Ln
The TRY AL and Condemnation of theTrufteesof the
Land Ban\ at Exeter Exchange, for Murdering the Ban\
of England at Grocery-Hall
Before Sir J. H. L-—d M—r, Sir S, L. R—r, at the OU-Bayly.
Jurors and Witneffes.
Sir W. C.
SirW. S.
Sir IV. G.
Sir H F.
Sir J. E.
A.T.
0.~h S—l^
G— H—
J.C.
L. P,
R. L.
T.J.
Counfel agaioft the Murderers, R'- G. Clark of the Ar-
raigns Cryer, lV.A--d, Mr. B cae attending
to hear the Tryal. Ant. G"-ot coming in accidentally.
R. PV a Volunteer Witnefs.
T
The IndiiSment.
JAe Jurors upon their Oaths do fay, Ah at the Truflees of
the Land-Bank_at Exeter-Exchange not having the Fear
of the Mighty THE before their Eyes, but moved andfe-
ducedby the inftigation of Senie andReafon, the Banl^of England
at Grocers Hall, in the Ward of Cheap, London, intending to
kill and murder, on the loth. day of Auguft, 1695. upon the
Bank of England aforefaid, (in Peace from all their creditors then
being) at Grocers Hall <»/ore/ai<f, did make an Ajfault,and with
a certain formidable Weapon, called The Settlement of the Land- .
Bank, inrolled in Chancery An. Dom. 1699. containing ten
Skins of VeUmn, in length 24 Inches, and in breadth 2 2 Inches
in both their hands then having, then and there unto the Bank of
England aforefaid, on that part of their Head where their Brains
jhouldlye, with both their Hands aforefaid, one Mortal Wound, in
length three Inches, and in depth two Inches, did give, of which
faid Wound the Bank_of England aforefaid, <«t Grocers Hall (t/are-
faid, did langmflt until the thennext Sedion of P • t. And
the Jurors aforefaid upon their Oaths do fay, That afterwards, to
wit, in the faid then next Sefjion of P 1, the Truftees afore-
faid, th^ss.er to kjU and murder the (aid Bank. o/England, up-^'.
on the ^me Bank of England then langufhing, at Grocers-Hall
aforefaid, did make a further Ajjault, and a certainpoyfoned Arrow
made of Copperas, Gads andRaggs, caUed A drawn Claufe for
enabling the Truftees of the Land-Bank to purchafc the Re-
vcrfioDS of the Annuities, in their right hand then having, out
of their right hand aforefaid, into the H—fe ofC--ns then fitting
did fhoi t, from whence the fame Arrow fo fhot did rebound upon
Grocers Uall aforefaid, and the Bank "f England aforefaid then
and there languifhing upon the fame part of che Head didfmite:
And fo the Jurors aforefaid do fay, That the Truftees aforefaid,
the laft Seffionof P 1 aforefaid, to the Bankof Eng. afore-
Jaid, at Gro :ers-Hall aforefaid, one other Mortal Wound Aid give,
of which the faid Batik.then languifhed, until the end of the faid
Seffton of P C. And the Jurors aforefaid do fay, that be-
fore the tnd of the faid Seffion of P 1, the TruSees aforefaid,
the fooner to killandmurder the faid Bank_of England, in and up.,
on the fame Banl^ofEngl. at Gtocers-Hall aforefaid, did make
a further Affault, and another poyfoned Arrow made of Copperas,
Galls and Rags, called A Bill for Eftab—— a Land-Bank, iti
both their Hands then having, into the fame H—— of C s then
fitting, out of both their Hands aforefai d didflmt, which faid Bill
did then and there grow into a certain formidable Engine called An
A- of P t. And the Jurors aforefaid do fay. That the
Truflees aforefaid, the laft Sefjion of P 1 aforefaid, at Gro-
cers-Hail aforefaid, with the AS of Parliament aforefaid, in both
their Hands then having, the Bank^of England aforefaid, at Gro.
cers Hall aforefaid, then and there languifhing, upon the fame
part of the Head one other Mortal Wound did give, of which the
Bank_ of Ettgland aforefaid, at Grocers-Hall aforefaid, until the
fifth day of May, 16^6. did languifh, and then and there Ian.
guifhing dyed, Ai.dfo the Jurors aforefaid do fay. That theTru.
ftees of the Land. Bank "I Exetcr-Exchange aforefaid, the Bank
of England at Grocers-Hall aforefaid, did Kill and Murder, a.
gainft the Peace, See.
Cryer. Sir W.C. To the Book,
Truflees. We Challenge him.
Sir W.C Bear Witnefs! I go in dread of my Life.
Counjel. I bar Challenges, for there are fo many (^irks in
the LavD about them, that if they are admitted, I'le quit the
Court
Mr.R—r. Gentlemen Murderers 1 Pray be not fo rough
in your Behaviour, for you'll fright the Jury and Counfel out
of Court: Whatever your Refencmcnts are, let yonr words
be foft: Learn Meeknefs and Malice, ( the true Accomplifh-
raents of egourtier.)
Truftees. Well, (Mr. Cryer ) Execute your Office.
