By a New Adventurer.

THE best way to discover the Naked Truth, is to lay aside all Reflections, and come to the matter of Fact; 'tis an easy matter to be sa­tyrical, and to abuse the best of Men, but 'tis not so easy to carry on such a Design to the end of the Chap­ter; some unlucky accident or other generally falls out to the Eternal Shame and Disgrace of the Author, as it happens in this very case.

For I must confess, That being at first surprized to read such a Paper, so highly Reflecting on a Gentleman, whose Character was one great Motive which indu­ced me to become a Subscriber, I made a very strict and full Enquiry into the matter of Fact, of which he stands accused in this Paper (for as to the rest of the Partners, I am satisfied they had no Concern in this Undertaking, but either to take Money or Tickets for their Shares, at the Price proposed) and being fully informed how matters stood, by undeniable Proofs, and finding other Persons (who were more able) too busy at this time to engage in a Paper War, I have presumed to state the matter of Fact to the World as I found it; and am perswaded the same will give en­tire Satisfaction to all unbyassed Persons, that will take the pains to read it.

And this I have done for two Reasons, first to dis­countenance Malice, and distinguish a Man, whose subtil Parts might otherwise make him capable of do­ing more mischief in the World; and Secondly, to Vindicate the Honour of a Gentleman, who has taken so much pains for the Publick Good of all the Part­ners, and indeed of the whole Kingdom.

And because the scope of this Paper is to shew that this Mine is worth nothing, and that Mr. Bateman was always of the same Opinion in that matter: I shall begin with a Letter under the Author Bateman's own hand Writing, remaining (amongst the other Writings) in the Custody of Anthony Forty, and Francis Pigot, Gent. Secretary and Accountant to the Company; the Letter is set forth [...] the very words thereof, Pa­ragraph by Paragrap [...]; and is directed thus:

Observa. The said inclosed Papers under his own hand writing, are to be seen in the custody of the said Secretary and Accomptant; and by this Paragraph I should think, that what he observes therein, was de­ [...]igned to relate to that Mine he was sent down to [...]iew, and not to any other in the North of England, [...]he would insinuate in his Paper; and also, that his [...]rvice was recommended in this affair to the Com­ [...]ittee by Sir Christopher Wren (which he now de­ [...]es) tho' he told the Workmen in the Country, he [...]as to come down Four times a Year, and several [...]sons recommended him to the Committee for that purpose; and as they then said, at his desire and re­quest.

Observ. There is nothing material in this Paragraph, then that he was very cautious of observing the Order of the Committee, which he was charged with; but as he would have it; it was only as a Friend, and not in hopes of an Employment under them.

Observ. I admire so Judicious and ingenious a Person as Mr. Bateman, should be at the trouble to recommend a Method of Management and Accounts for carrying on a Mine, when in his Paper he tells us, that 'tis plain, if the Royalty were bestowed on any Body Gratis, 'twere not worth the Working, and that he was always of the same Opinion; and if you would but take the trouble to read his Method at large under his own Hand, you might better Judge, whether it was fair and honest in Mr. Bateman, to recommend such a Chargeable Management to the Partners, that paid him 40 l. for his Journey, and put an intire trust in him, if he then thought the Mines were worth no­thing. But mark what follows!

Observ. Hey dey; What's this! Certainly this cannot be Mr. Bateman's Letter, it must be some cur­sed Cheat that has Counterfeited his Hand; it is im­possible a Man of Mr. Bateman's Character can so va­ry from himself! What, can Mr. Bateman hope the Partners will raise successive Funds to be thrown away upon such an unprofitable Mine as this? is it possible? O no! this is a great mistake; he does not mean that the Partners should Raise successive Funds to Carry on this Mine, but some other Mine in the North of England, that they had nothing to do with; as you may Observe from his Construction of the next Sentence.

