A Modest, and True ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST Mr. Abraham Anselm, late Secretary to the late Admirals of the FLEET: AS They happ'ned, and were brought on before the Right Honourable, Their Majesties Principal Secretary of State, Their Majesties Most Honourable Privy Council, Their Majesties Council at Law; and as they were Examined by the Grand Jury for the County of Middle-Sex, at the Sessions, held at Hick's-Hall, September the Sixth, 1693.
In a Letter to a Friend.
Together with an Answer thereunto.
LONDON, Printed for Abel Roper, at the Mitre within Temple-Bar. 1694.
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.
PErhaps I had not Exposed this my Letter to the Publick View, but that Mr. Anselms, to Captain Wall, (wherein he calls me Villain, &c.) hath been shown to some of the Honourable Representatives of this Nation, before whom the business of the Admirals have been brought about, and so may others also.
I hear, I have been Misrepresented to to Their Majesties (as well as to others) as I was to Charles the II. for serving my [Page]King and Country Abroad, with the hazard both of my Life and Fortune, and then I could not defend my self from the Defamation, but now (I hope) I may without any Offence.
Philip of Macedon (as Illustrious for his Wit, as for his Valour and Vertue) being advised to Correct a Man for saying some things (as his Enemy said) Unseasonably—We must first, (said the King) Consider, whither he had not occasion given him to say what he did.
A Modest, and True ACCOUNT OF The Proceedings against Mr. Abraham Anselm late Secretary, to the late Admirals of the FLEET.
SINCE (As you are pleas'd to say) I have lost that Reputation, which I lately Regain'd by a Law Suit, and that I am fallen under the Defamation of a MALICIOƲS JNFORMER; I think fit (as your Request commands me) to give you the following Account concerning Mr. ANSELEM, &c. tho' I had rather be silent in the Case, like a Man of Inward and Real Honour, who adventures the Fame, to preserve the Conscience, of an honest Man.
SOME time after I came to London, about the Law Suit; I had occasion to Converse with one Captain Peter Rowe, not only upon Account of the Law Suit, but also on some other account, because he is an understanding Man, in many things, which I have had occasion to make use of.
This Captain Rowe, came one day to me and told me (as a secret) that he had an Incredible thing to impart to me, which he would trust no body else withall; because he could not but mistrust it himself.
But soon after he went to one Captain Peter Wall, and not only told him what he told me, but also what I told him, as a secret, thereon; which was, that I did the rather believe what he had so intrusted me withal, for a reason which hereafter follows.
NOW a strange Discourse about the Turky-Fleet was just breaking out, when Captain Wall came to me, and asked me concerning what I had said to Captain Rowe, and what Captain Rowe had said to me: I was surprized at his knowledge thereof, but since the Truth was out, I could not say (as some say I should) it was a Lye.
So, upon my acknowledgement of the matter, Captain Wall asked my advice; and I gave him such as Corresponded with his own opinion.
But I told him it might do more ill to me, than good to the Nation, for two Reasons; one whereof was, that I had a just Pretention against Mr. Anselm for 1500 l. and therefore pray'd him if possible, not to mention my name in the matter; nevertheless I left it to him.
The Captain at that time as little regarded that reason, as he did the other, and, going into Southampton, he wrote from thence (unknown to me) the following Letters, to Two of the Admirals.
To the Honourable, Mr. Henry Killegrew.
I Take the boldness, being formerly Acquainted with you, to give an Account of the Gentleman, Mr. Abraham Anselm, who is now your Secretary which might prove of very bad Consequence, as well to your self and the other Gentlemen that are with you in Commission, as also to the Nation, which I wish well, as do your self.
