A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answer [sic] to the…A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answeer [sic] to the…

If a Company or Set of Men, made up of some that had stolen a Parcel of Goods, & others that were Partakers with them, should be discovered in selling of them, and some Body should say the Company were guilty, not only of stealing but selling the stolen Goods, would it not be thought ridiculous in them, to cry out of Slander and a Breach of the ninth Commandment, on no better Pretence than only that they had not yet sold 'em all? You seem to desire that it should be much taken Notice of by your Readers, that we say that therein the Gentlemen of the Party have done that in the Face of the World as glorying in it, which common Knaves and Russians, when they do, do privately, and keep secret, as being ashamed of it: As we said then, so we say now, and appeal to all Gentlemen and all Christians, whether or no it be any Thing more than a just Reflection? Or, whether the Expressions are at all harsh for such an Act? You yourself acknowledge such an Act deserves to be had in Detestation and Abhorrence: And tho' we did not charge it on any of the Council then, yet while you are declaiming against us for charging you with it, you immediately show us and the World, that you are not afraid nor ashamed to have it true of you; ⟨p. 61⟩but do it in the Face of the World, and glory in it now, when you do fully know it to be a stolen Letter. You seem to pretend that you publish it in your own Vindication, to show the World that all of it was not contained in the Gazette, wherein we say it was published; and may perhaps be ready to justify yourself with that, viz. That we, by abusively representing that you had published the Letter, made it needful for you to publish it, to show that you had not: But supposing we have herein abused you, does that give you Warrant so greatly to abuse another Man, that was not concerned in that Abuse? Supposing the Author of that Letter himself, had by some injurious Reproaches cast on you, rendered it needful that the Letter should be published in your Vindication, tho' to his Disgrace; yet, will your taking this Advantage agree with your severe and bitter Charges of us for publishing Mr. Clap's Testimony, that was not stolen, but our own (wherein was something to Mr. B—k's Discredit) which was done upon a like Reason?

If a Company or Set of Men, made up of some that had stolen a Parcel of Goods, & others that were Partakers with them, should be discovered in selling of them, and some Body should say the Company were guilty, not only of stealing but selling the stolen Goods, would it not be thought ridiculous in them, to cry out of Slander and a Breach of the ninth Commandment, on no better Pretence than only that they had not yet sold 'em all? You seem to desire that it should be much taken Notice of by your Readers, that we say that therein the Gentlemen of the Party have done that in the Face of the World as glorying in it, which common Knaves and Russians, when they do, do privately, and keep secret, as being ashamed of it: As we said then, so we say now, and appeal to all Gentlemen and all Christians, whether or no it be any Thing more than a just Reflection? Or, whether the Expressions are at all harsh for such an Act? You yourself acknowledge such an Act deserves to be had in Detestation and Abhorrence: And tho' we did not charge it on any of the Council then, yet while you are declaming against us for charging you with it, you immediately shew us and the World, that you are not afraid nor ashamed to have it true of you;