A dialogue between a modern courtier and an honest English gentleman to which is added the author's dedication to both Houses of Parliament, to whom he appeals for justice / by Samuel Baston.

A dialogue between a modern courtier and an honest English gentleman to which is added the author's dedication to both Houses of Parliament, to whom he appeals for justice / by Samuel Baston.

Table of contents

Title page

TO THE Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in Parliament Assembled:

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN A Modern Courtier, and an Honest English Gentleman.

§

[Page]

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN A Modern Courtier, and an Honest English Gentleman.

Courtier.

DEAR Sir, Your Humble Servant, you are Welcome to Town; Pray how long have you been arrived.

Gentleman.

Sir, I came but last Night, and thought my self oblig'd to pay my Respects to you in the first place: I hope all your Noble Family is well.

C.

I thank you Sir, they are very well; But pray how does your good Lady? And how do Matters go in the Country?

G.

Why we are all reasonable well in Health, but out of Order every way else; For the Taxes are so high, Money so scarce, Trade so dead, &c. That I Protest my Estate is so Cultivated, 'twill hardly maintain my Family.

C.

Come, Sir, you are my Worthy Friend, and therefore I would not have you find Fault with any thing; for, if you are willing, I doubt not, but you may soon have such an Employment, that you will not feel the weight of the Taxes; [Page] nay, you may be a Great Gainer by the War; and I would fain have you in the Government. What say you, Will you Advance a small Summ.

G

Sir, I give you many Thanks for your kind Offers which at this time-a-day I can by no means accept; and I am desirous to be plain with you in my Reasons for Refusal: but you being a Privy-Councellor, and Member of Parliament, &c. I know not whether 'twill be Convenient to use Freedom of Speech; for, you may Interpret some things I may say, as Reflections on your Self.

C.

Sir, I assure you, what I Offer is design'd for your Interest; but, if you don't approve on't, you may use what Freedom of Speech you please; for, though I am Honour'd with those Offices you mention, yet that shall not, in the least, be any barr to the freedom of our Discourse, neither shall I take any thing Ill, for I perceive you have a desire to Talk about Publick Affairs.

G.

Sir, I heartily Thank you for the Liberty you have given me; And now I must tell you, that I am of Opinion, there is such a Caball of Corrupt Men in the Government, that 'tis impossible for an Honest Man to live and act amongst them, unless he will renounce his Duty to God and his Country; For (as one well observes) Good and Bad Men Joyn'd in a Government, are like the Iron and Clay in the Toes of Nebuchadnezar's Image, they may Cleave, but they will never Incorporate.

C.

Why truly, what you Alledge▪ is a good Reason for not taking an Employment, provided there be any Just Grounds for your Opinion about the Corruption in the Government.—I Confess there is, and has been a Great Noise and Clamour about Corruption and Mismanagement and I have always endeavoured, as narrowly as I could to search out the Truth of Matters, but cou [...]d never yet find any thing so Material, as to be worthy the Cogninance of either King or Parliament. [Page] However, Great Clamours have been made by some Private-Men, who (I suppose) were Male▪Contents, they have Promis'd Vast Discoveries of Treachery and Fraud, but when it has come to Examination, I never found that the Accusers could make out their Allegations, but Mountains dwindled away into Mole-hills, and, as I said before, nothing appear'd that was thought worthy of Cognizance.

G.

I find, by your Discourse, you endeavour not only to Evade, but Cover those Gross and Monstrous Evils that have been the Causes of the Length of the War, and of our Present Distress: Sir, I know not what kind of Miscarriages you think are worthy of Cognisance, but, I fear, upon Examination, 'twill be found, that the Crimes already prov'd in the Faces of our Rulers, will Amount to the Degree of ROBBERY and MƲRDER; and, which makes them more Hainous, they have not been done in a Hostile Manner, in Open Defiance of the Law, as the High-way-man takes away your Money on the Road, But with the Audacious Face of Authority, under the Sacrilegious Mask of Law, Justice and State-Pollicy: The Authors and Upholders of these Mischiefs in the mean time blowing the Trumpet of Fame in each others Praise, as Long-headed Councellors, &c So that I do not wonder these matters should be Rejected, and not thought worthy of Cognizance, when I consider that Infallible Maxim, That the Inferiours cannot be Knaves, and be Protected by the Superintendants, unless those Superintendants be as bad. And thus it appears almost Impossible any Fault could be Punished, but that all Criminals must be Protected, and their Crimes hid from the King, when Corrupt Men sat Judges of each others Actions—Therefore 'twas not likely they wou'd hurt one another; For the very Scripture tells you, That Satan cannot cast out Satan, if he should his Kingdom would fall.

C.

Sir, you have Charg'd the Court with a [...] yet 'tis [Page] but a General and bare Assertion; and let me tell you (being something Concern'd) there's a great difference between Asserting and Proving, and therefore I'd fain have you (if you can) branch out your General Charge into some particular Instances, as for what may seem to Reflect upon me, as I told you before, please to use your Freedome, for I shall not Resent any thing that shall happen in Discourse at this time.

G.

Why then, Sir, for your Satisfaction, I shall give you some Instances, that have accidentally fallen under my Observation, which I fear, in Reference to the Mighty Mass of Corruption in the Government, will be found only as a small Pattern or Sample of a vast quantity of Goods, that the Whole Parcel is of the same Sort, otherwise there cou'd never be such an agreeable sweet harmony among all the Offices, in Crying up the Parts, and hiding the Crimes of each other from King and People: But having more than one Office to speak of, I think I shall begin first with that of the Navy.

The Commissioners of that Office have been accus'd of making most horrible Wast of the Publick Treasure, by a long Practice of Fraudulent Contracts for Naval-Stores, and driving Trades in Embezelling all sorts of Stores, as well as Foul and Shameful Extravagance in Building and Repairing the King's Ships: These things have been Fully Prov'd against them before the Lords of the Admiralty, and before the Lords of the Council, and afterwards openly set forth in Print to both Houses of Parliament, and yet the Delinquents are still Continu'd in their Employments. So that by this Open Villany, the Necessary Charge of the Navy is more than doubled, and the King Shamefully Betray'd and Cheated, and His Subjects made Beggars by Heavy Taxes. But there is one thing more that is a most Dangerous and Cursed Evil, and that is the Usage of the Poor Saylors, whose Number is about Forty Thousand Employed in the Service of their King and [Page] Countrey: Their DEPLORABLE CASE has been often at Large set forth in Print, and made known to the Parliament, Council, Admiralty, &c. And to Relate all their Grievances, and the Cursed Arts us'd to Ruin and Destroy them and their Families would be Endless: Therefore to avoid being Tedious, I shall only give you a short Account of their MISERIES, as I find it Inserted in a BOOK, Entituled, Justice Perverted, &c. Printed and Published last Year by Mr. Crosfeild, and Dedicated to Both Houses of Parliament. The BOOK contains besides this a Great Mass of Flat Down-right Knavery; and the Commissioners of the Navy, and others, are Named therein to the particular Facts: But I find, it has all been pass'd over and Stifled. However, I shall Relate it as follows, in his Own Words, having, by Good Luck, the BOOK in my Pocket to Assist me.

