each an account in the book all of old standing, upon which they are indebted small sums: That many other people have, which for want of the books you cannot tell: That I have traded to Alicant in Spain, and to Lisbon, and that I have effects in both those places now; That I also traded to Petersburgh formerly, but for a twelvemonth past I had sent nothing thither but tin, for which I had had remittances made to me, and that you believe there is little due to me there: That I have sent no goods abroad very lately of any kind. Give up to the Corporation all the wines in Johnson's hands; also the yarn in Mr. Warren's. Obey my cousin Watson's orders if you can, and write to him; write to Mr. Hart of Bristol, you will send his vouchers, and that what is due to him will be remitted. There is 2001. note, and 100%. I gave to David Avery; do not pay them, but insist on his doing it, and delivering them up: Also 150l. indorsement of his note. Tell James I have by Richard Hamilton satisfied my notes to Dr. Burnet for 3001. and 2001. and that he will receive a surplus from Mr. Hamilton, which it is proper he should call for And likewise tell Mr. Hamilton, it is to pay off other small demands upon me.

:

"Tell James I have provided for Richard Markland's 2001. by Jemmy Jenkins, from whom I expect he will receive a surplus likewise; desire him to press for it, and tell him it is to pay off many small demands there is upon me. Be very watchful of all letters both foreign and inland, to take them up as they come. If any remittances, keep them, and advise me thereof; be watchful of goods coming from Petersburgh. Let Jolin Cruickshank take them up, and sell them for account of C. and T. and pass the proceeds to their account. Be watchful of remittances from Dr. Wright, or captain Innis, or letters which come to the SwordBlade coffee-house; If any remittances, try if you can prevent their being reported in my name, and put in the name of B. and C. and let them take up the goods, and pay you the proceeds. Write to Halliwell what has happened, and let him ship for the future to you in your own name, and tell the gentlemen of it. Write Fabricius the same; write Bain so too. Be kind to my brother Sam, visit him often, and help him to settle his accounts; and do what service you can to my brother David. "I have a note of hand to John Gordon, esq. due the 15th instant for 3001. get him to take it up, and insist upon it; for I will not pay it; for amongst the papers I have left you, you will find his note payable at the same time for 100l. and his receipt for jewels to the value of 2301. which I gave him, and if he does not pay it, tell the holder of the note that I lent him the note; and that though I pay my own just debts, I will not pay a borrowed note. I have some shares to take at the opening bought by Bennet; as I shall not take them, desire Bennet to give you a note of the loss sustained thereby, in order to transmit to me. Receive from Robert Garden my note for 2001. and

another for 20 shares, which I oblige myself to deliver at the opening, because I have satisfied both. Settle the account with J. Cruickshank, and take patience to do it; you know him full well, so I will say no more. Send Westby's note to my father, and desire him to push for the payment of it; tell him he is one of the commissioners of the Customs at Edinburgh. Captain Randolph's tobaccoes, upon which there is 8,000l. borrowed, the keys of the warehouses are in Warren's hands. Give an account of that to the company, that they may take them. Tell every body you expect me to appear in a few days; that you expect to hear where to call for me in a day or two. Let nobody know from you what has happened; let it break out of itself. Remember me to Mrs. Leafe, and be assured of my being always yours, J. T."

Thomas Leafe also acknowledged this to be Thomson's hand, and said he had received money for two notes since Thomson went away; but has not made any entries since, and has not kept any account of demands on bills of exchange accepted by him, notes for money borrowed, and notes indorsed, but believes Thomson would pay his private debts first. And said that C. T. in the said letter, meant Cruikshanks and Thomson, merchants at Petersburgh, and B. and C. Blackwood and Cathcart, who formerly had dealings with the said Thomson.

Another Letter signed J. T. without date or place.

"Dear Tom ;

"My conduct and behaviour to you in keeping you in the dark as to my intention of retiring, is what you now must approve of; for as I must needs suppose you will be strictly questioned upon that head; and that they would give you trouble upon that account, from your being so nearly concerned in my affairs; so your declaring with confidence your ignorance of that intention, and my removing from you my Books and Papers in the manner I did, must be of service, and I doubt not it is proving so.

