speciAl coLLecrioNS

OouqLas

LibKARy

queeN's uNiveusiiy

AT kiNQSXrON

kiNQSTON ONTARIO CANADA

THE

HISTORY

O F T H E

Mitre and Ptirfe, .

IN WHICH

The Firfi: and Second Parts of the fe- cret Hiftory of the Whke StaflP are tully confidered, and the Hypocrify and Villaniesof the STAFF himfeff are laid open and Deteded.

^^t ^econti (fbinon*

Quo tcneain Vultus Mutantem Protea Nodo ? Virg.

Be left not FaBion^ but of that was left.

Dryden's Abs. and Achjt.

LOiVDON:

Prinsed for J, M0RPHEWnQ2^v Stati-

oners- Ha/i, 1714.

(price I fliiUing)

K

c^ii^.nm^H'^ii^

speciAi coLLeccioNS

t)OUQLAS LibRARy

queeN's UNiveRsiry AT kiNQsxroN

kiNQSTON ONTARio CANAOA

7 ]

THE

HISTORY

O F T H E

Mhre and Purfe.

^^ H E Mercenary that has -y '^xK been hired to raife a Duffc

in order to blind People's.

Eyes from feeing clearly in- to the IVhue Sta^s true Chara£ler, ha- ving acquitted himfelf of that Filthy Work, by a fecond endeavour, it may not be amils for a more generous and Difmterefted Hand to do what in him Ues towards fetting Things in a true Light, that Juftice and Truth may take Place of Defamation and Falfe- hood.

A 2

Not

. ( 4 )

Not, that it does not prove Irkfome to a Man whofe Education and Prin- ciples lead him to other Views than an-Infight into Mifcarriages under the Reign of a Queen, i^whofe Memory will always be dear and facred to himj to look back on fome Proceedings that may feem to refieft on that Princefs in the choice of her Prime Minifter : But the neceflity of the Times requires it, and I tind my felf oblig'd with all the Refped due to a deceas'd and in- jur'd Sovereign to take this unwel- come Task in Hand.

And, who can go forward with, and compjeat it ? Who can refcue the great Names I have taken upon me to de- fend, from the Vile Stabs of an info- lent Detractor, and more Cruel AlTaf- lin than even Gutjguard himfelf ; with- out giving a Loofc to his Paflions, and Launching out into Expreflions that may perhaps be too unguarded ? Who can, without doing Violence to his Temper hear the Sacred Charader of a Bifhop, who for Learning, Piety, Po- litenefs, and Sagacity may be rendred equal to the Brighteft Luminaries of the Protejiant Church, accus'd of De- (igns to introduce Poperj^ and of utte- ring

(5)

ring Blafpheraies, that the moii aban- don'd Profligate might Tremble to give into ? Yet thefe are the Arts that are now put in Pra£lice and made ufe of to run down, depretiate, and Wound the whole Hierarchy, thro' that Vene- rable AfTertor of the Rights of the Church of England's^ Sides. From thefe neither is the moft incorrupted Fidelity Sate, for the greatcil Difpen- fer of Law and Equity free. Even the Tender Sex muft come in for her Share of Reproaches, and Ingratitude does not (tick to calumniate that Lady, by whofe means the StaJ} himfelf was re-introduced at Court, after he had been thrown out of it for Endeavou- ring to fupplant that Noble Perfon of the fame Name that firft brought him into it : So tar is the Author of the fe- cret Hiftory in the Right, for faying, We are not vptthout Examples where fuch encroaching Injlruments^ have juPpUntfd thoje rvho went before thew^ nay their very Benefactors^ and Jl/pt into the Chair of Management at the Expence of thoJe that raij'ed them to that Power , and whoje Crea- tures they were.

Now what Grounds the Writer had

for the abovementionM Abufcs will

. ' bcii:

#

beft appear by having Recourfe to Matters of Fad j which cannot be more fairly done, than by reciting, as far as paft Occurrences will Enable us, the fteps they have feverally taken from their Firft Entrance upon the Stage of A6lion till their going off from it. Which muft of Courfe dif- cover who have contributed moft to the Prefervation of our Laws and Im- munities, the iitaffy whofe Shoulders are there faid to be only tit to fupport the Weight of Government ; or the Mi- tre and Purfe whom we no ways lift a- bove their known Dignity and De- ferc, by being brought in Competition with him.

To begin with the Two laft. We {hall find the Mitre, from a Private to a Publick Station, always contending with Spiruual Wkkednefs tn High Places. We (hall fee him from his firil: Dawn to his Mei'idian Hight looking for- ward towards the Reward of a good Confcience void of Offence towardsGod and Man. Hif works will praije him in the Gate, and his Labours will bear Tefti- rriony, with what Anxiety and Care, hchasever confulted the Honour and Dignity of the Church, and been an

Advocate

(7)

Advocate for his Brethren the Clergy. In the Univerfity, in -the Convocation, in the Court, his whole Thoughts have been bent on the Propagation and Advancement of the E(tabii(h'd Religion, and in whatfoever Station it pleas'd God and his Superiors to place him, he was rather an Ornament to Preterment, than Preferment to him. He never ftoop'd to mean Compliances to better his Fortunes, or made his Court to the Rulers of the Church by Sapping the Foundations of it ; witnefs his Immortal Writings whereby he has as eminently diftinguilh'd himfelt in Its Defence, as his Oppofers have by gi- ving up the Rights of it : In a Word as he was ever prefent to himfelf, fo he has always been abiding by thofe whole Ibmc Dodrines be fuck'd in from his Infancy. He knows not what it is to depart from the Vindication of what he thinks himfelf oblig'd by the moft Sacred Tyes of Oaths and every Thing elfe that is bindir.g, to defend ; and, if in few Cafes he has made uie oi what fome People falfly call Ajpenty ; if he has been for Penalties when he faw Perfuafwns could not bring over PifTenters to that Communion which

the

(8)

the great Law of the Gofpel, and that oF the Land had Authorized to be Na- tional \ if he was jealous of Endea- vours on Foot ( as Endeavours will be, while Our Church is the Glo- ry of the Reformation) to lefTen the Reverence and efteem that is due to the moft Learned and Orthodox Clergy in the whole Univerfe ; how could it be poflible that on any of thefe Ac- counts he could be chargeable with being in the Intereft of Po^erj/y efpeci- aliy lince he never advanced one Te- net in all his Writing or, Sermons that look that way ? But he was for the S.chjsm: Bill, fay the Weak Difputants a- gainlt him, and the Schifm Bill jvas brought in to introduce Foj^eryy therefore the

B/(h is in the Inter eji of Popery,

When that very Bill which the Staff boafts of Cafiratingy was intended as the moft EfFe£lual means of Extin- guiQiing the Hopes of the Pretender^ and, by bringing overfuch as differ'd from the Church in fome few Particu- lars, of Uniting us into one joint Xnte- reit againll tliQ Fap/flsy between whom and us there is a much wider Difagree- ment, and who are under ftri£i:er Ob- ligations not to recede from the Do- ctrine

(9)

Gnne they have imbib'd from Educa- tion and the Subtiky of their Priefts. So much for the Mitre at this Time, till our Obervations on the Proceeding of the STAFF call him upon the Stage again, who as an Inferior Cler- gyman acted after fuch an intrepid manner as plainly fliew'd him not to feek the Office of a Bifhop, tho' he that feeketh it feeketh a Good Office, but to be fought by it^ fince notwithftanding he might attain it by the Inttreft of the STAFF, it is next to a Demonftratioa he gain'd little or nothing by it, his Deanery and other Spiricual Prefer- ments being of greater Value than the Bifh— rick.

As for the PURSE, if he was ever ied into any Miftakes, it was through his Implicite Attachment to the Inte- reft of the STAFF : Thej liv'd toge^ ther as Brethre»^2.nd were bred up thro' the Prejudices of their Parents under one and the fame Inftrudor. This made them for a Confiderable Time purfue the fame Meafures, and at the Beginning of the late P.e volution, when they came to fit in Parliament where they were curious Obfervers of rhe Steps that were taken by the moff B knowing

C 10 )

knowing Members to have an Eye to- wards the Votes of Sir ChriMer Muj- grave, Sir Edward Sejmo»r and ^other Worthy Patriots that would in no Cafe whatfoever give up. 'the Rights of Church or State. But it was whol- Iv owincT totheSoUcitations and Con- viaions of. the PURSE that the STAFF whofe Father could whme and Cant moft enormouQy, and had StifFenMhis Son's Temper mto a very ferious Bent, could be anyways indu- ced to vote with them. At laft they both got themfelves into feveral Black Lifts by adhering to the Tory Party, and having feen their Names expos d ill feveral fcandalpus Libels written by the Whigs fide, were accounted Staunch Churchmen, as moft certainly the PURSE continued from the hrlt ot his renouncing the Errors of Educati- on. It is here to be noted that botli thc^e Gentlemen were bred to the Law and Studied it at the Inns of Court : But- the- 67/^/ finding Coke upon Little- ton a drv Study, and his Fellow Stu- dent a much greater Proficient in the Art and xMlftry of Haranguing at the Bar thought it m.ore advifeable, and perhaps more gainful, to turn Solicitor

oF. Caufes in the,,S .-,n - te, wliere he had his Eyes up6n'\Vhac would fee him into the Road of Preferment upon all Occafions. He had ^not-- long ficten in the Houfe but he perceiv'd feveral Members through the Dexterity ot .the Courtiers, who could not otherwife bring them over to their Party, often made Profelvtes to Preferment ; and tliat their \*s fome valuable PoH: of Profit generally laid in their Way, as a Bait to make them change their Par- ty, that open'd loudeiT: againlf Mif- managements in Publick Employs .\ Therefore he refolv'd to put in tor the Prize and. to make ufe of the fame MeafUres. for obtaining it. In the car- rying on of this Project he had fre- quent Opportunities of diiplaying the Artifices which he was naturaljy -Ma-. fler of, and Cajoling of young Members at their firfi: Appearance in the Houfe^ into his Meafurcs, till in Procefs of Time he grew very Confidcrable, and, by the means of his Pupils who. could tell Nofes at"a,Divifion,if they could not make Speeches, was thought Worthy of being invited to fide with the Court by Vertue of the Abovemention'd Al- lurements. This was fuggefted to the B 2 ' King

