|

sustenance.

Then was the time when no less sum than 252,4671. was squandered amongst those mercenary wretches in less than three years; and it is well known who was then Lord Treasurer. Then was the time when a hungry member was sure of a Dinner at one or other of the public tables kept about Westrainster, and which very lately began to be set up again, to feed the betrayers of their country: and that they might be at hand, sir John Copleston and sir Richard Wiseman were then allowed to keep open houses at the foot of the Parliament-stairs. So numerous were these hirelings in that illustrious body, that if any point were there carried on England's side, it was often but by the poor majority of two or three voices. And I cannot but remember upon this occasion a story (for the truth whereof I can undertake); There

was a contended election in that house of commons between Mr. Trenchard and Mr. Bertie: and it being carried for Mr. Bertie, the lord O Brian, who was related to the then Lord Treasurer, came in triumph to him with the news, and said, My lord! we have carried the day, and voted thirteen more than one and twenty.' -The nation groaned under the burden of these inglorious and wicked practices, which ripened us for ruin; and to this day their sad effects are very sensibly felt. We then trafficked away the peace of Europe; and to that Corruption is owing the growth, and hitherto unsubdued power of France. If to sell the determination difference between private persons be of any held in the highest detestation, how justly execrable then do those render themselves who traffic away nations and the rights of a free-born people? We have a famous instance of the transcendent justice of our nation, in the case of the great and learned lord chancellor Bacon: he was thrown down from his high station upon an accusation of bribery, though all that then was positively proved against him was his allowing a servant to accept a present of a set of beaten silver buttons."

The practice was, that besides a dinner, when they had done any eminent piece of service, every one found under his plate such a parcel of guineas, as it was thought his day's work had merited.

[D] Mr. Speaker, I do fully agree with the worthy person near me, that there never were greater and more general instances of Corrupion, and necessity of speedy remedy. That it is very fit this house should let the world see that they are in earnest. I ask leave to put you in mind, what practice and arts have been used to stifle and stop your discovery, so that what you have is, as it were, by the utmost force and constraint. You cannot wonder at it, when you now find so great a man at the bottom; but there is no person in a post so high that this house cannot reach, no man's practice or art so deep that this house cannot discover. Here have been all imaginary endeavours used to obstruct this enquiry. First, his majesty's name was made use of at the committees, with hopes perhaps that that might stop any farther enquiry; and if it were made use of there, you may reasonably expect it was made use of elsewhere: but that appeared to be so far from being a matter of reflection on the king, that sir Josiah Child often complained of it as a rudeness to his majesty, that what other kings had yearly as a present, they had not offered to his majesty in three years: it was indeed, if not a matter of right, a matter of custom.-Then a noble lord, who may be named for his honour when the great sum of 50,000l. was pressed upon upon this occasion, the earl of Portland, he him, did absolutely refuse it, and told them he would for ever be their enemy and opposer if they offered any such thing to him. thus mentioned the innocent, must say someI having what of the guilty. A stop having been put, the duke of Leeds must be applied to: certainly there never was a more notorious Bribery, and that in a person whom we might have expected to have been free from such a crime, whether if you respect the greatness of his place, or of his former obligation. It is fit to speak plainly on such occasions, the house ought to eudcacouncil and presence. vour to remove such a person from the king's nation have, when we are bought and sold to What security can the one another? We have seen our designs defeated, our attempts betrayed, and what wonder is it? Can any man think it more strange that our counsels should be sold abroad, than that Charters should be sold at home? Certainly a man may reasonably believe, that he who will sell the subjects, will sell the kingdom if he can have a sufficient bribe. What prince can be safe in such counsels which are given for private advantage? Several proposals for remedy may be here offered. One, that this house should address his majesty to remove the duke of Leeds; but, with submission, an Address is too mean, too low a thing for the house to do

at this time, and upon such an occasion: I therefore move we may lodge an Impeachment. "That Thomas duke of Leeds, Lord President of his majesty's Council, be impeached by this house." Or thus, "That Thomas duke of Leeds be impeached by this house of high crimes and misdemeanors; and particularly of Corruption in taking a Bribe of 5,000 guineas to obtain a Charter and Regulation for the E. I. Company." [E] says, I wonder the gentleman who spoke last should say that which I hope he did not believe, That that lord should have sold our counsels to France.

