WHen I considered the advise of the Wiseman , who gives caution not to answer a Foole in his Folly lest we be like unto him ; I had resolved not so much as to take notice of a late lying scandalous paper , entitutled , A true Confutation of a false Representation , of one that calls himselfe by the name of Capt . John Harris , published in the name of one John Cox , Agent to severall Trustees for payment of Master Pyms debts , ( although the Gentleman was ashamed to affix his hand thereunto , as by the said paper appeares . )

Yet when I considered that by the said Paper not onely my owne innocency was arraigned and unjustly sentenced , but also the Interest of the Commonwealth apparently subject to prejudice , and that I ( having so far traced the proceedings of the said John Cox ) had a possibility of repayring the one & preventing the other , by a timely discovery of the strange Fallacies , and scandalous suggestions of the said John Chx , who thereby hopeth to prevent my endeavours of procuring an equall discussion of severall matters of Fact , wherein the honour , justice and Interest of the Common-wealth is eminently concerned ; I say the consideration thereof constrained me once more to put pen to paper , and clearly and ingenuously , according to the utmost of my skill , so to state the Case , that every eye may judge whether what I have endeavoured be for the advance of my owne Interest , as in the said paper is falsely suggested , or for the advantage of the Commonwealth .

In the first place instead of a confutation he comes in with a scandalous calumniation , suggesting that the Representer appeared onely for the Interest of Papists and Delinquents ( but names none ) neither dare he , lest he should be put to as much trouble to prove it , as he hath beene to give his two various accounts upon his owne oath , concerning the estates trusted for Payment of Master Pyms debts . But certainly the Gentleman mistook himselfe when he thought his crying out against the proceedings of one , that he would faine have the world beleeve , to be a Papist , thereby to create a prejudice against the Representer and the things Represented , should be any enducement to the persons of Gravity and honour by him mentioned , either to beleeve him , or condemne me , untill they had heard both parties , and examined the matters of Fact ; and therefore in my opinion he might well have spared that labour . For I humbly conceive , if I were a Papist in Armes my selfe , and should offer any thing unto the consideration of Parliament , that tended unto the advancement of the Interest of the publique , it would not be so much considered what I was , but what I purposed ; in such cases , the things , not persons , being to be respected .

But suppose the Case were as the Gentleman would have it , nothing would accrew thereby to his benefit : for if the Estate of Thomas Morgan and John Preston were setled for payment of Master Pyms just debts , certainly those debts must appeare , and be duly proved , and not Master Cox left at liberty to bring in eight or ten thousand pounds debts of the Lord Sayes , the Earle of Manchester , Sir Benjamin Rudiards , who is one of the trustees , and others .

And suppose all the Debts claimed were admitted , yet the trustees must onely enjoy Morgans and Prestons , and not the estate of any other person , whether Papist , Delinquent , or both ; For certainly the Parliament as they were just in saving the Right of all other Persons , then the Heires , Executors , Administrators or Assignes , of Morgan and Preston by their Ordinance for settlement ; So they will be just in making it good . And truly I apprehend that my endeavours , if any such have beene , to preserve the honour and justice of Parliament , although as is pretended unto an enemy , will not by any unprejudiced uninteressed person be lookt upon as a dis-service .

But further , I would faine have the Gentleman unmaske himselfe , and tell me this Papist and Delinquents name , and then I should be able to speake to the purpose ; For now I do but guesse at his meaning . I remember once at Haberdashers-Hall the Genleman to hinder my endeavours of calling him to an account , did suggest that I only appearded on behalf of one Sir Anthony Morgan , whom he then suggested to be a Papist in Armes , but Mr. Rich being Councell for the said Sir Anthony did clearly disprove that his scandalous suggestion by the produce of a Certificate under the hands of Josias Barners , one of the Commissioners & Justice Lowther , of his having taken the oath of abjuration , the truth whereof Mr. Cox knowes well , and yet contrary to the light of his Conscience will proceed in such his calumnations ; But this is only matter of supposition , and therefore untill the Gentleman make a particular discovery , I shall as to that be silent : But to proceed , the Gentleman in the fifth pag . of his Paper , endeavouring to wave the order of Parliament of 13 Feb. 1643. which ascertained Mr. Pyms Debts to ten Thousand Pounds , and takes upon him to give you the reason of Parliament for leaving the debts at an uncertainty in the Ordinance ; to wit , because the Debts were great , and the Greater , for the interest growing between the time of the said Order , and passing the Ordinance , which was about two yeares after ; But he had forgot to tell you that Sir Benjamin Rudiard received three half yeares Rent out of Morgans Estate , between Feb. 1643. and Ian . 1645. the time of the passing the said Ordinance , so that the Debts might have been lessened , if he and his good Master had pleased ; as also that the Children of Mr. Pym received severall summes out of the Revenue for their maintenance before and since the Ordinance ; as will appeare by certificate of Mr. Cosins , Secretary to the Committee of the Revenue . And a little further he tells you that the greatest part of these Debts were contracted by Mr. Pyms neglect of his own private estate for the service of the Common-wealth . Now although I doe honour the memory of Mr. Pym , and acknowledge his faithfull industry on behalfe of the publique , yet I must be bold to tell the Gentleman that in this he hath greatly abused the truth , and for proofe thereof shall quote Mr. Sherwins Report , by which it appears that of all the debts challenged ( some whereof have been owing ever since Jan. 1622. May 1631. and so upward to 1640 ) there hath not been above two thousand two hundred pounds borrowed by Mr. Pym since the Parl . sate , and the Lord Say , Lord Brooke , the Earle of Manchester , Sir Benjamin Rudiard , or some one or more of them are parties to some of the said Debts too ; but Mr. Cox is a confident affirmant , though he hath a treacherous memory ; and cannot make his tales hold well together .