( lO

JCing by one of the Secretaries of State in the Year 1697, who made his Ma- jefty acquainted with his Talent and how ufeful it would be to his Affairs at that JunQ:ure, which feemed to re- quire fome (landing Forces after the Conclufion of the Peace at Ryftvick, and which would certainly be enibarrafs'd by his Oppofition. But that Prince who perfe£liy knew the Man,f|nd the Spi- rit of DifFimulation which he was a- gitated by, was too unreferv'd and open of Heart himfclf, to admit of the Propofal • And gave for Anfwer, hg could by no means think his Council fafe in the Breafi of orte, who was of fo ver futile And Changeable a Temper^ as to keep a fe^ cret no longer than it fuited with his Ca- pricious and volatile Temper^ to which he added, That he trufled in God the friends to the Fublick Welfare would be more numerous in Parliament^ than thofe that fought only their Private Advantage, But that Wife Prince found himfelf miftaken, for when he had recommen- ded the Keeping a fuificient Number of Troops on Foot, which feem'd the more neceffary then on the Account of the King of Spain's Illnefs, which ibme time after ended in that Mon-

archs

(«J )

arch's Death, none more violently op- posM the Motion made for that Pur- pofe, in Conjundion with the PURSE and other Friends, than the STAFF, who under the Pretext of AfTerting the Liberties of the People, and Vin- dicating the jufl: Rights of theSubjeft, which were thereby expos'd to the greateft Danger, grew more and more popular, and had fuch a prevalence at laft, as to be more than a Match, for Mr. Montague (now E. of Halifax) who at that Time of Day with the Gentle- men who gave into his Sentiments, was accounted able Enough to carry any one Queftion he thought fit to propofe to be put to the Houfe.

Nay the STAFF and his Adherents, whom I fhall not altogether leave with- out Excufefor denying a Requeft that might have been productive of ill E- vents from the greatnefs of its Lati* tude, were not content to fucceed in their Endeavours for a Bill to disband the Army, whereby only 7000 Men were left upon the Englifh Eftablilh- ment, and 12000 upon the Info, but when his Majefty had, not without Reluctance, in Confidtration of the Nation's being too much expofed, pafs'd that Bill mto an Acl, and limi- ted

(14)

^ed his Defires to a few Body Guards, who had ferved him from his Infancy, and been with him, in every Adion wherein he had ever been engaged, and by fo being, had endear'd chem- felves to his Majefty; no fooner was the Kings MefTage brought into the Houfe, tho' out of a more than Ordi- nary complacency of Temper, he had not only fign'd it, but written it every Word with his own Hand, but he clamour'd againfl: the Purport of it, moved an Addrefs to the Kmg againffc thofe that Advifed it, and obtain'd at laft, not with feme DiiBculty, to have it entirely rejedled. The Meffage ran thus. Wtllum R.

HIS Majefty is pleafed to let the * Houfe know, that the ne- celTary Preparations are made for Tranfporting the Guards that came with Him into E/^g/^W: and that he intends to fend them away imme- diately, unlefs out of Confidcration to him the Houfe be difposM to find a way for continuing them longer in his Service which his Majelty wilj take very kindly. !' ^

Thus was the xVIan that boaft's hini- felf to be early in the Meafures of the

Revolution

Revolution, and by his Hireling Scrib- Icrs moft infolently toll's the World that he was one of the Firjl that gave into the Scheme of fettling the Succeffion of the. Crown upon the prefent IlUtflriom F.i- mily that enjoys it, at the Head of thofe who oppos'd all the Meafures of that Prince who left us that valuable Lega- cy ; and thus did he recommend himfelf to the Good Graces of the Prefent King and his Royal Progeny, who have too great a value for the Memory of a Prince that a little before his Death provided for Pofterity by an Entail, which was wholly owing to that deceas'd King, and communicated by hirrt to his Council, foon after the Death of the late Duke of Glocefler, •

This declared Averfion to comply with his Sovereign, pulh'd him upon Experiments, ot doing what in him lay to get into the Favour of the immedi- ate Succeilor, which he knew no other ways to bring about, than by continu- ing to aflume the Characler of one that would never deviate from the Intereft of the Court Party, well knowing that her late Majefty, then Princefs of Denmark, had fome Grudging ftill re- fting upon her in Relation to fome Mifrepiefentations,

( i<5 )

Mifreprefentations, concerning the Kings Condud towards Her. Ac- cordingly as the Gentlemen who were made to beUeve that Defigns were in Agitation to alter the Settlement, and bring in another Bill of Exclufion, could not but refent fuch Extrajudicial Machinations, fo they could pitch on no one to prefide in the Chair of the Enfuing Houfe of Commons, than Him who by his SeduUty and Vigilance to provide tor himfelf, was thought all the while to be wholly bufied in ma- king Provifion for the Legal Inheri- tance of ithe next Immediate Heir. Wherefore he was no fooner named

for their Sp r, but the Majority

was declared on his fide, and he pre- fented to the King and accepted.

Now, had the STAFF a Game to play that required the greateft Dexte- rity and Add refs, fince in this Station, if he went into the Court Meafureshe would wholly lofe himfelf with thofe that took Part with the Country, or if he declared openly for the latter, he would inevitably be in no Condition of deceiving the Firft. He therefore for fome Time ilood Neuter, till find- ing the Tide of Complaints run high

againft

(17)

againft the Court and Enquiries after* JMifmanagement at Helm Multiply themfelves, he underhand Encourag'd thePurfuit of them, andtho'asa Pri* vy Councellor (for he was called to that Station foon after his Eledion) he was tyed by his Oath not to divulge the Meafures concerted at that Board, yet fo far did his Luft after Increafe o£ Power and Authority there, prevail over him, that he prefer'd the Breach of it to lefs alluring Confiderations. Well knowing that Complaints in Par- liament when pufh'd home and Vi- goroufly back'd, occafion Alterations in the Miniftry, and that thofe Altera- tions might make Room for him to fuc- ceedtofome Exalted Preferment. But the Houfc of Lords at that Time, made fuch a Noble ftand againft the At- tempts of the Commons, that tho'rhe Latter carried their Refentments {o high as to Impeach 4 of the Peers that were the greateft Favourites belonging to the King, yet thofe Gentlemen not having fuificient Proof to make good their Allegations, and not appearinga- gainft them at a Tribunal Ereded for xhat Purpofe, they were acquitted to C the

( i8 )

the great Mortification of the 5^/«/and his Party.

True it is that the PURSE went a* long with him in this Aftair, and not only Voted for bringing thofe Lords to Juitice, but was made ufe of to carry up the Mellage of Impeachment againil: one of them, but whether he did it out of Regard to the Friendihip that was between him and the STAFF, who always glolTed every Intention of his howfoever mifcheivous or unjuft, with the Varnifh of a Patriot ; or whether his own Judgment prompted him to think t^eir Lordfliips Criminal, it is left to the PURSE himfclf to Elucidate and Explain ?

To go on with the STAFF'S Proce- dure, who could find Ways and Means to Impeach others for making difad- vantagious and dilhonourable Treaties (for this was grounded upon that of the Partition) tho' he thinks it hard to be called to aa Account for making onehimfelf; Th\sTnckJ}er, knew how to enjoy his very difappointments, and made ufe of his Defeat in this Particu- lar, to obtain Viftories in others. What had he to do but from this Ad of thegreateft Juflice to the Innocent,

to

( 19) to whifper among thofe that were guilty of accufifig them, that the Lords hat! done unjUttly by them, and that they ought to vindicate and allert their Rights and Privileges, wiiich had fuch an Influence upon Hot Heads and weak underftandings, as to make both Hou- fes Burll out into Reixionllrances a- gainll: each ocher.

The Miniftry forefaw from what Quarter an Enfuing Tempeil: would a- rife if noi timely prevented, and there- fore adcd under a Difguife with the Staffs as he had a6led with them, and promis'd him great Things if he would put a flop by his Iiitereil: in the Houfe ot Commons todioie growing DilTen- tionsjand the King himfcif who had the word Opinion of him that was podible, was prevailM upo ■ to tell Him that it would be very acceptable to him from his own Mouth. This fired his Ambition, and animated him to draw off his Creatures from their for- mer Scent of xMifmanagements, Abu- fes, Frauds, &c, to confider the State of the Succeirion. and to bear in Mind, what he would never otherwife have been admonifh'd of, that upon the De^. mife of "the Duke oi Glocejhi^ further C 2 (ecu ri ties

( 20 ) . .

rltles were neceilary for the niaintain- ance of the Settlement in ihtProtep^t Line, and ior the Attainder of the Pretended Pamce of PF./e., who upoa the Death of the late King >^^^^ the 11. had llyled,and caufed himtelf to be pro- claimed Kmgof£..^/^«^ ^^••^^'^'k'' h it be fupposM, howibever irritated bot^ Houfes of Parliament were agamlt each other in Defence of their Particular Rights and Priviledges, that when the Publick welfare was fo nearly con- cern'd, they would not quit their Ci- vil Feuds, and concur with each other jn their Mutual Detence and Security. Accordingly the STAFF and his Adhe- rents prelsM the Quick Paffage of Two Bills through their Houfe, for the Ends abovemention'd, m Hopes that the Court would make good their Pro- inifes, no doubt, and of being furnilh d

with Mony to buy the M ;it --— r

of the R irs Place, but the Ace i*

dent of the Kings Death who liv d only long enough to fign thofe and other Bills into Acts, prevented, it not bx~ cu.'d the one from making good tie word that was given, and Bindred the ptlApr from being at Liberty to charge ihem with Breach oi Faith.