The poor Saylors (Says he) that Venture their Lives and Limbs to Serve their King and Country, and who are one of the greatest Bulworks of the Kingdom, have been all along most Inhumanely and Barbarously Treated; and they and their Families reduc'd to a Miserable and Deplorable State, particularly by the wicked practices of putting QƲERY's and RƲNS upon their Pay, For amongst those great Numbers that are Set on Shoar Sick; those that Dye and others that Continue Sick above Thirty Days, and those sent to the London Hospitals who are thereby disabled to return to their Ships, are for the most part made Run. Others whose Ships are Sayl'd before recovery having gone aboard other Ships, are prick'd Run in that Ship from which they were Sent: And if a Seaman is Turned over from Ship to Ship, and by that means has Serv'd on board four or five Ships in the Navy, Yet if he happens to be prick'd Run in the last Ship he served in, he shall of Consequence be prick'd Run in all the preceding Ships. By this Means a Query or Run takes away a Mans pay worse than an Execution, and by the present practice [...] Seaman▪ or [...] [...]oor [Page] Family is at any Certainty of having the benefit of the Kings pay, For it is in the power of the Captain, Captain's Clerk, Purser, Clerk of the Checque, Muster-Master, or Clerks in the Navy-Office, wherever they please to put a Run or Query upon any Seamans pay without Inserting the Reason for so doing, or the Name of the person that put it, so that for these Black pieces of Robbery, No one is lyable to be Call'd to Account, but the poor Saylor is kept wholly in the Dark, and he or his Wife may wait at the Navy-Office Month after Month with Petitions to no purpose, till he has Spent all his Substance, and if he begins to talk of his being thus Cheated and Robb'd, he is Threatned to be Try'd for his Life as a Mutineer: So that the Barbarity the poor Saylors do and have Suffer'd this War is unexpressible, For the Blood of Thousands of Familys are pour'd out as Sacrifices to the Covetousness of those whose Duty and place it is to be their Guardians and Protectors. By all which it's plain, That whatever Good-Laws may be made for the Increase and Incouragement of Seamen, will prove Ineffectual, so long as these Practices Continue.

These Grievances have been at large set forth in Print by one Mr. Hodges, and a Scheme of their true Cause laid bare-fac'd before the Admiralty by Mr. Trevor in a Letter, and a remedy for them proposed in Writing, to the Admiralty by Mr. Gibson, by order of a Committee of Council; and why there's nothing done but this Fraud and Robbery still practic'd and supported, is, what no reason can be given for, since neither Mr. Hodges's, Mr. Trevors, nor Mr. Gibsons Papers beforemention'd; have ever been exploded.

The Lords of the Treasury were so fully Convinc'd of these Cheats, that their Lordships did by Warrant under their hands in December last, appoint Mr. Gibson to receive all Informations of abuses in Payment of Seamens Tickets; which doubtless, would have put a stop to these wicked Practices, Notwithstanding which, the said Mr. Gibson has never been suffer'd to [Page] Act, and so their Lordships good Intentions have been wholly defeated: But why their Lordships have not been able to put their own orders in Execution, is another strange thing to me.

This is the Account he gives; and 'tis certainly very amazing to consider that the Government should be so wretchedly Corrupt, as to pass over Crimes of such fatal Consequence.

But you may see that by this Cheating and Robbing there are vast Summs of Mony gotten for some body, and certainly the Actors in it cannot have the whole profit to themselves, but it must be distributed elsewhere, to persons of higher Rank; Because their Interest is so great, that even after Conviction, they have power enough to Chain up Law and Justice from doing their proper Offices. And now Sir, what think you, are these Crimes worthy of Cognizance or not? but I have many more to add

C.

Why then, Pray Sir proceed, for this is something more than I knew before; I confess, one of Crosfeilds Books was given me at the House of Commons, it lies somewhere about the House, but I had never time to read it over.

G.

Indeed I thought as much, for it appears all things of that kind have hitherto been shamefully thrown aside as wast Paper, as if the persons to whom they were Dedicated did not desire to be Informed: But I shall go on and give you some Account of the Commissioners of the Admiralty.

Their Lordships have been accus'd of Concealing and Advocating the Crimes of the Navy-Board, and Discouraging and Ruining such of the Kings faithful Officers and Subjects, that laid them open▪ this has been prov'd against them before the Council, but all things lie dormant and unregarded: So that here is three degrees of such fatal Corruption, from the Navy to the Adm [...]raity and from them to the Council, that alone is sufficient to shake the very Foundation of the Government.

[Page] It were endless, to tell you the rest of the Admiralties Crimes, who thro' Corruption and Ignorance, have not been able with about two hundred Sail of Ships to Guard our Navigation; whereby Trade has been destroy'd, and our Merchants undergone Infinite Losses, which our Enemies have had the Benefit of; and then further, the Admiralty have all along plac'd Commanders in the Fleet without any regard to Merit. So that this War we have lost above a hundred Ships, the greatest part of which have been fool'd away, by the Ignorance of the Commanders; and some by Cowardice without fighting, besides the horrid Miscarriages in Expeditions against the Enemy, as the shameful Expedition to Brest, &c. Which serves only to dispirit the People, and Increase their Taxes. Certainly a Man would think, that these Gentlemen have a design Totally to destroy the Navigation of England, for tho the Crimes of the Sea Commanders are so Hanious and Numerous; yet has not one of their Sea Journals been Examin'd all this War, to see how they have perform'd their Duty, tho there is no other way to Judge of their Fidelity and Ability in their Stations but by Traceing their Journals; and thus Ignorance and Negligence, as well as horrible Profaneness and Debauchery has generally over-spread the Sea, as well as the Land. But what should I speak any more of this Admiralty, for every one knows their Wickedness and Ignorance, yet I have often wonder'd there has not been more Complaints against them, from the East▪India and Guinea Company and others, who are almost Ruin'd with Losses: Certainly our Merchants are like the Fools spoken of by Aesop, that none would meddle to remove the Stone from the Mouth of the Bath, tho every Man stumbled, and broke his shins over it at going in, till at last a Wise Man came and Roll d it away; God grant we may have some VVise Men by the next Parliament, that will stand up for the publick good, or else in short we must prepare for foul VVeather.

[Page]C.

But Sir, what needs all this Complaint, why most of these sores are heal'd, for here's a Council of Trade now setled, by which the Merchants Grievances, and several other things will be rectify'd

G.

I confess, the Council of Trade was excellently propos'd at first to the Parliament; But the Interest of the Court quickly beat out it's Brains, and from this Establishment I doubt little good will arise, my reasons for it are these. First, They do not understand Trade, 'tis Forreign to them, and out of their sphere. Secondly, I cannot but observe, that the Major part of these persons are the same that sit in Council; and from time to time have heard the Crimes of the Admiralty and Navy▪ and wanted no Power to redress those Grievances there: So that the Regulation is no more than removing these Gentlemen from one Room to another, as the Barons of the Exchequer pass from the Law to the Chancery side, now certainly if I am a Corrupt or Ignorant Man in the Parlour, I am the same in the Dineing Room.

Put Sir, there you flatly Arraign the very Wisdom of the Government.

G.

Yes, certainly and their honesty too (if by the Government you mean the Court or else what d' think I have been talking of all this while or how is it possible I could speak at all of any publick Grievances, unless I Arraign'd both, without you would have me say we are all Ruin'd; and at the same time affirm, that no body did it: But I must beg your patience a little further, because you did as it were, Challenge me to give you some Instances of Corruption.

C.

Sir, Then you may proceed if you please; I am sorry to hear so much, tho I think none of it do's Actually relate to me, for I'm sure, I always did what I cou'd.

G.