In the next place in answer to my allegation that the Debts of Mr. Pym were not proved : He flies to his sanctuary the Report of Mr. Sherwin , whose name he sets downe with an Emphasis for his greater Glory ; sayes he , it appeares by the Report of Mr. Auditor Sherwin , that the greatest part of them are proved , and the rest are ready to be proved , before the Honourable Committee nominated by the Parliament , for taking the Accompts of the said Trustees .

But truly I shall joyn issue with Mr. Cox upon this account , and tell him that notwithstanding all his mincing of the matter , not one of the Debts are proved , either as was required by the order of Jan. 29. 1650. or by the Order of the 18. of March , 1650. or as they ought to be in justice and equity . Next he endeavours to shuffle off that materiall allegation of mine in my Representation ; To wit , ( That the Debts and Interest charged in Mr. Cox his Accompt to be paid , did not appeare by any of the Creditors examined , ) with saying the Creditors were not axamined to that point , and that the money charged to be paid in the Accompt was to other persons not there produced . If it be true as he sayes , I must be bold to say there was the greater partiality or negligence . For the Order of March 18. 1650. did enjoyn the Interrogating the Creditors , not onely what was due , but what was paid , and by whom ; for that it was possible Mr. Pym in his life time might pay all or part of many Debts now challenged to be due ; and it was also ordered that Mr. Cox or the Trustees should ascertaine and prove all Mr. Pyms Debts , and not to take some and leave some , and Mr. Brewerton did draw up Interrogatories according to the said Order , and sent them to Mr. Sherwin to examine the Creditors to that purpose ; and I cannot beleeve Master Sherwin did omit so materiall an examination , so much concerning the benefit of the Common-wealth , and those persons who were not produced , to whom he pretends to have paid his Accompt , ought by the said Order to have been produced , if any such Creditors had been , which giveth great cause of beleefe , there never were any such Creditors in being , and that the 5171 l. remaineth as cash to be accounted for by Mr. Cox to the Commonwealth ; but Mr. Coxes seeming confident reliance on the mentioned Report , and his affirmation of being ready to prove the remainder of the Debts , are but Reeds , which will stand him in little stead , they are but Cobweb Lawn , and the mystery is seen through , for I would have all rationall men to judge , wherefore the Parliament should be troubled to take care of this particular Case , which was under the Consideration of those which they had made proper judges , and by whom such pains had been taken to find out the truth of the Case , that by their Report ( if need had required ) the Parliament might have been truly enformed .

I say I would faine have Mr. Cox tell me the reason , for I cannot fathome it , only to me it appeares that it was done out of designe to prevent the Commissioners farther search in the businesse , whose criticall examination he could not endure with safety , and therefore found out this way by some subtile suggestion or other to engage the Parliament to transmit the examination thereof unto a Committee , altogether unacquainted with the proceedings that had been thereupon , thereby hoping before any were aware to get himselfe free of the account , and secured in the execution of his fraud and oppression .

As to his flourishes concerning the values of the estate and his improvement , together with what he hath received and paid , with the extravagancy of his and his fellow Agents accompts , severall summes of the Common-wealths money being charged upon accompt for the leaping of Mr. Pyms Mare , and for Ale and Tobacco for Mr. Cox and the like , all these things being matter of Fact , I shall referre them to the examination and judgment of the persons entrusted therewith , onely for the better satisfaction I will propose a few things to consideration , and then referring my selfe unto my Representation formerly exhibited , humbly submit my selfe unto your graver judgements .