Yesterday, being Sunday the 22th. of May, came a Sea-Commander to my House, who told me that he was Recommended by the said Anselm, to give his word that he would Command a Ship for King James, and if he would, he assured the Cabal would perform it. That also the said Anselm did desire to know of a Gentleman of your own Country, where he could raise Men in Cornwal, for the Late King James, and what Number: So (for your Government,) you may use your own Discretion, Jam the Gentleman you commonly called your Country-man Wall, in your Kinsman Kirk's Service of Genoua; so shall desire the favour of you to let me know where you receive this or no. Direct your Letter to me at Mr. William Tyler in Southampton: I have no more, but wish you all Prosperity in your Ʋndertakings, I remain,
London the 22th. May, 1693.
I Take the boldness, tho' unknown, to give you an Account of what I hear of your Secretary Mr. Abraham Anselm, (viz.) Yesterday came to my House a Sea-Commander, who told me that was Recommended by the said Anselm, to be a Sea-Commander for King James, as also that he had some time since, spoke to a Cornish Gentleman, to know where he could raise Forces in Cornwal for King James, the which this Morning I spoke to the Gentleman himself, who told me the same. This I thought fit to give yov an Account that you may Govern your self according, knowning what Charge he is in. I shall desire the favour of you to write me a Line or two, whether you receive this or no. And direct your Letter to me at Mr. William Tylers in Southampton. Is the needful at present, from
Your Honour is unknown to me, but you may please to Inquire of Captain Good, Captain Dover, and Captain Grantham; or any that have passed the Streights.
Captain Wall, as he tells me, Received no Answer from the Admirals, but their Secretary Mr. Anselm fent him thus Letter.
UPon Two Letters Writ to Mr. Killegrew, and Sir Ralph Delaval, wherein you Inform them, that a Sea-Commander acquainted you, that I had Consulted with him about getting a Ship to serve King James, to which he applyed himself to a Cornish Gentlman, to know what Forces could be raised, I suppose, Seaman you mean, to Man her. I am to desire you to send me the Name of said Commander; the Gentleman's Namehe applyed himself to, for that purpose, and the Reason why you did not apprehend him, till such an Information could be made appear in this matter, you would have done the Nation Service, and me Justice; It's look'd upon (as it is plainly Evident) as Malice, and therefore regarded accordingly; however in Justification of my self, I am to inquire in this Matter, and wherein you can be serviceable to me in it; I shall think my self very much obliged to you, for such Villains ought to be made Examples of: Pray upon sight hereof, let me hear from you. Direct for me, at Mr. Grandons Agent for the Victualers at Portsmouth,
Which Letter of Mr. Anselms, Captain Wall thus Answered;
YOurs of the 25th. May, I have Received, by which I see you had seen what I writ to the Admirals, Killegrew, and Sir. Ralph Delaval, and if you have not let them see the Letters, you have not done well, for what I did Inform them, was, what was told me by one Captain Peter Rowe, of your recommending him to be a Captain for King James, and for the other, is a very honest good Gentleman, to whom you inquired where he could raise Forces for King James in the West: There was no body but my self when he told me; so cannot name his name, but is a Man very well known to you, and did wish you well, and was not willing that your Person should come to any harm; but on the contrary, was willing that should be known, that you being in such a place of such Trust as this, might be of bad Consequence to the Nation: As to what I write of the Captain, there was my Wife in Company when he told it, and also told of the same Matter, how you had been Tampering with the other Gentleman; so on the next day I went and Discoursed the said Gentleman my self, and he Confirmed the same, of which I thought Convenient to give advice, for I think in Duty so to do. I have no more to add, but that I am
Which Letter of Captain Walls, Mr. Anselm thus Answered without date.
