The people of England's grievances offered to be enquired into, and redress'd by their representatives in Parliament

The People of England's GRIEVANCES offered to be Enquired into, and Redress'd by their Representatives in Parliament.

THE present Government, under which we expected so much Happiness, doth so sensibly decay in the good Opinion and Affections of all sorts of People, that nothing but the timely Help of the approaching Parliament can pre∣vent those dangers which otherwise the general Want of Affection in too many Men of all ranks seem to portend unto it.

On Monday, the first day of the Term, Westminster-hall was filled with loud Complaints and Threatenings against the great Men, for Imprisoning Peers and Commoners contrary to Law. One brave Peer, whose great Years cannot abate the Fervour of his juvenile Courage, by which he rendred himself so famous, and enobled his Posterity, spake aloud against Foreigners, and foreign Counsels; his Share in the Go∣vernment could not prevail with him to hide its Defects and wrong measures, to the astonishment of the Hearers: And the very same day at the Royal Exchange, as if the Citizens had been acted with the same Spirit of Discontent, they talked loudly of their Losses by Sea, and the Male-administration of the Navy, cursing the Dutch, and reciting their Losses since the Revolution, to the value of several Millions. The two or three next days following, and ever since, we have heard our Sea-men bitterly cursing in the Streets for want of their Pay; and our Land-Forces, newly arrived from Flanders, cursing as bitterly for their ill Usage there: Nay, the very Officers that are come from thence, and some of them Members of Parliament, curse the Dutch as bitterly in private as their Soldiers do in the Streets: They tell us, without re∣serve, of the unequal treatment abroad of them and the Dutch; these are paid, while they and their Men scarce have Subsistance; and yet they must be called out to fight the Battels, in truth, of the Dutch, who stand looking on, and must not come to their Relief.

The Common People are also querelous in almost all places, they complain aloud of the Weight and Number of our Taxes, while Books are written, complaining of the Male-administration from the first over∣sight in not relieving Ireland; as also of the loss of so many brave En∣glish-men

for want of being relieved and succoured at the Battel of Steyn∣kirk; as likewise the Miscariage of the Descent. From these Books, and the free Discourses of such true Patriots as wrote them, the Nation is perfectly informed how empty we are left of Stores and Ammunition, by the consumption of those King James left, to the value of Thirteen hundred thousand Pounds, and by sending abroad great Trains of Ar∣tillery. By them we come to know that foreign Commodities are ri∣sen 30 per Cent. and that ours are fallen 20 per Cent. That great num∣bers of Land-men, Natives of this Kingdom, were press'd against Law, and the Liberty of the Subject, for Sea service, and sold into Flanders against their Consent. That our best Coin is exported into Holland and Flanders, and a great part of it there clipt and demolished; and that our Forces are there abused with the change of our Guineas which have escaped melting down. That above two hundred thousand En∣glish men have been lost by the War since the Revolution; and that the Government hath spent above two and twenty Millions, and (as pre∣tended) is six in debt, or thereabouts. That Parliament Men have been closetted of late, and that in Flanders, as well as England. That Conspiracies and Associations have been forged against Peers and Com∣moners; and the Forgers of them, though so palpably detected, not prosecuted till lately, that the Parliament was ready to meet, who had voted that the Attorney General should proceed against Fuller. That a free-born English-man hath been tortured in Scotland by order from England, against all Law and Example; and also against Law con∣fined, and so continues without new Evidence, after he had endured Torture. That Men of all degrees are injured and opprest more than ever, with enormous and excessive Fines and Bail, against the Articles of Government. That places of Trust, both Civil and Military, are sold; and that the Kingdom is full of foreign Forces, to the terrour of our own People. That the publick Moneys, given and designed solely for the defence and preservation of the Nation, have been misapplied, of which, though many Instances might be given, I shall for brevity sake onely instance in one: It appears by the publick Accompts delive∣red in to Parliament, that two thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds were paid to the Earl of Sunderland, one excepted out of the Act of Grace; and to whom the Nation is onely indebted, for the dreadfull Calamities (the Effects of his Management and Advices) which have befaln it.