Why, then in the next place, I shall give you some Account [Page] of the Commissioners, for taking Care of Sick and Wounded Seamen, and Exchanging Prisoners of War, and these you will also find to be a wretched Pack: For one of their Clerks who laid down his Employment, has prov'd Notorious Crimes against them.; as holding a Pernitious and Unlawful Correspondence with the French all this War, So that there has been an open and quick passage to give Intelligence to the Enemy of all our Affairs and Designs, and to betray the Kings Councils from time to time, also he has prov'd that they have Cheated the King in their Accounts; and Cheated the poor Sick and Wounded Seamen in Plymouth Hospital out of their Provisions, and that they have all along Cheated the Poor French Prisoners under their Care, out of part of their Allowance, and treated them in a very Barbarous manner. For it seems their whole Allowance was but four pence each Man a day, and they deducted three farthings out of that four pence: It was also prov'd that the French Intendant General Marine, writ diverse doleful Letters of Complaint to these Commissioners, telling them how Barbarously and inhumanely the poor French Prisoners were us'd, whereby many of them Perished; And that he had Orders from the French King to use our English Prisoners in like manner if it was not rectify'd; But no Regulation being made, but the Evil rather Increasing▪ was the true Cause that the French have all along us'd our poor English Captives in such a dreadful and Barbarous Manner: For by reason of their Miserable short allowance and lying diverse Months in Filthy and Loathsome Prisons, and others by being driven like Gally Slaves several hundred Miles Naked through the Country, I say from these Causes many hundreds of them have Perished, and many Familys have thereby been brought to utter Ruin: Nay these Men have Committed Murther on both sides of the Water; For, besides the English, they have basely and Cruelly destroy'd many of [Page] the poor French prisoners, which doubtless is no less Murther in the Sight of God notwithstanding the War.

These and Diverse other Crimes were Examin'd and prov'd before the Admiralty by the Kings Special Order above two years since, and a Report thereof was made to his Majesty and Carry'd by the Admiralty to the Cabinet-Council, but the Matter was so manag'd, that the Report was Stifled and not Read to the King: so that the Commissioners, upon their Petition, were granted a Re-hearing before the Council in Publick, where these Matters were Fully Prov'd over again; but the business was delay'd from time to time, till the King was gone for Flanders, so that the Report of the Council was also kept from his Majesty, and how that Report was afterwards curry'd in his Majestys absence I know not, but this I know, the Commissions are still in their places with power to pursue their Villainy▪ so that what I told you just now appears again to be true. That Satan cannot Cast out Satan.

There may many things more be said of these Mens horrid Wickedness, as their destroying the poor Sick and Wounded Seamen with bad Medicines for the Lucre of gain, which with many other Crimes were fully prov'd against them before the Comissioners for Stateing the publick Accounts, where some Witnesses they brought appear'd most Willfully and Notoriously perjur'd, and Escap'd punishment. But for a more plain and particular Information herein, I shall refer you to a Book Printed and Publish'd last year, by the Person that brought the Complaint against these Men, and Dedicated to the house of Peers, It is Entituled Bastons Case (for so was the Clerks Name) or a Brief Account of the Evil Practices of the present Commissioners for Sick and Wounded, as they were prov d. 1st▪ Before the Lords of the Admiralty. 2ly. Before the Lords of the Council, and 3ly. Before the Commissioners for Stateing the publick [...]counts. For there is Contain d the Admiraltys and Councills Report, [Page] and there the Crimes of these Commissioners for Sick and Wounded lye barefac'd to the World.

And now Certainly it would Stir up a Mans Zeal for the publick good, if he did but Consider in what Jeopardy and peril the poor Saylor Serves his King and Country; For besides the hazard of his Life in open Fight) if he continues in the Kings Service without being Sick or Wounded or Taken by the Enemy, why then he's lyable to be Query'd, or Run'd out of his pay, or oblig'd for Necessity to sell his Ticket for half loss (or more) to some of those Cursed Monsters, call'd Ticket-buyers, who (as it has appear'd too plain) are but Deputy's or Journy-men to the Navy-Board. If he is set on Shoar Sick and Fresh dyet and Broath will not Cure him, why then he runs a great hazard of being Poyson'd with his Physick, but if he recovers 'tis ten to one but he's prick'd Run; And if he's taken by the Enemy 'tis a great Chance if ever he returns to his Native Country.

Certainly it must ere long be Counted hard Measure, that for such petty Retail Robbery and Murther, as taking away a small Matter upon the Road, or for killing another in a Duel for an Injury receiv'd that a Man shou'd be hang'd like a Dog; When such wholesale Murtherers and Robbers as these are protected and Flourish in their Villainy, though their Actions tend to the utter Subversion and overthrow of a State: But this is an Age full of Wonders; For from the Court proceeds Abundance of Praying and Preaching and Fasting, but hardly a Grain of Integrity, Honesty, Justice or Humanity, as if these were Accounted Needless Ingredients in Religion.

But I am unwilling to try your patience any further with these unpleasing Relations, otherwise I could add several other things and particularly of the Commissioners of the Post Office, how they have been lately prov'd Horribly Corrupt and unfaithful before the Lords Justices; likewise more might be said [Page] of other Offices, and also of the great Corruption in the Army and abuse of the poor Soldiers, by the Agents and others, which was also plainly prov'd; But I think this is Enough at present to shew you what a Condition the Nation is in: For any one may Judge by these what the other Offices are, They being all Streams that proceed from the same Fountain (I mean the Court) and must consequently afford the same Bitter Water. And now I hope you are throughly convinc'd that the Complaints of Grievances have not been meer Clamour, as you were pleased to say in the beginning of our discourse.

C.

I Confess Sir these things do look with an Ill face: Yet 'tis the greatest Riddle in the World to me, how such Miscarryages as these cou'd be carry`d on, when we have had for some years past a Commission Establish`d by Act of Parliament to Take, State and Examine the publick Accounts of the Kingdom, and they have Power by the Act to Administer Oaths and to Call all Persons to an Account that have the Receipts or Issues of the Publick Revenue and that Commission consists only of Members of the house of Commons, who are utterly unqualifyd for any Employments at Court▪ and consequently unbyas`d Men; And therefore I wonder how these things can be.

G.

Why I Confess, this is a Mystery of Iniquity that has darken'd the understandings of some, however 'tis a matter easily unriddled, for 'twill be found that these are also a pack of Gentlemen, nothing Inferiour to the worst of those already spoken of; for as the Court have hid the Grievances of the People from the King, so these have kept them from the Parliament, and have us'd such Arbitrary Arts, Tricks, and Devices to acquit and Justifie the worst of Villains that have come before them, and to blacken the Reputations of Honest Men, that certainly the like has not been known, for an Instance of which I refer you to the Printed Book I spoke of just now▪ about the Crimes of the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded, [Page] Entituled Bastons Case, &c. There you will see in what an Arbitrary manner they heard that business, and Endeavoured by all the shameful ways Imaginable, to acquit those Commissioners of Crimes they had been prov'd Guilty of twice before, Viz. At the Admiratly and Council. They allow'd Criminals to swear in their own behalf contrary to Law, and when Baston made them appear Notoriously perjur'd, they Barbarously Encourag'd one of them to swear on, (whose Name was Nicholas Sharrack) which he did, and was perjur'd again, and again, as plain as the Sun, and as black as Hell; and then they discharg'd him any further Attendance, with as much Commendation and Applause as if he had Sworn right, but I refer you to the Book for that and much more, for by this Illegal and Ungodly Method of Swearing Criminals in their own behalf; with diverse other new Invented Arbitrary ways in hearing the Peoples Grievances, these Gentlemen can at pleasure make the Devil white. However, it seems this business of the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded was so plain being twice before both prov'd and Reported) that they were not able to wipe off their Guilt and Infamy: But this they were able to do for them, to bury it in their Office and keep it from the knowledge of the House of Commons, which they have accordingly done: And when it was afterwards brought into the House of Lords to be heard, they prevented it there also by a Trick, and got it out of the House, for they Acquainted their Lordships that the matter was then depending before their Board; and pray'd it might be Recommitted to them to finish the same, and make their Report, which the House accordingly did; but the Report is not made to this day, neither will be I suppose till the day of Judgment: And as to what they told the House of Lords, that the matter was then depending before them, 'twas a great falsity, and design'd only as an Excuse to disappoint the hearing [Page] of the matter in Parliament. Much more might be said of these Men concerning the Navy and Army, how they have brow-beat and discourag'd Witnesses, and Incourag'd Knaves and Villains, stifled, Complaints, &c. So that these Men instead of being a Checque to Corruption; have been the Props and Pillars to support it, as true Servants and Vassals to the Court.