I Received yours of the 26th. Instant, and thank you for letting me know my Accusers, your Letters were both delivered to Mr. Killegrew and Sir Ralph, into their own hands, before I knew any thing of the matter; who sent for me to them, and gave them me to Read, which I could not believe, there was so much Villany in Man; for as I hope for Mercy from Heaven, I am so far from talking with them about any such matter, or indeed of business of any kind whatsoever, that I have been hardly three times in his Company since I saw him in Venetia; and that never at my own Invitation, but as he has been Introduc'd by others: So that what Malice will invent, no Man is secure from; but how possible it is for me to prefer him for the service he pretends, without the consent of the Admirals, your own sense and reason may judge, since you cannot but know, that no Stranger as he is to them, is to be Recommended by a bare Character, without produceing Substantial Certificates, both of his Ability and honesty from the Parties that have Imployed him: Which they must surely remember, if I had Recommended any such Person, which I am so far from doing that I never did, but for one Man in my Life, who is known to them, and now on Board. As for the other Gentleman you mention, I presume he is one that Mr. Rowe can Instuence to say what he pleases: However I do not take it unkindly of you at all, for giving this Information, for 'tis what an honest Man ought to do. I shall take care to inquire into the matter, and do my self that Justice I ought to do; The Answer to me now shall certainly be shewed to the Admirals, from whom nothing of this Matter shall be concealed,
This is to assure you, I delivered the Two Letters to the Admirals.
About the same time also, that Captain Wall wrote to the Admirals, he wrote a Letter to Mr. Warre, one of the Secretaries to the Earl of Nottingham: I never saw the Original, nor Copy thereof; but Mr. Warre thus Answered it.
White-Hall, May the 23d. 1693.
I Had not your Letter till this Morning, and immediately shew'd it to my Lord, who Comands me to tell you, that he would have you let me know, whither you have given the Admirals an Account of the Matter whereof you writ to me? And likewise, that you will send me the Name of the Person, who gave you this Account, and such other Circumstances as may be necessary for a full Information,
WHICH Letter was Answered by Captain Wall, who kept no Copy thereof, but he writ in the (Original to the best of his Remembrance,) that I was so much Mr. Anselm's Friend, that he thought I would be loth to confess what I knew of him.
SOME time after that, Captain. Wall came to Town from Southampton, and the afore-mentioned Discourse of the Turkey-Fleet, being in every Man's Mouth, he went, (unknown to me) to the Earl of Nottingham, and desired his Lordship that I might be sent for, and Examined.
Whereupon my Lord sent for me by the said Captain, and I was Examined by his Lordship, as to what I had said concerning Mr. Anselm; and my Lord asked me if I could Swear; it I assured his Lordship, I had said nothing but what was True, and could, with a safe Conscience, take my Oath of it, but not with as safe Interest, because of the 1500 l.
His Lordship ordered me to write down what I had said; but, because it was long, I desir'd an Hour or two's time to do it in, which being granted, I brought the following Account to his Lordship in the Afternoon.
ABout two Months since, (as near as I can remember) one Captain Peter Rowe came to me at the Ship-Tavern without Temple-Bar, and told me he had a Business to Impart to me, that (perhaps) I would hardly give credit to; I asking what it was, he told me, That there came an unknown Gentleman to his Lodgings, and, Inquiring for him by his Name, he being in the way, made Answer unto him hiself: The Gentleman told him he was a Stranger to his Person, but however, had heard of his Character, and told him that Mr. Abraham Anselm had recommended him to great Lord, (from whom he came) as a fit Person to take the Command of a Ship of War, and that, if he were willing, to bring in King James again, he should have a Ship of Eighty or Ninety Guns, and he would introduce him to the Lord that sent him, otherwise the Lord was not to be known. He made Answer, (as he inform'd me) that he thanked the Lord, and Mr. Anselm, for their Esteem of him; but, although he was a Man of Misfortunes, yet he was a true Subject to the Government Established, and so refused to accept thereof.
After this, asking my Advice, what proper Courses he should take in this Matter, I told him his best way was to acquaint the Earl of Nottingham, or the Admirals of the Fleet with it, and withal, told him, I was the more apt to give credit to what he said, for that, about a Twelve Month since, meeting Mr. Anselm, and Sir Richard White, in the Pall-Mall, Mr. Anselm told me, Jack, I know that thou art an Honest Fellow, and one that has great interest in the Tinners in the County of Cornwal, and asked me what Men I could raise, in case there should be a Design to bring in King James; telling me, that in Monmouth's [Page 15]Rebellion I was much for King James, and hop'd I would be so still, for that he had beard that I would have accepted of King James's Commission; I answer'd I was for the Present Government, and so we parted.