1. Whether it be not just and equall that the Debts of Mr. Pym should be proved to be his proper Debts , as also when and how they became his Debts , and whether any of them were paid by him in his life time ?

2. Whether it be not reasonable where the Earle of Manchester , the Lord Say , Sir Benjamin Rudiard , or any other stands bound together with Mr. Pym , that they should prove Mr. Pym to be the Principall , either by witnesse upon oath , or the produce of Counterbonds ?

3. The Parliament having settled the Interests and Estates of Morgan or Preston only , which they had 1641 , for the payment of Mr. Pyms Debts , and by their Ordinance saved the Interest of all persons other than their Heires , &c. If any other person have a legall title to all or any part of the premisses , whether is it for the advancement of the Honour , Justice , or interest of Parliament , that the said Cox . &c. upon pretence of the Ordinance should detain the said Estate ? For if the person claiming be as he suggests a Papist and Delinquent , although his Estate be forfeit unto the Common-wealth : yet it appertaines not to the Trustees either in right of Sequestration or sale , they being to enjoy no more then by their Ordinance is setled .

4. Whether it be not rationally to be expected that Mr. Cox ( who hath already exhibited two various accompts upon his oath , besides severall other papers under his hand absolutely contradictory to one another , ) should be forced to make other proofe of his receipts or disbursments then his own oath ?

5. Whether ( considering that Mr. Cox will not discover the true value of the Estate settled ) It would not conduce very much to the clearing of the truth and securing the Common-wealths interest , to have a Commission executed for discoverie of the true values , and what he hath leavied thereupon , for I conceive the Trustees affirmation that they have received no more , can be no discharge to Mr. Cox , who hath or might have received more ; having enjoyed the Estate six yeares , being acknowledged to be of the value of 2480 l. per an . besides Wood and Timber sold ; which if examined will amount to a considerable value .

6. Whether the produce of severall specialties pretended to be discharged by Mr. Cox as Mr. Pyms Debts , the same not being proved , can be admitted as a sufficient discharge , for five thousand and odde pounds by him received and charged as paid in his account .

7. Whether Mr. Coxes pretence of having paid severall great sums of Money to Charles and Katherin Pym , one whereof hath been long dead , and the other remaining in the Antego Islands , ( of which Mr. Cox will take no notice ) whether I say that shall be allowed , as part of their portions , paid them while the Debts are unpaid , and the interest encreasing to above five thousand pounds , all which is charged upon the State .

But not to trouble you further , I earnestly desire all those to whose hands this paper shall come , seriously to reade the same , together with the Representation formerly published , and then judge whether what I have done or do in the premssies do not tend visibly to prevent the fraudulent proceedings of the said Iohn Cox , and securing the just interest of the Parliament . As for his great outcry of my appearance for Papists , and Delinquents ; it signifies nothing untill it be proved , and if proved , I humbly conceive the justice of Parliament ought to be as tenderly preserved to them as any other ; and I in endeavouring the same am no way culpable .

For my part I scarce know Mr. Cox or any other person concerned , neither have I any personall prejudice against them : but since I have come to the knowledge of their proceedings , I did conceive my self obliged to make a discovery thereof , and by Gods blessing am resolved to pursue the same , untill I shall obtain an equall hearing ; and I doubt not but in the end , were his Masters and Friends my Judges , it would really appeare that his Agency hath been detrimentall both to their honour who trusted him , and to the Common-wealth ; and that the Gentleman who calls himself by the Name of Capt . Iohn Harris , ( as he conceives he justly may do , having since March 25. last past as a Captain expended of his own Estate above one hundred and threescore pounds for advancement of the Publique Service ) will appeare as he hath since the beginning of the late Warre , ( wherein he hath faithfully served the Parliament in matters of greatest Consequence ) a reall Servant unto the Honour , Justice and interest of the Parliament , to whom he is resolved to adhere to the Hazard of his life and estate , when such Flesh-flies as his Calumniators , who love them onely for what they can suck from them , will hide their heads , or by a conjunction with their enemies manifest their malignity .

Time will evidence all things , and there is a good God that judgeth the intention , and will lay open the Hidden Secrets of the heart , to him I appeale , on him I depend , well knowing that the hearts of Rulers and Judges are and shall be framed and disposed for the accomplishment of his end , viz. The impartiall execution of justice , without respect of persons .