( 21 )

At the late Queen Jnfie^s Acceffion to the Throne, the STAFF who ftill held the Chair, was not at a lofs what Countenance to put on ; but to ingra- tiate himfelf, with thofe that had the firft Places in her Majefty's Favour, be- thought himfelf of New Projeds and Contrivances. He had before, as has been obferved, by his Emiflaries given out that the Deceafed King had ano- ther Succeflion in View than that of the Princefsof Denmark^ and nothing could be more proper at this Juncture than to revive and give a New Publi- cation to this falfe and fcandalous Re- port. Wherefore, as he always made his Court to Men of Letters and Libe- ral hducation, whofe narrow Circum- ftances might readily engage them in his Service, fo he was not to feek for an Unfortunate Gentlemen at this Time of Day, who through the Speciouf- nefs of the Relation, that had the Re- femblence of Truth, would drefs it out in the moft frightful Colours; tlio' how he was rewarded afterwards by the very Man that fet him at Work will appear in its due Place.

Dr. Drake was the Perfon who was pitch'd upon for this Ad of Policy, nor

could

( 22 )

could the STAFF have thought of a Gentleman more equal to fuch an Un- dertaking, and more willing to go through with it. For his Averfion to all the Meafures taken by King iA^illi- am heightned by fome Difappointments he had met with from the Mmiftry du- ring that Prince's Reign, made him ve- ry eafy to beleive any Thing that might be of Prejudice to his Royal Chara£ler, and therefore he accepted the Offer and took upon him to write a Book for that End called, the Hiftory of the U(l Parliameffr^ with a Pamphlet en- tituled, the Source of our ^refent Fears &c. Herein it was reprefented after iarge Encomia upon the then Reigning Miniftry, and the Members of both Houfes that oppos'd the Court Mea- fures in the Preceding Adminiftration, That the King had nothing lefs in his Intentions, than to leave the Crown by Right of Inheritance to Queen Anne^ and that it had been concerted between him and his Cabinet Coun- cil, to poftpone her Majefty's Claim, to that of the next SuccefTor. It was alio fuggelkd that Papers were found in the Kings Clofet after his Deceafe that manifefted and evinced this pre^^

* tended'

and pulh'd forward ♦■;:,-■.- -"eHonf^

piealed to dictate to them; upon an Enqu^y after the Co.dudt of th'e pre- ceding Government ; the Houfe of Lords crois-d in upon the Scent, and

outofajuftRegardtotheHonourof His Deceas d Majefty, Order'd a Com niittee to infpeft the King's Papers who made their Report, that the^Ir^' iinuation abovemention'd, rv^sfM fcan. ddous md. v,IU«cus, &c. Moreover to do Juftice to the Name of that Dead i'rince they conven'd Dr. Drake, who upon Examination before them made a bUght Defence and was order'd to be Profecuted ; tho' upon Trval to which he that fet him at Work left him a~ cording to wonted Pradice, he was af- terwards acquitted.

Thefe brisk Refolutions in the Houfe of Peers, wholly Still'd and hufh'd the Cry that was luft begun to be raifed a- mong the Commons, but the Suff ,„, Requital for It, and out of Revengeior Ins Plots being rendred abortive fo

i:iiT'-'

v_i

ftirrM up the Coals of Diffention be- tween both Houfes, as to make feveral Good Bills be loft by his Means ; that Se^efentdown to the Houfeof Com- mons for their Concurrence ; and the SftSeflionof that Parliament and >wherem the BUI againft Occafional Conformity which he hirafelf had ad- v^s'd and promoted the Brmgmg in of, was readred unfuccefsful by his Means) ended m nothing elfe but Litigations at

'^''whm now, the Queen out of a juft Conlideration'olthe ^URSE'shgge- feres whomasyettheTyesoTFnend- fcp 'that blinde'd him from feemg the Faults he was unwilling to efpye, kept entirely in the Interefts of the STAFlS made him Solicitor General •, m which Poft he afted as became one that Con- ^Ited the Honour of the Sovereign, S thoutdepreflingthe Liberties of the Sa. After wWflie called a nevv Parliament, that again for want of a due Infight into what he aim d at by the Acquifition of that Dignity, made Choice^of the STABF for their 6;-r. Thus he had it in his Hands once more to give Wings to his Ambition, and make other Efforts to attain that Con-

fidence

( 25 )

dence at Court, which he had hitherto not thought fi: to be too percipirate in worming himfelf inro. He (aw how defervedly the Duke of Ahr/hrou^;, who was advanced to that Title for his ^rvices the preceding Campaign in PyW^n, and the Lord High Treasurer, the Earl of Godolphin held the Firft Pofts ot Honour and Truft there, and was fo taken with the Sight of, and fawning De- ftrence tnat was paid to, them in Ihofs rtigli Stations, that he was refolved maugre that Haughtinefs of Soul that was too full of his own Deferts to have any tolerable Liking for thole of others to be m the Number of their Depen- dents, by which the Avenues of Pre- ferment would be open to him, and give him an Opportunity of Supplanting his Benefadors. For tho' he h.td fome Men*s Perfons in Admiration b.csufs of Advantage, He had a Real value for no Man Exclufive of his own Profit ; and as Love and Envy can never take up Cheir Refidence in the lame Soul, con- cerning the fame Objea, fo the Office of the firll Miniffer was too inviting not to make him entertain Invidious Conceptions of that Dignity, and beincr brought to Envy him that PoiTcfs'd ic^and D to

( 26 )

to be very Solicitous of obtaining it for himfelf.

He knew very well how to make bis Addrefles to them, and after what man- ner to get into their nearefl Confidence, for he was apprized of means from the Occafional Conformity Bills, being a- gain brought into the Houfe of Com- mons, which Bill was partly defign'd as a Touch Stone to try what Mettle the Courtiers were m?de of, or whether they were Sterling Churchmen as they gave themfelves out to be. He was alfo apprized of their Knowledge of the Ten- dency of that Bill at that Juncture, when Peoples Minds were under Aprehenfions of the Repealing the Toleration AQ:, and that tho' their Education would not fufFer them openly to oppofe it, yet the Intereft of the Kingdom required that they fliould no ways difoblige the Dijfenters and their Friends, who at that Time were the Money'd, and might prevent the Loans that were thought neceffary to be had for taking the Field earlier than the Enemy. This he acquainted thofe No- ble Lords with, as alfo with his being capable of clogging the Bill fo by the Agency of his Friends that it fhould ne- ver pafs. Nor did the STAFF fail of making good his Word, for hefo nego- tiated with his Creatures in the Houfe,

as

(«7 ) as to make them believe that the Peers whohad rejeded it before, would never give their Concurrence to it unlefs they Tack d it to a Money Bill, which they could not refute their Confent to. But this was the Sole Caufe of its being loil once more,for when it was propos'd to be Tack'd, many that were Tooth and Nail for it before, gave their Votes againft it, and tho' it was fent up to the Lords, it was done with fuch an indifference, that their Lordfhips had little elfe to do with it, than to fling it out at a Second Read- ing, becaufe of their Attempt to force it upon them.

I fhould have told the Reader before, that as anEarneft of this future Service, he had the PromifTary Grant of one of the Principal Secretaries of States Places, which was made good to him by the Removal of the Earl of Nottinghum^ and Enabled him to introduce fome of his Bofome Friends likewife into the Court, as Sir Thomas Ma/>fel (now Lord) who fucceeded Sir Edward Sejmour as Comptroller of the Houfehold, and Henry St. ^ohn Efq; (now Lord Boli^g- broke) who fupplied the Place of Secre- tary of War, in the Room of Mr. Bfaithfvait, Sir Simon Hardcourt (now D 2 Lord)

( 28 )

Lord) was alfo advanced to the Poft of Attorney General.

Thefe Changes, and the Defertion of fo many Menibers that were thought innn^ovtably fteady, in the Caufe which wa^ then called that of the Church and Country^ Toured many Peoples Tempers to a g^c<^t Degree, in fo m.uch that the Pulpits began tc found with the Danger of theChuich, and the Clergy to exert themfclves upon all Occafions, againft Hypocriry and Lukewarmnefs in Mat* ters of Religion. Which not being Cri- minal the STAFF could not well ani- madvert upon in a Judicial Way,wirhout the Appearance of thofe Complaints in Print. He therefore fo work'd it a- bout by his Emiffaries behind the Cur- tain, that a mod Excellent Pamphlet was written by Dr. Drake and Nlr. Pocley^ called the Memorial of the Church of En« gland, wherein Matters were carried at a high Rate, and the Queen accus'd of being Partial to fuch as favour'd the Difftnters, and of making Choice of a Mmiftry that were altogether in their Intereft. But the Pefons who wrote it, the' put upon it by his means were too Wife to let any one into the Knowledge of the Real Auihors but themfelvcs, fo

that

(29)

that after he had in Vain beat the Bufh for a Difcovery, and taken up WiUiam Shippen Efq; for running him and his MefTengers off the Scent, without any other Eftecl than being laugh'd at, he contented himfelf with caufing Dr. Dr/tke to be apprehended, and bound o- vcr to be Prolecuted upon bare Sufpicion, (tho' the Warrant againft him run upon Oath,) and Wheedling another Perfon who was in Cuftody for a Triffiing Matter, into a ConfefTion of Writing the Cafe of the faid MeworUl fairly Sta* ted^c, and contrary to the moft folema AfTurances, that fuch a Confeffion fbould be of no Prejudice to him, with bring- ing him to a Tryal at the Queen's Bench Bar, the Confequences of which to his and the poor undone Gentleman's Dif- grace, will appear upon Record.