And about five Weeks since, there came one Captain Peter Wall, and acquainted me that the day before there called upon him one Captain Peter Rowe, (the same afore-mention'd Captain Rowe,) and discoursing with him about the Affairs of the Fleet, and wondering how one Anselm came to be in so great a Post as to be Secretary to the Navy, in regard he was a reputed Jacobite; He told him that he was so much his Friend that he had (unknowingly) recommended him to a great Person of Honour, as a fit Person to serve King James, and that there came a strange Gentlement unto him, and acquanted him that his Character was made known to a great Person of Honour, from whom he came, and that if he were willing to bring in King James again, he might have a Ship of Eighty or Ninety Guns, and would also tell him the Lord's Name, but he refusing the offer, (as he told me) the Gentleman went away, and said no more.
But Captain Rowe finding that Captain Wall gave but little credit to what he said, told him he had related the same thing to me, and thereupon Captain Wall came to me, relating the same Matter, and ask'd me if I had heard any thing of it, and I told him, I had; then Captain Wall asking of me what was the best Methods to be used, being a National Concern, I told them the best way was to write to the Earl of Nottingham, and so likewise to the Admirals of the Fleet. And Captain Wall wrote to the Admirals, Mr. Killegrew, [Page 16]and Sir Ralph Delaval, but had no retrurn from themselves, but had two Evasie Letters from Mr. Anselm, nothing of Answer to what Captain Wall writ, or the Matters he accused him with, which Letters Captain Wall has in his custody, and Copies thereof I have now by me. Captain Wall likewise wrote a Letter to Mr. Warre, Secretary to the Earl of Nottingham, which was Answered the 23d. of May last, a Copy whereof I have now by me, and Captain Wall has the Original; which was Answered by Captain Wall about two or three days after that, but Captain Wall had no Answer since, as he has inform'd me,
Sworn before me this 7th. Day of June, 1693.
SOME time after Mr. Anselm was sent for, and soon after that again, I received the following Order, which was left at my Lodgings.
Mr. Praed is desired to attend at the Earl of Nottingham's Office at Whitehall, at Four of the Clock this Afternoon, being July the 7th 1693.
Captain Wall, Captain Rowe and my Self came accordingly, and having been Examined seperately before the Privy Council, Mr. Anselm, and my Self, were at last call'd in Face to Face.
And after the Two first Paragraphs, of what I had Deposed before my Lord Nottingham, were Read by Sir John Trenchard, it was asked by my Lord Marquess of Winchester of Mr. Anselm, what Acquaintaince he had with Sir Richard White, and Mr. Anselm answered, he had but little, or that he had no great acquaintance with him. Then it was asked if he were not Bail for Sir Richard White, when he was Clap't up into Newgate, upon the suspicion of the French Invasion; he answered, that he was Bail, and when it was asked him what he was Bail for, his Answer was, for that Sir Richard was his Friend.
After that it was asked him, if he had any more to say for himself, and he Answered their Lordships, that he had adventured his Life for his King and Country, and that being more then I had done, he hoped he should have the more, and I the less Credit.
To which I answered (by their Lordships leave) that Mr. Anselm knew that I had adventured my Life for King Charles the II. and not for his Pay, and that since my Case in Chancery was so lately brought to the Bar of the House of Lords, their Lordships might please to Remember how much I have suffered for my Country, and to consider the present Risque that I was running, for attesting the Truth, I so accidentally said without any design against Mr. Anselm.
UPON which we were dismist, and sometime after the Two Captains, and my Self, were Ordered to attend the Kings Council, which we did.
And, on the 7th of September in the Morning I was served with the following Subpoena Ticket.
BY Virtue of their Majesties Writ of Subpoena, to you and others Directed; you are to be, and personally appear, before Their Majesties Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer at Hick's-Hall in St. Johns-street, to Morrow being the 7th. of this Instant September, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, to give Evidence on Their Majesties behalf, against Abraham Anselm, for high Misdemeanour against their Majesties. And this you are not to Omit, under the Penalty of 100 l. dated the 6th. of September, 1693.