Cryer. Gentlemen of the Jury, lay all your Hands on the
Book together, (<41/ Hands on) You fhall allSwcaryour
felves Wltneffes and Jury-men in this Caufe. (AUk'f^ Book )
Cl. of the Arr. Gentlemen of the Jury 1 You arc to try this
Iffue againft the Murderers at the Bar. If you find them
Gulty, or that they fied for it, Enquire what Guinies or
Mill'd Money they have; If neither Guilty nor Fled, fay fo
and no more, and hear your felves give Evidence.
Cl. of the Arr. You Murderers at the Bar, hearken what I
fhall fay to you, You ftand here Indifted by the Name of
Truflees ofthe Land-Bankat Exeter-Exchange,For that you, Sec.
How fay you, are you Guilty or not ?
Truftees. Not Guilty: And we dcfire our Plea may be Re^
corded.
Cl. of the Arr. 'Tis Recorded.
Truftees. Now Mr. G — pray take Notice, that yon have
Indfded us by the Name of Truflees of the Land-Bankat Exe-
ter Exchange, and by that Name we have pleaded, and this
Plea is Recorded, and now we are a Corporation upon Re-
cord, to fue and be fned by our Common Name.
Sir W. S, G —ds bl-d Mr- G—, what blunclers do you
make, this was their firftftratagem in the Houfe of Commons,
to make themfelves a Corporation by being called by P .c
Truftees of the Land-Bankt in the Claufe they offered for
purohafing the Reverfions of the Annuities, but we found it
out, and fo the Claufe was withdrawn, and now you have
made a fine mornings work of it, and be damn'd to you for
an Old Blockhead.
; Counfel. This is the firft time I have been called Blockhead
^in Cour t fince I been a Common Pleas Attorny; butif
'rtey- have any Exceptions to the indiAmenr, let them take
advantage of it after the Tryal: Tie goon to the Evidence,
and I believe Mr.5—ck will go through the whole Caufe.
Mr. R—r. If Mr. S ck can go through the whole Evi-
dence, you had heft fet him a join'd ftool, and let him (land
up in the middle.
Cryer. Mr.S— ck pleafe to mount the ftoo/, (Vp O—ah ! )
Sir W. C. And I'le ftand on the other fide of tbefe Gentlemen
Murderers, for I don't like their Chellenges.
Counfel. We will begin with the Settlement, Mr. S.--ck,
pray give the Court an Account what you know of The Settle-
ment of the Land Bank at Exeter-Exchange.
Mr. S- ck: Account ! I can give no account what it is: I
thought you could give thebefl Account of that, becaufe you
are a Lawyer.
Counfel. A Lawyer, fo I am i I have been a Barrificr ever
fince I was Eight and Fifty, but I never read that Settle-
went, nor never will, for 'tis againft the Prerogative and the
Scriveners, and therefore I and three other Conveyancers
have made an Oath never to have any thing to do with it.
Truftees. Come Gentlemen, You mali not want your Evi-
dence, here is the Settlement againft the Prerogative and Scri.
veners.
Counfel. Let the Court do as they pleafe; but for my part,
if you begin to read I'le be gone, for I know there is a Trick
in It, and they produce it here to draw us in to be guilty of
Mifprifion, by being privy to it, ( being, as I fay, againft
the Prerogative ) and I offer my Opinion, as Amicm Curitf
that you cannot iafely read it.
Sir H. F. Ay, G-s Bl -d, I'le hold 5 to 2 'tis againft the
Prerogative.
Sir W.S. G --S 2-nds, We won't hear that damn'd long
Settlement. I remember they brought juft fuch long things
in Parchment to Grocers-Hall, to have us to lend Money upon
Land in Lancafhire, and made us all as mad as Devils.
Sir H.P. D-mn 'em! 1 would not read it for Five Pounds.
Mr. O. H. I perceive here is like to be a Debate about the
Contents of this Settlement, but with fubmiflTion, if we prove
the Settlement to be the Caufe of the Death of the Bank of
England, it will be fufficlent, tho'we prove not the Contents
of the Settlement.
Counfel. Ay, ay, 'tis enough. Come. Mr. S—ck, do you
believe in your Confcience, that the Settlement oj the Land.
Bank at Exeter-Exchange vv« the Caufe of the Death of the
Bank 'f England d Mr,
L2
Mr, 5 -c^. Ay, on my Soul and ConfdenCe do I; for we
were at that time in as good Health and Credit as one would
vvifli, Money vva; hiought in to us all day long as cheap as
Neck-beef, we gave nothing for it butUttlc bits of Paper call-
td Njtes.
Mr. K r. In what .manner do you apprehend the Laud-
Bank impaired your Credit i
Mr. S — cJi Why, every c>ne faid, that if that fucceeded,
it would draw the Cafh from us, bccaufe their Bills being
Mortgages on Lands, would be efleemed better Security than
our Cafhiers Notes, which were given out contrary to Law,
and had no real Secvrity.
Mr, r. Mr. S Confider, we are trying a Murder,
and not aTrefpafs; The Land-bank mightdo you an Injury,
but you tnuft prove the Mortality of the Wound.
m V. S- ck, Wiiy, Sir, you muft know, that at that time
cur Bank was as big as they could tumble with Enpedarion
of being the foIcBank of England, and having the Power of
giving Laws to the Kingdom, and the Land Bank Settlement
juft then fiarting out, our Bank took a fright, mifcarryed of
their Expeftations, fell into Fits of the Mother, and never
clavv'd it off to their dying day.