These things, and many more which might be recited, have bred in many an Indifferency for the Government, who were before well af∣fected to it; and others dislike it to that degree, as to wish for a Com∣mon-wealth, or any thing that may give them Ease. It is the great Zeal I have to prevent the ruine of my Countrey, as much as lies in my

single Capacity, that makes me write this short Summary of our Grie∣vances, and set it in the view of our Representatives, who are onely capable to make an effectual Enquiry into the true Causes of them, and remove them. Some of them indeed are apparently the Causes of o∣thers; but there is undoubtedly some general Cause or Causes of them all: And if the Voice of the People, by which I understand People of all ranks, speaks truth, Dutch Counsels and Dutch Measures of acting are the true source of all these Mischiefs; or else, how come they to curse the Dutch, in the Court and in the Camp, in the City and in the Country, by Sea and Land, both here and in Flanders; and the English Hatred of the French is turning apace, in all sorts of Men, into an Hatred of the Dutch: Our very Soldiers by Sea and Land, as well as their Commanders, wish for a War against the Dutch; and Parliament Men enough complain, that they shall never get some Bills pass for the benefit of this Kingdom, because they are contrary to the Interest of the Dutch.

I must avow, I cannot tell what need an English King hath of Dutch Counsellours: It is enough that he govern by them in the Ʋnited Pro∣vinces, and by Englishmen in England; as if he were crowned King of France, (for which some hope his good Fortune reserves him,) he must not expect to govern that Kingdom by English Counsels; for the French would never endure English Ministers, or English Counsels, or English Forces; nor do I know why the English should endure the Dutch.

It is the Expectation of all true Englishmen, that the Parliament will at last remove this Cause of our Calamities, before they give any more Money; but if they do not, they will give to their own and our De∣struction, and repent when it is too late.

His Majesty being King of England, as such is one of the greatest crowned Heads of Europe, and it would be an unspeakable Satisfaction to his People, if he would be pleased to quit his Stadtholdership in Hol∣land; for England and the Ʋnited Provinces are Rivals for the Trade of the World, and as such have mighty crossing and interfering Interests, and will be always jealous of one another.

Another Cause of our Calamities, proceeding in part from the for∣mer, is, as many suspect, the Corruption of some Members of Parlia∣ment, who do not give but sell their Votes. This is a great reproach to our Nation, under a Reforming Government, and hath been the Com∣plaint of some in the House, as well as without doors; and it is the desire and expectation of all true Englishmen, before any more of our Money be given, that the Commissioners appointed and enabl••d to ex∣amine the publick Accompts of the Kingdom, do take and require an Accompt upon Oath from the respective Officers, of all the Pensions, Salaries, and Summs of Money, paid or payable out of the Revenue or

otherwise, to Members of Parliament, and that Accompt so taken be delivered into Parliament. No sound Member can oppose such an En∣quiry, and if upon making of it any Pensioners (as they are called) can be found, it will be an Honour to the House, and a Satisfaction to the Nation, to have the House purged of them; or if none should be found, it will yet be a greater Honour to the House, and a full Satisfaction to the People, to know there are no such Members among them in this Re∣formed Reign.

These are some among many other Enquiries, which we hope our Representatives will make, and redress what Grievances they find, be∣fore they give any more of our Money; the Love of their Groaning Countrey, and their Honour as Englishmen, and as Trustees of the English People, we cannot but think will oblige them to it.

I have said nothing of the General Excise, because it cannot enter into my Heart to think that the Conservators of our Liberties will lay Im∣positions upon the Necessaries of Life; for though a Nation may en∣dure it whereof nine parts in ten live on Trade, yet it can never be endu∣red long in a Country where the same proportion live upon Land, and not on Trade, as the Dutch do. I speak of a General Excise, which takes in Bread, Flesh, Salt, Soap, Tallow, Leather, or other Commodi∣ties, absolutely necessary for the Subsistance of the poor as well as the rich of the Nation, which I aver will ruine our Countrey, and if it be not so General will not answer the Ends for which it is imposed: The fourth or fifth Penny will go away in such a General Excise, which is as much as most people lay up, or can lay up for their Children; but if that share must go to the Government out of our necessary Expences, God be mercifull unto us, and to the miserable Posterity which we shall leave behind us. I shall say nothing of the Legions of Excise-men which must then live upon our Vitals. The French will be then by much the happier People, when this Gabell shall be established: Some say it shall be given but for the time the War shall last; but I say, if it once be given, the Government will never want a pretence of Necessity to keep it up in time of Peace as well as War; and when it is once up, adieu to free Parliaments, and then who shall pull it down?

