4. "Colonel Hastings's agent hath presumed fraudulently to detain five hundred guineas out of a bounty given by your, majesty to the officers of that regiment, under pretence of being given them as a bribe to obtain the same, to the dishonour of your majesty, and injury to the officers thereof; and hath taken two pence per pound out of the money due to the officers and soldiers, for which deduction there being no warrant, the colonel whose servant the agent is, is answerable. 5. "Colonel Hastings's agent hath refused or neglected to give an account of the pay due to the captains of his regiment and their companies, which tends apparently to the defrauding the officers and soldiers. 6. "Some of the agents assume to themselves the liberty of making great deductions, which since they know not how to justify, they endeavour to cover by putting them under the shelter of the uncertain head of Contingencies, which giveth them the better opportunity of hiding the frauds and abuses that would otherwise be more liable to be detected. 7. "Colonel Hastings hath discharged an ensign, by put ting another into his room, contrary to the true discipline of an army, from which the colonels have no right to exempt themselves, to enlarge their own authority, to the prejudice of your majesty's service and of the officers who serve under them. 8. "Colonel Hastings hath taken money for the recommending to commands in his regiment, to the great discouragement of the officers who are to serve in your majesty's armies, who ought to be such as deserve their commands, and not such as pay for them. "These things we most humbly represent to your majesty in confidence of having them redressed by your majesty's justice and wisdom." To this representation his majesty answered: "Gentlemen, "I will consider your representation, and take all care possible to have the grievances redressed." This This power, and the virtue of their proceedings, stimulated the house to pursue their investigation, when it was discovered that the Commissioners for Licensing Hackneycoaches, the East India company, and even some of the principal characters of the city of London, were hot exempt from this species of corruption. An universal murmur now took place, as though venality had overspread the nation; and that the court, the camp, the city, and even the parliament were infected. But the house of commons still persisting in its integrity, resolved to fathom the reigning iniquity, and appointed a committee of the following members, who were impowered to send for persons and papers. Paul Foley, esquire, Foote Onslow, esquire, Thomas Pelham, esquire, Francis Gwyn, esquire. These gentlemen began their scrutiny by inspecting the books of the East India Company. This induced a discovery, that from the year 1688 to 1694 inclusive, no less a sum than 107,0137. 12s. 7d. had been discharged for Special Purposes ! The business of the city had something more glaring, and therefore we are more particular in our detail; not that the magistracy were in fault for paying a price for an indulgence which was to be purchased; but that there should exist characters in the highest stations of life, who possessed venality so bare-faced, as to dispose of their consciences for such iniquitous considerations. The corporation of London had, for many ages taken the guardianship of her orphan children, and their property, under protection. Whence this originated, history does not inform us; but the first mention we find of the Orphans Fund, is in the year 1391, at which time it must have been of some continuance, since two thousand marks were then borrowed out of it to purchase corn during a dearth. By public casualties, and the many misfortunes lately suffered, the the city was at this time, indebted to her orphans and other creditors, in the sum of 747,500l. a sum not likely to be discharged without the authority of a national act, which had several times been solicited in vain; for the bills brought into parliament for that purpose were always neglected. The citizens, however, in order to obtain their wishes, and to relieve the distresses of the orphans, thought no method likely to be more effectual, than to engage some of the members to do that for interest, which they could not be prevailed on to do from principles of justice! A business so notoriously and cruelly infamous, called forth the severest strictures, and the following statement fully discovered the scandalous practices which had been used to injure the city, already se much distressed. "The Report of the Committee, appointed, Jovis, Septimo Martii, 1694, to inspect the Chamberlain of London's Books, and that they have Power to send for Persons and Papers. "Your committee found an order of the common council for the city of London, dated the 24th of January, 1693, which nominated and appointed Sir Thomas Stamp, Sir Francis Child, Sir James Houblon, and Sir William Hedges, knights and aldermen ; Sir H. Furnace, knight, Mr. Deputy Ayres, Mr. Gilbert Heathcott, Mr. John Johnson, colonel Thomas