Counfel. This is full Evidence of the firft Wound Pray
Kr.S- ci^, give ihe Court and the Jury an Account of what
you know oi the fecond Wound, by the Claufe brought intothe
H of C ,for enabling the Trufiees of the Land-Bank^at
Exeter Eytchinge to pnrchafe the Reverftons of the Annuities.
Mr. S ~ ck- I don't know any thing of it.
Counfel. Well, do you believe in your Confcience that this
Claufe was one Caufe of the Death of the Bank of England?
Mr, S—ck_. Ay, on my Soul and Confcience do I.
Sir W. C. Nay, I am fure of it •, for I remember foraething
about a Claufe about fomething at Exeter-Exchange, and I
believe that mufl be it j and 1 am fure tny Stock fell jo I. per
Cent, upon it: I am fure I have loft looo /. by their damn'd
Claufes and Settlements, or one thing or other.
Counfel. Well, well, there's the fecond ftroke proved, and
now we'll go on to the A— of P .
Counfil. Come Mf. S-.cl^, give the Court
Mr. 5- c^. Nay, I think I can fay the Words my felf now,
1 O ah S- ck do believe in my Saul and Confcience that
the A ofP for Ejlablifhing the Land-Bank^ was the
Caufe of the Death of the Ban](^of England,
Sir W. C- Well fworn S-.c\, Faith.
Counfel. Sworn 1 he fwcars as well as if he were ferv'd with
a Subpoena: And for ail Sir w, s, calTd me Block-hcad, you
fee I underftand Evidence, and now I have nothing to dp
but to fuin it up s which is in fhort, That the Land.Bank.mur-t
dered the Banl^ o/England j for which I pray Judgment.
Trufiees. And we pray the Verdift may be given before
Judgment.
Counfel. The Verdid is but a Ceremony, with which the
Court may difpence.
Mr. R r. Nay, Mr. G , we are Counfel for the Pri-
foners, and will do them Juftice, therefore I am for the Ver.
diift before Judgment.
Trufiees. Thanks for Juftice: Then Mr. G , before your
Verdift prove the Bank of England dead.
Mr. S--cl^ I havethe Evidence for that about me; Here's
their laft Will,
Counfel. This fame O- ah manages Evidence almoft as
well as I do. Come, read the Will.
Cl.of the Arr.T^ ITow all our Creditors bj thefe Prefents, That
we the Governour and Company of the Banl^
ef Ertghnd, being wealf in Bodj through the Wounds received from
the Land- Banli at Exeter- Exchange, (to whom, we lay our Death)
but of as good finfe as ever tee were, finding our Jelves impaired in
our Credit and Reputation, and defpairing of Recovery, do maJ^e
this our lafi Will and Tefiament. Firft. We bequeathour Soul to
the Devil, in order to jerve the Public\ out of our Creditors Mo-
ney: And as to the QuaHties of our Mind, we difpofe thereof as
follows, viz. All our Skfli in Foreign Exchanges, and our Probity
and Cand'.r in making up the Accounts of the Lofs thereof, we
give to all and every of our Direlfors (ixcept four or five) jointly
and federally, to hold to them and their Succcffors in Tail-Bank,,
Heire- Lopmes and indelible Monuments of their SkjU and Prohitj
for ever. All our Obflinacy and Blunders we give unto our pre-
fint G r, upon trufl that he fhall employ one, equal third part
thereof as L—dM -r of the City of tondon,one other equal third
part iktreof as one of the L-ds of the A —ty, and the other third
part thereof as the G--r of the Bankof England. Ad-our Oaths,
/-/ipHdcnce and Lyes, we give unto our prtfent D--G.—r, and bur
/) ..)■ Sir H. F. to hold in p/nt Partnerfiiip during their Lives,
and the Survivor to have the whole. All our Effing Tricky we
give to our D --r Sir W. G. All our Cinicainefs and Self Conceit
we give to our D- rs f.W. andG.H. equaSy to bedivideabetwixt
them, fhire and fhare alike, as Tenants in Common. All our
Blindiiefs and Fear we give unto our D—r O—ah S—ck, and we
a'.P give him five Pounds in Money,, to buy him a New Cloath Coat,
a new half Beaver Hat, a fecond hand Periwigg, and an old
black Sword, to f licit with in the Lobby, and alfo to buy him
3
a pair of Spiliaclts to mite Letters to Lords with. And as to the
refidut of our Temporal ESiate, (befides the [aid ^\. Jwe difpofe
thereof as foUoweth : Imprimis, We devife to our own Members
C when they fhall have paid in their whole i oo I. per Cent. ) our
Fund of ipocco 1. per Ann. charged and chargeable neverthelefs
with the fumm of 1200000 /. for which it ftands morgaged by
BankEiUs, infuttfatisfablion of aUtheir great ExpeSationsfrom
fhe Probity and Skill of our D trellors, advifing them to accept a
Redemption thereof by F 1 whenever they can have it. Item,
All our ready Moneys ( before any our Debts paid ) we give to
our Executors herein after named, upon trufi that they fhall from
time to time, until the firft day of Auguft, i6g6- lend the fame
into the E r, upon Condition to defeat the Eflablifhrnent of
the Land-Bank'- And from and after the firft day of Auguft,
then to lend out the fame into the faid E r upon fecurity of
Promifes to eftablifh our Executors tht next Sefjlon infiead of the
Land-Bank, and for fuch ether Premiums as our faid Executors
can get to themfeives for doing thereof. And we do direll our
Executors to continue the StockandPenfions already allowed to our
faS Friends they know where. And after all our ready Moneys fa
difpofed, we leave the reftdue ofour Efi'elisfor payment of our Bills
and Notes, at fuch days and hours, and in fuch manner and pro-
portion, and with fueh preferences as our faid Executors fhall think
fit. And we do hereby Conftitute our DireBors Executors of this
our Will, giving unto each of them Power out of our Cafh to dif-
count their own Talleys, Bills and Notes at Par, and the Bills and
Notes ofother our Creditors at the highefi Difcount they can get for
the fame: And our Body we eomlt to be buryed with aU privacy,
leSi ourCreditors arrefi our Corps. In Vlimekwhereof we have
hereunto fet our Common Seal, thetpth. day s/May, 1696.