Certainly such a Commission might have been of exceeding use to the publick, had it consisted of true Englishmen, and been Wisely and Honestly manag'd; for 'twou'd have been a place to Punish and reform Knavery and Villany, and Rogues and Cheats, with Tears in their Eyes, might have call'd it the terrible Office of Inquisition, but now, on the contrary, they may Rejoyce, and truly say, 'tis an Office of Absolution; For they have Examin'd no Accounts, nor sav`d the Nation a penny of Mony this War, but Knaves, Knavery and Taxes have constantly Increas`d; all that they do, as I know of, is, they receive the Accounts of the Receipts and Issues of the Kings Revenue from all Offices and Persons, and them they take the pains to Transcribe in Books and Methods of their own, so as to be able to Answer any Question of the House of Commons, relating to the Receipts of the Revenue or Charge of the War, but to detect Frauds, is so small a part of their work that they hardly Regard it. Sure, in this mighty Mass of Corruption the parties concern`d, could not have subsisted without the help of this Office; for it is a Receptacle for all their Knavish Accounts, where being New-Moulded (without Alteration) they receive a Vizard of Honesty; In short, this Office, as tis manag`d, has been a great Blind to the Nation, and may (for its Abominable foulness) be fitly compar`d to a Capital Common-shoar, into which abundance of other Common-shoars and little petty Sinks do Empty themselves.

C.

But Sir, I tell you again, They are Men utterly unqualify`d [Page] for any Employments at Court, to what end therefore can this Corruptien be among them? really 'tis still a Riddle to me.

G.

Why Sir, to the same End that all other Corruption is, Namely to get Mony and I must tell you they are in a most Excellent way for [...] because they have it in their power to Crush or Protect such a great Number of Knaves of all sorts and sizes: And I hope Sir, you don't question▪ but that they have Pockets and Coffers enough to put their Mony in, as well as the Courtiers. Therefore pray where the Riddle on't, for my part, I see none at all; For it plainly appears, these Gentlemen have been so far from obstructing, that they have afforded great help, and performed their part towards the Destruction of their Country, as well as the rest.

C.

Well, admit all you say is true, and that there is such a General Corruption as you speak of; How can you help it at present, pray would▪ you have the King at this juncture Immediately go to Turning out▪ and Punishing such a great Number of Men? Certainly, [...] make such Disorder and Confusion, as would soon [...] up the very Foundation of the Government, and than would be a Remedy with a Witness.

G.

Why then, I find you have Changed your Opinion, and own at last that the Nation is Sick, But now to save the Court, you would have the Distemper so far gone, that there is not strength left to undergo a Course of Physick, without Imminent hazard of Life: I confess the Court of all sorts of Physick, ever hated Purges. They will take Gold Cordials, and they are great Admirers of Quieting Pills, but Purging they mortally hate, and will have it to be a Vile and Dangerous way of Practice But, to speak in your own words—Admit what you say is true, that the Government is brought to this degree of Feebleness, Pray how highly [Page] then is the King and Nation Oblig'd to these▪ Long-headed STATES-MEN and COƲNCELLORS (whose Parts and Honesty, for some Years past, it has been almost Treason to Question) Or what Satisfaction can they render to His Majesty, and the People of England, for bringing upon them this Incurable Disease?

But now, Sir, pardon me, if I differ a little from you in Opinion: I do not believe the Government is so weak, but that a Fit Remedy might be apply'd for all these Evils, and that is, to Turn Out in the first place some of those that have been most Obnexious to the People, and put in their Rooms Men of Publick Spirits, Fearing God, and Hating Covetousness, and they will have Courage sufficient to Ballance the rest of the Wicked Party, till the Law is let loose to do its Proper Office upon them that are Turn'd Out, whose Punishment will strike others with Great Terror, and make them fearful how they Offend: But if they escape, 'twill be a most Pernicious Example to Encourage and Excite all Men to become as Corrupt [...] they; 'twill also be highly Displeasing to God, and 'twill greatly Incense the People; and indeed none has any Rightful Power to Pardon them, because their Crimes have been Universal, and committed not only against the King, but against the Whole Body of the People of England. In this manner the Court may be soon Gradually Purg'd, and then the Inferiours will of consequence be purg'd also. The Scripture says, Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you: and no doubt the same Rule holds for those that have Acted like his Children; Therefore why shou'd we fear to Execute JUSTICE upon them? Alas, they are but poor Feeble Creatures, not worth mentioning, in Comparison of the Force of the Law: 'tis true, they have Power to do great Mischief in their Stations, as we have found to our Cost, but when the Law lays hold on them, their Power ceases like the [Page] Power of a Witch, when She [...] Seiz'd by a Constable: Certainly he that knows their Actions, and Contributes to Save them from the Just Censure and Sentence of the Law, makes himself an Approver, before God, of all the Ruin and Destruction they have brought upon this Nation, and of all the Innocent Families they have Destroy'd and Blood they have Spilt▪ Therefore, unless the Law is put in Execution, there can be but a Half fac'd Regulation, or a Palliative Cure, that will soon Relapse, and become Incurable. For, let none Absurdly and Foolishly Dream, that God will-suffer us to Prosper in the midst of those Oppressions, Frauds, and most Hainous Immorallities, that we are▪ Bound in Duty, and Able by Authority to Punish and Hinder. 'Tis a False and Villanous Saying, to Whisper in the Ears of Princes, That VVholesome Laws have any Antipathy to True Policy: The Law, when 'tis Upheld, is the Princes best Friend, it cannot Dissemble, but always faithfully stands by Him, ready to Oppose His Enemies: It gives Him His RIGHT, and His Subjects theirs, and so makes a powerfull prince, and a Vertuous VVealthy and peaceable Government. But 'tis Natural for Corrupt Men to Hate Good Laws, and that makes it and the Nation have so many Enemies at Court. And now, after all, when these Long-headed Men have brought the Nation to this Pitch of Ruin, for them Cunningly to Insinuate, That 'twill be Dangerous to Call them to an Actount for their CRIMES, and Administer Help to our selves, pursuant to the Laws of God and the Nation; is an Unparallel'd Audacious Absurdity: But I confess, we can expect no better Advice from that Party, because the King, and Kingdoms Safety, seems Opposite to Theirs; For hitherto they have Pernitiously and Pittifully made Themselves the Center of all Their Actions.

[Page]C.

Sir, I believe things are bad enough; but, methinks you'r too Furious for a Regulation; really 'twill put things into Great Disorder: therefore I am of Opinion 'tis better to see the Success of One Year more.

G.

As for Staying a Year longer 'twill be highly dangerous; Why should God be Provok'd, and the Nation Oppress'd a Year Longer? perhaps a Year hence we shall not have ability to help our selves. 'Tis said in the Law of Moses, Thou shalt not delay Justice, as if the Legislator had said, Thou shalt not put it off to a further time. The poor Mans Cause shall not be delay'd an hour. God knows by willful and Needless delays Multitudes of private persons are Barbarously Robb'd of their Right and utterly Ruin'd by the horrid, delaytory, Expensive unrighteous practice in our Courts of Law and Equity; therefore let that Suffice, and let not the, whole Body of the People have a General Ruin, by a Delay in the State; Certainly 'twill be very Dangerous to delay the Cause of this drooping Nation any longer. A Learned States-man Speaking of foreruners of Troubles, says, That when any of the four Pillars of Government are Shaken or Weaken'd (which are Religion, Justice, Council, and Treasure) Men had need pray for fair Weather: Now certainly with us not only some, but all these Pillars are Shaking and Ready to fall; As for Religion we have none, though we have much Preaching, Praying, &c. for had we any Real Religion, we should have Justice and Morallity. Justice it plainly appears has almost quite left us. And as for Council or Pollicy, I Confess we have abundance of that, but it is of a VVretched Stamp, being such as is opposite to Divine and Humane Law. And for our Money on Treasure, we may Reckon that gone also; For though there may still be a great Stock in the Nation, yet the people may Starve, because by a long devouring Corruption it's almost all gather'd into the hands of a few Court-huxters, that neither do nor will use it.

