1728, from Mr. Torriano to Robert Mann; viz. "Honoured Sir, Randall's, Sept. 12. "I had the favour of your's as soon as I came to town; but the servant you sent was gone, so that I could not write by him.

"I am greatly concerned, that you have so much reason to complain; but upon shewing your letter to Mr. Robinson (which I did with some resentment) he said, it was not his fault, and that he had advised you some time ago to buy shares; and that at present he knows not what to do for you, the price being so advanced. I sold 50 shares myself to-day at 10 guineas a ́share, and I believe I could sell 500 shares at the same price. I do not find a share to be bought, but I hope George Robinson will help you to some a little cheaper. If I am capable to judge any thing, they will very quickly come to 12 or 15. I am very confidently assured; we have the promise of an addition of 200,000l. more, which will add greatly to the value. hear sir John Meres is buying in all he can get. You know I told you I fancied something was a hatching, for I watched them with a jealous eye, and so narrowly, that I happily scraped up a pretty many shares. I believe you thought me too sanguine; but I heartily wish you had been the same. If there is any thing now to be done, be pleased to command me. For you can never conceive how much satisfaction I shall receive, in being capable to approve myself, Sir, your very dutiful and obedient son,

JOHN TORRIANO."

I

"Old Towers is dead. I beg my mother to accept our duties. Be pleased to present our loves and services to the rest of the good company."

By a Letter dated the 13th of September, 1728, from Mr. Mann to Mr. Torriano; viz.

"Dear Jack,

Sept. 13, 1728.

"I thank you for your letter, and have this day received one from Mr. Robinson, in which he tells me, he hath bought 200 shares at 107. 10s. which I shall have if I please, or let alone. They are to be taken on Wednesday next. I have not returned any answer to him till I see you, which I shall desire to do on Sunday next at Chelsea, where I intend to be on Saturday night; but in the mean time, if you can pick me up a hundred or two at a more reasonable price, I shall be glad; or if you think worth while for me to do any thing at that price, pray do, and I'll thank you: But all my fear is, those that have bought at very low prices, will think it worth while to turn out after so great a rise. But I'll be guided now by you. Would I had been so a month ago. I hope to be in town by four to-morrow. Leave word at Randall's, if I send, where you are, unless you go to Putney; then I shall see you some time on Sunday, I hope. My service and love to all, with your mother, is from your affectionate father,

ROBERT MANN."

"Don't let any one know of my writing this to you."

Your Committee have examined the several Committee Men intrusted with the management of the affairs of the said Corporation, and their assistants (except Mr. Whichcot, who is now out of town, and does not appear to have acted since the 16th of October, 1729, and very seldom before) and Mr. Squire, who has withdrawn himself from justice. But several their Examinations consisting partly in excuses of them being Members of this House, and for themselves, and partly to accuse each abridge the same, but have inserted them at other; your Committee did not think proper to large, viz:

of the Committee, being examined, said, That The right honourable sir Robert Sutton, one he had but little share in the management of it, frequently afterwards declared, that he nei the Corporation, and, when he entered upon ther would nor could attend the execution of that when they first entered into business, the ordinary business of the Corporation;

mittee in the ordinary business; and soon after a Committee of Accounts were chosen at a general court of nine gentlemen, who were most of them merchants, or men bred and versed in business and understood accounts; Committee should have voices at the said and afterwards a resolution passed, that all the Committee of Accounts, who always attended and did business: that he was ignorant of accounts, and never sat down at a Committee of Accounts till the 21st of July 1730, and then there were no accounts examined, and thought by that, it was another Committee; but there was not any other Committee at that time, as the Examinant believes or remembers; and that he was assured by those gentlemen, that they did examine the accounts minutely; that two gentlemen of the Committee, or assistants, attend on stated days at the house in the city, were for a long time named and appointed to for the execution of the ordinary business of the Corporation; but that he, the examinant, ed, that his attendance was not expected: and was never of that number; by which it appearbook from the beginning of 1728, till June, if his name appears to be in the Committee 1729, he was not at the Committee above two or three times, was part of the time abroad, non-attendance: that he never heard of any and ill the rest of it, and was excused for his complaint or information, but took pains to have the same rectified; and were redressed; and he never heard of or suspected the great embezzlements, which have been made of the Corporation's effects.

assistants were chosen to assist the Com

had a particular part in obtaining the licence And the examinant further said, That he in 1728, and spoke to the ministry: that it was represented to him by Mr. Burroughs, Mr. Oaker, and Mr. Squire, that they had lent the money, of which their capital consisted, out upon pledges, and assured him that great demands were made by borrowers: that their ca

pital being limited, they could lend no further; and were desirous to have an enlargement; that thereupon the examinant went to lord Townshend's house, and believes sir Robert. Walpole was there, and represented the same to lord Townshend; and that he thought the same was useful and reasonable, and made no great objection against it, and would consider of the quantum; and believes, he said if 200,000l. was added to their capital, it would be all lent in a reasonable time; and be of service to the public.