Trufiees. Where was our Bank burled ?
Mr. S—ck. Why Fools! Don't you hear 'twas a private Fu-
nerai to conceal the Body ; But here's a Copy of their Epitaph.
Sir W.C- Old s — ck blows 'em. Faith I He fwears the better
for being heated a little.
The Epitaph.
Cl.of the Arr.T T Ere lies the Body of the Bank of England,
Jn was born in the 'J'ear 1694. and died the
5th. day of May, 16^6, in the thirdTear of their Age. They
had Ijfue Legitimate by their Common Seal 1 looooo I. called
Bank BWh, and by their Cafhier two Milliom of Sons of Whores,
called Speed's Notes. '
Trufiees. Well, we are fatisfied the Bank of England is dead,
but muft defire your Witnefs to keep his Stool for one heat
more, while we crofs examine him, to prove the Bank of
England Felo de fe.
Mr. I don't know what that it.
Why that your Bank murdered themfeives} and
if 10, their EfFeas arc forfeited, and you as Executors cannoc
have them.
Mr. R—r. Mr.G. What do you fay to the Law in that point?
Counfel. 'Tfs Crown Law; but it may be fo for ought I
know, and therefore I cannoc advife the Executors to give
any Evidence.
Mr. R—r. Look you Gentlemen at the Bar, have you any
Other Evidence here ? for we cannot force Men to fwear a-
gainft themfeives, that is to make them all Felons de fe.
Trufiees. Yes, here is the Inqulfitionfaji mortem taken be-
fore the Juftices of the Peace, becaufe the Body could not be
found for the Coroner to take an Inquificion upon view of it
and we pray it may be read.
The Inquifition.
Cl. of the Arr.
London fl". A N Inquifition indented, taken nt Grocers Hall the
Jx ith. day of May, 1696, before A,B,C,D,&c.
fiuftices, by E, F, G, H, &c. Jurors, returdd, fworn and im-
pfiietTd to enquire into the Caufe of the Death of the Bankof Engl,
who upon their Oaths do fay. That on the lafi day of the Seffion of
P—t, in which the faid Bank was eftablifhed, the faid Bank
then being in Health, the D rs of the Banknforefaid,the fear
of the Laws of the Kingdom before their Eyes not having, but mo.
