuge and others the principal men in the Island, next the said Sir Alexander, and men very well affected to the Parliament, and well affected of the common soldiers there, sent privately for them, made known to them his said jealousy; and desired them to persevere in their integrity and constancy to the cause, and to labour what in them lay, to keep the common soldiers constant to the Parliament, and to be very vigilant and observant of the said Sir Alexander, and of his actions, and to be careful to secure the court of guard and Arms if cause were, and on any discovery, to give him notice thereof, and promised to reward them, and the soldiers, liberally for the same.  
August the first 1643. Upon receipt of the said Philip's letter it was thus ordered by the Honourable the House of Commons assembled in Parliament, viz. That Sir Alexander Carew, and Master Thomas Arundel do forth with attend the service of the House, and that Master Roll, do signify so much unto them; but before the receipt of the said order the jealousies of the said Sir Alexander Carew increased, and the said Philip was Pressed by some of the said Town of Plymouth (unacquanted with the said Philip's proceed therein) to secure the person of the said Alexander, which the said Philip making known to the Counsel of War then there, and there then appearing only matter of jealousy, and no apparent cause of proof against him (as is otherways but most falsely alleged by Master Vaughan) and he being a Member of the House of Commons, and the Parliament being advertized thereof as aforesaid, the said Counsel advised the said Philip to forbear it until he should receive directions from the Parliament in answer of his Letters, which the said Philip made known likewise to the said Hancock, who assured the said Philip of the integrity of the soldiers in the Island, and feared that the apprehension of the said Sir Alexander then, without apparrent and good cause might give distaste to them, which the Enemy lying then very near, viz. at mount Edgcombe, might take advantage of, and therefore likewise wish the said Philip to forbear it, the rather for that he alleged, the said Sir Alexander had ordered some at the Island, that if he were detained one the shore at Plymouth, to make some sign towards the Cornish shore for assistance thence.  
August 20. 1643. The said order and letter from Master roll being delivered, the said Sir Alexander he at first made show as if he intended to obey the same, and promised to come on shore the next day, and perfect his accounts for his pay, but intended nothing less, as was afterwards apparent which the said Philip perceiving, and hearing that he had been at Mount Edgcombe, sent one Timothy Alsop merchant unto him, to acquaint him that his pay due, and accounts were ready, desiring him to come on shore resolving to secure him if he came, which he promised to do, but failed of, whereupon Francis Goodolphin a Member of the House of Commons, and john Sentabin Esquire, were desired by, the said Philip, to repair to the said Sir Alexander to the Island, and to persuade him to conform to the said order of Parliament, and to repair to London, who not prevailing with him,  
August 26. 1643. Master Wills, and Master Randall two Ministers that used to preach there, were sent to him to persuade with him, and to discover how the soldiers of the said Island stood affected, who on their return made known, that they found the soldiers very faithful, and that the said Hancock with the rest of the said soldiers, had seized on the said Sir Alexander, and secured the Arms in the Court of Guard, and that they desired the said Philip speedily to come and take possession of the said Island, whereupon the said Philip having thirty boats or thereabouts in readiness, well manned and Armed, which he had promised the said Hancock, to have still in readiness to assist him if need were, himself in person went, which the said boats to the Island where the said soldiers delivered him, the said Sir Alexander, whom he brought thence, and left the said Captain Richard Evons and others in his room; displaced such soldiers as there was jealousy of, and satisfied the rest the pay that was due to them, and promised them a gratuity answerable to their desert.  
August the 29. 1643. The said Philip Francis advised the Parliament of the premises in answer whereof he received the letter, and order following.  

Sir,  
YOur letters of the 29. of August directed to your Burgesses here in Parliament, had this day a public reading in the House, and upon a solemn and serious consideration of the particular contents thereof, the House Voted the several orders here enclosed sent you, they have always acknowledged and taken notice of your great industry and circumspection, by which your town hath been preserved from the greedy and violent attempts of the open Enemies to His Majesty, and the Kingdom; and now more particularly from the secret and mischievous treachery of a late Member of their own House, Sir Alexander Carew; by whose perfidious endeavours to betray his trust, the Kingdom in general and your town in special was in apparent danger to have suffered much injury; the God that hateth treason, and seethe in secret, was pleased to use you as his instrument to secure that place, for which, as this house doth give due praises to him, and authorizeth your town to set a part a public day, in which to solemnize the same, so I am commanded by them to give and (by you to) all that assisted you herein, their very hearty thanks, with which I subscribe,  
Your very loving friend William Lenthall Speaker. Westminster this fourth of September 1643.   
