( 298 )
retained severall. I have been only studiouse to recollect what I have been doeing this three or four yeares, which might occasion this heavy charge; but, Mr. Speaker, I can remember noe fact whereof I am either afraid or ashamed. Wherefore my earnest motion is, that instead of these heapes of calumnies and reproach, I may receive a more distinct and particular charge, whereby I may bee putt in a way to vindicate my selfe effectually.
Having ended this discourse, the knight replyed, as neer as the memory of such as were present can recollect, much to the following purpose, and even the very words, holding many papers in his hand, vizt:
Mr. Speaker,
Sir H. Sankys reply.You have heard here a long, starcht, studied speech; I say, a starch, studied peice. Mr. Speaker, there has been a great deale of rhetorique; I say, a great deale of rhetorique. But I will prove my charge: I will make it good, Mr. Speaker, from the front to the reare, front, flanke, and reare; Mr. Speaker, that I will. I have not much rhetorique, but I have my papers here; I have fetched them here from Dublyn; here they be in my hand; I have them ready, Mr. Speaker. Here be foule things; I will prove them. I warrant I'll prove them, Mr. Speaker. He says, Mr. Speaker, that he hath not taken bribes—not bribes? O strange! Really if he hasnt taken bribes, then he hath taken nothing. Not bribes!—sure he hath lost his memory! I thought he would have confest that. If he had but as good a memory as he has confidence, hee would confess that, Mr. Speaker: hee must have confidence. Really, he wants it; for I have foule things in these papers here. Not bribes? Mr. Speaker! Why, there was Lieut.-Collonell Fflower, Mr. Speaker, gave him a bribe. Lieut.-Collonell Fflower came to him with an order for land, and the Dr asked him what he would give him; Lieut.-Collonell Fflower said 100li, but the Doctor said, Pish! pish! Fflower, willt thou give me noe more; thou shallt give me 100li a year, Fflower, that thou shalt; and soe, Mr. Speaker, Lieut.-Collonell Fflower gave him 100li a year for a bribe. In my judgement, now, this was a bribe: for what was it else, Mr. Speaker? And, Mr. Speaker, there was Captain Sands. Captain Sands came for a reprizall; but, said the Doctor to him, will you give me your house, then? His house in Oxman-towne, Mr. Speaker, next to Sir Robert Meredith there. Will you give me your house, Captain Sands? said the Dr. Now if this was not a bribe, twas an inducement to a bribe. Soe Captain Sands was glad to give to the Dr his house in Oxman-towne, that