look upon them, but with contempt and hatred, not affording so much as a
handfull of cleane straw to keep them from the ground; nor when they
are dead, a winding-sheet,(I am sure) not Christian Buriall.
Nor are they more punctual, even to their Dearest Beloved Creatures and
Fellow-workers, here in Essex , whom yet they promised Mountaines of
Favor and Rewards, for their timely assistance against the ungodly in Colchester;
for yet Standford, Everard, Cole, Rhyne, Jefferies, and Morris, who
stood in the Gapp to preserve them from danger, during all that tedious siege,
have petitioned again and again for satisfaction for their Losses, yet till now
have found the Junto as deaf as an Adder, not vouchsafing to regard their
Complaints; until now that upon the Generals Letter (sent them no lesse
then three Months since) they are pleas'd refer it to Sir William Massam,
Mr. Massam, Mr. Gourdon, Mr.Holland, Sir William Strickland, Mr.
Mildray, and Mr. Edwards to consider of their Losses, and which way to
relieve them out of the estate of one Mr. Butler, whom they are pleased to
style by the name of a Rebell in Ireland, and to devise a Knack for the sale
thereof, or otherwise: and in case this estate should fail,(for Sir whimsey hath
long since been nibling about it, and therefore very like it will) then they are
to make some body else a Delinquent for requiting these Persons, and to
bring in a Knack to that purpose, which may perhaps be effected a Twelve month
hence.
For they love to take time in all businesses; wherein the Purchasers of
Deans and Chapters Lands mean to follow their Example; who considering
how Ticklish affairs stand, and what great Preparations are made both at
home and abroad to restore His Majesty, they fear yet the scales may turn:
And therefore they have no great stomach to strike the Bargain, but stand still
and buzz a while to see the event of things, before they part with their Moneys;
which proves but of very sad consequence to those Youths, who upon
that account expect to be Re-imbursed their monies lent for the service of
Ireland, seeing, those Lands go not off as was expected.
To help which, they are graciously pleased to let fall the Prices thereof, in
hopes to draw in new Chapmen: And to that end a delicate new Knack is
contrived, wherein they tempt them with this lovely Bait; viz. That all
such who will be so madd as to double their Moneys, shall have ten dayes
preheminence before others: And that all such as will pay in their moneys
presently, shall have interest at the rate of 8l.per centum for the same, till the
20 of July next: very large Priviledges and favors.
Which had not yet been thought upon, were it not that No LL and his accomplices
[the Councell of State] have commanded them to dispatch their
business and Adjourn, being resolved not longer to be troubled with such
needless Competitors, so chargeable to the Common-wealth: For now they
see they cannot so easily reconcile the secluded Members, as was supposed; and
therefore they hold it requisit to turn one and all quite off, to save the charge