As for Dr. Drake, what Refentments arc due to the Staf! from the learned World on his Account, the Death of fo Great and Valuable a Man, to whom the Republick of Letters owed fo much, and were in Expectation of Owing more, will fufficiently make appear, fince the Violence of the Profecution which it was not doubted would have ended in an-ignominious Punifhment, hurried his

Spirits

( 3o)

Spirits into a High Fever that Ended with the Lofs of his Life.

All this while ; the PURSE who was under an Obligation of carrying on what Informations were fent him from the Crown by Vertue of his Office, a- ^ied no otherwife than in a Manner that was agreeable to his Duty. He indeed pleaded as^his Breviate dire£led him, as all of that ProfefFion will to the beft of their Skill, be the Merits of the Caule of never fo good or bad a Complexion ; but yet he f o behaved, as to deal above Board, and to give Proofs of his Hone- fty to the Accufed, while he endeavoured to make good the Accufation. So great a Difference was there between the Sin- cerity of the One, and the Collufive Pradices of the Other, that tho' the Turfe by Dint of Eloquence and Strength of Argument made the Guiltlefs appear faulty, and caus'd them to be found fo, yet the 5/^/* was altogether Blame wor- thy who led him into the Belief of their Guilt when he knew them to be inno- cent.

So much for Profecutions und^r the Staffs Admiuiftration, till we come to fee him in the Exercife of another Ofp jice, and like a Cardinals Horfe with his}

Fiocco

( ?« )

Fidcco upon him. Let ds how View him in his Endeavours to weaken thofe Hands that gave him Strength, and to give them a Caft out of their High Pofts who introduced him into his. The Reader has already feen by what means he infinuated himfelf ipto Court, and is to be told now upon what Grounds he was removed from it.

The STAFF thinking himfelf after this Coup d^ eclat fo Riveted in the good Affe- £lion of the Queen his Miftrets, that no- thing could (hake him, as indeed he was very much in her good Opinion, for there are ftw or no Princes but are SubjcQ: to the Laws of Humanity, and liable tdliink better of fome Sycophants than theyde- ferve, gave way to his Ambition, which fuggefted to him that he was capable of Filling the Place of Primier Minifter. He would willingly if he could have done it with fafety, have acquLefs'd in the Ge- nerals keeping his Poft Exclufive of the Treafarer, but they were fo engaged to (land and fall by One another, thro' the Means of Alliances and other Confide- rations, that he found himfelf under a ne- ceflity of making his Attack on both at one and the fame Time. But how to carry on his Approaches fo as no Difco- very fhould be made before the Mines were ready to take Fire, was the Confi-

deration

( ?o

deration which chiefly employ*d him. He, had before this, by Vertue of his In- tereft, brought in a She Relation of his, (who but for that Part of his Family's Blood that flow'd in her Veins was eve- ry Way worthy of that Service) as a DrefTer to her Majefty, which was done on Purpofe to have an Eye upon the

D fs of M oughy who from

her Attendance on that Princefs from her Cradle, was ever held in the Higheft Efteem by her. For he was not ignorant of the feeming Impoflibility to difplace the Husband, while the Wife continued in her heft Graces, and that a Lady who wai|lways with the Queen in herclofeft Retirements, would of Courfe, have a greater Afcendant over her, than any Favourite whatfoever of another Sex. This Kinfwoman therefore, who bating what has been faid before, was poflefs'd of molt Excellent Talents, and form'd by her Method of Living to excite Be- nevolence towards her in the beft of So- vereigns, was 10 Inftruded, or rather abufed by his Subtle, and Flaufible In- finuadons, that no Op portunitys were let flip, of fetting forth the STAFFS Loy- alty, and Concern for his MiftrelTes Honour and Incereft, at the fame Time as the Power of the Two Great Men juft

mentioned

C 55 )

tttenclon'd was reprel'ented as poiTible to be mitchievous in its Confequences, I dare fay, the good Gentlewoman be- liev'd bim, when in a Pathetick man- ner he laid before her, what Hazards, tbe Queen was encompafsM with under their Adininiftration, efpecially when he touch'd upon the Danger of the Churchy which he but a Year or Two before had been very vigorous in making appear to be an Idle Story, by his Profecutions. Nor had the Succefs fallen Ihort of the Defign, (Ince her Majedy grew dai- ly more and more weanM from the good Opinion flie had hitherto enter- tain'd of the General's and Treafurer's Conduct, For the Caufe of Complaint againit them, for wholly engroffing their Prince's Favour was fo craftily enforced and maintain'd, that her Majefty had form'd a Refolution to get quit of her pretended Governors, which had been put in Execution a Day or Two after, had not an unforefeen Accident fall'n out, that Turn'd the Tables upon him that was afTur'd of his Game, and was already fingering the Publick Ca(h in l- magination.

An unlucky Difcovery fpoil'd all, for

while fome Body, (and no Body elfe

E , could

( u)

could do it,) was Tranfmitting the beft Concerted Meafures tor finilhing the Wai atone ftroke ihat ever were fix'd upon by the Siege of Toulorty and the Reduclion of that Important Fortrefs and Sea Port, bicaufe it was the Duke of 2ii— — i Projeft ; the STAFF, made the other Scheme of no uie to himfelf, and found himfelf tumbled down Headlong from all his Chimerical ^Strudure of Im- menfe Riches and Favour, and Excluded from that Royal Prefcnce, which he had made it his Endeavour wholly to de- prive others of. Thus was the STAFF again reduced to a Private Station, and, Thanks to a certain Perfons clofe Mouth, who chofe rather to die than to open it, that he was left at Liberty to enjoy even the Comforts of that. For iho' the Law could not take hold of him, the Peoples fufpicions did, andjuftlytoo, fince it is not reafonable to Judge, that one retained in a Mafters Service could have a fecret of that Nature entrufted with him, coo- trary to his Mailers Knowledge.

I'hisfudden Change of Affairs brings us again to a View of what the Purft did upon occafion of it, and here we are to be made acquainted with the great Pre- valence which theTyes of Friendlhip had

over

(?5) over the Engagements of Profit. The STAFF is no looner removed, but the PURSE Sympathizes in his Difgrace, and thinks himfelf unjuiily treated in the Perf.3'1 of him that is his other Self. He can be guilty of no Sinilier Intenti- ons in his own Soul, and therefore can- not believe any Machinations of an E- vil Tendency can be formed in his. Wherefore tho' Courted by thole whom neceffity compell'd to be his, Pretended Friends, Enemies, to keep PofTefTion of his Poft, he, as didalfothe Lord JOHM BULL of h;j>, he made a Voluntary Re- fignation of, and Sacrificed more than 40C0 Pounds fer Ann, to (hew that no- thing fhould ftand in Competition with his Regard to the Vindication of a Man whom in his Wounded Reputation, he thought his own to be a Sufferer.

Yet notwithftanding this unexpe6le(J pifafter, the STAFF had another Bisk in his Sleeve to Play the fet ^ut with yet, and his Kinfwoman at Court who thought him the molt abufed Gentleman in the World, left no Srcne unturn'd to reinftate him in her Majelly's Favour, which none but (he was capible of do- ing, and for which he has requited her by bldfting her good Name in Scanda- E 3 I014S

( jO

Ions Libels fince. Accordingly, after fhe had been too hard for aU the Lords that prefs'd the Queen for her Removal from Court, and had render'd their Ap- plication to her Majefly for that End, as derogatory to her Royal Prerogative, and In va five of the Rights that even MiftrefTcs of Private Families have of chufing their own Servants ; after fhe had artfully, and with great Stiength of Reafon, laid before her Sovereign the great Deference that was owing to her high Title and Dignity : In a Word af> ter (be had reprefented his Accufers, who thought it their due to hold their Places for their Lives, independent of Her that gave them, (he obtained of the Queen, who' could deny her no- thing, his AdmilTien to Court in pri- vate, that he might fpeak in his own Ju- flification.

From hence it was, that the Queen who had before complain'd in one of her Speeches, againftthe Malice of feme People that alledg'd the Church to be in Danger under her Adminiftration, was tobe'iicve it tobe fo •• From hence that he found frequent Opportunity s of Poi- foning her Majelly's Ears with Fears and Jealoufies, when there was no O'

ther

. (37) tfier Foundation, but his immoderate Thirft of bearing Rule over Her, and the whole Nation? From hence, that all the Vi£lones and Conqefts of her Fleets and Armies, were of no other ufe to them that Conduced 'em, and led 'em .forth to Hers and their immortal Glory, than to be brought as fo many Argu- ments of their being laid afide, as fhall be fully proved in the fequel of this Hiftory.