Ordered that a letter be written to the Major of Plymouth to thank him for his great pains and industry in securing of the Isle of Plymouth, and that it be recommended unto the Major to take especial care of the security of that place, and that it be recommended unto the Major, that a particular day may be set for a public thanksgiving in the town of Plymouth and that Master Major do reward such as he had promised toward unto, and that the house will see him reimbursed and Sir john Young, and Master Waddon, are appointed to bring in an order for the indemnity of the Major and the rest employed by him, all which appeared plainly upon the evidence against the said Sir Alexander at his trial, and which Sir Edmond fowel Knight, Richard Erisie, the said Master Thomas Arandell, and Master Waddon, Members of the House of Commons now in the town, and privy to the aforesaid passages can testify; and therefore blush if you can, Master Vaughan, to charge the said Francis so innocent herein, with so false and scandalous an aspersion, of siding with the said Sir Alexander, and coming at him, but the said Charles in this as in all other his feits of activity hath a shift to excuse himself, viz. That Col. Gould and others sent up Articles against the said Francis, by one Trottle whereof this was one; 'tis very true, that the said Colonel Gould, and Master Thomas Gewen (to colour their unjust imprisonment of the said Francis, for refusing to deliver to them certain pearl of the Parliaments committed to his custody as hereafter is expressed) sent up the said Articles which the said Trottle exhibited, and the said Charles under hand presented, but maugre all their malice after examination & report made thereof, to the Honourable house of Commons, by an order of the said House of the thirty of May 1644. The said Philip Francis was acquitted.  
And whereas the said Charles allegeth that after Sir William waller's blow at the vizes the said Philip fell off, from the right side to the said Sir Alexander, and the knot of the Vtriusques. 'tis well known to be as false as the author of it, for the manifestation whereof to omit how the deservingly the said Philip demeaned himself in several sieges against the said town of Plymouth during his Majoralty, in December last, the said Philip being out of his Majoralty and commanding then one of the towns of Plymouthes companies consisting of 150. men or thereabouts, in two several assaults drew his company out of the said town, and with the assistance of some others: encountered the Enemy, and demeaned himself so resolutely, that he forced them in one of the said encounters to fly shamefully, and to leave a great many of their horse, men, and Ammunition behind them, and in the other to retreat disorderly and had then lost their Ordnance had not they been drawn off that did the service which in a pamphlet, is attributed to those that were never guilty of it.   

The further answer of the said Philip to the said VAUGHAN'S pretences for the detaining the Parliaments Pearl.  
September 30. 1644.  
THe said Vaughan, being by Warrant from the Honourable the House of Commons committed and continuning so still, for desobeying an order of the said House, and not delivering the said Philip, for the use of the Parliament a quantity of Pearl of the Lord M●lbroroughes, in or about June 1643. Seized on by the Deputy Lieutenants and Committee in Plymouth which being of value and contained in Cabinet was sealed up with seven of the seals of the said Deputy Lieutenants and Commissioners, and by them delivered the said Francis then Major, to be sent to the Parliament, which the said Philip making known to the Parliament, he was directed to send it for London and being bound there, resolved to carry it himself.  
