David Faikney, being again examined said, That he apprehended, that for the bills of sale made out for large sums in Woolley and Warren's name, the pledges were fictitious. That Thomas Hodgson, servant to Mr. Robinson, used to come to Thomson's office, and acquaint him, that, 5, 8, or 10,000l. notes would be due on particular days, and desired, he would make provision for them; upon which Thomson has given the examinant old defeazances, and ordered him to renew them, by making out on them new bills of sale, certificates, and defeazances; When the examinant had so done, he used to carry the old defeazances, which were in Woolley and Warren's names, to the accomptant's office, in order to have the interest and charges cast up, and then left the new and old defeazances upon Thomson's desk, for him to settle with Mr. Tench the cashier; upon which new notes were issued out to enable Robinson to take up the old ones.

Mr. John Richardson, clerk to the cashier, said, That when renewals of pledges have been made, he has asked Thomson, why the certificates have not been signed; Thomson replied, That was only form; that Thomson paid him the interest and charges on such renewals, and he delivered up to Thomson the old certificates: That Thomson paid him at one time 7,000l. for interest and charges on renewals of pledges, part of which sum, upwards of 3,000l. was new pledges; Fart was an account of about 1,400l. allowed him for charges expended last session of parliament, and the remainder was in money. Thomas Hodgson, clerk to Mr. George Robinson, said, that the said Robinson did about the month of September, 1730, borrow of the Charitable Corporation the sum of 22,000l. in the examinant's name, but unknown to him, and ordered him to go to the Corporation, and sign the Bills of sale, and defeazances; and that he, the said Robinson, would take the certificates himself, for he had given Thomson security and the said Robinson afterwards brought six certificates to the examinant, amounting to about 21,000l. and ordered him to carry them to Mr. Tench, the then cashier, and see them discharged off the debit side of the book. And being asked if he knew of any goods pledged by Mr. Robinson, said, he remembered about forty pipes of indigo, worth about 4,000l. and is not sure if there was not some cochineal; but knows of no other goods pledged by the said Robinson.

Jeremiah Wainwright, Cashier to the said Company, said, That he never carried up to

the Committee any certificates for pledges, and believes, his predecessor Mr. Tench never did. That he had nothing to do with the warehouse keeper's office, but always believed, there were real pledges, and never had any suspicion of fictitious pledges being made, till since Thomson went away. That he shewed captain Molesworth in his office an account of all the pledges unredeemed at Lady Day 1731, in a little stitched book, wherein was principal and inte rest; and pointed out to him several large sums that had been due a long time; and told captain Molesworth all the old pledges should be redeemed or renewed, which would bring in a considerable sum of money, to pay the dividend. Captain Molesworth carried the said book to Thomson, and left it with him; and the said Thomson promised the said pledges should be redeemed or renewed accordingly. That he used to enter the pledges generally from Mr. Tench's book, and examined the same monthly with Mr. Tench by the certificates; that he did so until the end of April last; that there were certificates, for all the pledges to that time: that he never took notice of the receipts on the back of such certificates not being signed (he looking only on the face of such certificates) till since Thomson went away, when they were examined in the presence of Mr. Grove, one of the inspectors, and a notary public.

Thomas Leafe, being again examined, said, That for three years past there has been want of money at the Corporation House at different times, and since the obtaining of the last licence for the enlargement of their capital, money has been scarcer than formerly; and has heard it often said amongst the officers, that there was not money sufficient to supply the borrowers, That in the year 1727, when Robinson came into the Corporation, money was begun to be drawn out by Thomson on fictitious pledges.