[Page] 'Tis no hard Conjecture to say that a General Poverty, Oppression, Breaking of Laws, and Advancement of Ʋnworthy Persons to Great Offices, are Common Motives to, and Forerunners of Seditions and Troubles; and the▪ certain way to prevent these Evils, is to take away the Cause and Matter of them, which the Administration of Justice, and Suppressing of Vice and Wickedness will Effectually do; For God will surely give Success to all such Remedies, if they be Sincerely and Faithfully apply'd, and all contrary Policy, in this Case, must certainly prove very Foolish, if not Fatal.

How Ridiculous is it to Delay this Matter, and to think that these Persons now upon the Stage, can ever make this a Flourishing Nation, when they have neither Parts nor Moral Vertues equal to other Men [...] 'Tis true, they are Gifted with a little Cunning, which a Learned Statesman (truly) says, Is only a Crooked sort of Wisdom. Besides, it does appear by above Seven Years Experience, that the very Talent of these Gentlemen lies not to Enrich or Increase, but to Impoverish, and bring a Flourishing State to Ruin and Decay, and to Trample upon Law and Justice▪ and all Good Men, and (as one excellently observes) to make Magistracy, which was Intended for the Benefit of Mankind, prove a Plague and Destruction to it. But the Honour of God, and the Good of their Prince and Country is the least of their Care. They Level their Councils and Polliticks to their own Advantage, and Slyly Study rather be throughly acquainted with their Master's Temper, than to be Skilful in His Business. I Pray God that all the Enemies of our King and Nations Happiness may be Plentifully Stock'd with Statesmen of such Parts and Honesty, and be so▪effectually blinded as not to perceive them.

Certainly at this time a Day, when Poverty, and consequently Discontentment is so Universal, 'tis Highly Dangerous to make any Delay in Justice; For, of this you may rest [Page] Assur'd, That as many as are Ruin'd, or Impoverish'd in their Substance, by Injustice, or Male-Administration, so many VOTES there is for TROƲBLES.

C.

Why really I know not well what to say to't; I wish all things were done for the Best: But yet methinks 'tis strange to Observe, That all these Complaints have been brought upon the Stage, by a few Inconsiderable Men, such as had generally Bad Characters, and were Reported to be veey Ill Men in themselves, and that they did these things with Ill Designs, and I believe that was one Reason why they were no more taken Notice of, as likewise because none of any Great Figure appear'd with them.

G.

Why that's no Wonder at all: For it may be observ'd, that the Generality of the World is so Foolish, that they regard more the Outward Manner of things, than the Inward Matter of them. It is so in Religion it self (to our Eternal Shame be it spoken) as appears by the Vast Troops of Pious Hypocrites, Overseers, Pastors, and Members of all Churches, who take Great Pains by abundance of Praying and Preaching, and Fasting, to make an Outward Gaudy Shew of Godliness, but use no Hearty, nor Sincere Endeavours really to Suppress Vice and Wickedness: As if Religion was a Noun Substantive, that cou'd stand by it self, without requiring Morallity to be joyn'd with it.

As for the Ill Characters these Persons generally have, that's no wonder neither; For, 'tis one great Master-piece of this Corrupt Party's Policy, in their Fencing with Law and Justice, to serve all those that Complain of Grievances, as the Persecuting Pagans did the Primitive Christians, who put them into Lyons and Bears Skins, that the Dogs might seize on them, and Bait them to Death; So these Monsters, after they have Perverted, Delay'd, Deny'd, or otherways Baffled Justice, give an Honest Man a Cursed Character, and in that Masquerade [Page] turn him loose to the Mercy of a Mistaken Multitnde: But certainly 'tis a high degree of Presumption, as well as Deceiving and Wronging the Publick, thus falsely to Brand those (that stand up for the Interest of their Country, to preserve their Laws and Liberties) with such Base Characters, as persons Disaffected to the King and Government, as tho' by such Complaints they only design'd to stir up the Minds of the People to Sedition and Rebellion; when, in Truth, 'tis themselves that only Bid Fair for REBELLION, by their Corrupt and VVicked practices: For he that Endeavours to Inform King and People of such Dangerous Distempers in the STATE, certainly does nothing but his Duty, and therefore cannot deserve such an Odious Character, for endeavouring to Preserve, Support and Defend the King, Government and Laws he lives under. But he, that by his horrible Male-Administration, and Oppression, endeavours to overthrow all, let him be in ever so great a Place to pass his Crafty Censures on others, does certainly himself deserve the Name and punishment of a Rebel and Traytor.

C.

But, pray Sir, Answer me one thing, How can the Government be so corrupt, as you say, and so regardless of Justice, when there has been divers Great Men turn'd out this Reign for Mismanagement? These must be Acts of Justice, unless you'l say, they were all Turn'd out only for their Honesty.

G.

Not I indeed Sir, If I should say so, I should wrong my Conscience, But I believe I can unfold the Mistery, which generally I take to be only this; all Men know the Court is divided into Factions, which sometimes have a difference, either about their Profit or Preferment or something of like Nature, when the Quarrel is broach'd one must overcome and perhaps the others fall into disgarce; But they are not turn'd out for any of their Crimes, or through any principle of Justice [Page] in their Adversarys, but only through a private peake and Quarrel, wherein Vertue, Honesty, and the Publick Good has no Concern; For you may observe in the Course of this War that though there has been great Crimes alleag'd against some of those that were turn'd out: Yet after they were dismiss'd their Adversarys made no prosecution against them, Not for want of Malice or Proof, but as if both partys were alike Concern'd and so Equally afraid of the Law. Just as two Harlots (Pardon the Comparison) that live together, and falling out about their Profit, the Strongest turns the Weakest out of doors; Why this is no Argument that she's Vertuous that Remains in the House: For both of them were Harlots before they met, Harlots while they liv'd together, and Harlots after they parted; Neither does the Prevailing Harlot follow the other with Warrants to send her to the house of Correction, because 'twill also bring her self into Jeopardy: For the same Law will Whip them both.

C.

Sir, I could wish with all my Heart that things were better, yet sure they cannot be so very bad as you say, because there are in Office persons of different Opinions, part Churchmen and part Dissenters, and no doubt it has been Wisdome so to do: For they wou'd be forward, and glad of an Opportunity to tell each others Faults, to Weaken the Contrary party, and Strengthen their own; So that there's Cause to believe they have hitherto been a perfect Checque upon each others Actions, and therefore it do's not stand to reason there can be such a United Cabal as you speak off.

G.

Why Sir, this is only another Court Riddle much like the former, which has also Confounded the Judgments of the people; yet if a Man will but Consult Reason 'tis Easily unfolded. I believe there is at Court the Church-party and the Dissenting-party (as they call themselves) and I Confess the [Page] Argument that you bring from it seems something plausible, though I can by no means allow it to be true.

The Philosophers say, That one Experiment will knock a hundred Arguments in the head: Then Certainly your Argument cannot stand, For we have seen by long and Woful Experience that these partys have had no differences in the State for promoting the Honour of God, the good of their Prince and Country, and Suppressing Vice and Wickedness; For these indeed wou'd have been glorious Quarrels, But all their differences have been Independant of this only to promote Private Interest.