I Waited the same Day, from Two till Eight, and next Morning, from Eight till Twelve of the Clock; and then I was Sworn, with the Two Captains, and after them, was called in before the Grand Jury.
I told them what I had to say, and they asked me, what Men I could pretend to raise in Cornwal, I thought that was an Improper Question, because I did not pretend to raise any, and I answered it accordingly.
Then, one of them asked me, if Mr. Anselm was not in Drink, or in Jest, when he said the words, I told them, he could not be much in Drink, because we had drunk but little; but whether he was in Jest or not, (when he said these words,) I told them, I could not so well tell, because a Man may speak a thing seemingly in Jest, and yet design it in Earnest.
But I told them, (as I told the Lords of the Privy Council) that he spoke them after such a manner, that I did not take so much notice of them, until he became Bail (as aforesaid) for Sir Richard White. And then another asked me, if he did not speak the words, seemingly, in Jest; I told them all, that I was upon my Oath, and my Conscience, as well as they, (and that to my seeming,) he spake these words after this way of speaking some others. And they asking me no more Questions, brought it in Ignoramus.
But one of the Jury came to me, as I was going out of the Room, and asked me, if I was that Praed that [Page 20]Printed the Varieties of Villany against Mr. William Warre. I told him I was, he said, I had done my self a great deal of Right, and that he had made use of the thing to Vindicate my Evidence, which was call'd in Question.
AND now give me leave to tell you, I have been no more a Malicious, or Self-Intress'd Evidence against Mr. Anselm, in this Case, then Mr. Anselm was against himself, when he was an Evidence both for me, and against me, in my Case Contra Warre and Gates.
For when he was Examined upon Oath, and Interrogatories by Sir John Francklin, one of the Masters in Chancery, to know if he, or his Partner at Venice, or both, ever sent down to Zant any Money to me in particular, for Account of the said Warre and Gates, he Answered in the Negative, tho' his Deposition was something against his Honour, and above 1500 l. against his Interest.
For I having drawn from Zant, for Account of the said Warre and Gates 6000 Dollars, by a Letter of Exchange, on Mr. Williams and Anselm then at Venice; and thereby ordered them to send me down the same by the first Ship, Mr. Williams (unknown to Mr. Anselm, as he assured me) accepted the said Letter, both in his own, and Mr. Anselms Name; but, being in Combination with Mr. Warre, to wrong me of all, and more then all, I was worth in the World, he, nor his Partner, never sent me the said Sum, nor any part thereof.
So that Mr. Anselm, as well as Mr. Williams, (by the Law of all Trading Nations,) remains my Debitor, not only for the Principle, (which is about 1500 l.) but also for Interest, and all Damages, from the Year 1680 to this Day.
But I did never trouble Mr. Anselm for any part of it, because I could not think in my Conscience, that such a Man as he seems to be, would be accessary to Mr. Williams and Mr. Warres designs aforesaid.
NOT WITHSTANDING which, &c. I have been often told that I have betray'd my Friend by the aforesaid Information, and I have as often answer'd, that he betray'd himself to an Enemy to Treason: And all Effects, of what kind soever, art chargeable on the first Causes.
Yet I kept his Council (if I may call it so) as long as I could, But even a Son, by way of Prevention, may betray his Father for Treason, Cic. Offic. lib. 3d. in case the danger be Great and Imminent.
I knew I should be call'd an Informer, for confessing the Truth at such a time, Especially any thing like Treason; but Defamation is incident to all Instances of duty, and I thought it a very seasonable opportunity to lay out my Reputation, whatever came in thereby.
Yet Mr. Anselm was so kind (in his Letter without date) to Captain Wall, as to Commend him for giving Information to the Admirals, For 'twas what an Honest Man ought to do; And truly such an Honest Act, (if I may judg by the rough Draught, I have seen thereof) seems to have respected the Publick Good of England, rather than the private Interest of him, that Exercised it.