"I found it necessary from the uncertain. turn that things might take, to go abroad, where I am now safe with a friend that most tenderly compassionates my case. I need not tell you what a chain of unlucky accidents reduced me to this necessity; you must have observed them, and often pitied my situation God grant me patience under them, and I shall do every body justice: The company must take the will for the deed in my doing what I can; I had no intention to hurt them, but the fatality of their affairs from the source of their misfortune, which is of long duration, did not admit of looking back. I have wrote the gentlemen a joint, and also all separate letters; but I have not acquainted them with my being abroad, which it is proper you should know. I long to know what reception my

letters meet with, and I expect it from you; let me know all you have heard and observed, and the worst as well as the best, for my government; that I may conduct myself accordingly; and pray lose no time in doing it.

"Let me know what questions have been put to you, and also to Mr. Faikney and James, and how you answered them?

"Let me know how Mr. Faikney behaves. "How have they ordered the sale? "Have they taken an inventory of the goods of the house?

"How does Mr. Wainwright behave?

"Do they know of my being gone abroad? "Take an opportunity to ask sir A. G. if he has any thing to command me; and that if he writes, you will give it me.

"Has Mr. Woolley sent all the goods he had in his custody into the new house taken in Spittle fields, as he intended; if he has, let the company know there is a quantity of goods there; but the particulars you cannot give

"Let me know if you can learn, what resoJutions have been taken in the Committee. "If they call a general court, be there, or somebody, to hear what passes.

"Let me know how Mr. Warren behaves, and what he has done.

"Send me the price of York. "Let me know when it was discovered at the office, my absenting myself.

"Pray open a sett of books, and keep them, of the transactions that pass henceforwards.

"Rec. Bain's accounts as formerly, and keep up a correspondence with him, also with Halliwell, and who else you judge proper.

"Send me an abstract of the letters you have received, and if any remittances, send them to me to be endorsed.

"Let ine have an account of what money you have paid since the last you gave me, and also of what you have received.

"Have you been able to pay all the bills as they became due?

"If you have 100l. to spare, pay it to my brother David-many things must have occurred in my affairs-I hope you will have taken memorandums of them-Give me a hint of every thing that has happened, to refresh my memory.

I want much to pay off the little debts and demands that are upon me.

"As to debts not due, tell them they shall be paid when due, but pray recollect as many of them as you can, and give me an account of them.

"Sell the two M. York, for which you havea power from Mr. William Richardson among the papers I left to be delivered you, if you

want money.

"The bundle of papers I left for you were notes and bonds, about which you shall have my directions soon, in the mean time send me an account of them:

"And add to them what notes, &c. James had in his hands, and also what you had.

"Do not meddle with my Accounts of Shares, where money is borrowed; those accounts I will take care of myself, and also my account with the company; but mind every thing else; and let James do the same.

"I had no time to take a copy of the letter I wrote you before; so I must desire you will answer in course, and omit nothing, lest I should forget what I wrote you in it.

"I am sensible you have a very troublesome task of it, but I persuade myself you will bear with it at present (I hope it will not be long) and labour to answer me as far as possible, as you must be sensible of the anxiety I suffer: Let James see this, and do you read his; but let nobody else see either. Do you keep the cash and notes, and pay what demands are upon me: And if what you have will not do it, I will make application, and have it done. I left Mr. Dundass's papers with you; take care of them, and state the account. Tell John Hamilton to go to the Leicester coffeehouse for a letter directed to him there, and if he wants a little money, let him have it upon his receipt. I left a power of attorney with you: if you should at any time be at a nonplus to act in my stead, direct for me under a cover directed to George Dowes, esq. at Bologne. Remember me to Mrs. Leafe. Dear Tom, your disconsolate, J. T."

Thomas Leafe likewise acknowledged the same to be Thomson's hand: And being asked what Thomson meant, in the said letter, by I need not tell you what a chain of unlucky. accidents reduced me to this necessity'; you 'must have observed them, and often pitied my situation,' he said, he believes Thomson meant the large account of cash due from Robinson to him, and that Mr. Burrough and Mr. Squire were privy to, and concerned in, the loss of the said money, and possibly sir Archibald Grant.

And he further said, That about a year ago an unlucky accident happened to the said gentlemen, That they lost above 100,000l. by York Buildings Stock. That Robinson, and those concerned with him, took all methods to keep up the price of stock, by buying and continuing the same by premiums, and apprehends the Corporation money was made.use of by Robin

66

Pray take care to answer from time to time what letters my father writes to you.