Observ. This (sayes he) is true, I did say so, and I say so still, but without Application; he Dates his Letter indeed from this very Mine called Bwlchyr-Eskir-hyr, and went down on purpose to View it, and give his Opinion of it, but yet did not Write about this Mine, but about some other in the North of England; O horrid impudence! I protest I have much ado to forbear calling him a prevaricating Kn—ve, but he says he has given a Reason for Working the Mine before; and what was that, why truly because they might probably come short of Interest Mony and sink the Principal: Excellent advice, an honest Counceller; a Man fit to be Im­ployed and trusted; — but how does this agree with what follows.

Observ. How so? What do Men usually mean by such an Expression? do they mean by it that the concern they speak of is worth nothing? No cer­tainly, all plain Dealers intend by such an Expressi­on that the Concern is of great value, weight and moment: But however you must take Mr. Bateman in what Sense he pleases, and he only said it was Weighty, because it was Valued then at Seventy Thousand l. per Annum, and afterwards at above One Hundred and Twenty Thousand per Annum. which he says was too Weighty for the Mine to bear: This is such stuff that I protest I am a weary of this Subject; but however I must have patience to go through the Letter, and the next Clause is.

Observ. What to do? to throw away their Mo­ny? so it seems, and for this end says he in his Pa­per. I annext the aid of Noble Minds and Purses, because they are sure remedies for disappointments, a rare Spark: I hope his Patron (if he hath any) will take Notice of this prudent and Conscientious. Ad­vice, which may be very serviceable to him; — but to proceed, the next Sentence is, that.

Observ. I thought there had not been so much Skill required to throw a Man's Money away, or at least, that no Skill could make a Mine advantagious; that was worth nothing, but this is a singular Virtue and Excellency in Mr. Bateman, That he can make a Mine valuable or not valuable when he pleases, had he been Supervisor, no doubt it would have been wrought to the most Advantage, but without that, it was worth nothing at all, and yet he tells us,

Observ. How has Mr. Waller any Capacity to ma­nage a Mine? Yes at that time he had, because Mr. Bateman only desired to be a riding Surveyor, and to go down four times a Year to inspect the Ma­nagement, and to have Forty Pound a Journey; but afterwards that Motion being laid aside, upon Mr. Waller's Information, That he had no manner of Skill in mineral Works; now Mr. Waller has nei­ther Honesty nor Skill, but is the greatest Cheat in the Kingdom, tho' he has four Affidavits on his side, and none yet against him.

Observ. I thank you heartily for your good Wish­es, as long as you were in hopes to get any thing by it; and I am sorry you have given me this Occasion of making Mr. Bateman at Enmity with himself, but I know none so fit to deal with him as himself; for he knows the Secrets of his Heart, which I shall ne­ver be able to fathom any other Way.

Observ. This Mr. Thomas Bateman was very obe­dient and very humble to Sir Christopher Wren, as long as he wanted a Place, but now he values nei­ther him nor any Body else; for Sir Christopher Wren, who is a Person of great Reputation and Worth, declares one thing, and he another; I appeal to Sir Christopher Wren, and all the General Meeting, for what Sir Christopher declared publickly in the Presence of a great number of the Partners at Gar­raway's-Coffee-house, and to the minutes taken by the Secretary, and afterwards publickly Read and ap­proved which were as followeth.

Whereas there has been a Scandalous Report made of the Mines late of Sir Carbery Pryse Barronet by one Mr. Thomas Bateman lessening the true Value and Goodness thereof, whereupon several Affidavits were Read attesting the Largeness of the Veins and Good­ness of the Oar thereof, and Sir Christopher Wren being present, did declare that Mr. Bateman denyed to him that he had ever made any such Report; and that he said he was wronged in the said Report, and desired to be Excused, and that the said Mr. Bateman would wait upon Sir Humphry Mack­worth at his Chambers to declare the same.

And I appeal to Mr. Bateman's Printed Paper for what he sayes, whose Words are these, I think it be­comes me to clear first the last Article that Names me, wherein they say I have denyed by Sir Christopher Wren's Mouth that ever I spake against the Mines; I never yet denyed what I at any time said of their Mine, nor did I ever speak by proxy of it.