What though they seem to be at Variance one with another, It has hitherto been found, If any Man offers to do his Duty, and Stand up for the Publick Good, he finds no difference in them, but they are all his Mortal Enemys: Church and Dissenters all alike, all stand firm for the Profitable Cause of Corruption, to Betray their King, and Ruin their Country; This I say we have found by Experience, and therefore all the Arguments in the VVorld will never Refute it.

VVhat though they pretend to diverse Opinions in Religion, VVhat then? Do not Harlots do the same? Yes Certainly, there are Church of England Harlots, Dissenting Harlots, Roman Catholick Harlots, &c. Though these pretend to different Religions, yet they are all of one Trade, and no doubt wou'd Unanimously agree in the Main that all Justices of Peace, Constables, Houses of Correction, &c. should be Suppress'd, because by them their Trade is Obstructed: So in like manner these Men notwithstanding any petty Differences, Stand together in a body against Law and Justice, because it tends to Mortify their Ambition and Lusts, and to hinder their Profit.

But Sir, I am afraid after all that you and I are Mistaken, and that the Court do's not Consist so much of a Real Church of England and Dissenting-party as of a Predominant Atheistical [Page] Party, for so indeed they appear to be by their Actions, and it also agrees with our Saviours Rule, That the Tree is known by its Fruit; For 'tis Certainly very foolish, and Contradictory to say, That a Corrupt and Wicked Man has any real Religion, let him pretend to what he will; so that these that Divide themselves into two divisions, under the Masquerade of Church and Dissenters, do plainly appear to be but one and the same party, whose Moralls and Practice is such that they can truly be of no Religion or Church, unless they be of the Synagogue of Satan.

C.

Why Sir, I know not what to say to it, you have such an odd way of Arguing; yet methinks 'tis Strange the Nations Grievances shou'd arrive to so great a pitch (as you say they are at) with so little Opposition; Why 'tis in Effect Charging the whole Body of the People to be a Company of Sleepy, Senceless, Sotts and Fools, that haveing Laws and Priviledges, they did not make more Powerful and Formidable Complaints to the Parliament: Therefore I must still tell you 'tis very unintelligible to me to believe that Matters can be so bad as you say, and the People so quiet, Who so bravely like Englishmen Stood up for their Laws and Priviledges in the late Reign.

G.

Certainly Sir, the Peoples Patience ought not to be us'd as an Argument to Continue their Grievances, I'm sure that is an odd way of Arguing: However I Wave it, and for your Satisfaction shall give you some Reasons why they have hitherto been so quiet under their Burdens.

The Revolution (you know) was wrought by the General Consent of the People who for many Years past have had great and Just Apprehensions, and fears, of Popery and Slavery: The War was also Engag'd in by our general Approbation, so that having a King after our [Page] own Heart, so generally Belov'd, a known Protestant, and Engag'd in a War that we so long wish'd for, every Man then slept Secure, thinking all things were safe, because the Head was Sound; and the Court likewise, and all the vast Troops of their Dependants Cry'd up the same thing (as indeed they had good Reason) for Matter's went well wish them; So that the generallity of the People being Voyd of Mistrust never Troubled themselves about State Matters, but minded their Private Affairs, and with great Willingness paid the Taxes.

Whereas in the late Reign, the King being a known Papist, all the People in general were possest with Jealousy, and even the very Cobler in his Stall wou'd Eagerly Enquire after News, and thought himself Concern'd to know the Affairs of the Court: So that the Actions of the State, and the Peoples Knowledge of it, went hand in hand, For we see they were forewarn'd to make such provision as they did to disappoint their designs; For then the King Acted openly with his Court, but now the Court Acts privately without the King, by hiding each others Crimes, and the Peoples Grievances from him, having had the great advantage of His Majesty's Absence about Six Months in every Year during the Course of this War. And this I take to be a Principal reason why the generallity of the People have been so quiet from making any Publick complaints.

But then it may be further observ'd there's a great Difference between the Grievances of the la [...]e, and those of this Regin; The one was the Endeavouring to take away our Laws, to bring in Papery, which all the Nation were Enemies to: Rich and Poor, Good and Bad, Vertuous and Vitious, Saint and Sinner, all were [...]ti [...] Enemys to Popery: Besides it would take away abundance of Estates of Abbey-lands which was so great and general an [Page] Allarm to the whole Nation, but Especially to the Clergy, That those Celebrated, Simple, Threadbare Doctrines of Passive-Obedience, Non-Resistance, &c. were Instantly frighted out of the Kingdom, and never heard of since: Nay, I dare Affirm, the very Papists themselves (tho 'twas to Introduce their own Religion) wou'd ha been very unwilling to part with any of these Estates.

But what are our Grievances now! VVhy not about Popery; They only consist of Pure Downright Cheating the Publick; And, Sir, to our Eternal Shame and Infamy, I must tell you, That multitudes of Poperies Zealous and Mortal Enemies, are Dear and Intimate Friends to this. Nay, to speak in General, there are few Men but what will much rather chuse to take Part in it, than make Complaint against it; for indeed the Nation is miserably Debauch'd by the horrid Nasty Fogs and Fumes of the Courts unsavoury Noysome Lusts.

But now, after all this Mighty Hate to Popery, and Love to Cheating, the Consequence of both is much alike; For if our Present Grievances, viz. Cheating the Puhlick, be well follow'd, the People will soon be made Beggars and Bankrupts, and then Poverty and Slavery will be found as True and Proper a Saying, as Popery and Slavery: And therefore, (to Speak in your own Stile) I think there's many that do well deserve the Character of Sleepy, Senceless Sots and Fools; But especially those Great Ones that have got Vast Estates by Fraud, Treachery, &c. Sure they are Besotted with a WITNESS, Fondly to Fancy, that they shall hold their Ill-got-Goods by Vertue of those Wholesome Laws that they have Constantly broke to Get them, This, I say, is a strange Paradox.

[Page] And now, pray, Who wou'd you have to omplain of Grievances, and especially of these sort of Grievances, that are so generally Belov'd by those that shou'd Redress them: You see a very considerable part of the Nation are Silent, for Reasons I spoke of just now; and as for the Popularity, or Middle sort, viz. Traders, Husbandmen, &c. who are the Main Body of the People, they know their Grievances in General, but can tell nothing in Particular, where to fix the Fault; and so cannot Complain, but only Grumble, Mutter and Murmur.

And now, if a Self-interested Man won't Complain, and if an Ignorant Man can't Complain, and if a Wise and Honest Man (that knows the Strength and Power of the Corrupt Party) dare not Complain; Pray, Who wou'd you have to Complain at all? Certainly, 'tis so far from being strange (as you say) that so few have Complain'd, That 'tis a great wonder to me, how any have had so much GRACE or COƲRAGE to open their Mouths against Corruption.

For who d'think shou'd Complain of a Ʋniversal and Gainful Grievance? You see the Destruction of our Coyn went forward all this Reign, and had even just destroy'd the Government before our Long-Headed-Statesmen did take the Pains to put King or Parliament in Mind to Redress it; This cou'd not possibly be through Ignorance: no, there was too much Money got by the Evil: and when the Trade cou'd be carried on no longer, Then they all Cry'd out, like Patriots of their Countrey, to have it Redress'd. So that for this Branch of the Nations Ruin, we may also Thank the Court, and Pray God we get well over it.