"What is become of the ship load of ore that arrived, since I came away from Norway, and how stand affairs in that corner?

"I see there are several notes in your hands, that are due. I hope you have taken the method I desired to obtain payment of them : Let me know if you have met any hindrance in any of them. All the money I want at present or shall have occasion for, (I hope, before you will have ten times as much in hand,) to pay my little debts, I hope is as follows:

"To George Downs, esq. 30l. which I intreat you will send him, without losing a day's time, in new guineas, to Boulogne, by the first ship: David Avery will give you a direction; he has been here, and parted six days ago; For the future give all the letters to him that you write me, or receive from my friends; for I judge it necessary to change my way of address; and he will for the future forward them in a different manner: Tell James so too, whenever you can; and let it be as soon as possible. I desire you will remit a bill of 2001. upon Paris at sight, payable to Mr. Edward Wogan; do not let it be for value of you, but any name you think proper, and send it in a letter to himself directed thus: A Monsieur le Chevalier de Wogan, à Sorbonne, à Paris. I owe him money already; he has been very kind to me, and I would very gladly reimburse him. I promised David Avery 90l. but you have two notes will do as well, viz. Bruges for 401. and Billingsley for 50l. Give him also his bond for 1000l. and take his receipt for all three. Write but seldom for three months, and expect to hear but seldom from me in that time, because I have some thoughts of going into Spain, and for that reason I shall want three

things of you immediately. I mean by the first or second post after you receive this.

"The first is, if you possibly can accomplish it, that you remit that money; Secondly, That you would write me a very particular account of every thing that has passed since your last: And lastly, that you would let me know what passed between Mr. Bermingham and you before he parted from London; and if you think the assignee has taken any steps to secure my effects in his hands.

"Have you never any conversation with sir A. G. Pray how does he behave?

"If you have not sold the 2,000 York, pray do not do it, but put it into the name of some friend of yours, and keep it, till I write you further.

"Let me know where C. B. is gone, and what reasons are given for his absenting himself? “ Will J. C. be able to save any thing?

"You should advise him to keep all in his hands he can, in case Chappel should prove in solvent And there are other things come besides the three bales of linen.

"Our meeting now cannot in any event be till after the parliament rises; for I reckon the affair is there by this time, notwithstanding Mr. W.'s opinion to the contrary. But I have no concern upon me about your behaviour there, or any where else; and as to the rest, I do not mind it much.

"I shall be greatly pleased to hear that you have been able to pay Dr. Burnet the remainder of my notes: for he really gave me great uneasiness.

"I hope you have prevailed on Richard Hamilton to keep the York for me. Pray pay the interest up to this time, and take up my note, and take his to deliver you the 6 M. York six months hence, upon paying him 900l. and interest. Urge this, and get it done if you possibly can, though it is not of that value at present; there is no danger in standing it: As to the security he has on the defeazance for London assurance shares from Hatfield, I desire you will get Mr. Woodcraft immediately to sue Hatfield for Mr. Hamilton, and there is no danger of his recovering the difference, which is full 300l. I have known several instances of it. If you can get to be warehousekeeper upon a salary of 150l. per annum, I would certainly advise you to accept of it; and as you know my situation exactly, if by any side wind I can be of service to you, count upon it. D. A. wrote to me to the same purpose before he came hither, and I discouraged it; this to yourself. If you do not succeed, do not be uneasy about it, because you may depend you shall never have cause to repent your attachment to ine: and I bear a very strong sense of it at present. Pray is not captain Innes arrived from the Havannah yet? If he is, let me know what you have received from Mr. Wright, and what from himself. I shall write to James very particularly about following young Puget by the next post; give him there.

fore his two notes. I have inclosed sent you a letter to J. C. read, seal and deliver it; I leave it open for your government. If he will give you bills payable to yourself on C. T. and conpany, for the sum of the inclosed bills payable four months hence, take them, and give him the inclosed, with the letter of advice; other wise keep both, and let me know: but if he does give you the bills, forward them to themselves, and bid them, when due, pass them to your account, not mentioning me. Adieu, dear Tom, my best wishes attends Mrs. L.

