A Caveat against Generall Indempnity. OR, Reasons why the Patentee Commissioners and Farmers of Beer and Ale, &c. Within the Cities of London and Westminster, &c. and the Subcommissioners and Farmers of Beer and Ale, in the severall Counties of England, Scotland, and Ireland, should not be comprehended in the generall Act of Indempnity and Oblivion, humbly offered to the High and Honourable Court of PARLIAMENT.
1. BEcause it will not stand with Parliamentary Justice, to grant them Indempnity, &c. before the Petition of the Master and Wardens of the Company of Brewers of London; (now lying before this Honourable Parliament) be read, and in that, the cause of all the Brewers, Inkeepers, and Victuallers within these Nations be heard, quì statuit aliquid, parte in auditâ alterâ, aequum licet statuerit, hand aequus fuerit.
2. Because the Farmers these two years last past, have under the pretence of advancing the late Protectors Revenues; robbed the good people of this Nation of above one Million of pounds Sterling, of which they have not paid above one moyety into the publick treasury, so that by this generall Act of Oblivion: The Common-wealth will lose neer 300000l Sterling, whereby the burthens will lye the heavier upon those who have been impoverished by bearing of them already.
3. Because by the oppressions, rapines, and cruelties of these Farmers; (as was lately made appear before a Committee of the late Parliament so called; whereof M. Scott, was Chair-man, and severall other persons of worth and honour, of this honourable Parliament were members) most of the Brewers have been impoverished, some utterly ruined, and others enforced to give over their trade; So that it did appear to most of the members of that Committee, that the tender mercies of these wicked men were cruell. How then can such men be capable of an Act of grace, mercy, and Indempnity, when as the Scripture saith, Jam. 2.13. He shall have judgement without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy.
4. Because these men, having gained very great Estates by the ruines of others, ought to make restitution to those poor people whom they have robbed of 200000l by their wicked and unjust Gage. And by their returning of small Beer for strong, and by Gaging worts boiling in the Copper, and hot in the Backs, the which they are not obliged to do, if they are comprehended in the generall Act of Indempnity and Oblivion. So that your selves likewise wil be accessary to the peoples ruine, and be partakers of these men sins, and Act contrary to the command of God, Isai. 1.17. Learn to do well, seek judgement, relieve or righten the oppressed, judge therfatherless, plead for the widow.
5. Because to grant these men an Act of Indempnity and Oblivion, is not to assert the Good Old Cause; One part of which is to bring Capitall Delinquents, to condign punishment, and to vindicate the liberties and properties of the people: against all arbitrariness, oppression, and tyranny of any single person whatsoever. Their Court, Parasits, Agents, or Instruments.