Thomas Jones said, That he did go to sir Archibald Grant's on the Monday before the city petition was presented to parliament against the said Corporation, at Warren's request, and acquainted sir Archibald, that he was drawing a case of the mismanagements of the Corporation, and the abuse of their charter. Sir Archibald was surprised, and told him he hoped, he, Jones, would assist them, now all the world was upon them; that he had put them in a method, and they had had good success. The examinant replied, That he did not know what success they had had, but he had a paper in his bosom he was going to print; that he would not assist them, but would appear against them. Sir Archibald replied, If he had any demands on the company, he should apply to them; and desired him not to print his case. That then one Mr. Waller came into the room, in whose presence he gave sir Archibald several hints, viz. That the Corporation was abused by private sales; that their warehouse was a public shop; that a great deal of money was lent on fictitious certificates; that if the warehouse keeper certified he had goods to the cashier, he could receive the money directly. Sir Archi

bald told him, it was a mistake; that he was sure it was no such thing. The examinant insisted that a Committee should be called, that he might acquaint them therewith. Sir Archibald said, they were in a hurry, and it could not be; but there was one called that evening, and he was summoned to attend it; at which were present, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Benjamin. Robinson, and Mr. Langton a proprietor, but not in the direction: he produced a case, and read part of it, and then told them the several mischiefs that attend the company, by the power reposed in Thomson in concert with captain Burroughs, Mr. Squire, and one or two more, and how they might remedy it; for that it was in Thomson's, and one or two of the directors power to run away with the company's cash.

That the examinant did meet Mr. Burroughs. and Squire at sir Fisher Tench's request at the Pope's Head Tavern in Cornhill, and to them read his case; they said, there was nothing in it; but Burroughs likewise said, he had commission from the committee to compromise all matters with him, and appointed to meet at the Bell Tavern in Nicholas Lane in the evening; which he did; that a bond of 4000l. was prepared for the said Burroughs to enter into, that the Corporation should abide by an award mentioned in the said bond; but Burroughs refused to sign the same, but gave the examinant a note of his hand for 500l. in part of satisfaction for his demands, which he promised to re-deliver to him upon performing several conditions mentioned in a defeazance signed by him at the same time; that he has received the said note.

Thomas Warren said, That when the Corporation was before the parliament last year, he believes captain Burroughs, or sir Archibald Grant, sent him to Mr. Jones, whom he found to be their enemy; and he told them of it; but he heard aftewards, they had made him easy; and to the best of his remembrance captain Burroughs, or sir Archibald Grant, told him so.

Your Committee finding a very great Debt created by notes, amounting to 101,1157. proceeded to inquire, how the same had happened, and find, that the first entry in the books concerning notes, since the re-establishment of the Corporation, is at a Court of Committe held the 18th of February, 1725, Present of the Committee, Mr. Oaker, Mr. Grant, sir Fisher Tench, Mr. Bond, sir John Meres; sir John Meres in the Chair, A form of a Cash note was then settled. That at a Court of Committee held the 24th of February, 1725, the Cash Note was amended. That on the 2nd of March following, the Court of Committee ordered 1,000 Cash Notes or Bills to be printed. That the 11th of the same month at a Court of Committee, Present, Mr. Oaker, sir Fisher Tench, Mr. Bond, sir John Meres, Mr. Grant; sir John Meres in the Chair; the said Cash Notes were directed to be made payable to Mr. Jeremiah Wainwright then accomptant, and he was to indorse the same,

The 31st of March, 1726, the cashiers were ordered upon the Tuesday following, and so upon every Tuesday successively, to give an account to the Committee of the cash by each of them received and issued, and produce the balance then in their hands respectively.

Your Committee observe that this Order was never complied with, and if it had, such large sums of money would not have been embezzled by the warehouse keeeper or cashier.

That on the 15th of July, 1726, Present, of the Committee, sir Fisher Tench, sir Archi bald Grant, Mr. Oaker, sir John Meres; Assistants, Mr. Lilly, Mr. Squire, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Jackson, Col. Gardiner, sir Archibald Grant in the Chair; The court of Committee ordered, that the cash notes bear 31. per cent. interest.

