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quisites as Clerk of the Councell, did I not formerly give much of them away? Ask those who have offered me large presents of Gold, how I treated them? I have many hundred pounds owing me in dribling debts; whom did I ever arrest? How many actionable words and Defamations have I patiently swallowed, even in the flower of all my interest and power? How many Leases and Bargains have I released upon the other parties own pretence of having too hard a pennyworth? Have I fallen into passion at the newes of great Losses? Of whom have I bought a Debenture under the Market rate? Who ever gave more for the like Debentures? To how many have I given above, to prevent scandal? Whose Birth-right have I bought for a Mess of Pottage? Whom have I made a Delinquent (to get his Land?) To such as had forfeited but upon a Nicitie; have I not given time to free their Estate? How many have I relieved, whose Lands have been set out unto me, even before I ever received penny profit? Have I taken advantage of those that by mistake have built upon my Land? Have I been fierce in requiring my Rents?