[D] rose again and said, It is with some uneasiness I stand up, but that gentleman forces me to it, for I do not take pleasure to rake in a dunghill. I was far from saying any such thing, but argued only from possibility; that it was as reasonable to believe one as the other. That when honour and justice were not the rule of mens actions, there was nothing incredible that might be for their advantage.

[F] seconds and agrees in the motion for an Impeachment.

[G] says, That God alone, who can produce light out of darkness, can fully discover the dark practices in this affair. That such actings as these are a blemish, if not a scandal to the Revolution itself; I agree in the motion for an Impeachment.

[I] Demanded, By what law it is a crime to take money at court?

[K] answered, If there be not a law, it is time there should be a law to prevent it.

[L] says, The law of God is against him, and broke by him. He took an oath as a privycounsellor. Justice is not to be sold by the common law. But there are parliaments to punish such crimes, and it is hoped there, will be still.

[M] says, It seems doubtful whether there be matter in this Report for an Impeachment; therefore before the house goes to an Impeachment, they ought to put the question upon the Report, and see whether it be a crime.

[N] objects, There is no law, so no trans

gression.

The Duke of Leeds noted to be impeached.] Resolved, "1. That there does appear to this house, upon the Report from the Committee of both houses appointed to examine the persons mentioned in the Report of sir Tho. Cook's Account, That there is sufficient matter to impeach Tho. duke of Leeds, President of his majesty's most honourable privy-council, of high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Resolved, "That Thomas duke of Leeds, &c. be impeached of high crimes and misde

meanors."

Ordered, "That Mr. Comptroller do go up to the lords, and, at their bar, in the name of the house of commons, and all the commons of England, impeach Thomas duke of Leeds of high crimes and misdemeanors; and acquaint them, That this house will, in due time, exhibit particular Articles against him, and make good the same."

The Duke's Speech in the House of Lords] On the reading of the Report from the Lords Committee, his grace expressed himself in this manner, viz. "That as he had formerly protested himself to be free in this matter; so he still denied, upon his faith and honour, that he was guilty of any such corruptions as were suggested against him, and that if the whole truth were laid open, it would tend to his honour and advantage. That he would be very free in telling their lordships now before hand, all that passed, in which he was any ways concerned. And thereupon declared, that Mr. Bates introduced sir Basil Firebrace to him, and that be had had conferences with sir Basil upon the subject of the East-India Company, which Firebrace was concerned for. That some time after, Mr. Bates came and informed him that he was to have a sum of money of sir Basil; and desired his lordship to lend him one of his servants, Mr. Bates keeping but a footman, to receive the money, and so he lent him M. Robart. That his lordship knew nothing of the sum; but afterwards Mr. Bates came to him, and told him, he had received 3600 guineas, which he offered to him, telling his lordship that he had been very obliging and kind to him; and that, in acknowledgment of the many favours he had received from his lordship's hands, he humbly desired him to accept of them: which he refusing, Mr. Bates pressed him earnestly to take one half or a quarter; which he still refused, declaring he would not touch a penny of them; and told him, since he had taken them, he thought there was no need of returning them, they were his own, and wished him good luck with them, as I remember, said his lordship, I did once to Mr. Harry Saville, for whom I had a great respect; which reminds me of a story I must needs tell your lordships upon this occasion. He then related the story: That when he was Treasurer, the Excise being to be farmed, for which many put in, the bidders for it, who were to give in their proposals sealed up, having applied to Mr. Saville for his interest at court, he came to his lordship and desired that he would tell the gentlemen that put in, who were several, that Mr. Saville had spoke for them: What, said I, (proceeded the duke) would you have ine tell all of them so, when but one is to have it? No matter for that, said Mr. Saville, for whoever has it will think I have done him this service; and I am sure of a good present, without more ado: So, my lords, when the men came, I told them one after another, sir, you are very much obliged to Mr. Saville; Sir, Mr. Saville has been very much your friend. A little after, when the thing was settled, Mr. Saville came and thanked me for what I had done: and told me he had got Lis present that he had expected; which I told him I was glad of, and wished him good luck with it, as I now did to Mr. Bates. And thus I was then a shadow to Mr. Saville, as I was now to Mr. Bates.'