But, in the same Letter, Mr. Anselm presumed, That the other Gentleman was one, whom Captain Rowe could Influence to say what he pleas'd, and I presume he meant me, because he thanked Captain Wall in the said Letter, for letting him know his Accusers, of whom he seems thereby to have satisfied.
I am sure one of his Accusers hath not Incriminated him, of what he hath been Guilty himself, though he was unwilling to have his Name known, and he could assure Mr. Anselm also by other Reasons, (which it may be he already knows of) that he is not one of those whom any others can Influence to say or Act, &c.
IN his First Letter to Captain Wall, he calls me also One of those Villains, which ought to be made Examples of.
FOR my part, I do regard such Words, as Honest Women do the Incrimination of Varlets; for no Man is a Villain, but he that Acts Villainous Things, either for one, or against another. Non e Villan' che Villan' sia, ma quel e Villan', che fa Villania.
And, above all Villains, (except two) I hate A Malicious Informer, (as Mr. Anselm calls me,) and such an Informer as will say unto me, Do not you tell that you had the Information from me, for if you do, Sen. Mor. pa. 169. I'll deny it. By which means (as my Author says) Friends are set together by the Ears, and the Informer slips his Neck out of the Collar. Such an Informer is farther set forth by the following Letters from Mr. Williams, and Mr. Anselm, (then Factors at Venice,) to a Certain Merchant, and Company of London.
Venice the 14th 9ber. 1691.
WHat hath been here generally discours'd for some time, we have now an assured Ground to believe, und that is the Endeavour of Consul Hobson to Establish himself Agent of Venice, and his Son Consul. The Wisdom of the Supream Powers will sufficiently Canvas this Proposal, whether it be for his Majesties Interest, for a Man that hath lived all his time in the Sphere of a very private Merchant, with little Credit, till he writ himself Consul, and that jump'd into the Profession from Supra Cargo, that hath his Wife and Family of this Country, whose Estate is likewise here wholly concern'd. We say whether such a one (setting aside what also might be said with respect to the Infirmity of his Body, and Closeness of his Fists) may be a meet Subject to represent the Majesty of England, Especially when we consider the Promotion of his Son to the Consulship, whom any one knows, that knows him; that he is such a miserable Tool of State, more sit to serve a Seven Years Apprentiship, than appear before Senators. This also we write, and recommend to your Secrecy, that no Odium may fall upon us, but as we are neither Desirous or Ambitious (Si Fosse per Imaginatione) of any such Imployment, so it should displease us to see Places of Honour and Trust, Bought and Sold at the pleasure of the most unbecoming.
Mr. Anselm was the Pen-man of this Epistle, but, to do him Right, Mr. Williams most commonly prescribed to him; and therefore, I presume (to use some of his own Words) He could Influence him to write what he pleas'd.
And now if I did know Mr. Anselm to be more unfit to serve His Majesty, King William the III. then Mr. Hobson and his Son were to serve King Charles the II. the question, which I would put to Mr. Anselm himself, is, Whether, all other things considered, I am as much to blame as he, and many other Persons report me to be?
GIVE me leave to tell you but one thing more, and that is concerning the Two Factors aforesaid.
There happen'd at last a Difference between themselves, wherein, I must needs say, Mr. Anselm distinguish'd himself much to his Commendation, for when he had written home to his Corrispondents, in offence to Mr. Williams, and in defence of himself, he shew'd him what he had written, and what Answers he had received thereto: But Mr. William's dealt not so honourably with him, for he writ home a secret Letter as full of Scurrility, as some Mens Discourses are. And because it is so, I shall conclude this Letter with the least part of that.
Venice the 9th. of May 1681.