This Declaration of Mr. B. gives his Old Master Sir Christopher Wren a very fair Broad-side.

Now which is the honester Gentleman the Master or the Man I leave to the World to Judge; for my part I have a great Honour for Sir Christopher Wren, and after so many Convictions of the other, can't think it difficult to Censure him in this also.

And Whereas he says his Computation of One Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy Five Tuns of Oar yeilding One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Tuns of Lead, or Fifteen Thousand Tuns of Oar yeilding 10000 Tuns of Lead was not said by him of the Partners Oar, but of the Northern Oar, this is Just like all the rest, for this Paper is Dated from Bwlchyr-Eskir-Hir where the Mines Lye and inclosed in the said Letter, and is in these words following.

Bwlchyr-Eskir-Hir; 9th. May, 1694.

No Water Courses that can be depended on for constant supply, are nearer the Mines than Tallabont, which is Three Miles from them, and One Mile from a small River that Runs winding into the River Do­vey, It has the Tides, but at such disadvantage that (I'm told) they discontinue from May to August; But I think this inconvenience is removeable, and constant Tides may be procured by a sloping Cut over the Common into Dovey, Mr. London has taken and will produce a Draught and Estimate of in Sir Carbery Pryse is Lord.

At Tallabont Mr. Waller has designed a Smelting-Mill, cut part of its Rase, and is under some Con­tract with Mr. Covey for building it.

Very near this place, upon the same River, stands a Mill that pledges forty Shillings per Annum to the Lady Pryse, the Scituation is very convenient for a Smelting-Mill; and no doubt, but Sir Carbery may secure it, by taking upon himself for account of Com­pany what is charged upon it.

This Advantage attends these Mills, that no Huts need be built for the Smelters, the Town of Talla­bont (whereof Sir Carbery is Lord) being capable to receive them.

The Silver Mills are about four Miles from the Groves, and a Mile from Dovey, that's constantly navigable; they are very conveniently scituated, yet I think, That taking down and rebuilding them will be more advantagious in the Consequence; for I do not approve their present Erection for Lead; besides, there are now only five Hearths, but two new Mills may be built with four Hearths a-piece, the Mate­rials and Appurtenances are good so far as we could view them, but the Doors being lock'd, we could take no particular Estimate, the Houses about, and adjoining 'em, may best be purchased with 'em, as capable to receive the Smelters.

No more Places for Mills could now be found, or heard of.

The Country not furnishing with Coal, the Oar is to be melted with Chop-wood.

☞ The most that a Mill of four Hearths can me [...] in a Year, at double shift, is One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Tuns, which may proceed from One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Five Tuns of Oar, so Fifteen Thousand Tuns of Oar, or Ten Thousand Tuns of Lead will require Thirty Two Hearths, or Eight Mills, and Sixty Four Smelters, with as many Sarvers. Proposed.

1. That there be as many Bing-steads, or Repon­tories, for Ore, as there are Smelters, that by it may be discerned who works the best, and makes the most; this Method induces the Smelters too, to take more Care and Pains, to strive to out-do one ano­ther, to be watchful over each other, that one go not Oar from another, and so see that the Oar be [Page 3]well dressed; for as all Deficiencies (they know) in the Proceed, will be charged upon em; it behoves them to examine every thing to hand.

2. That a Steward be allotted to every Lead-mill, he'll have full Employment, for this Reason it may not be convenient to chuse any place for melting that has not Room and Convenience for two Mills; because one Steward may manage two, when they stand very near together, but he can't when they are any considerable space distant.

3. That each Pig (or piece of Lead) weighs one hundred, where Carts or Wayns can pass with it from the Mills, for this Reason, Smelting, Carriage, Por­terage, Fraight, &c. are rated at so much per Pig, let the Weight be what it will (Sows are double) Merchants too commonly preferr Lead of this Weight per Pig, as saving ⅙ in Fraight of what they pay for Lead of the common Weight per Pig.