"If you are examined on Mr. Rob. Com. say you have seen a large Account, whereby he stood debtor; but you understood it to be to the Company, not to me, as I had not the money to give him; that I had the account myself, but that you believe the balance due by him was two hundred thou... and wards, which is all true; avoid being particular."

up

Thomas Leafe said it was Thomson's handwriting. And being asked, where and to whom Thomson was to make application for him to be warehouse keeper to the corporation, he said, he could not tell. Being asked, what was meant, "If by a side wind I can serve you." He said, he did not know, unless it was by some of his friends; and that D. A. in the said letter stands for David Avery, J. C. for John Cruickshanks, and C. and T. and Co. stands for Cruickshanks, Thomson and company. And being asked, what reason Mr. W. gave for his opinion, he said, Mr. Woodcraft said, that, as no proof could be had against the directors, nothing could be done in it in parliament.

Jeremiah Wainwright said, That the Saturday morning before Thomson went away, he borrowed the examinant's pledge book, and book of redemptions, on pretence of his making up his account of the last sale, saying, he could not get at his own pledge book, Mr. Leafe having the same locked up in his desk, being then out of the way; which books cannot now be found.

Thomas Leafe said, That Thomson had all the books of the Corporation, when he pleased; that a sale book and two pledge journals are wanting; one of which pledge journals was Thomson's own, and the other Mr. Wainwright's.

John Richardson, clerk to the cashier, said, That about a month before Thomson went away, his desk in the office on Lawrence Pountney Hill, was, as he believes, broke open, and now believes, it was done by Thomson. That there was in the said desk 1,000l. in bonds and some money, and a great number of signed and unsigned receipts on the back of certificates; that when he came the next day he found his desk open, and the lock broke, and the signed and unsigned certificates only missing; he coinplained of it to Mr. Wainwright his principal, who making inquiry about it, William Sheriff, porter to the house, told the said Wainwright, that Thomson asked for the key of the office, and he gave it him, and that they both went in

together; and that he, Sheriff, endeavouring to. open the window next morning, fell on the desk, and broke it.

John Ray, messenger to the said Corporation, said, That on Monday morning about 6 weeks before Thomson went away, Mr. Wainwright complained to Thomson that his desk had been broken open, and 4 or 500 certificates were taken away, and seemed very angry, and said, that it must be his servant that had done it in opening the windows; Thomson smiling replied, that for the value of 10s. he would speak to the gentleman and get new ones in their stead, and asked Wainwright if he thought this fellow would take them, that they were not worth a farthing to him, and likewise asked him, if he thought he, Thomson, would take them, and further added, that Tench was a careless man, and had lost them; Wainwright said, he did not care which way they were gone he would acquaint the Committee with it. The examinant further said, that Thomson had been in Wainwright's office the Saturday night before by himself.

Your Committee find, throughout the whole course of their Examination, that the persons intrusted with the management of the affairs of the said Corporation, had nothing in their view but to enhance the prices of their shares.

Mr. Higgs, their secretary, said, in the years 1725 and 1726, divers Courts of Committee were held to consult the opening Houses to lend money upon pledges: That he, sir Robert Sutton, at the first, sir John Meres and Mr. Gascoigne all along, were for keeping to the intent of their charter, in lending money in small sums to the poor, but the majority were for lending money in the city in large sums; and Mr. Bond, who was of the majority, said, Damn the poor, let us go into the city, where we may get money.

Sir John Meres said, that captain Burroughs, Mr. Squire and sir Archibald Grant, and some others in the direction, proposed to open another house that he proposed Exeter Exchange; but those gentlemen thought it would be more proper to have it near the Royal Exchange, saying, What signifies stock, if it is not saleable. That having occasion for money, about Michaelmas last, he went into the city to sell some Charitable Corporation shares: and, as he was going, stopped at his goldsmith's, and told him, he was come to do the same, who found him a purchaser at 4l. 16s. per share, which was under par: that he went on to Pontac's, where he met with sir Robert Sutton and sir Archibald Grant; and acquainting them with his intention, the latter dissuaded him from selling his shares, for that in three days the dividend would be declared, and then the shares would rise. That some time after the beginning of last session of parliament, the examinant had discourse with sir Robert Sutton at sir Robert Sutton's house, about the large sums of money, as he had been informed, were in Robinson's hands, which he heard was between 40 and 50,0001, but sir Robert made slight of it,

and said, he believed it might be 10 or 12,000l. for which Robinson had given good security; and that he was responsible to answer double the money, and persuaded the examinant to keep his stock, and pay in upon his shares.

