A TRUE BREVIATE OF THE Great Oppressions and Injuries done to EVAN VAUGHAN Postmaster of IRELAND; By EDMOND PRIDEAUX, Esq Attorney General, And Postmaster of ENGLAND, since March, 1648.  
I. THe said Evan Vaughan having been for fifteen years' last past Postmaster of Dublin, by the appointment of Mr. Witherings, formerly Post-Master-General of England, afterwards by Mr. Burlamachi; which place in the year 1642. was confirmed to him, by the said Mr. Prideaux upon certain Articles. In the year 1646. the aforesaid Vaughan was forced to come for England, having lost all his means in Ireland, for subsisting; but in May 1647. Colonel Michael Jones, and the rest of the Commissioners for Ireland went over, with whom the said Vaughan went from London, upon the former Articles with Master Prideaux, as Postmaster of Dublin, and continued so till April, 1649. At which time, the said Mr. Prideaux unjustly discharged him of his said Employment, because he would not abate him Twenty shillings a week of his Salary, formerly allowed him by Mr. Witherings, and Mr. Burlamachi, and granted him upon the said Articles by the said Mr. Prideaux; which is ready to be produced under his Hand and Seal.  
II. The said Mr. Prideaux in pursuance of his covetous ends which the said Vaughan would not submit unto, did out of Spleen to the said Vaughan, maliciously suggest to his Excellency the Lord General, than Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, many false things to the said Vaughan's disadvantage; endeavouring to destroy him in his good name, and thereby to deprive him not only of his then place and livelihood, but also of his Excellency's favour, to obtain any other way to live; knowing that being done, he could ruin him at his pleasure: And in order thereunto, did contrary to his own knowledge, and the Certificates of Col. Jones, and divers other Officers of the Army in Ireland, and Merchants of Dublin, on the said Vaughan's behalf, charge the said Vaughan with unfaithfulness in the management of his trust, making use of that pretence to out the said Vaughan, in regard he would not yield to his covetous desire, to abate the said Twenty shillings a week of his Salary; Notwithstanding, the said Mr. Prideaux comings-in then, was above Four thousand pounds a year raised for him, by the industry and labour of the said Evan Vaughan, and the rest of the Post-Masters of England, whom he also assured by his promise, That every man should reap the benefit of his own labour, and to be their protector against all wrongful opposers on that behalf.  
III. The said Evan Vaughan having, though to his great expenses in many journeys, cleared himself of those scandals, and confirmed his Excellency's favour toward him, by evidencing the Equity of his Complaint, and making appear his Innocency, as to those things laid to his charge: His Excellency thereupon promised to procure him his place again, with all profits thereto belonging. Whereupon the said Evan Vaughan came to London again, in order to obtain Mr. Prideaux good will therein, that he might be free from further vexations, and presented him with an account of 36 pounds and 18 shillings, or-thereabouts, due to him for service upon account, according to the aforesaid Articles, which he denied to accept of; and told him, if he would give him such an account, as he would approve of, he would accept of it, and would let the said Vaughan enjoy his place again, according to the former Articles, saying, I see you have the Lord Lieutenants good will: Upon which account, to buy Mr. Prideaux favour, the said Vaughan was forced to make himself debtor to him Forty pound and nine shillings; so he gave him near Eighty pound to keep himself out of his place, as it did afterwards appear: For when he came to Dublin, another had a Commission from Mr. Prideaux for executing his Office or place in Dublin aforesaid.  
iv Afterward the said Vaughan, by Petition made his case known to the Lord General, then at Cork, whereupon His Excellency granted him a Commission to be Postmaster General of Ireland; being fully satisfied of his Fidelity and Ability to discharge that place, and wrote a Letter to that purpose, in his behalf, to the Council of State, who did also approve of, and confirmed his said Commission.  
V The said Master Prideaux upon an Order from the Council of State, did Article with the said Vaughan for maintaining two Post Barks to be employed between Milford-Haven and Ireland; and then declared before the Committee, that he would defray and pay the charge of the Post Barks, so long as he should continue Postmaster, and promised to advance the said Vaughan a Hundred pound: But afterwards, Mr. Prideaux being confirmed by the Council in his place, would not let the said Vaughan have a penny, unless he would give him a Bond and Security; who being ready to leave the Town, and wanting money, he was forced to do; but after the Bond was sealed, he gave him only a Note to receive Nine and fifty pound eleven shillings, and stopped the Forty pound and nine shillings, which he pretended he owed him; notwithstanding, he had kept the said Vaughan most injuriously out of his place, and put him to the expense of many journeys, to the hazard of his life, both by Sea and Land, and to the impoverishing of Himself, Wife, and Family.  