Now I desire the Reader to consider, whether it might not rationally be supposed, That he intended the said Calculation to be of the Produce of these Mines, which were the subject of his Letter, and his whole Business into that Country, rather than of any other Mine; you may perceive by his printed Paper (if he writ it without help). That he does not want a Satyrical Wit and Nice Observation; and there­fore I desire to know why he should tell the Com­mittee, That Fifteen Thousand Tuns of Oar requi­red so many Mills, Hearths, Smelters and Servers, if he had not the least Thought, That so much Oar could be raised out of their Mines? To what pur­pose should they be at all that Charge for-nothing? Or to what end did he mention such things? If he had thought otherwise, certainly he would have told them, That he did conceive, that they could not raise but such or such Quantities of Oar, and that therefore two or three Mills would be sufficient, but whilst he confesses, the Committee had thoughts of building but two Lead-mills; he on the contrary writes to them of building Eight, and at the latter end of his printed Paper, he forgets that he had writ to the Effect above mentioned, but says, he on­ly made a Remark as he was going with Mr. Lon­don to the Mines, of the Inconsistancy of the first Pro­posals; which was to him an Argument, that their Oar was not to be tried by Fire.

I wish this Gentleman may not undergo a fiery Tryal one time or other, for such Confidence and Prevarication, I have hardly ever met with before in all my Life-time; but for a farther and final Answer to this piece of Sophistry, I was lately presented with another Paper under Mr. Bateman's own Hand- [...]iting, and signed by him, where he has these very Words, viz. The Oar is very good, and no doubt, wil [...] yield well: Now I know this Gentleman will answer me presently, and say this is true, I say so still, but without Application; for I did mean the Oar in the North; but hold Sir, I find you must be chained to the Block, or else there is no laying hold on you; and here I have you fast again; for your Paper is dated from these Mines at Bwlchyr Eskirhyr, and Intituled some Remarks upon the Mines here; and the first Article is, That the Oar is very good, &c. Now let us see how you'll get out of this Nooze, I perceive you have more Tricks than a Dancing-Bear, but yet you may be caught some times aswell as another.

The next thing that seems material to answer, is his Calculation of the Value of the Oar in 1696. tho' that is really done already in the Answer to the Objections, where the Author fully tells him, That in 1696. there was a Mismanagement in the smelting of the Oar, that the Oar was not half smelted, and that the slag (or dross) of that smelting when beat and washed, doth look as bright and rich as the Oar it self, and must be smelted over again to have the full produce thereof; this mismanagement Mr. Waller [...]fter complained of by Letter to the Committee, [...] therefore it ought not to be objected against him, and no fair Objector would give a particular acci­dent for a standing Rule, or insist on the Unskilful­ness of one single Artist as an Argument against the Richness of the Oar, without taking notice of this Answer in the same Paper he is writing against; for tho' [...]e stiles his Paper an Answer to the Postscript, yet he really objects against all that has been writ of [...] of these Mines.

However to give a more particular Answer to this Objection; I will State it First in his own words, as followeth (Viz.)

Which is 8 ¼ C. of Lead per Tur. (or 20 C.) of Ore.

Suppose Lead at Bristol (the nearest Port) to be 9 l. per Tun, which is there a good rate.

Suppose this Tun of Ore laid at the Mill, the convert­ing it into Lead requires this Charge, viz.

Which is about 15 s. per Bing of 8 C.

No doubt but Mr. Bateman thinks he has now knock'd the Nail on the head, for if he can make the World believe that the Oar did yeiid no more than 1 l. 17 s. 7 d. per Tun clear Profit in the Year 1696. He supposes his Design is Accomplished. But alas he is mighti­ly mistaken, for this Objection may be easily Answered several ways.