That on the 19th of the said July, Present, of the Committee, Mr. Oaker, Mr. Gascoigne, sir John Meres; sir John Meres in the Chair; Upon a debate at the Court of Committee concerning a contract proposed to be entered into with Robe and Jones, concerning the circulating the Corporation notes, it was resolved, that the Committee could not legally enter into any agreement with any person or persons for circulating their notes.

Notwithstanding which, on the 19th of August following, Present, of the Commmittee, sir Fisher Tench, sir Archibald Grant; Mr. Oaker, Assistants, Mr. Robinson, Mr Squire, Col. Gardiner, Mr. Hartop, Mr. Lilly, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Hayley; sir Fisher Tench in the Chair; the Committee executed a Deed with Jones for circulating their notes.

Thomus Jones, auctioneer to the said Corporation, said, That in the year 1726, he entered into a contract with the said Corporation to borrow 60,000l. per annum, and was to pledge goods for the said sum of one-third more than the value, and was to pay 5l. per cent. for the money, and 51. per cent. for the charges, and was to take 30,000l. of the company's notes in part of the said sum, at an interest of 31. per cent, and was to be allowed 21. per cent. for circulating all notes issued by the Corporation, at 34. per cent. And the cashier was to produce his book every week of all notes issued, if he required him, and likewise their cash book, for his satisfaction: That he was to be. allowed 20s. per diem during the time of each sale, and half the commissions taken by the company for selling such goods, which was 2. per cent. after deducting all charges, in which charges the 20s. per diem was included: That the said contract was to continue for seven years; but for greater certainty he referred himself to the said contract; a copy whereof is hereunto annexed. (No. 5.)

That some time after he found he was greatly injured by the Corporation's private sales, and complained thereof to sir Robert Sutton, Mr. Lilly, Mr. Squire, sir John Meres, and Mr. Benjamin Robinson, and gave orders to his Attorney, to file a bill in chancery against the Corporation, and particularly to make Mr.

Burroughs, Mr. Squire, Thomson, Woolley, and Warren, parties thereto, who were the persons chiefly concerned, and who received the profits of such sales; and that he intended filing the said Bill about two months before the petition was presented by the city, the last session of parliament, against the said Corporation: That in the same year, he applied to several persons of his acquaintance to exchange Corporation notes for money, with good success, in order to assist him to carry on his contract with the said Corporation.

That in pursuance of his contract for circulating notes, he thought it necessary, an office should be assigned him in the Corporation house (which was accordingly done by the Committee and assistants) that he might register all notes, and be satisfied, that no notes were issued without a pledge, in order to secure the money advanced on the said notes: That if this method had been pursued, the proprietors would have been safe, and affairs carried on with advantage; but some of the Committee and assistants told him, unless he would comply with some offers they proposed, they would make his contract not worth one shilling.

Being asked, what offers he understood those to be, he said, a share in the profits of his contract, which be refused; and from that time | they endeavoured by all artifices to defeat him in the prosecuting of this affair; that in order thereto, they made Richard Woolley, and Thomas Warren, assistant warehouse keepers, and appointed them an office adjoining to the street door, in order to prevent him and his servant from seeing what pledges were brought in, his office being at the farther end of the warehouse, where he entered all pledges brought in, for which any notes had been delivered, he heing only to circulate the same; that he complained of this to Mr. Squire, Mr. Lilly, Mr. Jackson, sir Archibald Grant, Mr. Bond, Mr. Burroughs, and Mr. Mann, but could never get any redress; that Woolley and Warren were at that time in mean circumstances, having been lately cleared by the act of bankruptcy, though they soon after became great men.

That on the 6th and 9th of September 1726, the form of the note was finally settled, a copy of which is hereunto annexed.