The Duke's Speech in the House of Commons.] The duke had proceeded thus far in his specchi

his Impeachment may be discharged.] May 1. The lords sent a Message to the commons to acquaint them, that they think themselves obliged in justice to put the house in mind of the Impeachment against the duke of Leeds, to which the duke's Answer having been transmitted to them, the lords desire to be acquainted when they can be ready to make good the Articles of Impeachment, to the end a certain day may be appointed by the lords for that purpose.

Upon this, the Commons ordered, "That the Answer of the duke of Leeds, to the Articles of Impeachment against him, be referred to the consideration of the Committee, to whom it was referred to draw the said Articles of. Impeachment: and that they do consider what is to be done thereupon, according to the course of parliaments; and report the same to the house."

May 2. The Duke complained in the house of lords of the delay of the house of commons, in not replying to his Answer, alledging, that the Impeachment was only to load him with disgrace, and that they never intended to try him. And added, "That the party used great partiality towards him, and did not intend to enquire after others that they shewed a mark of their partiality and spleen, in their Amendment to the Bill for imprisoning sir Thomas Cooke, sir Basil Firebrace and the others; sir Basil was to be bailed because he was the witness against his lordship.'

May 3. A motion being made in the house of lords, to read the Bill for granting to the king a duty upon Glass, &c. the duke of Leeds rose up and told the lords, That it grieved him, that he, who was as much as any man for the dispatch of the Money bills, and never opposed any, should now do it; but he hoped the lords would consider his case, not only as his, but the case of any of their lordships; for it was in the power of a tinker to accuse at the end of a session, and one might lie under it without remedy: and since that they, by mismanagement, had delayed this Money-bill for six weeks, it would not be of mighty ill consequence if it should lie a day or two longer. His lordship pressed very earnestly, that if the house of commons did not reply, the Impeachment might be discharged; for, if it were not, he might lie under the reproach thereof all his life. He believed the commons would do nothing in it; for tho' they had appointed a Committee to meet, they met but once, and that for form, and never met more, nor would do any thing in it.'

The same day the commons, at a Confer

ence, delivered a written Paper to the lords, signifying, "That the commons will make good the Charge against the duke of Leeds, in manner and form as in the Articles mentioned, and that the Committee who were appointed to draw the said Articles, have been daily employed in looking into Evidence against the duke; and that in the preparation of the Evidence they meet with an obstruction, that Monsieur Robart, who appeared by the Depositions before the Committee of both houses to be a material witness, is withdrawn since the Impeachment was carried up; which has been the reason the commons have not yet acquainted your lordships when they can be ready to make good the said Impeachment, the commons being desirous that justice be done without any manner of delay."

The Paper being brought into the lords house, and read, it was moved and agreed, without any debate, or any opposition made by the duke of Leeds, that an Address should be made to the king, to issue a Proclamation for stopping the ports and seizing M. Robart. The duke, in assistance to the house, told them, that it was requisite to insert the person's Christian name, and said his name was John, his sirname being Robart.

The Duke of Leeds arraigns the Conduct of the Commons.] The Duke then rose up, and blamed the house of commons, for doing an unheard-of, an unprecedented thing, to charge a man with crimes, and to say they were ready to make it good, before they had all the Evidences; and now they should say they wanted a material witness, and lay it upon him to produce this witness; as if a person were obliged more to produce evidence to accuse him, thần to answer such questions by which he accuses himself. His lordship then proceeded to acquaint the house, that in truth, he had sent M. Robart to see his daughter Lempster, who went into the country big with child; and ordered him to call at Minns to see his daughter Plimouth, it being in his way to his daughter Lempster's, where the messenger of the house of commons might have known he was gone if he had asked. That his lordship, that there might be no mistake, sent a messenger on purpose for Robart. That his footman waked him about two of the clock on Sunday morning, (for which he was very angry) to let him know Robart was come, and was in the house, which was as soon as he could possibly return: That his lordship told the footman he would go to sleep, and would speak with Robart in the morning, when he usually call'd him; but when his lordship ask'd for him in the morning, the footman said he was gone; and, upon enquiry, he found Robart did not lie nor pull off his boots in his chamber: That the footman said, he ask'd whether the news was true, that this lord was impeach'd, and Mr. Bates was in prison; which the footman own'd to be true; and his lordship believes that frightened Robart. That his chaplain shewed him a Letter from Robart, with a desire to acquaint his lord, that he design'd for his own country,