Page:Petty 1660 Reflections.djvu/40

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

( 38 )

and esteemed his Favourite, was envyed for my frequent Privacies with him, acted Solus cum Solo[1], in Grants for Beneficial Offices, Civil, Ecclesiastical and Military, Licenses for Transplanted Persons, Exporting prohibited Goods, Pardons for Crimes, & many more matters: Yet never was I herein taxed as to Bribes, nor to delay men, in order to squeeze out of them the fatter gratuities; But on the contrary, in order to avoid the very appearances of this Evil, refused all manner of Fees and Gratuities, so as never to have received wherewith to defray the incident Charges of that Office: although Reason, Law, and ancient Custome, would have allowed me some Hundreds, during the time of my acting in that capacity. Now if I have not been so much as taxed, where I had the greatest temptation, 'tis probably I have not been notoriously faulty, where there was none, nor hopes of impunity.

2ly, When I was Clerk of the Council, In which place by the Opportunities I had to forward or retard mens business; to word Orders to more or less advantage of the Suitors: And when by my particular Interest with the Lord Lieute-

  1. all on my own