[Page] These are all Miserable and Destructive Evils, that this Poor Nation at present Staggers under, only for want of the Early, Constant and Impartial Execution of Justice to Encourage Virtue, and Suppress Vice. But it seems this has been contrary to the deep Maxims of our Pollicy, and so has hitherto been omitted: And thus I think I have shew'd you, why so few have Publickly Complain'd, tho' the Nation is so Loaded with Grievances. But I had almost forgot one Party▪ and that is the Jacobites; and, I hope, you wou▪d not have them Complain against these Grievances: no, they had much rather forward them. For, 'tis upon these Shameful Corruptions they build their Hopes, and for which they Contemn and Scoff at the Government in all Publick Places, and Encrease their Party by many Proselytes: For no Honest Man is capable to Contradict them, being able to say nothing that is Good of the Court: Whereas, had Justice been duly Administred, and Vice and Wickedness Punished and Suppress'd (which we had, and have Power enough to do) there cou'd not have been at this day a Protestant Jacobite left in the Nation; For, the Justice and Equity of the Government must needs long before this, have Brought them all over from Stubborn Folly, and made them Proselytes to their own Interest, and to Common Sence, as well as Loving and Loyal Subjects to His Majesty.

And now, Sir, since you have Ask'd me several Questions, I shall beg leave Calmly to Ask you one, and, that is, Pray to what end were your Honours and Employments Conserr'd upon you? Were they, d'think only to get a Great Estate to leave to your Posterity? Certainly the Duty's Incumbent on such Offices cannot have so [Page] poor a Center, but must aim at much Higher and Nobler Objects, if a Man wou'd rightly consider them; But I shall not detain you at present with an Account how Great and Extensive they are, not doubting your Knowledge therein; however, in point of Friendship, I cannot but put you in Mind▪

That (as a Privy-Councellor) you have Power to Administer Justice, but no Power to Obstruct it.

You have Power to put the Law in Execution, but you have no Power to Pervert it, or render it useless.

You have power to punish any Capital Publick Offender, but you have no Power to Conceal his Crimes, Protect him, and let him Escaps Punishment: For, in doing it, you betray the King, and take from Him▪ His Regal▪ Power, and Rob the People of their Laws and Liberties. For you are to consider, that in hearing the Crimes of a Publick Offender, your Power only extends to Hear and Examine that Cause in Trust for your King and Country, that Law and Justice may take place; and a Lord Chief Justice may as lawfully presume to Pardon MURDER, or Forgive one of my Debtors, or a Justice of Peace to Compound that Fellony whereby I am Robb'd, as you to Protect, or Acquit any Publick Offender.

In short, In all your publick Stations, you'r only a Trustee for your Prince and Country, to promote the Interest of both; and you are Answerable to both, in this World, as well as to God in the next, how you Discharge these Trusts; and▪ I fear many MEN have most Dreadful Reckonings to make on this Account.

[Page] Therefore Sir, I do Earnestly Advise you to take a Resolution to Save your Self from the Terrible Burden of this Guilt, and Rouse a Noble English Genius, and stand up for the Honour of God, and the Good of your Prince and Country (whose true Interests are Inseparable) that Justice may be Administred, Vertue Incourag'd, and Vice and Wickedness Punish`d and Suppress`d: For if you Sincerely Study True Pollicy; God will surely Instruct, and put you in the Right Way; Otherwise, you may still Continue to Wander, as you have Hitherto done: But after all, do not Entertain any fond opinion, that a Private Company of Men can possibly hold their Riches in the midst of a Ruin'd Nation; No, Certainly they must be Ruin'd also: For if there's any Law, that will do their business; if not, They'l only have the pleasure of being Plunder'd last, by an Inrag'd and Furious Popularity: For (as 'tis said in Job,) Fire shall Consume the Tabernacles of Bribery. If God has said it, We may affirm it; and Pawn our Lives and Souls, 'twill be done if Attonement be not made.

FINIS.

§

§

[Page]

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN A Modern Courtier, AND AN Honest English Gentleman.

To which is added The AUTHOR's Dedication TO Both Houses of Parliament, To whom he Appeals for Justice.

By SAMƲEL BASTON,Gent.

LONDON: Printed in the Year MDCXCVII.

TO THE Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in Parliament Assembled:

[Page]

[Page]

AGainst the Opening the present Session of Parliament, I thought it my Duty, (considering the Nation's great Distress) to point out to your Honours, who were the principal Causers and Continuers of its Miseries; which I did in the following Dialogue; Containing, 1st. Bare Matter of Fact already prov'd against the Lords of the Admiralty, Commissioners of the Navy, Commissioners of the Post-Office, and Commissioners of the Sick and Wounded Seamen, &c. with the foul Practices of the Commissioners of the Publick Accounts, for Concealing and Justifying the said Crimes. 2dly, Natural Consequences and Arguments drawn from the said Matter of Fact, in Reference to Religion, Law, Policy and the true [Page] Interest and Safety of the King and Kingdom.

The Book being out, it was seiz'd by Messengers, divers reporting it was High Treason, and Mr. Crosfeild, and a Poor Woman, were Committed to the Poultrey Compter about it, by a Justice of Peace, at the bare Instance of a Messenger: The said Justice of Peace often professing he was sorry the matter came before him, for that by his own Losses he could speak deeply to the Truth and Honesty of the Book, but was afraid of being chid by some of the Court, if he neglected to do what the Messenger bid him, with Divers other Expressions of like Nature; which shews the great Force of Truth, that it will be Confess'd, tho from the mouths of its very Opposers.

I was also inform'd, that the aforesaid Messenger had given direction to the said Justice of Peace to Commit me the first time he saw me; for that there was a Warrant out against me for High Treason (which Trouble they need not have given the Justice of Peace, for they knew where to have found me themselves). But I being very infirm and weak of body, by reason of long sickness (occasion'd by my ill usage) was unwilling to be committed to [Page] Newgate, in this smugling manner, to destroy my Health (which I knew was the Design against me); and the said Justice of Peace, thro' Ignorance and Timerousness, wou'd certainly have done it, (had he seen me) tho the book I had printed had been David's Psalms.

This Report was on Saturday, and the Monday following I went to the Secretaries Office to surrender my self to this Warrant of High Treason: but, upon Enquiry, found there was no Warrant against me for High Treason; Sir William Trumball's Secretary making a Jest of it, told me, 'twas only the Messenger's mistake (but I could not get him to examine the Messenger about it); and that what was against me in that Office, was only upon Suspicion of being the Author of this Dialogue (so the High Treason was fallen only to Suspicion of a Misdemeanour), and that I must submit to be confin'd in a Messenger's Custody, which was accordingly done. After some days I got a sight of the Warrant for my Commitment, which was not upon Suspicion of my being the Author of this Dialogue (as I was told at the Office), but for Publishing and Dispersing a Seditious and Scandalous Libel against His [Page] Majesty and Government; without Naming what Libel, or mentioning its Title in the Warrant. The Warrant also shews, that 'twas drawn after I surrender'd my self; for it begins thus, These are in His Majesties Name to require you to keep in safe Custody, &c. Whereas another Warrant directed to a Messenger, to apprehend any Person, commands him to go and take a Constable to his assistance, and seize or attach the Body of such a one, and bring him and his Papers before the Secretary to be Examined, &c. By which it appears what Drudgery was design'd for this Timerous Justice of Peace to commit me to Newgate for High Treason, to Ruin my Health without Warrant, Law, or Sence.

Thus I continued a Prisoner in a Messenger's Custody from the 26th October 1696. to the 29th January following, being 3 months and 3 days, to the great endangering of my Life by bad Diet, and was then discharg'd, giving a Recognizance of 500 l. to appear the first day of the next Term. So I, that have serv'd the King, and discover'd, and detected many of the Utter Enemies of his Majesty and his People, am now Cited to answer as a Criminal, for pointing out the Destroyers of the Nation to the Parliament. [Page] And those Notorious Criminals I write of in this Dialogue, are brought to no Tryal, but protected, as if there was no Law to take Cognizance of them.