ved and feduced by the infiigation of Covetoufnefs and Fotly,at Gro-
cers-Hall aforefaid, the day and year aforefaid, intendingto evade
the faid A— of p r, did devife and frame feveral unlawful
Engines called Cafhiers Notes, and with the Engines aforefaid
did draw in feveral great Sums of dipt Moneys, and certainpieces
of Wood called Talleys, whereby they became indebted above the
fm of I aooooo J. in Contempt of the faid A- of P 1. And
the furors aforefaid do fay, that in the SeJJionofP tthen
next following, the DireBors of the Bank aforefaid, the Love of
Truth in their Hearts not having, but moved by the Fear of Punifts-
ment, with intent to impoje upon the SubjeBs of this Kingdom, at
Grocers.Hall aforefaid, a certain falfe Libel, called an Adver-
tifement,did devife and frame, in thefe words following,or tothl
like efitB, viz. The Direflors of the Bank of England do here-
by give Notice, that they will lend Money onallreal Securi-
ties at Intereft of 5 /. per Cent, and the fame falfe Libel into the
Gazene did put. And the Jurors aforefaid do fay, that the Di-
• s of the-Batikaforefaid their Promife not regarding^ the Mo-
m)s
C3
heyj aforefaid did not lend, nor have hitherto lent, in deceiptofthe
ubjeSsof 'ihU Kingdom. Andthe Jurors aforefaid do fay,that the
i)ireliors ojthe Ba»h.aforefaid,in furtherprofecutionof their Cove-
toufnefs and Folly, being ignorant and unskilful in Forreign Ex-
changes, and having no Goods or EfeHs in Forreign parts,did un-
dertal(e and contrail for the remitting of great Summs op Monty\be-
yond the Seas. And the Jwors aforefdd do find, that the
aforefaid having by their Ca/hiers Notes, and remitting of Moneys
as aforefaid,contralled great Debts at home and abroad,out of their
further Covetoujnejs and Folly did deliver a Memorial for procure-
htg an AH for recoining the filver Moneys of this Kingdom,and re-
ducing the price of Gaineds,in hopes thereby to recover their lojfes
by their remittances aforefaid-,and alfo fondly fancying that their
faid unlawful Engines would have drawn in unto them the Moneys
recoined,and the Guinea's reduced,in the fame manner as they did
the dipt Moneys. And the Jurors aforefaid do fay, That the re-
coining of the faid filver Moneys did occafion the greateSfpart ofthe
Moneys then in the fubyeUs hands to be drawn from them,in order
to be recoined,which f contrary to the fond Conceit of the Direllors
afore faid) after the faid 4th.rfrfy of lAzy,\6^6.did occafion great
Demands to be made upon them at home and from abroad, for payment
of their Bills and Notes,in currant Moneys. And the Jurors afore-
faid do fay,That the Batik of E,t\g\md aforefaidtheir former Tref-
pajfes and Debts calling to mind,and defpairing of the Payment or
Forgivenefs thereof, on the ^zh.dayof May, 1696. between the
hours of 12 and i. of the fame day, at Grocers-Hall aforefaid,
a certain defperate fpetch ( by the Mouth of their Governour) did
attempt to utter,and in the attempt thereof,then and there infant
ly died. And fo the Jurors aforefaid do Jay, that the Bank of
England aforefaid, on the 5th. of May, 16^6. between the
hours of 12 and 1 . of the fame day at Grocers-Hall aforefaid, of
the Payment or Forgivenefs of their former Debts and Trefpaffes
utterly defpairing, then and there of Defpair died.
Trujiees, There's our Evideucc : But becaufcyour^Couufel
is not ufed to Crown Law, we will be fair to inform him,
that the Executors may traverfe the lDquificion,if they pleafe,
being not taken fuper vifum Corpork : Or if he can prove the
Bank of England Non Compos mentk at the'time when they gave
themfelves the ftrokes, they will not be Felo de fe.
Counjel. For your advife of Traverfing (which is matter of
Law) you may keep It to your (elves, for I kuow 'tis as
troublcfome as Challenging of Jurors; But for the Evidence
I'll try it. Mti Can you fwear the Bank of England
or their DireSors'to be mad at the times they evaded the Aft,
printed a Lye to the Kingdom, and ruined their own Credit
by Laws procured by themfelves.
Mr.S—clg, Nay, in my Soul and Confcience I think we
were all mad and bewitch'd too, for if you did but fee cur
Hall upon a Pay.day, you'd think Hell were broke loofe.
Truftees. Yes, yes, they fay you keep Watch and Ward
there to defend your Cafhier from your Creditors, and your
DIreftors frmn the Devil.
Mr. 5—clg. O ho! I know whereabouts you are, you have
read the Letter to Mr. L-clg, have you! but did you never
read Our Payments defended again§ it.'
Trujiees. Yes, yes. Defended, Vi & Armkt
Mr. S—Well, and han't I fpoke Latin in my Letter to
a Lord, Hie Labor hoc opus ejl ?
Trujiees. Yes, paying your Bills is hard work.
Mr. S'—ck. Hard work ! han't f made it eafie by general
Direftions to the Subjefts to do as they did before the 4th.()f May.
Trujiees. Yes, yes, face about Gentlemen as ye were, do as
ye did yefterday, as the Militia Major faid to his Men.
Mr. 5"C^. Said to his Men, you Fools you, han't I named
the Skill and Probity of the DireBors three times in four pages.
Trujiees. Yes, ya,Three blew beans in a blew bladder, rattle
bladder rattle, fay that nine times in a breath if you can.
Mr. S —c(. Breath, Fools! han't I faid Our HaUk wed
jcituattd P
Trujiees. Yes, for a Den of Thieves, as your PredecetTors
the Bankers of old made the Temple at Jsrufalem : But can
you get no one elfe to write for you ? '
Mr. B—coe. An't (hall like your Worfhips, I'le write for
you if you pleafe,
R. (F. And I an't fhall pleafe your Honours;
Cryer. Or I, Mailer S—ck-
Mr. S'—ck. Where do you all live ?
Mr. S-coe.An't pleafe you. Sir, 1 live in White-Crofs Adty,
in middle Moorfields,hut I ply in the Lobby \n Parliament time.
R. ff. I live about Charing Crofs, an't pleafe you, but I ply
here at the Old Bayly in Seffions time, where I meet with a
Job of TcftimoDy now and then.
Cryer. Truly, Sir, I can't fay I live any where, but I am
at the Grecian Coffec-houfe fix hours everyday.
Mr. s—ck; What Trades are you ?
Mr. B~.coe. Sir, we Club together, and write Journey-
work in Partnerfhip, like Fldlers, 'tis no matter which of us
you give the Money to.