That at a Court of Committee, the 18th of November, 1726, Present, of the Committee, Mr. Bond, sir Robert Sutton, sir Fisher Tench; sir Archibald Grant, sir John Meres, Assistants, Mr. Squire, Mr. Hartop, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Lilly, sir Robert Sutton in the Chair; It was ordered, That Mr. Tench, their cashier, do draw the cash of this Corporation out of the hands of Mr. Pepys, and lodge the same in the hands of Mr. George Robinson; and that the cash of this Corporation be for the future lodged in his hands till further order, to be drawn out by the cashier, as occasion shall require it.

That at a Committee of Accounts the 17th of January, 1726, the Cash Book was ordered

to be kept in the manner and form it then was, with this addition, that a balance be struck every last day of the month, and carried forward to the succeeding month.

That the Monthly Cash be examined by the Committee or assistants, and every article passed in the debtor or creditor, signed in the margin by the examiner, and that the vouchers be marked in the same manner, if necessary to be kept, and that the notes paid off be cancelled

and filed.

That on the 1st of March, 1728, Present, of the Committee, Mr. Burroughs, sir Archibald Grant, Mr. Oaker; Assistants, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Moody, Mr. Benjamin Robinson, and sir Archibald Grant in the chair; A Court of Committee executed au Agreement for circulating their notes with George Robinson, esq. That your Committee do not find any order made by a general Court for making notes, or circulating the same, or approving such, when made, or any contract for circulating them.

Thomas Leafe said, That he has filled up some hundreds of promissory notes for value received per a pledge in the cashier's and his own office for large sums of money, by Thomson's order, for twelve months, beginning 1726 to Midsummer 1730; and has seen captain Burroughs, Mr. Squire, and others, sign such notes singly by themselves with the initial letters of their names: and said, that he used to fill up Corporation notes; that the accomptant generally signed them first, then one of the Committee, or assistants, and then the cashier; that he always carried them to the cashier's of fice, when so completed, and has frequently seen Thomson have such notes in is hand.

Jeremiah Wainwright said, That he has carried notes paid off, to the Committee, which he be lieved were filed, and the books discharged. That about the middle of May last, Captain Burroughs, Mr. Squire, and Mr. Jackson, came to Mr. Tench, and ordered him to fill up notes to the amount of 60,000l. which be, did, part one day and part another; that Mr. Tench signed then, and they ordered the examinant to sign them likewise, but he refused it, saying, there was no occasion for him to sign them, till they were issued out; that he believes, they were dated the same day they were filled up, and those gentlemen said, they were to be locked up in an iron chest in the said room; that he left them in their custody, but did not see them locked up, but believes they were never issued; that he has heard sir Robert Sutton, and others of the Committee say, the said notes were filled up by consent of the Committee; and he believes, the said notes were made to exchange for old notes which were or should become due, to keep up their credit, cash being low at that time, and not sufficient to discharge such notes as became due; that the said notes were not made out on pledges, and had no pledge marks on them. Being asked, if sir Robert Sutton was present, when the said notes were filled up, he answered, he was certain sir Robert was not present, but he has heard sir

Robert Sutton declare, that he, captain Molesworth, and others, were present, when the said notes were burnt.

Thomas Warren said, That he has sold, for Robinson, Corporation notes payable in six months to the amount of 170,000l. and notes payable in twelve months to the amount of 200,000l. some of which have been taken in and delivered out again, which makes the sum so large. That he knows of no notes of a later date than January 1730.

David Faikney said, That he has seen Thomson have quantities of the Corporation's notes in his custody, and had a jealousy, that he made use of the Company's money, but believed he had an estate to answer it. That.on the 20th of March, 1730, at a court of committee, an order was made, that no more notes should be issued; in pursuance of which another order was made that the blank notes should be delivered to the Committee of Accounts, to be by them locked up in the iron chest.