And first we'll take the weakest Answer, and suppose the Worst, that this Caculation were as True as it is really False, yet Consider­ing the quantities which may be Raised from these Mines; and which Mr. Waller with good Reason Conceives may be Fifteen Thousand Tun from the great Vein, and Five Thousand Tun a peice from the 5 Lesser Veins, in all Forty Thousand Tuns, this will amount to Seven and Fifty Thousand Pounds a Year Clear Profit above all Charges, according to Mr. Bateman's Computation; But suppose we Raise but one Half of that Oar, it will be sufficient to Answer vast Profit to all the Adventurers, and One Quarter amounts to more than Sir H. M. has Valued the whole Mine; and since we have Four Affidavits on one side to prove the Largness and Wideness of the great Vein in Oar, and Mr. Bateman dares not venture to make one a­gainst them. I hope our quantity will not be Questioned by any in­different Reader.

The second Answ. shall be from matter of Fact known to all the Partners, and appearing upon their Books, and that is, that the hard Oar was sold for 4 l. 5 s. a Tun at Dovey; Now if the Oar be worth four pound five shillings per Tun, without farther Charge, how comes the same manufactured to yield but one pound seventeen shillings and seven pence, O, but Mr. Bateman will tell you, that the person that bought it had so hard a bargain, that he lost by it, and would never deal again with them, no, that is also denied, for the same Per­son who did smelt that Oar and had full Experience of it, hath lately bought of the same Oar from Mr. Pryse and from the Lady Pryse, and would buy all the Partners Oar on the Bank, if he might have it; this Mr. Bateman, perhaps, will have the Confidence to deny, and challenge us to name the Person. tho' he has made frequent References himself without naming any; and expects to be believed by his ipse dixit, yet we must not presume to take that Liberty, well, in hopes he will follow a good Example, we will name the Person, who is Mr. Dan. Peck, a Man of great Skill in the smelting and ex­tracting of hard Oars in Wales, and has a noted smelting-mill in Flintshire.

3dly. But what will Mr. Bateman say, if this very Gentleman hath offered three pound per Tun for the very slag or Dross of that Lead smelted in 1696, will he then believe that the Oar will yield a better produce if smelted with Art and Skill, certainly if the Lead be left in the slag it is the same thing as to the Richness of the Oar, as if it had been smelted out, for if an unskilful Artist for want of a proper Flux, and good firing smelts but half the Lead out of the Oar, is that single instance an Argument that the Oar will yield no more afterwards? But because we have a Critical-Gentleman to deal with, very full of Evasions, I have obtain'd a Person of great Credit and Reputation, to condescend to tell us the Truth by way of Affidavit, for the entire Confutation of the Objectors, and Satisfaction of all the new Adventurers in this particular, —

The Affidavit of Edward Pryse, Esq. Edward Pryse of Gogarthen, in the County of Cardigan, Esq maketh Oath, That several Tuns of the hard Oar of Bwlchyr Esgair-hyr in the said County of Cardigan was sold to Paul Docminique of London, Merchant and Commissary Shales, at the rate of four pound five shilling per Tun; and that Daniel Peck of Flint, Gent. owned, that he bought part of that Oar and smelted it, and that it gave him such encouragement, that within the space of three Months last past, the said Mr. Peck came over to this Deponents House at Gogarthen aforesaid in the County of Cardigan, and bought all the remaining parcel of the said hard Oar, which this Deponent and the Lady Pryse had power to dispose of, and offered to buy the Oar on the Bank belonging to the Partners and the Lead, and [Page]mongst other things the said Daniel Peck particularly offered to this Deponent upon the place at Tallybont. to give three pound per Tun for the slag (or dross) of that Lead which now lyes at Tallybont, and was the Lead which was made there in the Year 1696, from the hard O [...]r of Bwlchyr Eskir-hyr, but this Deponent did not accept of the same, having no Power from the Partners to dispose thereof.

And now I desire to know what can be said against the value of this hard Oar? If this matter of Fact will not convince, if Mr. Bateman is a man of that Credit in the World, that his bare suggestions will pass against all sorts of Evidence, it is in vain to spend more Ink and Paper.

But however, for farther Demonstration of the Truth in this par­ticular, I will answer every Item of his Calculation.