Trujiees. Why you'll geta Clap together, by mingling your
Brains fo.
Mr.S—c(, Well, what will you have to write for us, and
againfl the Land-Bank this Seflions ?
Trustees. Nay, they can write againfl No body but theiti-
fclves.
Crjer. Maflcr, don't believe them, we write as ftrong as
Muftard.I wrote a Boook againfl five Gentlemen in their Vm-
dication,! wrote Mr. J. A\ Argument proved to be m Argument,
and afligned two errors in his Settlement.Firfl, That the sills
do not charge the Land. Secondly, That the Lands can never be
difcharged of them. There's a Dilemma for your Worfhip,
Mafler S —ck.
R. W. O we are Old Dogs at Dilemma's, we three wrote
Mr. J. A's Plagiarifm, ( there's a hard word for you ) and
proved Firfl, That he Jiole Mr. B—coes Notions. Secondly,
That he did not write hk own BoD(.Tncre's Even and Odd with
a Witnefs.
Mr. B—coe. And Ifign'daBond with condition to be void,
if the Money were not paid at the day.
Mr. A — d. And we write quick, every one takes his part,
and we'll run ye up loo Pages prefently, all the fame Stile,
Senfe and Language.
R. w. And there's no Hacks-nefl in Town can underwrite
US.
Cryer. No ! We go as near the Tliumh as any Men,I always
write in my own Hair and Brown Paper.
Mr. B — coe. Then we care not what we fay, for we have
nothing to lofe but our Ears, and the rtfidue of Mr. A —d's
Hair.
Mr.S—ck; Well, well, I partly underftand the Prizes of
thefe Matters. We have had ftveral things done in Grub jireUi
Mr. B cse. Come Mafler; tobcfhorc, we'll leave it to
your Worfhip, but I hope you'll confidcr that I have been at
great charge in printing Books and breaking open Cheflj, it
coflme eighteen pence to a Blsckfrriitii to come at the Cafh in
my Bank.
R. IV. Ay, that 111 fwear, for I had fome of the Money for
advice upon the Claujum fregit.
Mr. S—c(. You mufl deliver your Papers in the Lobby
twice a week.
Mr. B-coe. Yes, yes, your Worfhip fhall fee us there every
day, if your Direftorfhip pleafe to put on.your Speftacles.
Mr. R.—r.Come Gentlemen,you muft not make the Court
a Market Overt to fell your Wares in. Mr, G. have you done ?
Counfell. I have done, I'll let it refl here, we have proved
the Bank of England dead,and their Dlreftors mad,and if that
bienot evidence enough toharsgLand.Bank.men,! dou'cknow
what is.
K. fV, An pleafe your Worfhip5,ifyou want EvidencCj Pll
fwear them into the Plot for you in my Band.
Trujiees. Ay, we had rather 50a'd write againfl us twice,
than fwear againfl us once. Your Hand upon the Bible is as
terrible as a Heroes upon his Sword.
Mr. A-r. Gentlemen of the Jury, do you want any more
Evidence ?
Sir W. C. No, no. 'Twould be a Difparagemenc to Mr.
S—ek: to have any one joined with him I Come honcfl 0-ah
thou hafl done enough for one day, difmount the Stool, and
let me come up and give the Verdift. ( up Fore-man )
Cl.ofArr. Gentlemen of the Jury are ye agreed of your
Verdift i
Jury. Yes.
Cl. of Art. Who (hall fay for you ?
Jury, Our Fore-man upon the (lool.
C/. of Arr. How fay ..you. Sir W. C. afe thefe Murderers
Guilty, or Not Guilty ?
Sir W. C. Guilty, guilty, I am furc lama i coo / the worfe
(or them, one way or other.
6l.of /(rr.WIiatOuineas or mill'd Money do yon find they had?
Sir C. 200 Thoufand Guineas which were carrycd to
Exeter Exchange in a Cart one morning by break of day.
Mr. R-r, Well, Gentlemen, I havca direftion not to fpill
Blood, but that your Judgment (hall be, and the Court doth
award, That you (hall go from hence to Exeter Exchange, (ie/ng
the place from whence you came) and from thence tafe the 2000C0
Guintat which are found uptn you, and carry them ra Grocert-
Hall, (being the place of Execution) for repaying the Bank ej Eng.
kind the 200000 1 they lent,on cmdition to defeat the L and Sauk.
Trujiees. If you will give us a Receit upon tl e back of what
we'll now produce, you (hall have the Money.
Mr. R-r. What is that ? give it to the Cl. of Arr.
Cl of the Arr.