During thefe Tranfaftions another Parliament having been called, Vhich was chiefly compofed of fuch Members as were ready to go into the Court Mea- fures ; the PURSE againll whom ' an Obfcure Perfon was put up for a Candi- date, at a Borough which for many Eleclionshad made Choice of him for its Reprefentative was returned. But as i the Contrary Party knew what Weight and Influence fuch a fimfh'd Pacriot mud: necefl!arily have in the Houfe, it was concerted amongft his Enemies, that his Opponent who had been fairly out-number'd by feveral Votes, fhould Petition againfl hi& Ele- clionas undue. . In Furfuanceof which a Hearing came on at the Bar of the Houfe, where, tho^ it appeared, that no

Perfot

( J8)

Ptrfon was more regularly chofen than the fitting Member, the Me^jonty ran High againft him, and the Pf^tinoner was declared in his Plact. How die PURSE behav'd, and fhcw d himtelf of an even an Gallanr Deportment du- ring the whole Debate wh ch laftcd from 1 2 at Noon till Two the next Morn- ing, win appear by the moft Excel 'tnt Speech which he made before he with- drew when the Houfe came to a Divifi- on, and which it would be a very great A£i c5f lajuftice, not to infert Word for Word,as he gave it utterance.

* Whatever the Determination of this

* Houfe may be, faid He^ this I am fure

* of, and it muit be admitted, that I

* am duly eleded for the Borough of J'

* bingdony as ever any Man was.

* Had it been the Pleafure of this

* Houfe to have Conftrued the Char-

* ter, under which this Eledion is

* made, according to the natural and

* plain Words of ic, ^ the Inhabitants

* have always underftood it. Li fuch a ^ Senfe all former Parliaments have fre- ' qucntly expounded it. Had you de-

* dared the Right of EleQ:ion to be in

* thofe Perions, who have without any

\ Interruptions,

C?9) Interruption, exercifed it for ic© Years, you could not have heard it in- fixed, that I had not the Majority. Even as you have determined the f<ight, my Majority is ft ill unqueftio- nable: No Gci lemaa with Reafon, can d if prove my AfTertion, whatever Reafon he may have to refufe mc his Vote. You have been truly infor- med, the Petitioner on clofin^ the Pol], declared he dtd n4 come thither with any Proj'pici or H pes of Succejs,

* So (iuptd then was I as not to com- prehend the meaning of thofe Words; I would do Him Juftice, I rcaEy be- lieve he himfcU wa* not, at that Time, let into the fecret.

* Any Oppofition may give a Handle to a Petition, no matter for the Juftice of it. Power will maintain it.

* Whoever fent fcim on fuch an Er- rand; What mean and contemptible Notions muft he entertain of the then Enfuing Parliament? He muft fup- pofe them capable of the bafcft AEii'^ ODSy of being Aw'd and Influenced by Menaces or Promifes, and to profti- tute their Confciences at the Word of Coaunand.

' Had

(40 < Had there been fuch a Parliamefit Eleaed, and I declared notduely E- leaed, I Ihould then have left my Place with a Companion for the Unfortunate Friends that ftay'd behind me. Who- ■ ever could have framed fuch aProjed

* to himlelf, muft undoubtedly have

' wifn'd for, perhaps have wanted fuch' ' a Parliament.

' He muft have been a Perfon, the = moft abandon'd Wretch in the World, ' who had long quitted all Notions of ' Right and Wrong, all Senfe of Truth ' and Juftice, of Honour and Confci-

* ence*

• W^hatever his dark Purpofes were, it

< is our Happinefs and the Nations,

* that they were entirely difappointed in « the Choice of this Parliament.

* I cannot diredly Point him out, « but whoever he was, I have fo much

< Charity, as fmcerely to wifh he may

< feel and be truly fenfible of the Hon-

* our and Impartial Juftice of a ^ Bnn[b

< Parliament.

' The

* Bere U Surnvi'dHp the Poll on both fides^ and demon' ftr^sdthMthe Council for the Petition y' kid left him the Aiajorityof Two Votes. arJ hid added feveral uv^ueflmA' bk Votes to hU oxen roll.

(41 )

* The Petition charges me Perfonai- ly with many indire£l Practices ; But no Attempt lias been made to prove any Thing of that Kind.

' As for the indirect Pra£lices char- ged on my Agents, I had no Agents ; I knew of no Oppofition till the Morn- ing of the Election, nor had the leaft Apprehenfionof any. I thought no Agent neceffary to promote my In- tered, nor had I employ 'd any Per- fon whatfoever to Iblicite for me; But what Solicitations, what Mena- ces and Promifes have been ufed a- gainft me, and by whom, are but too well known to too many.

Thus was this moft Excellent Man, whom it would have been an Honour to the Houfe of Commons to have con- tinued as a Member, thrown out oi^ it ; and thus was a meer Abjed of a Brew- er, that knew nothing of the ConfLi- tution of the Kingdom made one ot the Keepers of the Liberties of the Peo- ple, when at the fime Time he knew^ not how to keep his own Cafh Book; While a Gentleman of as Ancient a Family as any in Brit.ii?i was excluded from his Jull Rights of Vindicating

(40 our Laws and Immunities, which none knew better how to defend, to make Room for a Fellow that was ot much fuch another Capacity as one of his own Dray Horfes.

But the MITRE had a far great- er Deference and Rcfped payM to his Charaaer,for he did not only ht in Con- vocation as a Reverend Member thereot but had the Honour atcevwards to be dilVinguilh'd by being chofen their Pro- locutor •, Which Omce he Executed with that Intrepidity and Vigilance, Conftancy, and Fidehty, as to fliew himfelf not only equal to, but tar Supe- rior to moll of his Predecellors: For he ftedfaftly adhered to the Prefervati- on of the Rights ot the Inferior Clergy, and not falling diort in his Duty to the Fathers of the Church,whom he was tor paying a ftrict Obedience to, in all Law- ful matters, continued a ihining Advo- cate while he fate in the Chair for the Sons of ir. And, if thro' the Luke- warmnefs and Pretended Moderation of fome of his Brethren in the Lower Houfe, who expecled Preferment from the Upper, what her Ma)erty recom- mended to their Confideration met with greac Difficulties and Obiiru6:i-

ons,

( 43 )

ons it cannot be imputed to him, thac did all he could to bring them to a Complyance with her MaieAy s molt gracious MeHages, but muft be laid at fome Perforis Doors, who under the Veil of Moderation profecuted Heats and Animofities in their Debates, and render'd all their Confultations tor the fecurity gf the EftabliaVd Religion fruitlels and of no Etfed.

In the mean Time, tho' little or nothing was done in Convocation, that had any Tendency to the Advance- ment of the Church's Intereft, the Parliament, without any Intention to enter upon Religious Affairs, did it to their Hands for them. ^ . ^ ^ . ,

For as it has beea faid before, the STAFF who had no other Stratagem to recover his Credit, than a pre- tended Zeal and Concern for the Hon- our of the Eftablilh'd Priefthood, forefaw that no Artifices were capable of doing him Service, but fuchas had a Retroipea that way ;(o he knew that the Miniftry v/ere no otherways to be outed from the Power they were pof- fefs'dof, than by making the Nation believe they were for bringing m new Innovations in matters ot Religion, as p 2 ^^^^*

(44)

well as Policy. Having felt the Pulfe of the Queen, which he found by his Confidant and Kinfwoman, to beat high and be very Sanguine and Hear- ty, for the Rights of the Clergy and Her own Prerogative, he iook'd out for a Perfon who was fearlefs enough to dehvcr them from the Pulpit upon fo- lemn Occafions, which he by his Emif- faries had dealt about from the Prefs and verbal Difcourfes.

Twill be needlefs to point out who this Perfon was, or to look into the Merits of the Caufe he took upon him to defend. Both the Man and the fud- dcn Turn of Aifairs which happened thereupon, are fo well known as to be in every ones Mouth • We fhall there- fore without looking into the Particu- lars of the moft Impolitick Tryal that enfued thereupon, only take Notice, that the STAFF who fet the Do£lor upon Preaching, in Defiance of the Gentlemen then at Helm, found Means ip have him called in Queftion for it, and that by ^yay o'ihnpenchwefjt ; When, had he been profecuted in a Common Way, and deliver'd over to the Actor- my General, without any Pompous J^jrmality, as was afterwards made - ' Ufe

( 45 )

XJfe of, the Minlftry could not hava faii'd of Handing their Ground, and thefuppos'd Criminal of meeting with a proper Cenfure from the Ordinary ^ Form of Juftice.

But a Parade was to be made, or the Populace could never be work'd up to a Heat of Temper capable of in- flaming them to a Diflike of their Su- periors ; Therefore Mr. Dolb^n who was a needy Man, and made his Court to Preferment at any Race,was look'd up- on of a nature that would not fail of pufhing home the Complaint. To be as Brief as poffible, thofe in the Ad- mid ifi: rat ion took this A61 of Indifcre- tion as done out of Zeal for their Ser- vice, and accordingly gave into the Propofalby themfelvesand theirFriends of carrying Tilings fo high as they went in the Doftors Tryal ; Whereat the PURSE who affifted as his Chief Advocate, fo diftinguifh'd himfelf by his Strength of Reafon and Force of ExprefFion, that tho' the Miniftrv ob- tain'd their Ends in the Condemnation of the Doctrines, the Preacher came off with an Eafy Sentence, and the Queen, who conceived her Prerogative t'o be llruck at by that Tryal, and was

prefenc

(40

prefent at it, during its Continuance by the Contrivance of her fhe Favou- rite, was prevailM upon to give Ear to the Sufs^ Reprefentations ; Which had ne'r taken Etfed, had not he prevail'd with the Friends to the Dodor, among

whom Mr. Br ley^ was the moft

Hearty and made the Motion, that the Commons would be prefent at the Tryal as a Houfe, which they could Bot be, without Ereding Scaffolds in iVeflmmJhr Hall, by which that was made a National Concern, that would otherwife have been a Private,

Nor, was the MITRE as well as the PURSE, without his (bare inthemanr agement of the Defence that was then made on the Part of the Accufed, who, tho' of Firmnefs enough to abide the Tryal, was not Mafter of Arguments fufficient to go through with his De- fence in it, without that Prelate's and another ot the fame Orders A (Tifta nee; Which as it was freely given, in the Times of the greateft Emergency, will, it is not doubted be as freely acknow- ledged on the Part of the Do£i:or, who is fo ingenious as not to difown the Helps he receiv'dfrom the Advocates of Re- ligion, and unlimited Loyalty on that ^ fplema

(47)

folemn Occafion. The fudden Chan- ges that were the Refult of this llruggle between the Contenders tor Indejeaftble Rtght^ and unltmited Of bedteme^ and the Champions for Ref' fiance of the Suprennie Power, in fome ne- cefTary Cafes are fo frefh in every ones Memory, that it will bean Ad of Su- perogation to recite them. Be it fufc cient that the STAFF was thereby elevated and raifed up to the very Pin- nacle of the mod: Towring Ambition, and thofe who contmued in the ftri- deft Tyes of Friend ibip with him, and were yet bimd to all his felfifh Views and Defigns, as near as could be to the Throne without intercepting the Beams of Maje.ty whofe Rays were all to Centre upon him.