And further, the matters of Fact related in this Dialogue (the Post-Office excepted) are no more than what are contain'd in a Petition and Articles Exhibited by Mr. Crosfeild and others, in the House of Peers, about two years since, where it is now depending: The late Commissioners of Accounts, to whom it was Referr'd to Examine into it, and make their Report, having hitherto by Evasions, and False Allegations, in behalf of the Criminals, delay'd and stopt the laying open these Grievances, and have to this day disappointed your Honours of a true Knowledge of them; whereby the said Grievances have been supported and increased; for which the Nation has severely suffer'd; But has reason now to give thanks to God, that the said Commission is so happily Dissolv'd, which was so great a Bulwork of Iniquity; And I hope it is a good Omen, or Presage of a General Overthrow of Fraud and Wickedness.

[Page] So now because the Facts contain'd in this Dialogue, are not yet Examin'd in Parliament, (by means of the aforesaid Commissioners of Accounts) the Printing them again, to re-mind the Parliament of the present miseries, that God may be honour'd by the Punishment and Suppression of Wickedness, the King and Kingdoms Enemies remov'd, and the Laws put in Execution for the publick safety, for the future, is (it seems) become A Seditious and Scandalous Libel, against his Majesty and Government. I▪m sure, this Dialogue chiefly depends but upon three things. First, Truth in the matter of Fact related. Secondly, The Gospel in reference to Gods Judgments, for Imorallity and Tollerated Wickedness. And Thirdly, The Laws of the Land in reference to their being Invaded, and Perverted, and not put in Execution: And if this Dialogue will endure a Tryal by these three Touch-Stones, and yet continue still to be a Seditious and Scandalous Libel, &c. Why, then, Truth must be Scandalous, and the Scripture and Statutes of England Seditious Libels, and he that Writes for the safety and preservation of the King and Kingdom, is an Enemy to his Majesty and Government. This shews how [Page] Exceedingly Wickedness abounds, and what a Cabal of Men there are in Power, ready to turn the King's Authority against himself, and to subvert Gospel, Law, Loyalty, Justice, and all things tending to the honour of God, and benefit of the King and State.

This Dialogue is call'd a seditious Libel: Whereas it speaks for the Execution of the Law with as much Force as words can express. Now where the Law is put in Execution, there can be no Sedition; but where the Laws and Constitutions of a Kingdom are invaded and perverted, by the Arbitrary Power of Evil Ministers, it is that which introduces Sedition; and as Sedition is a dangerous Distemper in a Nation, so the Impartial Execution of the Law is a Sovereign and Certain Cure. And whereas it is call'd a scandalous Libel, I answer, that if 'tis true, 'tis not scandalous, and every Subject of England has an undoubted Priviledg to Complain of, and discover Injuries done to the King, and also lay open the Grievances of his People: And if all the Subjects of England, tho in never so high a Station, are subject to the Law, and answerable for their Actions (which I hope is not in the least question'd), then this Dialogue will not deserve these Characters, nor the Author deserve to be Arraign'd as a Criminal for writing it (while the real Criminals he writes of are protected): For certainly the pure and undefiled Law of England [Page] does not provide any punishment for its Advocates. 'Twas a Noble saying of that Glorious Prince Edw. 3. of Famous Memory (when he hang'd his Chief Justice [Thorp] of the Kings Bench, for taking a Bribe of 100l.) That he being intrusted as the King's Deputy, to administer Justice in that Court, had, as much as in him lay, broken that solemn Oath that his Majesty made to his People at his Coronation.

If such strict Scrutinies shou'd be made in these Days, (which no doubt God Requires) what a multitudewould there be found Guilty of this Chief Justice's Crime, who continue to practice it without any regard to their Master's Safety, Honour or Coronation-Oath, or Safety of their Country? nay, so far are they from thinking it a Crime, that a Learned Lawyer not long since (as I was inform'd) brought it as a mighty Objection to the Bill against buying and selling Offices, That the Perquisites of his Employment came to about 3000l. per an. and pray'd a Clause in the Bill to secure it to him, which shews how strong a desire he had still to be able to Expose the Rights and Liberties of the People to Sale to the highest Bidder: So Religious a Regard had that Gentleman to his Master's Coronation-Oath. Nevertheless, such Corrupt Men as these, who so openly oppose Justice, do generally pretend to have a great Love for their Sovereign, [Page] and how they'll stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes, and what not, when alas, their Love has no more reallity than the pretended Love of a Common Harlot: For Certainly, a Corrupt and Unfaithful Servant, can no more Love his Master, than an Adulterous Wife can Love her Husband:

It is not Improbable, but this Dialogue may by a Tryal in the Kings Bench be made (as 'tis call'd) A Seditious and Scandalous Libel against his Majesty and Government; And so the Tables shall be turn'd, and I shall be try'd as a Criminal, for laying open the Nations Grievances to the Parliament, and the Criminals acquited of the Crimes they are accus'd of, without any Tryal at all; It cannot be suppos'd, that I shall have free Liberty in the Kings Bench Court, to bring such Numbers of Witnesses, as are necessary to prove the Matters of Fact contain'd in this Dialogue; For the Court is ty'd to one single Ishue, and therefore cannot Enquire into the bottom of Grievances in the State: Besides, it is rarely seen that any Man escapes the Censure of the Courts of Westminster, who runs Counter to the Predominant Party at White-Hall, let his Cause be ever so just; Instances enough may be given of it in the late Reigns, when the Courts of Justice have (under pretence of Law) been made perfect Slaughter-Houses to Punish, Imprison, Fine, and take away the Lives of Divers Noble Patriots of their Countrey, for doing that which we now call their Duty, whose memories we Commemorate, and the Judgments against them have been Revers'd in Parliament. But Certainly, it had been much more Honourable (if it cou'd have been done) to have sav'd their Lives, by putting a stop to their Illegal Tryals, than now to say, we are sorry for their Deaths.

Therefore, I most humbly appeal to this most August Assembly, who in these Cases are ty'd to no single Is [...]ue, but [Page] may throughly enquire and search into the Nations Grievances, (which my Designs has been only Loyally and Faithfully to lay open) humbly Conceiving, that if I produce Witnesses to prove the Matters of Fact, Contain'd in this Dialogue; That then it will not deserve the Title, given it in the Warrant for my Commitment, Viz. A Seditious and Scandalous Libel, against His Majesty and Government. Neither, shall I deserve to be Arraign'd at the Kings Bench Bar as a Criminal, the next Term, where I am bound to appear by Recognizance of 500 l. after above three Months Imprisonment, to the hazard of my Life.

And being thus ready and able to produce Witnesses, to prove the said Matters of Fact, Contain'd in this Dialogue (to the great Advantage of the King and Government) whenever your Honours shall please to Command; I humbly Cast my self upon your Honours Justice and Protection, that no such Prosecution may be made against me, as is intended, till I be first heard, and have liberty to prove, that what I have Written in this Dialogue is Truth, and for the King and Kingdoms true Interest, Peace, and Safety, and then I shall be willing to stand a Tryal at the Kings Bench Bar; And submit to what Law my Adversaries can find, to punish me, for Writing this Dialogue. I am,

With all Dutiful Respect, Your Lordships, and Honours, Most Obedient Servant, SAMƲEL BASTON.

London, the 16th of March, 169 [...].

§

§

Printed in the Year 1696.

Information about this book

Title statement

A dialogue between a modern courtier and an honest English gentleman to which is added the author's dedication to both Houses of Parliament, to whom he appeals for justice / by Samuel Baston.

Baston, Samuel.

Edition statement

1697

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A26755

ID [STC]

Wing B1056

ID [STC]

ESTC R37087

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

16206513

ID [OCLC]

ocm 16206513

ID [VID]

105080

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A26755)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 105080)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1087:9)

Source

— A dialogue between a modern courtier and an honest English gentleman to which is added the author's dedication to both Houses of Parliament, to whom he appeals for justice / by Samuel Baston., Baston, Samuel..

Extent

[12], 31 p.

[s.n.],. London printed:: MDCXCVII [1697]. (Imperfect: print show-through with loss of print.) (Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.)

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.