I Was not a little startled, when lately Mr. Anselm Recommended to my perusual, the Contents of yours to him in proprio, dated the 25th past. I easily observed thereby, how I have been represented by one whose corrupt Judgment hath been so far from discerning his own Interest that he hath ever perverted the designs that others have put on foot for his good, &c. It is strange you should lay so much weight on the report of such a fellow, that found no foundation to raise himself but on the failings of another. What a condition think you had I been in, had that unnatural Brute any thing material to writ of, but because he wanted Subject, he made a Contrivance of Impudent Lyes to give plausibility to his most Ignominious, and I had almost said Inhumane Ingratitude, &c. But were there any need to give the Portraict of this Informer, I could do it at large, and unto his Confusion.
I JUST now met with the MEMOIRS of the Present State of Europe, for the Month of August, 1693. and therein is this Passage.
MR. Anselm Secretary to the Admirals, having been charg'd for holding a Correspondency with the Enemy, is brought up to London. The principal Witnesses against him are Captain Rowe, and Captain Wallis, and one Praed a Tradesman and Citizen of London, who have all Three been confronted by him before the Privy Council, and charge him with having in these Two Years last past Corresponded Criminally, with a Brother of the Marquess Albeville, I am told that there is more Truth in this then the World is aware of, for Sir Richard White being a Spanish Chevalier is of nedr Relation to Albeville. the Envoy formerly from King James at the Hague, as also, with having endeavoured to debauch a Sea-Officer, into the Service of France, where they say he promised kins, he would get him the Command if to Ship of 80 Guns. The Attourny General hath Orders to prosecute him: And in the mean time, another Secretary is sent down to the Admirals. It must needs be, that either Mr. Anselm, or some other hath given notice to the Enemy of all that did pass. Because they have taken their measures, so that it cannot be doubted but that they were well instructed. They write that since this, he hath been discharged out of the hands of the Messenger, who had him in Custody, upon his giving security to appear at all times, when ever he is called for.
By which, and what follows, you may see how some things are represented.
By the Lords of their Majesties Most Honourable Privy Council.
WHereas a Report has been raised, and spread, by Henry Kilegrew Esq Sir Ralph Delaval and Sir Cloudsly Shovel Knights, Admirals of their Majesties Fleet, that the Right Honourable, the Lord Viscount Falkland, one of the Lords of their Majesties most Honourable Privy Council; did upon reading a Paper at the Board, stiffle something that was material to their Justification. The Lords of the Council, having considered of, and Examined into the matter, are satisfied, and do declare, that the said Report is False, and Scandalous: Altho' upon the said Examination, it doth appear, that something happned, which might mistead the Admirals into that Error. And it is Ordered in Council, that this be Printed, and Published in the Gazitte.
AND NOW I have appeal'd to a Man of Impartial Honour and Apprehension; I will hope it does appear, that I have been no Malitious Informer; if it doth appear, I know you will Affirm it, not so much against Mr. Anselm, as in favour of your most
I Receiv'd your Letter, and being pleased with the the Perusal thereof; I read it over and over, according to Prescription I have met withal in one part of the Turkish-Spys.
I have likewise shewn it to some of your Friends, and mine; and we are all exceeding glad to see you vindicate your self so upon all Occasions, that the World may not believe you are one of those Villains that ought to be made Examples of.
And since you dar'd to speak the Truth so much against your own Interest, to Serve your King and [Page 30]Country; Let me prevail with you to Print your Letter for the Publick Good, and your own Reputation.
The Supposition I have, that you design'd so do, puts me in mind of this Passage, in the Description of Russia.
‘Juan Vasiloreidg, one of the Emperors of Russia, nail'd a French Ambassadors Hat to his Head, for putting it on before him. At which time Sir Jerome Boze, Ambassador from Queen Elizabeth, put on his Hat, and Cockt it, saying, That the French Ambassador represented a Cowardly King of France, but he, the Invinsible Queen of England, who vail'd Her Bonnet to no Prince in Christendom, and was both able and willing to vindicate her Minister—Look you there, quoth the Emperor to his Boyars, Which—of ye all dare do so much for your Master, as this Man doth for his Mistress!’