The PURSE had the Broad Seal given him, the Lord 'John Bull was put into the PoiTefTion of the Office of S_ry of State, the Mitre was pre-

fcr'd to the Deanery of Ch C in

0 — d ) but the Dr. who had richly de* ferv'd a better Notice, by many a wea- rifome Gallop and Trot with his White Prauncer, and had by his Appearing in the fcveral Countries he pafs'd tlvough in his way to Wales^ and had brought

over

( 48 )

over vaft Numbers to vote in tlie E- le£lions for new Menibers to ferve in Parliament, was put off with a: promife of fucceeding to St. Andrews^ when vacated by the then Incumbent) who had been made a Bifhop, with Leave to hold it, in Commendam for 5 Years.

The Parliament was fcarce afTem- bled, and found to be fuch as would Anfwer the Defires of the STAFF up- on all Emergencies, but he that held his Place jointly with 4 other Perfq^s in Commillion at fiifl:, had the Enfigns of that Office wholly and foleJy con- figned over to him. Which being put in Poffeilion of, Happy was that Noble Family , that could form Alliances with his. In his Hands were all the IlTuesof Power, and Streams of \VeaIth ; To him was every one under an mdifpenfible neceflity of making application that petitioned the Throne, or ot obcaining any Favour at Court ; and on him were the Eyes of all fuch fix'd and placed, that had any Hopes of meeting with the Rewards of paft Servicer, or ot being in a Condition of doing any for the Time ro Come.

Not

( 49 ; .:, Nor, that he did not arrive at this Height of Preferment b/ other Mens Merit, fince the Lord yO//A^lii:;LL's

Difcovery ofGui/c £s Negociations

with Frarjce by way of Portugal, for Which the AfTaiTm confefs'd, That fwce he could, not reach his Heart, he attempeoi that of one he had reafon to think dearefi to him, hurried him, as it were, to it : For it was never intended, what hafty Steps foever he made towards the chief Minifter's Place, that he fhould have been fo precipitately advanced to the Dignity of an E — le and L — d H — gh

T-- r, I'S'l not the Congratulations

made him, in purfuance of the Order

of the H of C— m ns, by

their Speaker^ upon his Recovery from a Wound, (which, if more fatal to him, had been lefs to the Nation,) almoffc pufh'd her late Ma'efty upon making thar unlucky Experiment.

Great interefl: at Court is generally productive of great Alliances, which the SlAFF took care not to ne^- led for the Prefervation of iiimfelf ( in Cafe that the Tables fhould be turn'd once more againft him) and the Ag- grandizement of his Family. He v;as too well apprized of the Revolutions

G and

C 50 )

and Changes which in Proceis of 'f inie frequently fall out in all Adminiftra- tioiis ; and therefore to guard himfelf ag^ainI^"^U future Accidents, married his eldeft Daughter to the prefumptive Heir of one of the moft ancient and moft confiderable Earl's in Scotland^ and his youngeft to a Lord, who by Right of Inheritance, had one of the beft Eftates, and upon the Deceafe of his Father, will be one of the firlt Peers in EfjgUnd : By which two Afts of Dexterity and Cunning, he branched out hrs. and had his Geneology Blood not only mix'd with the Families of the

H — s and 0 /, but through their

rneans joyningStreams with that oiBruce and Plantannet. For the laft of which- llluitrious Intermarriages he gratify'd

the Guardian of the young L d

with a Tranflation to a more valuable

Bifli rick, tho' he has not, as it

is faid, to this Day, made good the Conditions of the Matrimonial Con- tract; but continues towith-hold 2000 A of the Lady's Fortune on Account of Iier Deceafe.

What Groilnds there are for fuch a Report, muft be left to their Judg- ment who are more converfant with

kis

< 51 •)

ills Method of makings Payments; tho' this is moft: certain, that his profufc way of gaining over Dependents, dif- a bled him, before he was poiTefs'd of the 5 TJ F Fj from making every Pay- ment regular. %jtthe 5 TjI F F ivas in his Hands f^ow, as the Saying is, and h^ loft no Time in making ufe of it ; For, as by affiancing his Daughters, he ob- tain'd incredible Advantages, fo by mar- ryinghisSon.fome time after to the great- pft Heirefs in the Kingdom, He almoil ihengthen'd himfelf to fuch a Degree, as to make it impollible to fhake him.

How this lalf Match was made up. Prudence and Caution forbids us to re- late ', but if fome People fpeak true, fuch Meafures were taken to bring it about, as were not altogether of a Piece with Honour and Juifice. Be that as it will, none knew better how to var- nifh it over, and give it a fair Appear- ance, than he that firil fet it on Foot ; and however, he fell Ihort of making his Promife good concerning a certain

Tryal in the H- fe'.of P — rs for a

vaft Eftate between two Coufen Get- mans, he made good the Opinion which thofe that knew him intimately well, ever had of him. But to look back- G 2 Wacd

( 52 )

ward a little towards the Pcrfons, wliofc Vindication is chiefly aim'd at in this little Hiftory, (viz) the Mitre and the Purfe: Thefirft, v/hofe Dignities in the Church, tho' held by all to be defer- ving of much greatenp were confider- able enough to make him equal to many that were the Fathers of it, con- tented himfelf with the Station where- in he was placed, and would not have exchanged it for the Epifcopal Chair, as he did fometime after, at the Ini- portunities of fuch as were for provi- ding fit Ferfons to be SuccefTors to the Apoftles, had it not been for the. Con- cern he had for the Propagation of the eftablifh'd Faith, and the Meafures he fufpedled to be in Agitation amongft fome of the fame Order in Oppofition to the Purity of its DoQirines,

His Care for the well Government of the Church, 'made him only yield to their Perfuafions of being one of the Heads of it, under her moft Gracious Sovereign, who had too great a Know- ledge of Ills PPy and Learning, from a long Attendance on her as one of her Chaplains, not to be earneft with him for his Acceptance of her Offer. And the PVRSE's Abilities, which he had

exerted

exerted in every. Station he had yet beea placed in, had rend red his extraordina- ry Merits fo confpicuous, in the Eyes of the Sovereign, chat, without Application to her from any Recommender, with- out any previous Suit in his Favour from the STAFF^ or elfewhere, £he call'd him to be an Ornament to the higheft Pofl: , that had left a diftinguifhing Lu- ftre upon Employments of a lower Na» ture. She had feen him, Maugreall the prevailing Intereft of Power and Au- thority, openly, and in the Face of nu- merous Oppofers, contending for the Prerogatives of the Sovereign, and the Liberties of the Subject. She had heard him fedate and unterrify'd by the great- eft and moil auguft Appearance in all Chriftendom, affert, and ftand by the Laws of Chriftianity : In a Word, her Majefty, from the Teftimony of her Eyes and Ears, that jiad been WitnelTes of his Zeal and Alacrity in carrying on, and conducting a Caufe, wherein he was fure to meet with fo many Difficulties and Reproaches, found her felf in Juftice to his Service, to her Self, and Coun- try, indifpenfibly obliged to make him Prefide in her Supream Court of Judi- cature. Where, how he demeap'd him-

felf

( 54)

l^lf from his firft Acceptance of tfae Seals to his late Surrender of them ; Hi» irreprochable Condad may defy the To:igues of the moft outragious Ene- mies to declare ; This worthy Patriot having a juft Title to put the fame Que- flion, as the Prophet Samuel did, at his ceafmg to be a Judge over Ijrael^ with- out any Imputation of Prefumption, (viz.) Behold here I &m^ witnejs agatnji me before the Lord^ and, before his Anoin^ ied. Whoft Ox have I taken ? Or whofe Jij} have I taken ? Or whom ha've I de- frauded? Whom h Ave loppreffed? Or from Tvhofe Hand have I received any Brt&e to blind mine Eyes therewith^ and I mil re- jlore it him ?

• But the Purfe^s Incorruptnefs of pro- ceeding in the Difcharge of his Office, will more properly be taken notice of in another Place. To return therefore to the ConduiSb of the S TJFF, Ha- ving form'd Alliances for the Support of his own Family, his chief Concern was to break and disjoint thofe of others. But firft, before he would Article under Hand with the Enemy for a feparate Peace, in Breach of the Puhlick Faith, and in Violation of his Royal Miii refs's Honour, he bethought himfelf of Ways

and

( 55 )

and Means to render his Predeceflor odious to the People. Accordingly, his Creatures were fet at work to declaim in general Terms againft the Frauds and Abufes committed in the feveral Offices under him, as the Cuftoms, Ex- cife, Victualling, drc, by which means he would have it in his Pov/er, not on- ly to reftedl upon the late Treafurer in the Choice of fuch CommilTioners, and their (officers; but to make Vacancies with the better Graces, and to fill therii up with his own Dependents.