In February 1643. Colonel Gould, since deceased, john Champnes Esquire, and Thomas Gewen, the said Vaughan's brother in Law, and Deputy treasurer required the said Philip to deliver them the said pearl which he refusing to do without order, they committed him to prison detained him there two months or there abouts, searched his house, examined his servants on oath, and having at last got the said pearl, broke open the said Cabinet, and then conveyed it to London, by one Peter Keckwich, in close and secret manner directed to the said Vaughan, where he and the said Keckwich concealed it from the Parliament ten weeks or there abouts, and in that time got it to be prized at a very low value, and never intended to acquaint the Parliament therewith as the said Vaughan in his reply acknowledgeth, had not the said Philip on his coming to London, made it known, and Mr. Vaughan pretends that Mr. Keckwitch disbursed 200 l. on the whereas said pearl to the Committee for sequestrations in Plymouth, and that he gave Mr. Keckwich at his return for Plymouth in May 1644. a receipt under his hand for the same, that is apparently untrue, for Keokwich came to London in February 1643. and presently on his coming to London, delivered the said pearl to the said Vaughan, and was by him advised to conceal it, as the said Keckwich on his examination before the Lords and Commons Committee for plymouth aeknowledged and never made any pretence or claim there unto himself, and 'tis probable that if he had deposited any money thereon, and were so wary as to have a receipt for the said pearl, that he would have taken his receipt at the time of the delivery of the said pearl, and not in May after at his going away, but the truth is, the pearl was sent up to the said Vaughan; and long after the delivery thereof, and before Keckwiches going for Plymouth, viz. in Aperil 1644. the said Vaughan, and Keckwich being both questioned for the same by the Committee of Lords and Commons for Plymouth, and the said Vaughan fearing the said pearl would be taken from him, and there being an order to view the same, first shifted himself out of the way, and then shifted Keckwich, away, & then sets Kechwicks claim on foot & the said receipt; and Colonel Goulds Letter to Master Nicholas Gould, vouched by him in his reply, makes his pretence apparently false in several particulars: as first, that the money (if any were) was taken up by Colonel Gould, and not by the Committee for sequestrations; secondly that Colonel Gould gave Keckwich bills of exchange for his security for the money, and not the pearl, and had the money been taken up for the State, as is pretended, the bills of exchange would have been charged on the Parliament or Committee for Plymouth, and not on Master Nicholas Gould, as is evident by the said Letter; but the truth is that after Master Keckwich his coming to London, and before his return Colonel Gould, that took up the money died, and Keckwich being in danger thereby to lose his money, Master Vaughan would excuse himself and salve, Keckwich with this shift, whereas 'tis well known, that there is a great deal of money due from the Estate of the said Colonel Gould, on account to the Parliament, who received divers great sums of money of the Parliaments, during his being in plymouth, and elsewhere, yet after the said Philip Francis his Majoralty, paid not the commons soldiers, but made the inhabitants of plymouth to maintain them, at their own charge, and by the advice of the said Gewen, as is more than probable, pressed the Committee in plymouth, and Deputy Lieutenants to search every man's house in the town, and to take from them by force all such money and plate as should be found in their houses, if they would not part with it otherwise, & whereas Mr. Vaughan pretends that the proceed of the pearl the 200. l. deducted, should be returned to plymouth for to pay the soldiers 'tis apparent that nothing less was intended for they prized it but at 273. l. for which before it came to their fingers, there was 800. l. proffered in plymouth, and in their inventory sent up, which Master Vaughan, shown the said Lords and Commons Committee against divers of the chains and bracelets mentioned therein, the Letters W. G. were set; which parcels it seems Colonel William Gould was to have upon the pertistion for his part had he lived, and what is become of the other parts, is proper for one of Master Vaughan's queries, but it is apparent the Garrison of Plymmouths' part had been the least thereof.  
But Master Vaughan would excuse his concealment of the pearl from the Parliament ten weeks, for that Mr. Keckwich was absent in the North ten days or thereabouts: and yet Mr. Vaughan had the pearl long before in his custody, and it is apparent never intended the Parliament should know of it; but to have sold it as he confesseth in his reply, viz. that he held it not fit to trouble the Committee with it, for that sequestrators have power to sell things sequestered by them; but this was not sequestered by them, but seized, sealed up and delivered to the said Francis, to be sent to the Parliament by the Committee and Deputy Lieutenants in Plymmouth as aforesaid, four of which Committee and Deputy Lieutenants were likewise Commissioners for sequestrations, viz. Sir Edmond fowel, Sir Shilston Calmady Knights, Robert Savery Esquire, and the said Philip Francis; and none of them assented to the taking of it from the said Francis.  
But Master Vaughan says that the Lord Admiral claims an interest in the pearl; that will not excuse Master Vaughan's contempt to the Parliament certainly, what part his Lordship hath therein, the Parliament is so just, that they will not detain; and his Honour is so Noble, that he will not demand any thing that is not undoubtedly his, who is now in the town; and therefore Master Vaughan's pretence to keep the pearl until his Lordship's coming to the town fails, but it is evident by concealment and resolution to dispose of it, that he intended to deceive his Lordship thereof; but it is alleged that Mr. Francis gave out as if part of the pearl were embezzled by Colonel Gould.  