That in June 1728, the examinant was preparing to go abroad, and on the 11th waited on his Majesty to take his leave, and the same day had sent his equipage before, intending to follow in four or five days: but the wind being contrary, he was detained till the third of July, and then embarked; and does not believe, that he knew when the said licence was signed, or taken out; but believes Burroughs solicited the same, and took it out: that before the examinant went, he ordered stock to be bought for him, as believing, it would improve in value that when he returned home, he found Burroughs had made a great flourish in a speech to the general court upon the same's being obtained; and did not know the same was concealed; and never knew, heard, or suspected, that any money or shares were given in any shape whatever for obtaining the same And he further said, That he applied to lord Townshend about the third licence; and hearing, that the Attorney General in his report was doubtful, whether it was expedient or adviseable to extend the quantum of the joint stock further than it was, when so many companies were subsisting in the city of London with large transferable stocks: upon this, the examinant, sir Archibald Grant, and Mr. Bond, waited on the Attorney General, and desired to know, if he received any complaint, information, or representation, against the grant of the enlargement, upon which he grounded his doubt; he said he had received none, but was the result of his own thoughts that before the licence was dispatched, lord Townshend quit- | ted his office, and the examinant never applied in person to lord Harrington, and do not know who signed the petition to his majesty for the said licence, but believes, the same was drawn up by the gentlemen of the Committee, and presented; believes Burroughs and Squire solicited the same through all the offices; but lay a long time before it was taken out: that Thomson came to the examinant, and said, he was ordered to take out the said licence, but being a stranger at the Secretary's office, desired he would write a letter for the delivery thereof; and the examinant wrote a letter to Mr. Tilson to deliver the same to Thomson, who would pay the fees: that he does not know any application was made by a general court for the same, and was not concerned in the concealment of it, or knew it was concealed; but believed the obtaining the said licence generally known.

And the examinant further said, that when the Corporation first began to lend money, and were in a good way, the examinant seldom attended. It was thought proper at a Committee, that assistants should be chose to assist the Committee; sir John Meres declared his opinion at first, that the choice of them might be delayed for some short time, there being no immediate occasion for them; and does not remember, he afterwards opposed their being chosen; and does not know it was objected to the issuing of notes; but has seen by looking on the minutes, that some doubts were made, and is confident sir John Meres did not oppose the issuing of notes; and knows of no opposition made by sir John Meres against the erecting a house in the city; or had given the examinant any intimation about embezzlements; if he had, the examinant would have been alarmed, and sir John must have been so likewise, they both being largely concerned.

And the examinant said, he did not know of any sums of money, or Charitable Corporation shares, given to any persons absolutely, or only upon their notes, or of any shares being sold at an under price to members of parliament for their assistance, or any other person: That the examinant remembers, it was either before or at the beginning of the Corporation's being before the parliament, the examinant and sir Archibald Grant were together, either in the House of Commons or about it; sir Thomas Robinson came to them, and said, he was desirous to purchase some Corporation shares, and believes, be mentioned about 500; and he was told, he should address himself to Thomson, or Robinson, who transacted those affairs. Sir Thomas said, he did not know them, and desired them to speak about them: The examinant did not, but believes sir Archibald undertook to get some, and believes they were procured; and the examinant said, he asked no favour, but was willing to give the market price; and believes shares were then at 6l. per share; and sir Thomas desired the examinant to pay 1,900l. to Burroughs and Thomson, whom he did not know, in part for the said shares, and gave bank notes to the examinant for that sum. That after the examinant had the same, Burroughs came to him about the fifth of April, and acquainted the examinant, that he had occasion for money, and pressed him to let him have 1,000l. The examinant thinks, be paid it him the same day, and told Burroughs, if Thomson and he would come to-morrow, he would pay the remainder of the money he had received from sir, Thomas Robinson, the said shares being bought of Thomson and Burroughs; and the next day being the sixth of April, they came; and the examinant paid the remainder of the notes he had received from sir Thomas to them, and cannot positively swear, that he was by when the remainder of the shares were paid for by sir Thomas to sir Archibald Grant, but believes, he was; and does not remember any note was delivered by sir Archibald to sir Thomas Robinson, and does not remember, he

And being asked, what the price of Shares were at that time; the examinant said, Shares were never at a settled price, and but few brokers dealt in them; but believes the price was 61. per share.