And as to the Produce of the Lead in 1696. that is confessed, as aforesaid, and the reason is given, because the Smelter was unskilful, used no other Flux but the Earth of the Fallow Ground, and did not give it half Firing; by all which a great part of the Lead was left in the Slag, for which Slag we are now offered 3 l. per Tun.

As to the Voyage to Bristol, and all the Charges thereof, we altoge­ther reject that Notion, as a meer contrivance to enhance the Recko­ning; for the Lead may be sold at 9 l. per Tun at Dovey, or at least sent up to London for less then 20 s. a Tun, and sold for 10 l. per Tun, and perhaps by carrying Corn from Pembrook-shire, or fish from Aberystwyth, the Freight may be more then paid for that way.

And then as for the Charges of Smelting, whatsoever it cost that unskilful Pretender in 1696. we know no reason why it should cost more with us, then in the North, especially since we are now to have Coal cheap by Sea, and by carrying Coal to Oar, and Oar to Coal, shall save half Freight, and a great part of the Duty on Coal; but at worst we are offered by the Great to have it done for 20 s. a Tun, with Pit Coal in a Cupulo; so I hope we may modestly deduct out of this Valuation 20 s. and 9 d. per Tun for the Bristol Voyage, and 1 l. 4 s. 6 d. in Smelting Charges, besides 4 s. a Tun for Carriage from the Mines to the Mill, which is four Mile, and we never paid but 12 d. a Mile; tho' he hath set it at just double the rate, by which you may guess at all the rest: And if you'll please to compute the Profit fairly, at the true value, and add 3 l. per Tun for the Slag, I believe you'll find Mr. Waller very modest in his Calculation; but you may see also a fair Computation of the Profit of this hard Oar, in the Answer to the Objections.

And here I cannot forbear to take notice of the extraordinary Partiality of this Worthy Objector, who notwithstanding the Papers he Answers, tells him, that there is several sorts of Oars in these Mines, viz. soft Oar, Potters Oar, Starry Oar, Steely Oar, &c. and tho' he knows, and was also told, it was not the soft or Potters Oar, but the hard or steely Oar that was smelted in 1696. yet he takes not the least notice of this, but slides it over smoothly, as if all the Oar was under the same difficulty of Smelting; whereas the soft or Potters Oar will Smelt in a Fire Shovel in a Kitchin Fire, without any Flux; but yielding more Profit in Oar, for Glasing Earthen Ware in Holland, where it sells now for about 12 l. per Tun; the Partners never Smelted any of that down into Lead, except a small quantity for Trial. And he is told in the said Paper, that if all the hard Oar were left unwrought, the soft or Potters Oar, was sufficient alone to bring in great advantage to all the Adventurers, and to all this he is silent; but I fancy no Person that has read his Paper will believe that he was so, for want of Malice, but because he cannot deny the Fact.

And thus having given an Answer to the material Part of Mr. Bateman's Paper, if any part thereof may be said to be so; I don't know whether I ought to condescend so low as to take notice of his Satyrical Flights and sly insinuations; I observe indeed; That he is conscious of his Guilt, by running for shelter under the Protection of a noble Lord, and of the North-Country Gentlemen, both which Stories, I am confident, are meer Fictions, in hopes to create some further Differences; for most of the Gentlemen he mentions, did assure me, that they never heard that any such noble Lord ever spoak against the Mines, nor they never spoak disrespectfully of any such Lord, nor don't know who he means; and Mr. Bateman would do well to name the Person, Time, and Place, and saddle the right Horse, or else 'tis hoped, this noble Lord will be pleased to entertain a more favourable Opinion of the accused, than of the accuser.

And as to the North-Country Gentlemen, the old Partners and Subscribers, have a great Honour for them, and never spoak nor thought any Evil of them; but if a few inferiour Persons being Te­nants of Mines in other places have entertained a wrong Notion of this Undertaking, and thought it their Interest to oppose it, I hope any accidental Discourse relating to them shall not be construed to any other purpose.