The Plot took Effed in the beft man- ner he could have defir'd it ; and a Com- mittee having difcover'd feveral Mif- managements and Mifappiications of Publick Money, pav'd the Way for a New Commiflion of takifig and fluting the Publick Accounts^ 8^c. which had been laid afide for fome Years, becaufe thought of great Expence to the Nation to a very little Purpofe. But the Peo- ple were to be cajol'd and drawn into high Conceptions of the New STJFPs integrity, by their calling an Odium upon the Old ; and the greateit Part of .35 Millions was to be voted unaccounted for, that the Qaenmonious CommifTi- ^oners of Accounts might have where- with

( 50 with to ftill their Complaints againft the prefent Management.

Reprefentations and Reports werfe drawn up very thick in purfuance of this Scheme ; and not only the late Treafurer was faid to have plunder'd the Nation, but the General was calPd in Queftion, and charg'd with deduc- ing two and a hdXi per Cent, from the Foreign Troops in the Britifh Service, and feveral other mean and ungener- ous Practices. But their not bringing either to Juftice, tho' the Houfe had order'd the lajl to have an Information brought againft him, the Court of £je- chec^uer againll the Attorney General, gave People, ( howfoever willing to be- lieve them Criminal,) reafon to fufpeft they had but {lender Proof to make good his Allegations.

In the mean time, the Queen having declared from the Throne, that the Ne* gociations of Peace were begun between her Majefty's Plenipotentiaries,and thofe from the States General on the one Part, and Perfons of the fame Charader from France and Spain, on the other, the Emperor continuing to perfift m his Refufal to enter into no Treaty without a previous Declaration of the Surrender

( 57 ; 1

X)f the Spamfj Dominions in Europe and i

the H^efl Indies to the Houfe of AuftriA : j

The staff's next ProjeQ: was, by j

his EmifTaries, to infinuate the great -^

Advantages of the enfuing Determina- \

tion of the War, and the Profits, by way j of Commerce, that would arife to the

Britijh Nation by \t, which, with Per- ;

fons ready prepared to give Ear to it, ^ upon many valuable Conliderattons, it

was not difficult to accomplifh. .

For it was very natural for Gentle. \ men that had been long harafs'd in

their Eliates by a Confuming Land VVar^ \

to entertain the" Profpect of an approach- \ ing Peace with Tokens of the grcatcft

Contentment and Satisfaclion ; efpeci- \

ally when they had it from the Oueen's \

own Mouth, that it fhouid be very 1

advantageous to our Friends and Allies ; ;

which, aftdr many ample Declarations >* ■

from the Throne that tl^nr jiiterefts j

fhouid be infeparable from her own, ' it could nxDt enter into their Thoughts

that her Majefiy cou'id be induced to ' recede from. But the Artifices of the

Courtiers are fuch as to impofe upon the i Sovereign, and this good, this cre- dulous Princefs, was work'd up by ^-TAFF^ t^ Sentiments quite con-

trary to what fhe had before made Prc- feirion of, and was perfuaded while the Treaty was in Agitation, to abandon - her Allies, and give Orders to her New General, the Duke of Ormond, to with- draw the Forces under his Command from the Confederate Troops, which ended in a Peace exclufive of the Em- peror and Empire, for the Reftitution of whofe Legal Rights, the War was at firft begun.

The Dutch indeed, after they had held firm to their Refolutions of abiding by their Engagements to the Common Caufe ; after they had receiv'd the News of feveral Thoufands of their Natural born Sobje8:s facrificed by that fatal reparation, at the Battle of D^;?/?/;^, and been hufF'd into cooler Thoughts by

the E. of S d, whofe Memorials

were the Pipes thro' which- the STAFF convcy'd his bitter Decoctions, (which their Loiles obliged them to fwallow,') entred into the fame Agreement with France ; but were more cautious of coming to Terms with S^^m^ from the manifelt Advantages they had llipula- ted for themfelves with Great-Brnai/j, whofe Merchants, without any Regard to the very Letter of the Treaty, they

(59)

Iiad opprefs'd with frefli and Hnwar- rantable Impoih.

How the PVRSE Exerted himfelf during the foremenjion'd Negociations, which were kept fecret from him, in every other Refpeft, than in being Communicated to the Cabinet and the Privy Council, will moft fully be dif- play'd in the Execution of his Office as C r, where he was employed af- ter a much better manner than the 6' TJ F F, whom Education, had yet made him have a ftri£t Regard for, at the fame Time as he knew him turning Deferter from the Principles which he pretended to be attach'd to from his tirli: flmging off the Principles imbibed by it. This Noble Lord, howfoever traduced , by a Wretch, whom the greateft Infamy cannot keep from bemg an AfTociate to the greateft of Trtckfters and Betrayers^ was of too difcerning a Genius not to fee, that the Secrecy the ST A b F took in his Meffages and little Envoyjhtfs , which were always imported to, and beftow'd on his Favourites and Dependents, fuch

as A — r M re Efq; Mv.Thomas

H — Y y^ &c, without any Previ- ous Coxnmunication of the Purport of " H 2 them

(6o )

them to him, or the Lordjoh/t Bully who were the chief Perlbns at the Helm, next to him that was fupreme, and therefore in Reafoning the Cafe with him, took the Opportunity of tel- ling him, '' That their mutual Confi- *' dence in one another ought to be the " Refult of embarking together in the " fame Meafures, and of being a6lu- ^' ated by the fame Fublick Spirit for *' the Advancement of the Fublick •' Good." To rvhich they added, *' That * to remove all Grounds of Jealoufies ** between them which had been un- ** happily occafion'd by his daring Ge- ^' nius, and the mafterly Enterprizes ** he was always ready to go upon of " his own Head, it would be very <• friendly in him to let them come in •' for their Turn of converfing with '< State Affairs, f>nce other wife, they 4- might be, in the Stations of States- ^' men, reputed grangers to PoUticks." Such an unexpected Requeft, put the STAFF to a ftand ; however, fmce his Familiarity with Lord John Bull^ and the many Bottles they had drank together without any Symptons of Dif- content, it was readily agreed, that he ihould have proper Credentials to dif-

courfe

(6i)

courfe with the Miniftiy, and nnfavel the Defign of the French King. But Lord ! how did this Ingenious and Quickfighted Nobleman ftand amazed, and overcharg'd with Speculations, when he got iato the Depth of hisln- vefbigations. Here was fuch a Scheme made known, foon after its firft Forma- tion in the Embrio, of the Intelle^:, and fuch an Advantage purpofeiy receded from, There was a Contraft to elude ^his Article of Commerce, Peace^ and Here was fuch a Loophole made by confent to creep through, notwith- ftanding the moll Sacred , the moll Obliging, and Solemn Oaths bound our Enemy to the Contrary. Whom could the Difturber of the Publick Peace ob- tain thefe Conceffions from, than him, that under Pretence of Promoting it, gave into Meafures repugnant to its lading Eitablilhment ? Or whom did he make Difcovery of, for a SAPPER of the Foundations of his own Nation- al Conftitution, and a Betrayer of the Honour, Wealth, and Security of hi? Country, than him, that had taken upon him , exclufive of much better and more difmterefted Underflandings, to be their Support and Defence?

liencQ

(62)

Hence it was that the Lord JOHN BVLL and the PVRSE, who had fome Time before began to ftagger in their Opinion of the STAFF, abated of their Familiarity, and A£led with ibmething of a Referve towards that great Officer : For notwithftanding they had in a great Meafure concur'd with his Endeavours to bring about a Peace^ they were for obtaining it a more lioble Way, than by fetting the Ho- nour and Intereft of their Country to Publick Sale, as was clearly feen to be done in this Conjuncture.

For the STAFF had by his Agent Atty Brogue, who had crofs'd the Wa- ter feveral Times before the Articles were agreed on that were to be Preli- niinary to the Peace, fo given up the Trade of his Country to France, that the Terms upon which the future good Underftanding between the two Na- tions were founded, feem'd rather to be given to Us by our Enemies, as if they had Conquered Us, and not We them. But what will not a round Sum in hand do with a Perfon whofe infa- tiate Defire of enriching himfelf and his Pofterity, makes all Things Vendible ? What an Afcendant has not a Penfion of

Two

II

(6l )

Two Thoufand Loui^ d^ Ors, per Anrk, ^c. upon a Man whofe Penury of Soul con- tinues to crave, notwithftanding the exi gencies of his Circumftances are more than fufficiently provided for by a vaft Eftate ?

Yet, notwithftanding thefe manifefl A6:s of Treachery which the S TA FF had been clandeftinly guilty of, they chofe rather, in Conlideration of their paft Intimacy, to expoftulate with him, and draw him off from the Precipice he was leading the Nation to, than to break with him ; in hopes to recover him from the dangerous Steps he had taken, and to make him go over his Ground again with more Honefty and Caution. But after what a manner did that Minifter receive their kind and wholefom Advice ! He look'd up- on them with an Eye of Contempt, told them, *' They were unequal to '* the I ask they had taken upon " them ; and not fit to teach him " who was able to be a Counjellor to ** Counjellor 5, He upbraided them with " Ingratitude, and made them to know, '* that as he had brought them into *» the good Graces of the Queen, fo he *» would caufe the Rays of Royal Fa-

« vour

( ^4 ) ** vour to (hine no mors upon tHenl, if *' they ofFer'd to queftion the Sagacity *' of his Condu£l, or interfere, by any' *' Oppofition, with the Meafures he " had taken.