Articles of a League offenfive and defenfive,made between
and the Dtreblars of the Bank, of F.nglanel, the
day of bringing in the B—for eftab a Land-Bank.
l.'JpHat there Jit id be provided a flying Squadron of Vglunteer.:,
X (to be commanded by Sir f.F.j who fliill gopukeering in all
Cojfee-houfes andotherpublickplaces,to railagainii theLand- Bank,
II. That in cafe the power of the Enemy (hafl prevail to p.ifs tl e
Bid into an AH, all pojjible carefhaU be taken to add fuch Claujes
to the Bill,as may difable the Profecutors thereof to raife the
rsss
r :
C43
rep thereby intended; ind if by my miftake cr inadvertency any
Claufe (hall he agreed to, which upon fecond thoughts (hall be
thought to tend toward the raifing the (aid Moneys, the fame (hall
ajterwards be oppofed, expunged, or cut out,
III. That aU pojjible Carefliatt be taken, that the All be fo long
delayed, that the Commtffion may not be ijfued foon enough for re-
ceiving any Suhfcriptions in dipt Money before the 4th. of May,
purfuant to the Claufe in the All for remedying the ill (late of the
Coyn, pag,9.<jn</ that the Commiffion (hall by any frivolous Ob]e-
ilions be delayed as much as may be to the ift. of Auguft, to
ft heighten the Commifftoners in time, and thai aUperfons exfedi-
ting the Commijjion(haU be reprimanded and affronted.
iV. That after the Commiffion iffued, there (hall be a Pro-
damatim iffu ed ont by feme body of the prohibiting all Of-
ficers of Court to fubfcribe to it.
V. That the faid DireBors (between the pajftig the faid A5i
and the ill. of Auguft,i696. (hall furm(h out of their Creditors
Mmey 200000 I. to waintain the Seige againfi the CowmiJJio'
Tiers for taking fubjcriptions, and (hall fend their Oaths of Fide-
lity to their Members, who took the fame, forbidding them to
fubfcribe to the Land Bank, upon pain of damnation.
A Proclamation iffBCd out by one of the " - ■' the day
ofiffuingout the Commiflion for taking Suhfcriptions to
the Land-Bank.
Some Body, (by his own procurement') One of the To all
Auditorsprellers,Clerks,and other Officers of the Exchequer:
To allCommiffoners,Receivers,CoUeclors,and other Officers of the
Publick Revenue : To all Paymajlers of the Army and Navy,to
all Agents of Regiments, and all other Officers,Agents or Ser-
vants, having or receiving any Sallary, Stipend, Fee or Wages,
out of the Receipt of the ld,v.c:\\ecpiet,Greeting,Whereas we are
given to underftand,tbat the Commifftoners for taking Subfcrip-
ticns to the Land-Bank intending to invade r^eExchcqucr with
the fumm of Two Millionsfive hundredJixtyfour thoufandpounds,
andto dijlrefs his Majefty,his Army and Navy, by paying the
^arne into our hands for thtir uje, in order thereunto have en-
trenched themfeives withitt two feveral Garrifons, the one at
Mercers-Hall,London Exeter Exchange near the
Saroy, where they have provided among themfeives 600000 I.
and more,and do there daily rendevous,and from thence fally out
in great numbers toforrage in all places where they have intel-
iigence of duy ready Moneys: We have thought fit to iffiue out this
our Proclamation, firiUly charging and requiring you, and we
do hereby ftricily charge and commandyou,that you do forthwith
withdraw all your ready Moneys from within teri miles [of the
(aid Garrifons, and all other places where Enemies come to for-
rage, that thereby they may be diSireffied aud left destitute of
Suhfcriptiots.And we do alfo JlriBly charge and commandyou,
that in all places and en all occafions, ye do endeavour to poffiefs
theSuhyeBs againft tseCommiffioners, as prejudicial to our de-
(igns, and deSlruBlve to our ambition, and that ye \do in all
things treat and ufe them as Enemies againji us in '.open Wars,
And we do hereby (IriBly charge and command all Officers extra-
ordinary, whastre waiting for or expeSting any Offices or Places
tender us,or wherein we have any influence,thatthey be from time
to time aiding and affi(iing to you in afperjfng and affroniing the
Ccmmiffioners a fore] aid. And of this you ate not to fail for fear
of lojlng yourpojjeffions, and they their expeblations. Given,dfc.
Mr. R-r. Where had you thofe Papers ?
Truftees. We pickt them out of Mr. S-ck Pocket, while
he was kneeling to one of his Patrons in the Lobby.
Mr. B-coe. Avi jufl: fo they fiolemy Notions from me,and
then turned my Book into au Almanack to make it ridiculous.
Truftees. Ay, juft as the Painter clapt a Tail to a Fellow
of a Monkey-face, aud then fold him for a Jack-an-apes.
Mr. B-coe. But pray Mr. R.-r, Can't I bring an Indlft-
ment of Felony againft them for this ?
Mr. R-r. If the value were above a (hilling you may, or
cile 'tis but petty Larceny.
R, W, No, no, the whole Value was but 8 pence, and
therefore 1 have fiiled it Plagiarifm, which is the puuifhment
in petty Larceuy.
Cryer. Ay, but fuppofe it were done in the Night, then
with fubmiffion it will be Burglary.
Mr. R-.r. If the Book had Clafps on 1 conceive it will,
for the opening of theClafpsia theNight will be fuch a break-
ing as to make it Burglary.
Mr. B -coe. Some of them had had Covers in the fecond
year, won't that do.'
R, W. Is cne Witnefs enough to prove the Burglary -
Mr. R- r. Yes, if it be a good one.
R. W. then Mr. B-coe get Clafps put on one of your
Books aud let me have it, and I'll form the Oath for.you,
and fwcar it when I have done.