And by the evidence of Mr. John Torriano, one of the assistants hereafter mentioned, it appears, That the key of the said iron chest, was put into another chest, to which there were two locks; the key of one of them was delivered to Mr. Burroughs, and the other to him, which he kept till the 11th of May following, when he was pressed to deliver the same by Burroughs and Squire, who told him that at a meeting the night before at sir Archibald Grant's it had been resolved to issue 30,000l. notes. That he refused to deliver it, urging several reasons against it, and particularly, that Corporation notes could not be struck but upon pledges, and asked, whether they had now an offer of Pledges for 30,000l. Squire answered, no, but that these notes being dated before the time limited in the Bill, they might he kept, till they were wanted; he thereupon absolutely refused to do it; but as soon as they were gone; he wrote a Letter to sir Robert Sutton, and enclosed his key in it. The said Letter is as follows; viz.

"The inclosed key is one of them which belong to the box, in which are the keys of the iron chest; the notes were by order of a court of a committee locked up therein, upon a resolution taken and entered in the books of the Corporation, not to issue from and after that day any more notes. This resolution (as I bumbly conceive) cannot be broke into or reversed, but by the same authority which made it; and therefore, as I am confident, it is irregular to issue any more notes at all, and much more so without reversing that order upon the books in the same manner and form in which it was made, I shall not scruple to enter my protest thereto, or at least to declare, that I will not deliver out the note books myself, nor bave any hand in it, because it is as dangerous as it is an unwarrantable proceeding. My good friend Mr. Squire tells me, it was resolved

to issue out 30,000l. notes; I knew not of any such resolution before; and though I greatly respect and love him, I must beg his and every other gentleman's pardon in this case; when I have delivered up the key, I am well aware they may issue 100,000l. without my knowledge, and they will be very glad, when they are at liberty so to do, without letting me know any thing of it; but then what I am ignorant of I am not accountable for. But that I may not hereafter be chargeable with this fact, and to remove from being obnoxious and troublesome with my scruples to the Society, I shall be willing to give them this satisfaction of my resignation.

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They will say it is because I have notes of my own (about 5,000) that I am fearful of lessening the security of them by increasing the company's debt. This may be one reason, but the apprehension, that these notes of so late a date may come abroad into the world, and occasion a further inquiry, is the principal one. But I heartily beg your pardon for soffreely delivering my sentiments to you, and shall detain you no longer than to assure you, I am, &e. May 11, 1731.

"P. S. Sir, I know Mr. Robinson has very large cash in his hands, near 50,000l. which if he were obliged to pay, would supply the want of notes."

That at a Court of Committee the 15th of May, 1731, present, of the Committee, sir Robert Sutton, sir Archibald Grant, Robert Maun, and William Burroughs, esq.; Assistants, Mr. Benjamin Robinson, Mr. Squire, and Mr. Beake, sir Robert Sutton in the chair; The key of the box, which had been sent by Mr. Torriano to sir Robert Sutton, was ordered to be delivered to Mr. Squire. Soon after which, the 60,000l. notes before mentioned were coined.

Your Committee finding a Debt due of 44,400l. by bonds, proceeded to inquire into the same; and the first account they find of this Corporation's dealing in bonds, was a Treaty entered into between this Corporation and the York Buildings Company, in the year 1724, for the York Buildings Company to lend to this Corporation 100,000l. in bonds, which were to be exchanged for ready money; but. that treaty, by the advice of council, not taking effect, nothing more was done in bonds untill the 6th of July, 1731, Present, of the Committee, sir Archibald Grant, Mr. Molesworth, captain Burroughs; Mr. Bond, Mr. Mann, Assistants, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Squire, sir Archibald Grant in the chair: When a Copper Plate was ordered by the Court of Committee to be made for the printing of Bonds, for the use of the Corporation, for the sum of 100l. each. And accordingly on the 15th of July, 1731, at a court of Committee, Present, of the Committee, sir Archibald Grant, Mr. Bond, Mr. Burroughs; Assistants, Mr. Beake, Mr. Squire, Mr. Benj. Robinson, sir Archibald Grant in the chair; The Corporation Seal was affixed to 100 bonds of 1007. each That on the 19th of the said July, at