It is already given in the Intention of some; for one Parker, Agent for the Dutch Bankers, is come out of Holland with a Plan or Method, there contrived, of raising it here in England; and with a proposition, that the Dutch Bankers, who cannot but be supposed to doe it by the Direction of the States General, will advance some Millions on that Fond, as soon as granted; by which they will in a short time devour the whole Treasure of the Nation: For in Holland Money is put out but at 3 per Cent. and for Money put into the Exchequer here 8 per Cent. is allowed: So that the Dutch will thereby be clear Gainers 5 per Cent.

and 6 per Cent. for remitting our Money into Holland. Wherefore such an Excise will not onely impoverish our Countrey, but enslave us to the Dutch, by enriching them, and helping to maintain greater Num∣bers of foreign Forces, who have no Principle, but to fight for ••ay. It is found by Experience, that they will fight as they are commanded, as well against as for our Religion and Liberties. Duke Schomberg's Declaration in Dauphiny (as in the original French) hath helped to open our Eyes; and it is most certain, that Foreigners in the Confederacy fight more for our Money than the Protestant Religion, and make new Bar∣gains against every Campaign.

I shall not presume to direct our Representatives what is fit to be le∣vied for the carrying on of the War; but I must beg leave to acquaint them, that as it is not to be doubted but that they will be minded of their Promise, to make up the Poll▪ Bill 1300000 l. which is said not to amount to above 800000 l. so it is to be hoped, before they give the remaining Balance, 500000 l. they will please to enquire, whether for carrying on the Descent which was to be made into France, the full num∣ber of 38000 Men were raised and paid, that being the Quota assigned for that particular Service in the Account of 65000 Men to be raised and maintained for one whole year, for the defraying of the Charges where∣of the Parliament so frankly gave the full Summ demanded.

And before I conclude I shall take Liberty to acquaint our Representa∣tives in Parliament, that the Nation expects that they shall either ap∣propriate what they give this Session to the use of the War, and ap∣point Commissioners to receive it, and issue out the payments of it to that intent and purpose, and no other; or in case they think not fit to do this, then it will be expected, that they will make all Officers what∣soever, appointed to receive and issue out any of the said Money, liable to the penalties of perpetual Disability for any Office, Civil or Mili∣tary, and an Incapacity to sit in either House of Parliament, if they or any of them shall issue out or misapply any of the said Money to any other use or purpose; as also to an Action from any person or persons who shall advance Mony, or furnish any Stores or Habiliments for War by Sea or Land upon the Fond of the said Money, which shall be appro∣priated to the aforesaid Use.

It is also to be desired, that they will require all English Officers, Civil and Military, to bring a true Account of the just Arrears due to them, and all Persons employed under them on the publick Service, and vote all such Arrears to be paid out of some Branch of the publick Revenue, as may be most easie to the Kingdom.

But it is to be hoped when you enquire into the Receipt of the Mony brought into the Exchequer this last year, and the Disbursements, there will there remain money, more than sufficient, to pay all Arrears due

to the Land and Sea Forces; for the Customs have this last year clearly brought in Eight hundred thousand pounds, the hereditary Excise Six hundred thousand, the double Excise Four hundred thousand, the small Branches of the Revenue Forty thousand, the Land Tax Sixteen hun∣dred thousand, and admit that the quadruple Poll brought in but Eight hundred thousand pound, the total of this Year's receipts amounts to Four Millions, two hundred and forty thousand pounds; which, with Eighteen Millions given before, since the Revolution, amounts to above Two and twenty Millions, received by the Government: And if that hath not been sufficient to defray the Charge of the War, and all the necessary Expences of the Government, with a Summ remaining in Banck sufficient to discharge all Arrears, then the Nation must sink under the Burthen, unless our Representatives can find out a way to lessen the Charge of the Government, and encrease the Riches of the Kingdom.