As to Sir H. M. threatning Mr. Bateman, I can speak this to my own Knowledge, That when a worthy Member of Parliament pro­posed at a General Meeting, That the said Bateman should be pro­secuted at Law, at the common Charge for his scandalous Words; Sir H. M. was the Man that diverted the question, and desired that it might be deferred till another Meeting. Sir H. does confess, that in a way of Discourse he has given his Opinion, and so has several other Gentlemen at the Bar concern'd in this Undertaking, that a good Action will lie against Mr. Bateman; for tho' it is free for every man to give his, Opinion and Advice to a Friend in private matters, that asks it; yet it is not free for any man to go about of­ficiously to undervalue any man's Estate or Property to the damage of the Owner, as in this Case Mr. Bateman hath done, affirming, that the Proprietors had never a Vein one foot wide, that their Oar was good for nothing, and that they themselves (naming some of them) were great Cheats, whereby several Gentlemen confess'd, That they were discouraged from paying in their Money which they had subscribed, and others from subscribing at all; if this won't bear an Action, I don't know what will, — as to his Reflection on one particular person that help'd a Gentleman to buy at seventeen pound, and sell at twelve pound, he is desired to name the party, and the time, and the Circumstances of the Case; for it is hard that all those Gentlemen should lie under Censure for every single Contrivance amongst so great a number of Partners, or perhaps for none at all, but a mere Suggestion; and as to those Gentlemen re­fusing any Shares at twelve pound a piece, except some that are under prior Mortgages, Sir Thomas and Sir H. M. will give Mr. Bate­man one hundred pound for every Share he can prove they so re­fused, which is good encouragement for him to speak out; he will be a great while getting so much money by his Salary at fifty pound per Annum, and therefore I would not advise him to be shy and lose so good an Offer.

As to the Computation of the Value of the Northern Oars, we [Page]wish they were twice as rich as he makes them, being of Opinion with Mr. Bateman and Mr. Whiston, that there is no danger, but there will be a sufficient Vent for all the Lead that can be raised in Eng­land and Wales; and therefore having answered his under-value of the Welsh-Oars, upon which his Calculation depends, I shall not say any more to that particular, tho' some Persons better skill'd in those Affairs, stand amaz'd at his Confidence.

Mr. Bateman makes a great Harrangue upon a supposed mistake, that the Authors of the Answers to the Objections, were but late­ly informed of his Reflections on the Mines; whereas, he says, they knew his Opinion long ago; but tho' this is not material to the merits of the Cause, yet a Man is glad to catch hold upon every Twig when he is a Sinking: But how does this agree with the Postscript! which tells you, that immediately upon his being rejected, he vented his revenge in disparaging the Mine: Now tho' he would not recon­cile this matter, I can do it very easily; for it appears by that Pa­per, that the same was writ by Sir Th. and Sir H. M. and that they were Strangers to Mr. Bateman, and but lately heard of Mr. Bate­man's Reflections; but the Committee heard on't long ago, as the Paper it self expresses; but he makes what Persons he pleases to be Authors of that Paper, only to furnish himself with Arguments to reflect upon them.

But in Stating the Postscript, he has been pleas'd to shew another peice of his Skill; for he leaves out the chief Complaint against him; that he had affirmed, there was never a Vein one Foot wide in Oar, and says not one word on that matter, because he knows we have it under his own Hand, that it was three Foot wide in Oar when he was there, at which time the Vein was then in a switch, but afterwards came to be Six Foot wide again; see the Paper of the Affidavits, where this matter, is largely handled, and fully ex­plained, without any the least Answer to it from Mr. Bateman.