Cuthbert, Mr. Thomas Cuddon, Mr. John Harvey, and Mr. D. Dorville, commoners, or any two of the said aldermen, and four of the said commoners, to be a committee to consider of ways and means for satisfying the debts due to the orphans of this city, and to solicit the parliament for a bill for that purpose, in which it is ordered, "That Mr. Chamberlain do from time to time, issue out and pay all such sums of money as are required by and necessary for the said committee, for promoting the said service; and the members who serve for this city in parliament, are desired to be assisting to the said committee, as there shall be occasion; and Mr. Borrett, the city solicitor, is to attend the said committee. "Your committee found an order made by the said committee, dated the 12th day of February, 1693, reciting the said order of common council; and ordered that Mr. Chamberlain do pay to the honourable Sir John Trevor, knt. Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons, the sum of ONE THOUSAND GUINEAS, as soon as a bill be passed into an act of parliament for satisfying the debts of the orphans and other creditors of the said city: which order was subscribed by all the said committee appointed by common council, except Sir James Houblon and Mr. deputy Ayres, and on the back of the said order, was this indorsement, viz. "The within mentioned one thousand guineas, were delivered and paid unto the honorable Sir John Trevor, this 22d day of June, 1694, in the pre sence of "Sir R. CLAYTON, Sir J. HOUBLON, "Which at 22 s. exchange, comes to 11007." "In the Chamberlain's account of the cash, the entry is thus: "Paid the 22d June, 1694, by order of the committee (appointed by order of the common council, to consider of ways and means for satisfying the debts due to the orphans and other creditors of the city, and to solicit the parliament for a bill to that purpose) dated the 12th of February last, one thousand guineas being paid to the honorable Sir John Trevor, knt. Speaker of the Honorable House of Commons, pursuant to the said order, which at twenty-two shillings exchange, is one thousand one hundred pounds *. The * The evidence of Mr. Dorville, before the committee of the house, stated, "That he had subscribed the order of the city committee; and whilst he was attending in the lobby of the house of commons, on account of the orphans, Mr. George Finch, a merchant, told him, "If there were not some guineas given, that bill would not go on';" and added, "that two thousand guineas were necessary to give to the Speaker." Sir James Houblon had refused to sign the order of the city committee twice, as a thing which he conceived to be abhorrent; but on Sir Robert Clayton's request, he went to his house, where he found the Chamberlain, when they all together, went to the Speaker, to give him thanks for the pains he had taken in forwarding the Orphan's bill. And as soon as Sir Robert and himself had paid their compliments, the Chamberlain pulled out a note or bill, which he delivered to the Speaker; Sir James The consequence of these reports was, that the house of commons came to several resolutions; among others were the following: "That Sir John Trevor, Speaker of this house, receiving a gratuity of One Thousand Guineas from the city of London, after passing of the Orphan's bill, is guilty of a high crime ånd misdemeanour." After this, Sir John Trevor, absenting himself, the house elected Paul Foley, esquire, Speaker, in his room. It was also further resolved, "That Sir John Trevor, late Speaker, being guilty, &c. be expelled this house." Mr. Hungerford was expelled at the same time; and Sir Thomas Cooke being sent to the Tower, an act passed to oblige him to account for monies belonging to the East India Company *. These measures were followed up by various impeachments, which being irrelevant, are not detailed: but we cannot avoid relating some of the delays which had been resorted to, till the golden summum bonum to the Speaker, &c. had removed all difficulties in the future expedition of the bill. On the 27th of November, 1691, the lord mayor, &c. presented a petition to the House of Commons, praying leave James was not acquainted with the contents of the note, till the Chamberlain on their return home, told him it was an order for one thousand one hundred pounds, which the Speaker sent for within two days after, when it was paid and acknowledged. Some curious items for drawing and altering the Orphan's bill, and the petitions and orders relating to it, are worthy of observation : £. s. d. February 19th. Paid Mr. Solicitor-general, for his advice 5 5 0 12th. March 23d. Mr. Harecourt, by order Mr. Joddrell, as by his bill 5 5 21 0 0 60 9 6 * These instruments of depravity were so confident in their measures of plunder, as to recommend a present of fifty thousand pounds to the king, if he would so far waive his prerogative, that an act might be passed for settling the affairs of the East India company; but were informed-" that the king would not meddle in such matters!" to |