And whether or no that will not in a great measure be done by open∣ing our Trade with France, (even during the continuance of the War) will be worth their Consideration. A Member of the House of Com∣mons, who is a Commissioner for the Revenue in Ireland, can testifie that the Customes there encreased this year to the value of Twenty five thousand Pounds, by the Import of 2500 Tun of French Wine, brought in pursuant to the Articles of Limerick; and if our Trade with France be not opened, we shall still have French Wines and other Commodities from thence brought in to us by the Danes, Swedes, and Dutch; the last whereof, as well as our Allies in Flanders, have lately taught us by Ex∣perience, that a Commerce of Trade is not inconsistent with a State of War. We had much better have in our own Bottoms what have been and will be brought to us by Foreigners: For, not to instance in other French Merchandises, it is notoriously known that we have had Cham∣paigne Wine (the undeniable Product of France) by the way of Flanders and Holland, at so great a rate it could not be sold in Taverns here for less than 10 s. a Flask.

Foreigners thus carrying away our Trade, is a great Grievance; and if this, with our other Grievances be redress'd, and Care be taken that no more Money be given than what is absolutely necessary for the Pre∣servation and Safety of the Nation, and that what be given be duly ap∣plied for the uses intended, the People will part with their Money the more chearfully, and more moderate Taxes than what we are now affrigh∣ted with the Apprehensions of will defray the necessary Expences of the War.

If any of our Representatives shall not think fit for private ends of their own to doe these things, and shall prefer their own private Gain and Advancement before the publick Good; such must expect that the

People will never more chuse them to serve in Parliament: But we hope for better things, and are willing to believe they will approve them∣selves to be the true Conservators of the Liberties of England, and to take care to redress our Grievances, particularly in dismissing all foreign Forces, and justly and duly paying all our English by Sea and Land, which will so encourage our Soldiers, and unite us all at home, that no true hearted Englishman will be terrified or affrighted with the apprehension or rumour of any foreign Invasion whatsoever.

Having in this Paper taken notice of the Barbarity used towards a free-born Englishman in Scotland, by Torture and Imprisonment contra∣ry to Law; that I may not seem partial, by concealing the Inhumanity lately used towards Prisoners in England, I shall give an Instance of such Barbarity, that I was very unwilling to credit the Relation, till I was throughly convinced of the Truth from the solemn Asseverations made by persons of undoubted Credit and Reputation.

Two Foreigners and an Englishman were committed this last Summer Prisoners to Newgate as Spies, by a Warrant from a Minister of State, and by Order kept in Irons under so close a Confinement, that no per∣son, except the Gaolers, was permitted for a long time to speak to them, see them, or send them any Relief; and if the Irons did not enter their Souls, it did so deeply their Flesh, that Major Richardson, now or lately Keeper of Newgate, and not much fam'd for Tenderheartedness, was moved in Compassion towards them, of his own accord, to strike off their Irons, give them Plaisters to heal their Sores, and move the Ld. Ch. Just. that they might be brought to Tryal; but his Lordship seeing their Mittimus, was pleased to say, Being committed as Spies, they were Prisoners of State, and he could take no cognizance of them; therefore their Names were not inserted into the Calendar of the Prisoners, which every Sessions is presented to the Judges, in order to the Gaol-Delivery. Major Richardson afterward made Application on their behalf to the Mi∣nister of State by whose Order they were committed, who with a more than usual Clemency was pleased to reply, KNOCK THEM ON THE HEAD; and, as if to induce him to obey his Order, said, No Body knew where they were, nor could any discover but from him what became of them: And what is become of them is very worthy to be inquir'd into by the Parliament, who upon Enquiry will find, that one of the afore∣said Prisoners by his barbarous Usage is so distracted, that he is fitter to be an Inhabitant of Bedlam than Newgate; and if any Humanity hath been shewed to any of them, it hath onely been very lately, upon the approach of the Sitting of the Parliament.

FINIS.