And as to his being three or four days in the Country, 'tis very true he was so, but he spent his time in viewing and advising about the cutting of Tridole Pill, a ridiculous Project, which would have cost a great deal of Money to no purpose, for the Sea would have filled it up again with Sand, &c. as soon as finished; and after­wards about viewing the Mills, and surveying Ground for Building of Huts, &c. but was really in and upon this Mountain not above three or four Hours, as several Witnesses can testify. And whilst he was there, he sufficiently discovered to all the Company how little he was acquainted with a Mine; for when Mr. Waller had shewed him the several Veins, and particularly the Bog-Vein, out of which was then rais'd about 200 Tun of Oar (and of which he says not one word) and shewed him another place, where the same Vein appeared again at a great distance: He staid till Mr. Wal­ler was gone out of Hearing, as he thought, and then calls to the Workman he brought with him, and asked him, is this a Vein? I God knows, says the Miner, and a large Vein too, Don't you see it before your Eyes? But alas Mr. Bateman had seen the Veins so deep in the North, that he did not understand a Vein so near the Sur­face of the Ground, tho' he saw it; and whereas he desires an Affi­davit, expressing that he was never under-ground; there is no Bo­dy ever said so; but the Postscript says, he was never employed under-ground, but only as Clerk to a Lead-work: Now there is a great difference between being employed as a Grow-Steward, in directing the Works under-ground, and being employed as a Clerk in keeping the Accounts above-ground; and this he knows well e­nough, but that he has a particular way with him, of making Ob­servations which are nothing to the purpose.

And now I desire to know where the mark ought to be placed? upon this Project, or upon his Fore-head? and who those Persons are that have Fiction for their Foundation? whether they that have made Proof of the matters of Fact, or they who have made none? they who assert notorious Falsities, contrary to their own Letters, or they whose Words and Actions agree together? I appeal to e­very disinterested Person, whether there is any thing like Anger or Satyr in all Sir H. M's Papers; but as in all other Cases, of the Million-Lottery, and the like, Abstracts were made of the Act of Parliament, for conveniency of Postage, and farther Explanation of the Undertaking; so in this Two Settlements were required to be Executed, and then Abstracts of those Settlements were abso­lutely necessary to be Printed; and the World had been troubled with no more, but that Objections raised by this Bateman and others, compelled the same Author to give an Answer to them; and also to Print Affidavits and other Proofs of the matters of Fact, and this he calls haranguing Men into a good Opinion of the Mine.

But what can give a greater Demonstration of the Fair [...]ss of this Undertaking, then all these Proceedings? The Books for taking Sub­scriptions were opened the 3d of October, and shut up in 3 days; whereas most Persons believe, that if they had been kept open three days longer, the Books had been full; and this was done to give the World more time to be satisfied, and fully informed; and then, at the time appointed, on the 2d of Nov. the Books were opened again, at which time there was so great a Crowd, that it is well known, that a Noble Lord, and several other Persons of Quality, were forced to wait a long time before they could get to the Books; and when all was Subscribed to Five or Six thousand Pounds, which was done in 3 days more, the Books were shut up again; purely out of respect to those Gentlemen that were then in the Country, and not come up to Town; for the Undertakers being entirely satisfied of the great Advantages that would (in all humane probability) accrew to all the Adventurers; were so far from doing it in a fit and spurt, as Mr. Bate­man will have it, that they several times adjourned the days of Sub­scriptions, to give all Persons more time to be fully informed in the matter: and those that will look over the Books, will find several Persons of great Judgment and Knowledge in Mineral Works who have Subscribed several times, one after another, as they had time and leisure to be more fully informed: And it is well know, that Sir Th. and H. M. has several times at the General Meeting [...]fered, that in case any persons were dissatisfied in the Undertaking, Sir Th. and Sir H. were willing to return back their Money; which [...] S [...] ­scribers were so far from accepting, that they immediately made an Order to the contrary.

And yet this Gent. who they never had the honour to see an their Lives, is pleased not only to abuse the old Partners, but all the Sub­scribers too; as if all those Honourable Persons, who upon [...] Deliberation and full Inquiry into the matter of Fact have engaged in this Undertaking, as well for the publick good of the whole Kingdom, as their own particular advantage, were all [...] Company of meer [...] acting in a Fit or Spurt of meer Credulity and Inconsideration.

If such a Person as this be Co [...]enanc'd, I cann't tell [...] Ho [...] and Reputation▪