It is most true (that the pearl being conceived to be better worth than 800. l. in Plymmouth, before it came to Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Gewens, and Mr. Kechwiches' hands, and by their apprizement, valued but at— 273. l. as aforesaid; and the Inventory taken at Plymmouth by the Commissioners and Deputy Lieutenants afore hand being very briofe, viz. so many strings, so many chains, and so many brazelets, without mentioning the weight, quantity, quality, or number of pearls in every string, chain, or braslet; which the pearl being sealed up as aforesaid, was conceived sufficient: but being broken open, the said Philip Francis said, and saith still, that if half the pearl were taken away, viz. half in every link, chain, and braslet, it would not appear by that Inventory, and beleiveth that there hath been juggling therein, but by whom he cannot say; but as for Colonel Gould he never reported it, nor doth he believe it; and whereas Mr. Vaughan allegeth that he was not acquainted with the praizing of the pearl, until after he had the pearl in his custody, and therefore it is apparent it could not be done on view, without his privity; and whereas he suspects the said Francis intended to get the pearl for himself, though there be more money due to the said Francis from the Parliament, than his fortune and credit can well subsist with to forbear; and therefore in a fair and honest way he hath endeavoured to be satisfied thereof (which the said Vaughan labours to hinder, as is evident) yet in the prosecution of this business, the chief aim and desire of the said Philip hath been, that the Parliament might not be deceived thereof, as it is apparent was intended; and what is set forth in the said Francis his answer, touching the carriage of the said Keckwich, will be made good; to use Mr. Vaughan's own language with a reserve.   

The further answer of the said Philip, to the Reply of the said CHARLES VAUGHAN, and the exceptions taken to the account of the said Philip.  
MAster Vaughan at first took 14. exceptions to the account of the said Philip, given to the accomptants of the Kingdom, and concludeth that his aforesaid 14, exceptions being all allowed, there rests due to the Parliament from the said Francis 750 l. as 9 d. which the said Francis having fully answered; Mr. Vaughan replies only to the first and last exceptions, and waves all the rest, yet makes the sum rest still, and giveth reason for it, viz. that he hath a reserve, which is very true, and a very great one of the State's money: or he is very much belied; unless he have transported or made it beyond Sea, as it is said he hath.  
To avoid misrecital which he chargeth the said Francis with, but how materially, sit liber judex.  
The first exception is, that there is no mention made of 1700. l. at least, assessest on Mr. Kelland Mr. yard. Mr. Hody, and Mr. Gyles, for which he is liable, they being in his custody, and freed by him.  
The answer is, that the said Mr. Kelland, Mr. yard, Mr. Hody, and one Gyles Luman, in or about September last was twelvemonth, were sent prisoners from Dartmouth to Plymmouth, and detained there in the marshalsea, and the town of Plymouth being then necessitated for money to pay the soldiers, and threatened with a siege, which followed very shortly, and the Gentlemen being very sickly, and the prison infectious, it was conceived fit by the Council of war then there, to compound with them, and take 800. l. of them for their liberty, which was done accordingly, whereof 300. l. was sent by order to Dartmouth to pay the Garrison there, and the other 500 l. was paid to Timothy Alsop of Plymmouth Merchant than Treasurer there, to pay the Garrison in Plymmouth, for which he is to be accountable; and the said Philip Francis received not one penny thereof, and therefore ought not to be charged there withal.  
Mr. Vaughan in his reply acknowledgeth the said 300. l. to be paid to Dartmouth, and the 500 l. to Mr. Alsop, and denies not the clearing of them as aforesaid (though he make some queries thereon, which will be answered hereafter) yet he thinks it fit that the said Francis should be responsible, for the full sum assessest on them; (and why) because they were discharged illegally; no, but because he and his deputy fingered no part of the money; But he objects, that none have power to abate assessments but 3. of the Commissioners at least, Sir Shilston Colmady Knight, Robert Savery Esquire, and the said Philip Francis, 3. of the said Council of War, were Commissioners for assessments, and discharged them out of prison, but not of their assessments; but took 800. l. in part for the reasons aforesaid, and the rest they are liable to still.  
Master Vaughan's new objections not formerly answered, according to his own method shall be drawn into queries, wherein Mr. Vaughan, since you desire to have truth spoken, be not offended when you hear it.  