And being asked, if he knew of any demand made by any person for services done the Corporation; examinant said, That he heard Mr. Mann mentioned to some of the gentlemen of the Committee in the committee room; that Mr. Hughes has complained to him of being neglected for the services done by him for the Corporation; and that he did expect a reward for the services he had done. Being asked, what services he understood those to be, the examinant replied, he understood them to be services done in and out of parliament. That the same was received with scorn and indignation by the gentlemen present; that this was mentioned after the rising of last session of parliament; that he was not present at any consultation relating to any books, but remembers Burroughs, and some others, speaking about books of orders and instructions to be laid before the House; that he was present at a Committee the 30th of March, 1731, when Wainwright sent an order of the House of Commons for laying their dividend book, and book of orders, before them: That the three books of orders and instructions were sent, and knows of no debate about them; but it was taken for granted, these were the books called for, and the only books, which answered the order of the House of Commons.

The honourable Walter Molesworth, esq. one other of the Committee, being examined, said, That he did not know of any mismanagements in the Corporation, until Robinson and Thomson were gone: That after the general court preceding Thomson's going off, and looking over a half yearly account, saw John Thomson was a considerable debtor to the Corporation; and asking the meaning of it, Venables told the examinant, that he supposed many of the goods sold at the sales were not fetched away, but remained in the warehouse to be put up again; and hearing then, that Thomson had not accounted for the last sales, which was near twelve or fourteen months, the examinant took an alarm, and went and acquainted sir Robert Sutton with the same, who would scarce believe it; and the next morning early, the examinant went into the city to Thomson, who said he was very ill; but the examinant got him down into the cashier and accomptant's office, and then asked him the meaning why he had not accounted for the last sale; Thomson said,

name of redemptions; but owned, it was irregular, and told the examinant, that he would shew it him when he was well; upon which the examinant asked Mr. Venables and Mr. Wainwright, who seemed to acquiesce with Thomson; admitting, that it might possibly be, as he had said; and the examinant at the same time told him, he insisted upon his making out the said account demonstrably against the next Committee day; that afterwards the examinant went again, and sir Robert Sutton with him, into Thompson's room, who had a person with him, and staid two hours, and nothing was mentioned, and went away; but the examinant not being easy went back, and had the doors of the several rooms opened, and brought Thomson to the Committee, where he repeated what he had before said to the examinant; and the whole board acquiesced on his promise to clear up this matter; but complained he was very ill. And the examinant said, it was the first time he had a suspicion of any thing, which however was suspended in hopes of the account be promised; That the said Thomson went away that night, as the examinant was informed; at that time the goods were lotted out, in order to a sale, which the examinant has heard was to be styled a 30,000l. sale, and was to have been in a few days.

And being asked if an Account was laid before the Committee, by which they were to declare the last dividend, the examinant said, he believed there was; and does not remember any debate at the Committee about the dividend, but believes there was a discourse (but whether at a Committee, or without doors, the examinant does not remember) of dividing 3s. 6d. or 3s. per share, but the dividend was declared at 3s. And the examinant further said, that he does not know, that Robinson or Thomson took in any shares of the Corporation for any person in their own names, or in trust for them, or that they ever paid in any money on augmented shares; and does not know of any money or shares given to any persons for obtaining either of the licences, or of any sums of money or shares given to any person, or upon their notes, whilst the Corporation affairs was before the parliament, or that any demand was made for services performed by any person.

And the examinant said, That he has taken notice of the large sums of money, which were in Robinson's hands, to sir Robert Sutton, sir Archibald Grant, Mr. Burroughs and Squire, at a Committee, and could not imagine what reason could be given for the same, when the Corporation were to give him 17. per cent. for circulating their notes. The examinant was answered by Burroughs and Squire, that it was impossible for Robinson to negotiate the same without a considerable sum of money always in his hands; but hoped it would be but for a short time, for in their judgment their notes would be taken like the Bank or South-Sea notes at a preinium. That when the examinant has contended for having the warehouses inspected,