Mr. R- r. What Thieves and Murderers too Gentlemen,
Come I muft tell you The Blood and Wounds
Trufiees. Two fhillings for your Oath Sir, ifyoupleafe.
Mr. R-.r. What d'ye banter the Court too, I promife
you I ffiall commit you to Dr. C —lains MclTengers, tococil
your Stomachs for you fince your Brains are fo hoc this
morning. I fay the Blood and Wounds of the Bank of Eng-
land, (l know what {m going to fay ) will rife up in Judg-
ment agalnft you,as the blood of the Horfeswill againft Whit-
ney when they meet.
Truftees. Ay well remembred, and what's next ?
L-,d M-r. Wha—wlu—wha—-what's next! Til have
the printing of this Tryal. That's next.
Mr. R-r. What rcafon for that, this is the firfl word you
have offered in the Caufe.
L -dM-'r. What a that, why fliould I be pat to fpeak,
are not you the mouth of the Court ?
Enter A. G 1
A. G—t. Is Mr. S—ck here ?
Cryer. Yes.
A, G—t. Here, I have been at your Bank fori 5 000 /. and
your Chafhier tells me the Bills are out, and that I mft come
to you.
Mr. S—cL Let's fee the Bills, Why thefe Bills are out, I
wonder that you being an ancient Prafticer, fhould ktiow the
Rules of the Court no better, I think I have a Copy of them
about me, ( and delivers them to Mr. G. ) we can't pay you
auy Money till we receive this 200 thoufand Guineas from
thofe Land Bank men.
A. G. What do ye tell me of Rules of Court and Land-
Bank men, all you and your Banks are a pack of Cheats.
I entered my Manner oi Mw—fint, with Dr. 6—/^/« three
months ago, and can get no Mony yet, here we pay 1 axes
and Polls, and all the Money is gone away into Banks and
Sallaries to Officers. I offered at firft t o furnifh them with a
fet of Judges for 600 /. a year a piece ,as good as any they
have for 1000 /. my Brother (hould have been one, and then
I loft ijoo /. by one of ray familiar Peers, whom I ufed to
take by the buttons in King James'% time, but he gave me
the flip to tun away with his Mafter. If you'll chop and
change yonr Cevolutlons on fueh fuddains, how can any Man
get inhis Debts firft, I am fure 11 ave no place, and I'll tell
you plainly if you don't pay me my Money I'll fue you, you
and all your Banks, and your Land Banks for a pack of Cheats.
Counfel. And who ftiall pay me ?
CI. of Arr. And me.
Cryer, Ay, and me.j
Mr. S -cL I don't know, we never pay any Money in
Specie, nor divide any Bills under 50 /. and that's too much
for you all. We'll give the Jury a Dinner, and Mr. G. a
Supper, and that's all we can do at prefent.
counfel. Hay, hay, I am finely bubled into a Tryal, and
called Blockhead to boot.
CI. of Arr. Bubbled! a plague rot'em all forme, what
muft I arraign Rogues for nothing ?
Cryer. Nay,good Mafter S-c^,Crying is dry work pray Sir,
Truftees. Well Gentlemen, if you have done with us, we'll
leave you together, to print your Tryal, and pay hour Bills
and Fees amongft your fclves. And fo your Humble Servants.
The Rules of Court delivered by Mr.S— ck to Ant.O-dot.
THeDireBorsoftheBiXt^oi^n^mA, for thelnftruBimt
of all PraBicers in their Court fto order that thefe Rules
foUovftini, be skreetidin Grocers-Half*
1. That no Bill (hall beprefented to the Cafhier, to know whe»
ther he will pay it or not (till one month at leaft after the datg
2. That when the Bill (lands duely prefented,the Ca(hier (halp
note tho day of the Prejentation,
3. That any p erf on having a Bill fo duely prefented andnoted,
may lawfully move the Caftiier at the Side-Bar to have a day
appointedfor the payment offuch part of the Mony as the Ca(hier
(ball thirik fit.
■ 4. That the Caftiier (hall thereupon give a day for payment,
unlefs caufe be (hewed to the contrary.
5. That want of Money, or other opportunities to difpofe of it
profit, be allowed as a good Caufe of Non payment.
6. That no Bill of one years (landing, or more, (ball be capable
of being prefented to the Cafhier without Motion made to the
DireBors, and a Scire Facias fued out thereupon.
y,That the Cafhier accept no Bills of the Bank in payment of
Foreign Bills,and that all Merchants wha refufe the Bank Bills
in payment of Foreign Bills,(hall be fummoned to Wh—Hall as
difaffeBed to the Government .for that their Bills( and Notes con-
trary to Law) are the only Species of Mony in the Kingdom, to be
accepted and taken by all perfons but themfeives.
The Epilogue.
Vamms and Vacuums In Pulpits may make founds.
Indefinites will fcrve to go the Rounds;
But when /«c'd view them in their naiied drefs.
Nothing but vain words can vain things exprefs.
I Do appoint Mr. Jhon B—<oe'r Printer in Bartholomew-
Clofe, to print this Tryal, and that m other Perfon prejume
to print the fame. J. H. M—r.