1 Qu. Why the said Francis refused to join with the Commissioners for assessments, they wanting money to pay the soldiers?  
1 An. The said Francis was then Major, and his multiplicity of business would not give him leave to attend it constantly, and there were a sufficient number of Commissioners to sit besides himself, yet divers times he did sit with them.  
2 Master Gewen Mr. Vaughan's deputy, carried himself so peremptorily, & partially, not harkening to the advice of the rest of the Commissioners, but casing his friends, and laying such immoderate rates on others, that divers miserably ended their days there in prison; which his harsh dealing, lost the hearts of divers that formerly stood well affected to the Parliament, and disheartened the said Philip from accompanying him, so often as other ways he should?  
2 Qu. Why the said Francis was unwilling the said Mr. Kelland, Master yard, Mr. Hoddy, and Mr. Lowman, should be imprisoned in the marshally at Plymouth, and why he would have had them removed thence.  
Answ. The Calenture reigned much then in the said prison, and they were sickly, and the said Philip feared they would die there, and then their whole assessments had been lost, and therefore he would have had them imprisoned in some place of safety not infected.  
3 Qu. Why the said Francis moved the rest of the said Commissioners to take 500 l. of the said Gentlemen?  
Answ. The said Francis hearing that the said Gewen had an intention to send the said Gentlemen to Dartmouth which was taken within few days after by the enemy, and hearing that Colonel Gould owed the said Mr. Kelland 1000 l. by bond, and that the said Mr. Kelland was often proffered both at Dartmouth, and Plymouth, that if he would deliver up his said bond, they should be all freed, and then the soldiers at Plymouth who were in great want had not had any part of the said money, true it is, he said he had rather take 500 l. of them then suffer them so to be discharged, but pressed still to get as much of them as might be, and conceives that what he and the other Commissioners did therein, was very justifiable and fair, without any of Mr. Vaughan's privy or close strict dealing, and more justifiable than Mr. Gewens taking of Sir john Speccet, and others of great worth, near a quarter part of their assessments, and whereas he pretends that the said Francis and Mr. john Cawes were indebted to the said Mr. Kelland, the said Francis oweth not a penny, and what the said Cawes oweth he knoweth not.  
Qu. 4 Why the said Francis would not suffer the said Gewen to receive any part of the said 800. l.  
Answ. The said money was disposed of by order of the said Counsel of War, that cleared the said Gentlemen, and the reasons that moved them not to trust the said Gewen there, which were as the said Philip conceiveth these.  
1. The said Gewen is known to be a man of a low fortune and is much indebted to the State as is believed, not only for the money he received in Plymouth for assessments and sequestrations, but also for the prisage of wines, for the which he hath given no account at all, and being requited by the Committee in Plymouth, to account, refused the same; for that he was Master Vaughan's Deputy and aught to account to none but him, and Mr. Vaughan he being pressed to account, he pretends he hath lost his accounts, and it seems by his reply would have the said Francis to favour him so much as to account for him, for he, ('tis apparent) never intends it himself.  
2 For that the said Master Gewen, having money in his hands and the soldiers wanting pay, refused to issue it out according to order, on pretence that he kept it to discharge engagements at Exon, seldom obeying any orders for payment alleging he would pay whom he list, and when he list, and what he list, and was at last grown to the height of pride that he slighted the Honourable William Lenthals the Speaker of the House of Commons his Letter, that ordered him to make payment of moneys in his hands.  
3 The fidelity and integrity of the said Gewen to the Parliament, and cause was questioned, it being known that without leave of the Governor he held intelligence and intercourse by Letters with Peter Sentiall Esquire a great Malignant, then with the enemy, one of them excepted in the Propositions for Peace, who was joined Steward of the Stannery in De●on, with the said Vaughan, and Master Gewen their Deputy, until the encroachments of the said Court, and oppressions, vexations, and other abuses of the Subject therein, were by act of this Parliament reform, and then they that could not fish but in fowl water left it, and the said Philip is since much confirmed in his opinion thereof, for that the said Gewens' Eldest Son would have run from Plymmouth to the enemy, and persuaded one Captain Stener to go with him, promising him that he would procure him a ticket, and that his Father's man should bring him a horse without the works, and the said Philip hath been lately informed, that Nicholas Roe, Master Gewens' Son in Law, is discovered to have held intelligence by Letters, with Sir Richard Grenvils Secretary.  
