In Anno 1655 Iohn Crocker English Merchant in Cadiz did by Bill of Lading (which is recited verbatim in the last page) con­signe unto his brother Thomas Crocker Merchant (amongst other goods) 19 pieces of Sherry Sack; all for his own proper accompt, the which by their accompt of sales amounted unto neate 101. l. 1s. 6d. sterling which in conformity to the said Iohn's order was accordingly disposed of.

But so it is, that one Richard Neave (a pretended Signee, unto Andrew Beasley a runnagate Roman Catholick) (through knavish ignorance) did about five years last past pretend an interest in the aforesaid Wines, and for them commen [...]ed a suite in the Court of Admiralty against one Iames Marshal of Exeter, the Assigne of the said Thomas; in which suite the said Neave durst not proceed to Triall as the Proctor Mr. Cheeke doth possitively affirme.

Notwithstanding which the said Neave (with whom the said Thomas Crocker n [...]ver had the least dealing) did about November last, cause the said Thomas to be Arrested upon an action of the Case for three hundred Pounds: unto which the said Thomas Crocker then procured Baile, which the said Neave perceiving be­fore the acceptance of Baile then tendred (whereby to hinder him of being Bailed, he being a stranger in London) malitiously and on set purpose to procure his mine, caused to be entered in several Persons Names (unknown to the said Thomas Crocker) several Actions amounting to the value of about 6000. l. (a thing too too commonly practised in and about London to the horrid shame of the Government thereof) by which meanes many Merchants of repute, and divers others (especially those of meaner capaci­ties) have been ruined and utterly undone, as to expectation of all future preferments. As is sufficiently apparent in this Gentlemans (Tho. Crockers) case, who was most disgracefully Arrested & taken off the publick Exchange, & thrown into the Loathsome Counter from whence with great expence of Money; he removed himself by Habeas Corpus to the Fleet, where he still remaines Prisoner.

But the said Neave perceiving the intent of the said Thomas Crocker to remove himself (having had some notice of the same, and minding nothing but perverse mischief) went about to hinder his removal, to which end he would have entred an Action against the said Thomas in the Lord Maiors Court to have it charged at the Counter, which he knew very well would not only put the said Crocker to a longer stay in that Prison, but also a great deale more extradorinary expence of Money, but the causes being returned, and the body gone, before he could effect this design he mist his aime. Such diabolical and Devilish practi­ces [Page 5](as I am credibly informed) are usual with the Citizens of London which the very Turks and Infidels would abhorr, and punish with no less then death.

That by reason of such and so many great Actions no friends will become engaged for him, so that in the Fleet he is inforced to remaine close Prisoner, even so may the most innocent suffer (if they want freinds) and if such abominable Cheats be tollerated (for so they are not being punished) more Families will hereafter be destroied (as too many already have by such practices) then did the late Warr consume.

Whether to ruin the said Thomas Crocker by this means or not, was the intent of the said Neave, is out of Question, or whether the said Neave did this not only upon that score, but also in dis­obedience to his Majesties gratious pleasure is a Question. That Neave could not be ignorant of what preferment Mr. Crocker was likely to have, by the guift of his Royal grace the Duke of Yorke, is the Question. Which Question last proposed he could not but know, and in knowing that, he knowes that Mr. Crocker lost not only an honourable but profitable emploiment, in his Majesties service beyond the Seas.

Now that the world may take notice of the honest intention of the said Thomas Crocker, and that they may see the damnable absurdity of the said Neave, let them observe this one thing, (viz.) that the said Thomas Crocker, knowing the justness of his cause, not onely at the time of his first being arrested, but many times since his being imprisoned, hath offered to come to an Ar­bitration, have all differences referred betwixt them, offering se­curity to stand to the Award of such Arbitrators, as shall indiffe­rently be elected and chosen, one or two of each part. But the said Neave being a crosse base and ill condition'd fellow, refuses this proposition, and contrary to his promise to Sir Iohn Colleton Knight and Barronet, will not refer the differences aforesaid. But now as formerly he gives only this for answer, that he will de­clare, &c. If such be the lawes and practises of the Londoners, God send me to live amongst Indians, Turks and Iews.

For prevention of such hellish practises, it were to be wished, [Page 6]that there were a Court Merchant erected in England, as is usual in other Countries where Trade is most encouraged, (which I hear for many years past in former Parliaments hath been en­deavoured, but hindred especially by the Lawyers) such Villanies would not be practised. But to corrupt offices and officers, this will be but false doctrine because it will hinder the hellish grist com­ing to their Mill. This practise for the sake of particular gaine hath been too long used, and those that are concerned will cry up their Diana, old customes though never so wicked, for which detestible practices (if not speedyly remedied by authority) God will certain­ly visiet, who hath threatned that for three Transgressions and for four, he would not turne away the punishment of Moab, because they sold the needy for silver, and the poor for a paire of shooes; and the practise of our times neerly resembling their Cruelty, (whose punishment is threatned in the same Chapter) who inhumanly burnt the bones of their Bretheren into lime.

But to returne to Neave, least (that for two or three Termes) the malicious custom he forget, I hope this short caution will mind him which might have been sweld into a larger volume with a particular list of his knaveries, and that it will prove a sufficient admonition to all such who heretofore have dealt with the said Neave, how hereafter they trust him, or keepe company with him. Nor do I doubt but in short time to see his knavery so farr de­tected, by all men, that they will avoid his & kick him (and all that are of his Religion) out of their company. And that every one may be forwarn'd, and so forearm'd, the knaves lodging is at pre­sent in St. Thomas Appostles, though without question such deal­ings as these, will shortly reduce him (when every bird hath his own feathers) to the retired life of a close Prisoner, or to a more wandring life of a Fugitive Vagabond.

Thus much a Cordial freind to the greatly wronged and oppres­sed (Thomas Crocker) in his vindication thought good to com­mit to publick view, that the World may see the Villanous ma­lice of his unjust Adversary (I had almost said unparallel'd, but that as it is said before, it is too common in London to meet with such practises) against whom he questions not but to recover [Page 7]good damages at law, and to have his case become a president of unjust oppression at the sitting of the next Parliament, in hopes that the remedy will not there prove worse then the disease, as hath been usual in most of the late Parliaments, who like God­fathers and Godmothers (at their first sitting) used to promise much, but in conlusion performed little or nothing to the verifi­ng of the old English proverb, whilst the grass growes the Horse starves.

Let Neave therefore for the present take this in part of pay­ment, for his inhumane, unatural, unchristian, unconscionable, unjust, incharitable and unmerchantlike proceedings. Which seven rare imperfections and qualifications, like the seven Planets, have a continual motion in, and reign over him which being va­lued each of them at 1000. l. may and no otherwise will make up the pretended sumes against Crecker, with a compleate knave to boote, from whom, and such as he is, Good Lord deliver every honest man.