Burroughs and Squire have pleaded against it, and sir Archibald Grant used to nod, as assenting to what they had said; that the examinant repeated the same motion of having the warehouses inspected a short time before the general court, which was held in September last, and before Thomson and Robinson went away; giving it for a reason, that the proprietors should have that satisfaction; it was urged by Burroughs and Squire, that if any such thing was to be put in execution, it would run down the stock; and represented, that Robinson having so large a share in the capital, it would be cutting the grass under our own feet, and be of great detriment to Robinson; and the examinaut also said, that he has often persuaded sir Robert Sutton to exert himself, and not to be governed by Burroughs and Squire, &c. but took little notice; and, when he was at the Committee, frequently took the news-papers and perused them, neglecting the business for which they met. That the examinant has often gone beyond decency with sir Robert, to engage him to give more attention to the business of the Corporation.

any

That when this examinant has made motions for the service of the Corporation. he has been sometimes supported by Mr. Torriano, and sometimes by sir Robert Sutton, who 'has said, Why is not that complied with? for it is right it should be so: That Mr. Aislabie seldom attended, and Mr. Bond but very little in the examinant's time, and Mr. Mann but sometimes; That the examinant thought a great indolence reigned among the directors for some time past; Mr. Burroughs acting as chairman and secretary for near 12 months, had thereby a great opportunity of obstructing or diverting motions if he disliked them. And the examinant said, he has seen things entered in the minutes, which he is satisfied, were never once mentioned in his hearing; and does not remember, he ever heard any debate about books proper to be laid before the House. And the examinant further, said, that he never saw Jones till the last session of parliament, when he came to this House, and had a paper in his breast, and complained of injustice done him by the Corporation; The examinant asked, how; Jones said, by their private sales, and depriving him of his 21. per cent. commission; and said, he would print that paper, which would answer the Corporation's case paragraph by paragraph; Upon which the examinant desired to see it, hut Jones would not, but read a paragraph out of the same, relating to private sales, and does not remember that Jones said, he was a cheque on Thomson, or of fictitious pledges; and that if he had read any such thing, he should have been alarmed; whereas he has since laid out above 5,000l. in the stock; and does not remember any thing was mentioned about a register.

And being asked, if he was present at the making out the 60,000l. notes, examinant said, he did not remember the making of them out; That one day he came late to the Corporation

House, when the said notes were cancelling, and he helped to burn them; and has heard that bonds were issued; and was not at the Committee, when they were resolved upon, which as he understood were meant merely to be exchanged for due notes; and does not know of any dispute had, at the Committee about them; and does not know council's opinion was taken relating to the issuing the said bonds; and heard that sir Archibald Grant, Squire, Burroughs, and sir Robert Sutton, met Robinson at the tavern, and give him their words of honour, that he should have 4,000l. bonds to exchange for notes upon his representation that he was discredited, if it was perceived that the company distrusted him, and left him nothing to transact in their affairs. This examinant likewise understood that Robinson made this a condition of his complying with the mortgage of his estate to sir Robert Sutton in trust for the company.

Sir Archibald Grant, baronet, one other of the Committee, being examined, said, That he was concerned with Thomson in two minerals, One in North Britain, and the other in Norway; and had acquainted the inspectors and commissioners of bankruptcy with the same, and knows not of any other partnership; Was also concerned with Robinson in buying York stock, who managed the same, and has accounted for the same with the examinant; That Thomson has frequently bought shares for the examinant, and paid for them, which the examinant accounted for; and does not remember, that Robinson ever bought any for bim; and had likewise paid all or more than his proportion of the charges expended about carrying on the mines: And likewise concerned with the said Thomson in a lease from lord Lisburne of grounds in Wales, for which 200 guineas were paid; and the examinant bas paid his proportion of that and all charges: And in a glass work in North Britain; a fifth part of two fishing bushes; and has paid 350l. part of the expence due from him; and remains unpaid 1927. In another lease of grounds in Wales, in which was a copper vein, but paid nothing except 10. or 157. for charges, which was laid out in making trial of the same, and is elapsed for not working the same; and has had money transactions with Thomson from the year 1724; and an account current with him for Bills of Exchange remitted to Scotland, and from thence to London; and when the same was stated in May last, a balance of 4371. 4s. 6d. 2 was then due to Thomson; for which the examinant gave him a note, of which 561. 6s, is since paid; so that he is now indebted to Thomson 3807. or thereabouts: and does not recollect to have had any other dealings with him, excepting some Bills of Exchange, which were paid as due, and did not enter into ac count; and perhaps some inconsiderable loans of money, which were soon repaid, and did not therefore enter into the account; and also a sum of 3,120l. which the examinant raised upon his shares, and paid to Thomson in 1728,