The other exception (viz.) the 14. is that Mr. Francis Cranes allowance for 11. several other men's accounts and for the use of the money 2023. l. 5 s. 11. d. whereas the several persons ought to give in their own accounts themselves upon their oaths, to which and divers other things not fit to be allowed, he subscribes this Philip Francis errors excepted, and swears unto it, so as he may swear truly, and yet his accounts be false.  
The said Francis in his answer to the eight exception having set forth that one the exhibiting of his accounts, he made known to the accomptants of the Kingdom, that his accounts had dependency on other men's accounts, and that he had paid money to several persons, and promised payment to others, which they had disbursed for the Parliaments service, and which they were to be accountable for, and that thereupon the commission was ordered by the said accomptants, to be sent to Plymouth, directed to a subcommittee to audit the said accounts, before the affecting of the said Philip's, which the said Philip was informed by the said accomptants, was sent away accordingly, and which the said Mr. Vaughan knew, & in his reply since acknowledgeth; he answers the said fourteenth exception thus.  
The said Philip chargeth 200. l. only for interest which he is to pay, and much more, And a subcommittee is appointed to take the accounts of the said accomptants as is aforesaid; and the truth is, there is but 200. l. charged for interest, and the rest due on the other 14. men's accounts, make up the residue of the said 2023. l. 5 s. 11. d. and the said Philip wonders that so noted a usurer as the said Vaughan, who hath grounded the faces and fortunes of so many poor souls, that have fall'n into his hands by forfeitures, should take this exception, unless he hath left the memory of all his hard dealing in that kind, with his accounts in the Country.  
The subscription errors excepted, the said Francis answers this, that he concludes his accounts as all Merchants do, and if Mr. Vaughan knew as well to account for the money he receives as he doth to receive it, he would not take this exception: and whensoever he will give in his account for 80000. l or thereabouts, which he hath received of the State's money, and given no account of the same, on pretence that he hath look his accounts, it is wished that there be no greater errors found therein the said Philip is informed that divers of the accounts delivered the said accomptants for the Kingdom, especially by Merchants, are subscribed in the like kind, and no exception taken to any, or by any, but by Mr. Vaughan: who shows his teeth, and what he would do had he power; but it is objected, that such a subscription in Chancery or any other Court were not good, the said Francis acknowledgeth himself to be a Merchant, and ignorant in the Law: and meant plainly and honestly when he delivered in his accounts, and knows no error therein, and took the oath without any equivocation or evasion; and conceives that the clause errors excepted it is used by Merchants in their accounts, to avoid wrong and injury which might otherwise befall either party, and not introduce deceit or knavery, as Mr. Vaughan would have it: and that it is to be construed of errors, of ignorance, and misprision, and not of witting and willing ones; And whereas he objects, that the said Francis had Arms of his providing for the Parliament, which he hath not accounted for, the said Francis never received any Arms from him, but the Lord Admiral sent some to Plymmouth, which were put in the Magazine there, some part whereof some of the Town soldiers that wanted Arms, had; which the Keepers of the Magazine are to be accountable for, the residue his deputy Mr. Gewen disposed of, and 400. l. security for, and is to be accountable for, but the 80000. l. unaccompted for, is that which sticks in Mr. Vaughan's stomach, and hath produced his reply with an account, but it is only of his disbursements, for the Parliament, of which he hath a passing good memory, but of his Receipts a most treacherous one, wherein not to take notice of what is detained from him, it being the common calamity of the Parliaments friends in these times, nor what he stands engaged for the Parliament, the said Francis were he vainglorious, being able to make it appear that his engagements are far greater for the Parliament than his now, which he hath adventured on the Irish Land, he being so well secured for it, save only that he set it down as so material and observable that he paid all the money, which it seems is rare with him, for 'tis said that in Exon he paid the soldiers half, and took receipts for the whole that was due to him; but his modesty in expresting his third disbursement is note worthy, for whereas he might as well have charged all the principal money due to him, which grown use upon use, In infinitem (unless he have left his old trade) as what he doth, yet he chargeth it thus (viz.) lent on the propositions and freely, to several eminent persons, to lend to the same use of 620. l. and with such like accounts the Parliament may be made debted to Master Vaughan on account, as he allegeth, not otherwise.  
