was hushed up, but a further Evil attended this Matter, for great part of this Hemp (which was the Ribbs and Bands of Hemp, and not the beft, which at that time was worth twenty fix, or twenty feven pound per Tun) was wrought into Cordage, and fent to Debtford Yard, and found upon a furvey, by the proper Officer of the Yard, to be forty Pound per Cent. worle, than what was delivered by another Person.

Twice did I Lay this Matter open in Print, and offered to prove it. Yet no notice was taken of it only by one Mr. Culliford, who was then a Member of Parliament, and promis'd to lay the matter before the House of Commons, which he never did. However he manag'd the Busifinefs prudently (according to the Humour of the Times) in reference to his own Interest, for he foon made the Commiffioners of the Na vy fenfible of their Crime, fo they not only complyed to buy Canvafs of him for the Kings Ufe (which before they refused to do) but prevailed with divers of the King's principal Minifters, to go in a Body (as appears by the Printed News Papers) to fee Mr. Cullifords Looms for making Canvafs, and promis'd all poffible Encouragement to fo good a Work; and that was not all, for Mr. Callford was introduced (to keep him quiet) into an Employ in the Cuftoms to the value of about feven or eight Hundred Pounds per Annum, which he Enjoys to this day.

An Eminent Sayl-maker went and acquainted the Comptroler of the Navy, there were great.. Embezelments made of the King's Canvas, to fuch a degree, that it was an Injury to the whole Trade, by being under-fold, and told him if he might be Impowered, he could actually take the Goods upon the Offenders, and put an end to that Evil practice. To which the Comptroller anfwer'd, and faid, Kings and Princes are born to be cheated. So would not meddle in it. This Sayl-maker afterwards proved it to his Face, before divers of the Chief and Principal. Minifters of State.

In the Month of April laft, the forementioned Citizen bought (through great importunity) a parcel of Ropes to the value of about nine Pounds, which being done, he much queftioned the goodness of them (it being cheaper than he could buy the Hemp) the Rope-maker did affure.. him they were made of right Riga Hemp, which he bought of one Hicks, an Officer belonging to the King's Yard at Chatham ; upon which the Citizen had him before the Commiffioners of the Navy, and asked them what he should do in the matter (he not daring to pay the mony without their Knowledge or Order) they told him, all they could fay to it, was, he must pay the money, as he accordingly did: Now this Hicks, of whom this Hemp was bought, was one of the chief Witnefies that proved the fore-going matter about the Rackings or Flyings. So the World may fee the Thieving Trade still goes on, and muft, and will do fo (as things now ftand)

for

for the Commiffioners of the Navy dare not profecute their Officers, but are obliged to protect them, as it appears they have carefully done hitherto in order to their own prefervation. For no man but will tell Truth, rather than be hang. ed..

As to what I accufed the Commiffioners of the Navy in reference to their abufing the poor Saylers (who are one of the greatest Bulwarks of the Kingdom) it now notorioufly appears to the whole Earth, far more English Saylors have turned Pyrates (or deferted their Native Conntrey) · within these seven or eight Years palt, than in many hundred years before, which can never be attributed to any other caufe, than their having been made Defperate by Evil Ufage; by which it's manifeft to the World, many thoufands of poor Saylers have Perished, to the Eternal Scandal and Reproach of this Nation (were there no greater evil in it) for while the Dutch and French were encouraging their Saylors, and ›› ufing all Arts whereby to encrease them, were we treating our Saylors, as if we had defigned to have rooted them out from among us ; and well it were the Saylers were all call'd home, and pardoned; and the Authors of their · Misery sharply punished.

It was proved before the Lords of the Admiralty, by near Forty Witneffes, notorious Embezelments were made of his Majefties Naval Stores, in all the King's Yards, yet nothing

same

came on't; only great Endeavours were ufed to ruin the Perfon that laid thofe Crimes before their Lordships, which in the end was effected, by illegal means, in a Judicial manner.

In fhort, Its manifeft the Lords of the Admiralty did all they could to prolong the War, by not intercepting the Thonlon Squadron. By fhamefully expofing the Trade and Shipping of this Kingdom to the Violence of the Enemy,

the time of the Late War; and as the Nation grew poorer and poorer, did they and their Adherents increase in Wealth and Grandure. Yet now are they all ready to fay as Agag did, (whom Samuel flew before the Lord in Gilgal) Surely the bitterness of death is paft.

He who fhall Publickly declare, a Fleet is not the best Security to this Kingdom in time of Peace, deferves more to be whipt at the Geers, or hanged at the Yard Arm, than be an Admiral.

By all which has been related, there's not the leaft doubt to be made, But that all thofe Crimes that were during the late War, and fince, publickly laid to the charge of the Commiffioners of the Excife, (who barbaronfly treated Mr. Brugby for his Juftice to the King and the Publick) the Commiffioners of the Customs, the

Com

Commiffioners of the Poft Office, (whofe Crimes were proved about four Years fince, by Mr. Blackball, and others, befides Woodgate's bufinefs, and of which I have an Authentick Copy; the Commiffioners of the Prize Office (whofe Crimes appear to be Notorious, by what I took out of their own Books, by means of a Worthy Member of the Houfe of Commons, &c. are all undoubted Truths. For by Hercules's Foot, we may know the Proportion of his Body, and by a little, eafily judge what a great deal means.

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They are unhappy Men that shall endeavour to fet the King and the Body of the 'Realm at variance; for it is the People that "muft Pray, that muft Pay, and muft Fight "for their Prince. Said Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury, who, like a pious good Man as he was, carefully avoided even the very Converfation of those Perfons, who, in his time, oppreffed the People, and abufed the King's Ear.

They who opprefs the Subject, and Embezel or waste the Publick Treasure, Invade every Man's Property, and are Enemies to the King and bis People: For they deftroy (as much as in them lies) that mutual Trust and Confidence in each other, which is ab

Solutely