Hereupon they faw it was to no pur- pofe to hold out their Hands to retrieve him, and he was fo deeply funk in the Abyfs of Treachery and Pride, as to be inextricably loft to all Senfe of Con- viQion : Therefore, tho' they could not prevent the Peace from being figned^ they did all that lay in their Power, that fuch Conditions of it, (and thofe were very few) that were for the Ad- vantage of their Country, fhould take Effect. The entire Demolition of £?«;?- kirky was not the leaft of thofe that em- ploy'd their Regard ; and they often remonftrated in Council againft the De- lays and Obftacles that were made, and raifed on that Head. But the STAFF had, at that time, got PolTefTion of the Queen's Ear fo much, that her Majefty would hear nothing in Prejudice of his Councils; which were turnM another way, and dire£led to lefs publick Views, than Advantages that were National.

All this while, inftead of rafing the Fortifications of that Town, and of

filling

( ^5 )

filling up the Harbour, the Frtfjch, as it were in Concert with the Bri^/Jfj Court, apply'd themfelves to the Build- ing and Digging others in a Place adja- cent ; That when Dunkirk ihould, in Purfuance of the Treaty, be entirely demoliih'd, only the Name fliould be loft, and the Strength of the Town re- Vive in the Works that were erefting at Mardyke. Nor could the Two Patriots above mention'd, with feveral of their Friends, hold themfelves any longer en- gaged not to break out into open Hofti- lities with the STJFFy on that and other Head Si

For they not only faw that they fhould partake in the Shame of his treacherous Counfels, fhould they any longer hold their Tongues from in- veighing againft the ruinous Coafe- quences of them ; but were too well appriz'd of the Temper of the Man, that he would extricate himfelf out of any Difficulty which fhould encompafs him, at the Expence of his molt intimate and deareft Acquaintance. Nor was he backward in providing againft their Endeavours, by ftrengthening himfelf with new Partizans, and by making Overtures even to feveral of the Old

I Mi-

,*■

•V

{66) ^/liniitry, in particular to the General, whofe Difgrace and Banilhment he had been the fole Occafion of. But whe- ther he or they did not dare to truft a Man, who was incapable of being permanent in any one good Ad any longer,than he engrofsM the Advantage of it; or, whether he had incur'd their Hatred to fuch a Degree, as to make them loath having any thing to do with him : Not one clofed in with His Pro- pofals. Some needy Whigs indeed, whofe Godlinefs was Gain, and thofe inconfiderable for their Number, were made Profelites, and drawn over to his Purpofes at the Expence of the Publick Treafure; but the Generality flood their Ground to a Miracle.

What the STAFF had moft at Heart, was to prevent the MITRE, who by his means had accepted of a Bifhoprick, from falling in with the Lord JOHN BVLL, and the PVRSE; He there- fore was very afliduous with that Pre- late for his Intereft, and like the Devil in the Gofpel, fee before him all worldly Advantages, to fall down and rvorjhip him^ But his Reply was of the fame Nature, as that of, get thee behind me Satan, That truly Primitive and Apoftolick

Fa.

( ^7 ) , ^

Father of the Church, would not bar- ter his Confcience for an Augmentation of Revenues,in exchange of his Honour, and the Duty he owM his Queen and Country ; but fairly told him, He muft aB after another mikiner, tf he rvouUhave him to come into his Meafures : Wlncn it beina impoffible for that Mimfter to do, the STAFF gave him alfo over for loft, to all Intents and Purpoles.

Affairs running thus a crofs at home, tho^ he ftill retain'd his Miftrefss ta^ vour 1 whom nothing but Demonftra- tion could wean from the implicit be- lief (he had of his Fidelity! the STJtl^ bethousht himfelf of fome Negociations abroad; to make his Antagonifts turn theii;Eyes that way, and be lels cuii^ ous in their Enquiries after his evil Fra- aices nearer at hand. In order to this, what did he, or fomebody for him, but fo ftir up the Coals of Diffention in a neighbouring Kingdom, fo exafperate one Houfe of Parliament there againlt the other, and inflame the Populace aeainft their Rulers, that the greateft and beft Man, that ever held the Great Seal there, had like to have been made a Sacrifice for his intrepid Probity, and fix'd Obfervance of the Laws of God,

I 2 ana

( 68 )

and his Country. And if a certain Great Man did not receive Orders there, as if from the Queen, for him to ad otherwife than her Majefty intended. Fame, that is very often a Lyar, is guilty of a notorious lintruth.

What Effeds this Piece of Manage- ment m Ireland had upon the whole Frame of the Conftitution there, and how long the Laws of the Land lay dormant, while Juftice, that is always painted with her Eyes fhut, might be emphatically faid to be afleep ; the Dift rations in Dublin, and elfe- where, that were but of Yefterday, will fufficiently evince. In the City, their ancient Government feem'd to be inverted, and the proper Electors were not at Liberty to chufe their own pro- per Qjlicers. In the Country, People wtXQ frighted into Apprehenfions of the Lofs 01 thoie valuahie Liberties that were purchased by their Anceftors, and preferv'd and fecur'd to them by the late happy Revolution. In the Senate, Bickerings arofe, inftead of Loyal Con- tentions who fhould be the greateft Pro- moters of the Proteftant Intereit, or the heartiell AITertors of true Chriltian Liberty: la a Word, Sighs and Appre-

henfions

( ^9 )

henfions were the Produce of every Part of the Country not inhabited by Bou- tefeus and Incendiaries, and Men of all Stations and Callings, that had at Heart the Confervation of the publick Peace, or were follicitous for the publick Wellfare, feem'd, as if loft to all Hopes- under the melancholy Profpea of even worfe Attempts to be made on their Rights and Immunities. Nor did the Subjeds fuffer exclufive of the State : The Crown too was under aNeceflity of coming in for its Share in the com- mon Lofsj for the Lower Houfe of Parliament were fo irritated, by the Proceedings offome of the Upper, who, no doubt, had Inllruaions from the 6] TA FFy to go on with their Altera- tions ; that the neceifary Funds, for their mutual Security, were not rais'd, and the Parliament was oblig'd to be Prorogued, before thoU-, who, had an Army at hand for their Defence in Cafe of an Infurredion, or Lwafion, had Money to pay them their .Subfiliance.

The STAFF had likewife other Cards to play at a greater Diitance, where he ftood in need of all his artful Difguifes, to keep himfcif from a Dif- covery. The 6chijm Bill was in Agi-

tation

( 70 ) tation at Wejtminpr, purpofely brought in by the Intervention of the Mttre and VhtL who forefaw that only to be expedient to make that State Pro- teus fbew himfelf in his true Colours, and ftand a confirm'd Prodigy of Wick- ednefs, and Diflimulation; he was now brought to this Dilema, either to )oyn in the Meafures that were taken to pror. mote the Paffage of this falutary this wholefome Bill into an Aft, or to de- dare againft it. His Vmdicator, m his Hiftory of the IVhite-Sta/, may fay, he did neither, and remaind m a per- fea State of Neutrality ; but there are thofe among the Diffenters, can teftify; That he not only encourag d his Kinl- mcn and Dependents in both Houfes To Vote againft it, tho' his own Son had Order! to be Tooth and Nail for it to keep his underhand Dealings from bdng difcern-d ; nay, there are fome that can make it apparent as the Noon Day. that he had the View of, and amended the Reafons that were drawn up, and Printed, againft its obtaining thi Sanaion of Authority : All which Reafons, with others that were num- berlefs, fufficiently refuted and anf«rer d themfelves, according to the M»tgs

(70

Delicacy and Energy of Exprefflon, who convinc'd the Houfe, which they were laft lodg'd in, of the Weaknefs of them. Take his own Words, If Schifm^ faid he, be About indifferent Things, why fhould Children be involved in thefe Differences before they know what they are f If about Matters of the laft Confequence, the DifTenters have gone off (torn the fir ft and chief Pretence^ upon which a Tolleration was granted them ? If a Schifm was unavoidable^ becaufe of the Ignorance and Diftracfions of Forty One^ why (hould the Iniquity of thofe Times he eftabltjb^d by a Law, or that Law be made perpetual and unalterable ? If Schifm was tollerated, on Account of its Mortality, why jhouU it be allowed the Friviledges of Monarchy^ and go by Inheritance, and Succeflion ?

But the *S^tf/ was like the deaf Ad-' der, that hears not the Voice of the Charmer., charm he never jo wifely ; and made ufe of what was intended to be, (and muft neceffarily have that Confequence,) for the Interefl: of the Proteftant Succeflion, as he gave out by his Emiflaries at Home, and his

K n, at a certain Court, that the

Pretender was at the Bottom of the

Scheme,

Scheme. &y thefe means making it his Bufi- nefs to create Jealoufies and Mifunderftahd- ings between the Throne, and thofe that were to Succeed to it^ at the fame Time as he pretended to Diflwade that Very Prince who is now next to it, to come over, and learn how to Defend the Prerogatives of it, and to Adorn it.

When, as if the Death of Schifm was to be the Deftrudtion of its chiefeft Abettor and Promoter, the Staf had the Mortification to fee all his Ingratitude and bafe Dcfigns laid open before Injured Majefty, (who had the fatisfadion, to fpurn him from htv Prefence before fhe was fnatch'd hence from the Eyes and Hearts of her Loving Sub- jects, where her precious Memory will ever be entomb'd) and to behold the M TT RE and TVRSE^ even after their dear Miftrefs*s De- ceafe, as much in Pofleffion of good Mens E- flecm, as the STJFF is of their Hatred and Contempt : Further Reafons for which, are ample enough to fwell another Volume, had the Writer of this, either Leifure or Paffions enough to purfue him, yet further, which perhaps he may do, when his Time will per- mit him.

FINIS.

^

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