VI Having been forced to yield to his Oppression, in that particular, the said Vaughan nevertheless went cheerfully about the State's business, & settled the two Post Barks at Milford, and returned Certificates of the same to the Committee of Scotch & Irish Affairs; which service was well approved of by them; & when he arrived in Ireland, did settle what stages he could in Munster: And afterwards got leave to go from the Head quarters to Dublin, purposely to settle that place in order to the Lord Deputy Iretons command; but when he came thither, the said Mr. Prideaux, contrary to his word and assurance given him, had Articled with Major Swift for his place there; so that he was forced to return as he came to the Headquarters. And Four months after, the said Vaughan being commanded by the Lord Deputy to settle Stages between Dublin and London-Derry, he did the same upon his own charges; as also went into Scotland with a Packet to the Lord General; and there presented his Excellency with a Petition, setting forth the Wrongs and Injuries done to him, by the said Mr. Prideaux: Whereupon his Excellency granted him another Commission, expressing, That none should be employed in Dublin as Post Master, but the said Vaughan, or his Deputy.  
VII. The said Vaughan having by Virtue of the last recited Commission, settled a Deputy at Dublin, and being commanded with a Packet from the Commissioners of Parliament for England, he came again to London, and then desired Mr. Prideaux to pay what was due for the Post-Barques service, but he refused to pay their wages; by which means he was forced to Petition the Council of State for their pay; and Master Prideaux after Three month's attendance was ordered to pay him the same, being Two hundred pounds, after abating of near Fifty pound in the account: Which Order being issued to him, he refused to observe, but lent only Seventy pound to the said Vaughan, and then desired him to settle Stages in South-Wales, which he did: Notwithstanding all these discouragements, hoping, That his observance of Master Prideaux will, would in some measure diminish his cruelty, and rigour, and incite him to do him right. Whereupon the said Mr. Prideaux wrote a Letter to his Agent at Dublin to discharge him, well approving of the said Vaughan's Commissions, and promised to give him satisfaction for his journey, when he should come back from South-Wales, and endeavour payment of the money the Council of State had ordered him; but upon the said Vaughan's coming to London, he was forced to Petition again; and though he obtained the second Order, the said Mr. Prideaux delayed the payment thereof so long, that during his attendance on him, he was Arrested for money that he had taken up to perform the State's service; which, the said Two hundred pound the Council had ordered him, was to discharge; and then Mr. Prideaux hearing of his troubles, would not pay him a penny: But thinking that he could never come out of prison, most unjustly did write a second Letter to his Agent at Dublin, letting him understand, That if he was in the employment, he might continue in it still; for he thought Mr. Vaughan would not trouble him any more. A lively expression of his cruelty, and desire of revenge.  
VIII. After the said Vaughan had made means to come out of prison, he went to Mr. Prideaux, and desired the rest of his money that was behind, which the Council had ordered him to pay, & what was then due for the Post Barks hire; for Mr. Prideaux had paid some out of the money, which the Council had ordered him, upon the said Vaughan's Bills to Mr. Peter's, and to one Cap. Thomas, about One hundred and fifteen pound: But Master Prideaux would neither pay him any money, nor deliver his Bond for the Seventy pound, nor give him any satisfaction for his journey, but very scornfully bid him take his course; knowing very well he might by his power and interest oversway, and persuade many persons then in power against him; as the said Vaughan had found it, by Mr. Bond, to whom Mr. Prideaux had promised to speak in his behalf; but on the contrary, told him many things against him, which were made appear to be false, before Master Prideaux at the Committee, when the said Two hundred pound was ordered him.  
IX. The aforesaid Vaughan did then again Petition the Council of State, which Petition was referred to the Committee for Irish Affairs, who was to hear his further aggrievances, and Master Prideaux defence, and to report back the same to the Council: To which end, a day being appointed, and Master Prideaux desired to be there; the first day he sent word, that he could not attend; and the second sitting he came, and through his subtlety, and other advantages, persuaded the Committee not to do any thing in the business.  
X. The aforesaid Vaughan finding that he could have no Justice against him, in relation to his own Complaints, appeared in the behalf of one he had engaged in the State's service; to wit, Master White of Milford, and desired, That the said Mr. White might have satisfaction from Mr. Prideaux, out of the moneys which he could make appear to be due unto him from Mr. Prideaux; but he could have no redress therein; notwithstanding, many Noble Persons did endeavour it on his behalf, by which means, he was left in a sad condition, and not able to pay Mr. White, who is not yet satisfied.  
This is but a short Recapitulation of the most obvious Injuries, which the said Vaughan hath suffered by the injustice and oppression of the said Master Prideaux, which if it be looked upon with an Impartial eye, will sufficiently plead for the said Vaughan, and from the hands of Justice require a Compensation answerable to his great loss and damages, amounting to above two thousand pounds, sustained since Master Prideaux had any thing to do with the Post Office. All these being but one Instance of the said Master Prideaux Spleen, Covetousness, and desire of Revenge, to all which he prostituted his power, as many others besides the said Vaughan, have been dearly sensible of, and now hopes for and expects satisfaction.  
All which, and much more will be justified upon Oath.  
Evan Vaughan.   
FINIS.