Master Vaughan's dilatory pleas to excuse himself from accounting, are two, first, he denies that he hath received half the sum of 80000 l. for he received none of the assessments in Dartmouth, Plymouth, and Barnesstaple, and Mr. Leach the Commisary received likewise some assessments.  
The less money Master Vaughan hath received, the easier account is made; but he in his reply to entitle himself to the pearl, styles himself treasurer for sequestrations in the County of Devon, and Mr. Gewen his Deputy, and by the Ordinance of the 17. of January 1642. the said Vaughan is appointed treasurer for assessments for Devon, and Mr. Leach and they that received the assessments and sequestrations in Dartmouth and Barnestaple, were likewise his Deputies, and the principal officer is answerable for his Deputy, and for such money as he shall receive, which Mr. Gewen well understood (it seems) when he refused to account, for that he was Mr. Vaughan's deputy, and aught to account only to him, so that, that shift will not serve Master Vaughan's turn.  
His other is, that he left his books of accounts behind him, which were taken by the Enemy, after Excester was yielded, and that his man's horse & cloak-bag & his money was taken away within a mile of Exon, so that had he brought the said accounts they had been taken also. Mr. Vaughan & his man might have come out of Excester in company with the Earl of Stamford & then they had passed very safely & secure as the rest of the said Earls company did, but Mr. Vaughan did divine that his man would lose his cloak-bagge and therefore left his accounts behind him, and he had reason, for thereby he did the Enemy and himself a curresie, the Enemy in leaving not only his books of receipt with them, but marginal notes thereon, if he be not belied, what every one of the Parliaments friends in those parts had any way done for them, which the Cavaliers make pernicious use of against those persons; he likewise pleasured himself thereby not only ingratiating himself with them, but excusing himself thereby as he conceives, from ever accounting with the Parliament, for the  sums of money he hath received of theirs; and that this is more than probable, take a passage or two of his being Treasurer, during the siege at the City of Exon, which I have from very good hands; The Soldiers being much arcre of their pay, and by reason thereof divers of them running to the Enemy, and there being a great quatitie of Plate of the Parliaments in the said City, in the Treasurer's Custody, or his under Officers, sufficient to have satisfied them, and there being one William Gobell, of the Mint sent thither by the Parliamint to Coin the said plate, the said Vaughan would not permit him to do it, but sent the said William Gobell away, and left the said plate entire, in the said city, to the Enemy on the surrender thereof, & in the beginning of the said siege on pretence that there was not sufficient pay for the Soldiers, you within the City kept out a great part of Sir Henry russel's Regiment, who would willingly have adventured their lives for the Parliament, in the defence of the said City, and who were afterwards enforced to serve against the said City, and a principal means of the loss thereof, and therefore 'tis not impossible he should be guilty also of this good, or rather ill Office, of leaving his accounts for them; But Mr. Vaughan must have some better shift to palliate his Policy then this, or else he will appear naked and naught, for 'tis well known, that all accountants of such considerable sums, receive and pay by their servants, as he did, and have Copies, Transcripts, Breviates and Abstracts of their Accounts, that their servants may not deceive them, which are very portable, and by which Master Vaughan might account if he had a mind to it, and 'tis apparent by his exceptions, and the Account of his Disburstments, that he hath such a copy or abstract, for he can set down what he hath paid to any for the Parliament to a penny, as for instance, in his fifth Exception he sets down what he had paid Colonel Harbert, and only forgot to deduct 3. l. which his Servant, or rather setter, had of him, as the Colonel affirms before he could get it.  
But Master Vaughan allegeth that three months since, to show his unsained desire to have his accounts again (which he well knows will never be) by petition he proposed to the Honourable Committee of Plymouth, some means to have them again, and then, let Master Francis do his Worst; A fine fetch to delude the world, delay his accounting, and to get (as 'tis said) some part of some Malignant's estate into his singers, but 'tis hoped that he will not be trusted further, that hath no better discharged the trust already reposed in him.  
The Necessary vindication of his Credit, and Reputation, which no honest man is so unnaturally Cruel to, as not to maintain, hath enforced the said Francis to this defence, which he hopes (as formerly) will give satisfaction to all honest men, (notwithstanding any thing alleged by Master Vaughan to the contrary) that his accounts are Just and true, and himself free from a scandalous aspersion raised by him.  
Philip Francis.  
FJNJS.