David Avery said, Thomson told him, That if they had gained an Act of parliament, it would have patched them up, and they might have gone on doing business, and people would have been contented, if they had paid interest on their notes, and made dividends without looking after their principal, and that other companies were in as bad a condition as they were, if as strictly inquired into.

John Edwin, esq. a considerable proprietor, being examined, said, That about the beginning of September last, the examinant had a mistrust the Charitable Corporation was not in a good condition, and applied to Mr. Thomas Beake, one of the assistants, and informed him, that he heard the capital was embezzled, and that they had divided out the principal, and that there were not pledges sufficient to answer the money lent; and desired, for the satisfaction of himself and his friends, to inspect their books and accounts; Mr. Beake replied, that if the examinant would write a letter to him, he would carry the same to the Committee, and get it read.

That on the 9th of September, the examinant wrote a letter to Mr. Beake (which he produced to the Committee) which he sent to him, but had no answer in writing, but said, Mr. Beake informed the examinant the next day, that the said letter was read at the Committee, and if he would meet him at the Corporation house on Saturday next, he should be satisfied; the examinant went accordingly, and Mr. Burroughs and Mr. Beake were there; that several books were throwed on the table; that he was told by Burroughs it being Saturday they were in haste; and he had no opportunity to make remarks thereon; but then desired Mr. Burroughs aud Mr. Beake to give directions to Wainwright, to shew the examinant what books and accompts he had a mind to see; upon the Monday following, the examinant went again, but Wainwright was unwilling to give him any insight, or shew the books without farther directions from Burroughs; whereupon the examinant and Wainwright went to Burroughs, who said, he could not shew the books without the order of the Committee, and referred him to attend the Committee the next day; upon which the examinant wrote another letter, dated the 14th of September, to Mr. Beake, complaining of the usage he met with, and went again to the Corporation the day on which the letter was wrote. And when he came to the Corporation house, and the directors were above stairs, sir Archibald Grant came down, and instead of satisfying the examinant, gave him sketches of accounts of their capital, and informed him, that all things were well, and what was rumoured about there being not sufficient pledges in the office and warehouse for the money lent; was groundless, and not to be VOL. VIII.

minded; though some person in the Committee had formerly expressed the same mistrust long time since (and produced to the Committee the said account, which was delivered to sir Archibald Grant by Wainwright, and given to the examinant, which was read) but the examinant applied no more at that time.

That about the middle of May last, the examinant applied to sir Archibald Grant for a history of the Corporation, and at the same time desired to know, if he could tell him, how he might buy some shares. Sir Archibald replied, he could not tell him where to get any; but a few days after, Mr. Higgs made a bargain with the examinant for 200 shares at 67. per share, and sir Archibald Grant appearing in it, the examinant was dissatisfied; whereupon the examinant, in the beginning of June last, applied to six Robert Sutton, and desired to know of him the state of the Corporation, and in case he could give him encouragement, he would buy considerably; who informed him he was very safe, and that their capital was worth 51. per share, and 1,400l. profits on their whole capital. And sir Robert asking the examinant what price he could buy shares at, the examinant replied 57. 15s. upon which sir Robert Sutton lift up his hands with great admiration, and said they were prodigious cheap.

That sir Robert Sutton owned to the examinant in October last, and since Thomson went away, that he had a mistrust in the spring, that the money in Robinson's hands was not safe, and not a good debt; though sir Robert never owned the same to the examinant, upon his application to him in June.

That at the time the examinant was talking with sir Archibald Grant at the Corporation house in the city, the examinant asked him if the court yard and building over against him belonged to the Corporation; sir Archibald replied, it did, and was full of goods: but the examinant has heard since, that the same helonged to Mrs, Crawley.

By a letter dated the 11th of Sept. 1728, from Mr. Robert Mann to Mr. Torriano; viz. Sept. 11, 1728.

"Sir,

All here

I am your affectionate
ROBERT MANN."

By a letter dated the 12th of September, 4 C